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IS ZIMBABWE A SAFE SAFARI
DESTINATION?
By Tim Danklef and Dave Fulson
The
question above is one that has to be asked by any
potential safari client, and answered by safari companies
and or their booking agents, no matter which country
in Africa is being considered for a safari. These
days, Zimbabwe outfitters and agents are especially
busy reassuring clients, both perspective and those
already booked, that Zimbabwe is a safe travel destination.
As
one of that countries largest safari firms, Chifuti
Safaris is certainly in a position to address that
question, as we are on the ground there year round.
With both of the company owners and the majority
of our professional hunters and their families living
in Harare, we know far better than overseas journalists
the exact state of affairs in Zimbabwe.
Here
are some facts that should help put your mind at
ease. No safari company in Zimbabwe books more dangerous
game safaris than Chifuti Safaris, and not one single
security issue was raised to date. Your arrival into
the country is supervised by a representative of
Gecko Gardens. Chifuti organizes this ‘meet
and greet’ and overnight stay with Gecko Gardens
for the night of your arrival in Harare.
After
your luggage is collected and firearms permit secured,
A Gecko Rep will load you into a waiting vehicle
and make the short 15 minute drive to one of his
two estates on the outskirts of Harare. Both 5 acre
estates are beautiful and secure. Gecko Gardens employs
a private security firm who foot patrols the gated
grounds 24 hours a day and there has never been a
single security issue with our clients who enjoy
Mikes personal and exceptionally professional service.
The
next morning, you will be escorted back to the airport
where you will meet your pilot for your charter flight
into the valley. There are no roadblocks to deal
with, no long travel by vehicle through urban areas,
or any stage of travel that finds the Chifuti client
unsupervised.
Once
the client arrives in our Zambezi safari areas, the
only Africans you will come into contact with work
for Chifuti Safaris or Zimbabwe Parks Department.
They are not only friendly and professional, they
are exceptionally happy to have you there as you
represent their livelihood.
Our
concessions are incredibly remote and far removed
from the closest urban areas. The country of Zimbabwe
certainly has it’s share of problems with well
chronicled and deteriorating economic situations.
Zimbabwe currency is not worth the paper it is printed
on and the country unfortunately is in a downward
financial spiral.
The
good news is that the government understands the
importance of foreign exchange brought into the country
as a direct result of safari hunting. Chifuti Safaris
is the single largest source of revenue for the Zimbabwe
Parks Department and we have an excellent relationship
with the governing board of this important department.
The
government, in spite of the many unwise decisions
and actions of the past, has taken great care to
ensure the safari business, and the safari operators
responsible for the money coming into the country,
are treated respectfully and not subject to government
interference. Zimbabwe needs the safari industry,
and continues to take great pains to maintain good
relations with it’s various operators, including
it’s best customer, Chifuti Safaris.
While
the U.S. State Department continues to cross swords
with the Mugabe government over it’s record
of human right violations and resistance to democratic
reform, the travel warnings are no more than that.
There
are absolutely no records of problems with security
due to unrest in big game safari areas. If that situation
should change, the client will not have to contact
Safari Classics or Chifuti Safaris, WE WILL CONTACT
THE CLIENT! No safari operator will ever send a client
into an area with the potential for problems. End
of story.
Each
year our office handles an incredible number of calls
from clients who are booked with Chifuti and are
in a panic about a blurb in the paper, a story on
TV, or a re-release of a State Dept. warning. Please
understand that no one has a better finger on the
pulse of Zimbabwe than we do. Our owners, staff,
and their families live there and know immediately
of all government decisions and or political situations.
Our Safari Classics offices are in constant contact
with the Harare office and we stay updated on a daily
basis.
Yes,
the population is suffering under the heavy hand
of the current government, but that fact in no way
affects your safari.
Some
may ask “How can you support this government
with your business?” Our response is “Money
spent on safari is crucial to the survival of Zimbabwe’s
wildlife. Pull the financial plug and Zimbabwe will
quickly be as stripped of wildlife as Kenya”.
Look
forward to your safari, and be assured that should
a problem or situation arise that you need to be
aware of, our office will immediately contact you
to discuss the situation.
