I have been away for a while but one of my friends said that SCI issued a warning telling hunters they should stay away from Zimbabwe. Did they really do this or is this a load of bull?

This was posted on another recent thread here.

While we all have generally ignored these, knowing that the State Department necessarily tends to error on the conservative side, it seems to me that the prudent traveler to Zimbabwe, would at least read this and contemplate all the possibilities.

More important perhaps is letting the US Embassy in Harare know that you are in the country, and being aware of all that the embassy can and can not do for you if you get in a difficult situation there. Having the Embassy telephone numbers handy [on your person] as well as having access to a telephone could be important. Cell phones work - sometimes, land lines work - usually, within the country, a satellite phone works always - I'll never leave home without one again!

Les



PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

This information is current as of today, Fri Oct 19 2007 15:12:18 GMT-0400 (Eastern Standard Time).

Zimbabwe

October 02, 2007

This Public Announcement is being issued to update travelers on security concerns in Zimbabwe and to advise Americans to consider the risks of travel to Zimbabwe at this time. This Public Announcement supersedes the Public Announcement issued on July 12, 2007, and expires on December 30, 2007.

The security situation in Zimbabwe is volatile and could deteriorate quickly without warning. Sharp price cuts on local goods have caused widespread shortages of bread, milk, meat, poultry and gasoline, and other basic goods, resulting in occasional outbreaks of violence as security agents seek to enforce the price cuts and citizens rush to buy available goods. Visitors should be prepared for food shortages and avoid large gatherings, particularly around shopping areas and in the high-density suburbs of Harare and Bulawayo .

In response to growing public protests against deteriorating conditions, the Zimbabwe Government continues to authorize its security forces to suppress all dissent by whatever means deemed necessary. In recent months, political leaders at the highest levels of the Zimbabwean government have condoned the security forces’ use of violence against opponents of the government. The government has defended its right to treat individuals roughly, including those in custody, and has warned of more such actions.

As campaigning and preparations for 2008 presidential elections take place, there is an increased potential for political violence, particularly at large rallies or demonstrations. American citizens in Zimbabwe should, therefore, exercise caution when traveling within the country and avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings.

The government frequently uses roadblocks to enforce order. Roadblocks can be particularly dangerous, and extreme caution should be used when approaching them. Travelers should comply with instructions from police or other security officials to stop at roadblocks. Travelers are advised to carry a mobile phone or other means of communication.

In light of the current circumstances, U.S. citizens are advised to consider the risks before traveling to Zimbabwe at this time. Americans who do travel to Zimbabwe should closely monitor the situation, keep travel documents up-to-date and make their own contingency plans. Americans overseas are advised to make or update complete inventories of their household effects and to maintain an adequate supply of food, water, and necessary medications in their home. See the State Department's information on emergency and crisis planning at http://travel.state.gov/travel/ tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html. American citizens already in Zimbabwe should monitor regularly the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Consular Information Sheet for Zimbabwe , the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, and other travel information can be found. Up to date information on security also can be obtained by emailing consularharare@state.gov or calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada . Callers outside the United States and Canada may call a toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are answered from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

All Americans in Zimbabwe are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov, by phone or in person at the U.S. Embassy in Harare . Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Zimbabwe and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency. Security updates are e-mailed to all registered Americans with an e-mail address.




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Hunters here have been coming and going like nothing is happening and having a great time, great hunts.

It is a small load of bull.

The U. S. State Department continually issues travel warnings for dozens of countries. My feeling is that they have to over-react to avoid getting ripped by the media if some tragic event should occur and no warning was in place.

I lived in Venezuela for nearly ten years. The Stte Department issued warning after warning after warning about travel to Venezuela. I saw numerous warnings about travel to India while I lived there for three years.

That doesn't say warnings should be ignored, but recent personal experience would be much more valuable information than a knee-jerk State Department warning.

I always laugh at the statement they give urging you to register with the U.S. Embassy there if you are an American living in that country. My experience has been that the U.S. Embassy can't do much for you, anywhere.

When I first starting traveling overseas the story amongst the Americans was that if shit happened run to the British Embassy in your country. The American embassies were manned by goobers. That is not too far from the truth. Examples:

1. As a company you need to know how to get an employee that dies overseas returned to his family in his home country. I had gotten a very detailed procedure in Venezuela directing you around the maze of regulations and laws in that country. When I lived in Qatar I thought I would get the same info, just in case. I met with the #2 man in the Embassy. They had never thought about that contingency and had no advice to offer. They did ask for a copy of my Venezuelan procedure so they could look into the problem.

2. When I was trying to get American visas for my wife and her daughters in Venezuela the American Embassy was consistently wrong in their interpretation of American law. I would get the correct information from Dallas Naturalization & Immigration office and provide it to the Embassy in Caracas.

Regarding the public announcement posted here you can remove the name "Zimbabwe" and plug in any other country name in Africa, Asia, and South America, and stand a pretty good chance of bumping in to a State Department warning.

Talk to people that currently live in Zimbabwe, travel to work in Zimbabwe, or are just back from Zimbabwe.

See also this previous thread.

[Particularly Russ Goulds' post on page 2.]

A recent report.

DO NOT go to Zimbabwe!!!

Just give me your ticket and recipts....I'll go insted, and I promise to let you know if it was safe or not.

I went last year and it was really terrible!!

Hey Smarter, glad to read you had a great trip. Does Leon come over for the safari shows, would like to meet him. Also, when is the State Dept going to issue travel warning for Houston? It was bad enough before all the thugs from New Orleans came over but Houston is the most dangerous place on earth I have ever been!!!!

Hey guys,

I just got back from Zim. I had zero problems. I have known about travel warnings from the government for a while. These have been the norm for a long time. I was told by a client that this warning was issued by SCI while I was gone. It is sounding more like a BS rumor since our pool of educated hunters here don't know anything about it.

7-Mag,

Leon will be here in Houston for the HSC show Jan.17-19. If you can stand it grab a concealed weapon and haul ass on over. With a little luck you won't get shot here (LOL). I'll have a brew waiting for you in the booth, and it won't be malt liquor.

Doesn't matter. Unless your surviving beneficiaries want to collect on your life insurance policy. Then it might matter a lot. But tough for them, eh?

quote:

Originally posted by Showbart:
Hunters here have been coming and going like nothing is happening and having a great time, great hunts.

and people were living on Mt. Saint Helen with no problem until it blew up

Go or stay home...makes no difference to me. I went during a State Dept. advisory to Zim this summer because those on the ground said all was ok...and it was. Will it be good later? I don't know but those on the ground will tell me. Build a relationship with someone there and you will get good intel.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:

quote:

Originally posted by Showbart:
Hunters here have been coming and going like nothing is happening and having a great time, great hunts.

and people were living on Mt. Saint Helen with no problem until it blew up

Yep Zimbabwe may well be fine until the day the head of government is replaced and the method by which he is replaced. That much looked for event seems to be getting closer.

This subject has been pounded into the ground in multiple threads, and the real trolls are fixin' to pile on this one. We're all grown men and women; let's pray for and admire the tough Zimbabweans, both black and white, watch the news, TALK to your PH and/or outfitter company and each make our own decisions. I'm asking for my own "Mugabe is a nit-wit" t-shirt for Christmas from my kids.

A State Dept. "Travel Warning" is more serious than the Zim announcement above. Here are the countries currently under Travel Warning:

Current Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries listed below are currently on that list. In addition to this list, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country.

Sri Lanka 10/19/2007
Kenya 10/18/2007
Lebanon 10/17/2007
Indonesia 10/05/2007
Yemen 09/24/2007
Nepal 09/24/2007
Pakistan 09/21/2007
Syria 09/18/2007
Algeria 09/14/2007
Timor-Leste 09/12/2007
Sudan 09/06/2007
Haiti 08/31/2007
Burundi 08/09/2007
Central African Republic 08/09/2007
Iraq 07/23/2007
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 07/13/2007
Saudi Arabia 06/14/2007
Chad 06/11/2007
Colombia 06/04/2007
Côte d'Ivoire 06/01/2007
Iran 05/31/2007
Eritrea 05/02/2007
Philippines 04/27/2007
Uzbekistan 04/25/2007
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 04/24/2007
Afghanistan 04/04/2007
Nigeria 01/19/2007
Somalia 06/05/2006

I just returned from Zim in sept 07. It was a 10 day buff and PG hunt. I was a little concerned when our outfitter picked us up and I noticed he had a side arm partially hidden on his belt. However, hardly anyone gave us a second look when we drove through Harare to Gecko Gardens. Everything in the bush was fine and the safari was great. When we returned to Harare Intl in our charter we were about to miss our flight to JOBERG. I saw what looked like 20,000 people standing outside the airport. The were waiting for Mugabe to land. The government troops did not even look at us as we ran to the terminal with our rifle cases. It took us about 15 minutes to check in and go through customs. We were nice to everyone and they were nice back. It was a great adventure and I would do it again tomorrow.

/

quote:

Originally posted by yukon delta:
Go or stay home...makes no difference to me.

Better yet, stay home to leave more open dates for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Cazador humilde:
... and the real trolls are fixin' to pile on this one.

WHO are you referring to as "real trolls" BTW?

I travel regularly to 6 of the countries on that list, including Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Most health considerations can be self-managed and mitigated with good preparation and good contingency planning, and most of the civil strife can be assessed sufficiently by those who have a reason to go.

For those who want 100% security, guaranteed by some third party, Africa is not for you. But as Bogey said to Major Strasse, "there are some parts of New York I would advise you not to invade." A lot of it is perception.

quote:

WHO are you referring to as "real trolls" BTW?

We got rid of him. He had more lives (logins) than CATS have lives

Wink is 100% on the mark. We can all add LOTS of places here like Detroit, Gary In, D.C., to name just a few to that list of danger zones. jorge

NitroX: Since you had already posted on this and, I might add, I agree with you that it's looking like the end of Mugabe might be well within sight, but that could also mean complete chaos is right behind, I obviously wasn't referring to you. 'Don't want that big friggin' double swingin' my way! There are others that have yet to post on this thread, that seem to be hell bent on discouraging others to go to Zim despite on-the-ground reports, very confrontational, veiled innuendos, etc. 'Nuff said.