I have a trip scheduled for buff and tuskless with my wife and another couple who have never been to Africa before. I see that the elections are currently slated for july 31. I know that is a big maybe, but they are coming soon. We arrive on aug 29. We are hunting on the sentinel ranch way down in the south actually on SA border.
Having read "The fear" and other books about the last election. What is the consensus amongst the brethren here on security traveling right after or during the elections.

Does travel insurance cover cancelations for political reasons?

Brent

Yes, Mugabe is at it again, claiming that they will fight with all that they have in them to win this election on July 31. He's 89 and Morgan is 61, but I am sure that we will see all of the violence and upheaval once again. Someone needs to off that bastard and 3/4 of his henchmen/henchwomen for good. If you want to read a chilling book, read "Don't Listen To What I Am About To Say". It's a compilation of interviews of blacks and whites who have been tortured and abused throughout Mugabe's reign of terror and survived. It is not a book for the faint hearted.

I hunted in Zim two weeks before the last election. That election preceded the coalition government, there was much more "noise" about the election than this one and despite all that we had a great trip. We experienced no situations that made us uncomfortable or nervous. Everyone was friendly as always. I would have no reservations about going before, after or during the election this year.

I fly into Bulawayo at that time. Hopefully no problems

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
I fly into Bulawayo at that time. Hopefully no problems

Adam, let us know if you get out alright. Of course if you dont get out of Zim you wont be letting us know

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
I fly into Bulawayo at that time. Hopefully no problems

We are staying in city lodge the night of the 28 at jnb. If you are around that night let me know we can hook up for dinner.

Brent,

I'm not the slightest concerned about you. Then again you are paid up in full

Seriously like others have said I don't expect visiting hunters to experience anything remotely dangerous. I also was in Zim during the last election year and if I had not heard on the news that there were problems in Zim I never would have known anything was going on.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Yes, Mugabe is at it again, claiming that they will fight with all that they have in them to win this election on July 31. He's 89 and Morgan is 61, but I am sure that we will see all of the violence and upheaval once again. Someone needs to off that bastard and 3/4 of his henchmen/henchwomen for good. If you want to read a chilling book, read "Don't Listen To What I Am About To Say". It's a compilation of interviews of blacks and whites who have been tortured and abused throughout Mugabe's reign of terror and survived. It is not a book for the faint hearted.

Please provide ISBN number, publisher, etc.

Don't worry, I have found it.

election?

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
election?

Ah comon! Stand in a long line, get a piece of paper, or two, or three, make a x in the right spot. Then have the ANC, SADC and Jimmy Carter say it is all okay. PRESTO, free and fair election Afro Socialist style.

My wife and I were there during the uncertainty immediately following the last elections. We didn't have a single moments concern.
The vast majority of Zimbos are brilliant friendly people that's why Bob has been allowed to survive so long.
Go and have a great hunt.

Brent, as I said above, you should be fine. The only thing I would worry about and try to coordinate around is to make sure that my time in Zim did not correspond to when Rob Jolly will be there. He is rumored to have some strange sexual proclivities and suffice it to say you would be better safe than sorry by avoiding any overlap with him in terms of your travel. For example, it is no accident that in communal areas the locals lock up their goats when Rob is hunting is the area. Just saying . . .

I think it is very sad when someone takes a serious thread and debases it in an infantile attempt at what they consider to be humour.
It would seem that some ex legal professionals find it hard to refrain from courting public controversy when circumstances find them forced to make unbillable proclamations.
I am told there are some good looking goats in Zim anyway !!

Infantile . . . I resemble . . . I mean, I resent, that remark.

I was also there in 2008 during the elections. Although I did not experience any of the violence personally, I did see the Mugabe posters and leaflets and we were told not to discuss politics in any way, shape or fashion. We were even told not to waive to people as a simple waive was the sign of the MDC. I think that this election go around could very well be the most violent, due to Mugabe's age and the fact that time has allowed more exposure of his ongoing reign of terror and tactics. There's a new claim that Mugabe is purging the electoral roll and making changes to the distribution of voters. Also, Mugabe unilaterally declared the 31st of July to be the date of the election, when under their constitution, it was to be held much earlier. Mugabe calls this election a "do or die" election. and has told his followers: "You are our soldiers. You have a battle to fight. Go into the battle well armed. It's a fight for our lives. It's a battle for survival. Go into the battle with the full knowledge that there is a political enemy. This is a do or die struggle." I would be prepared for any potential contingency if I were going to be in Zimbabwe at that time. Don't be curious or take chances and stay away from anything that might cause trouble. Just my two cents worth.

I hunted in Dande North during the time of the last election. As I flew directly from Harare to the bush, I never saw or heard of any problems. I did see trucks of uniformed personnel in Dande taking villagers to polling places and saw Mugabe posters on the huts in the local villages, but that is about it. Let me offer this harsh reality about Zimbabwe - Whites are irrelevant. Don't look for trouble, and it will not find you.
Have fun, and have a great hunt!

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I think that this election go around could very well be the most violent, due to Mugabe's age and the fact that time has allowed more exposure of his ongoing reign of terror and tactics. There's a new claim that Mugabe is purging the electoral roll and making changes to the distribution of voters. Also, Mugabe unilaterally declared the 31st of July to be the date of the election, when under their constitution, it was to be held much earlier. Mugabe calls this election a "do or die" election. and has told his followers: "You are our soldiers. You have a battle to fight. Go into the battle well armed. It's a fight for our lives. It's a battle for survival. Go into the battle with the full knowledge that there is a political enemy. This is a do or die struggle." I would be prepared for any potential contingency if I were going to be in Zimbabwe at that time. Don't be curious or take chances and stay away from anything that might cause trouble. Just my two cents worth.

Vaughn thanks for posting the warning... it could turn out really bad and I wouldn't want to be there myself I agree!

quote:

Originally posted by brent ebeling:

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
I fly into Bulawayo at that time. Hopefully no problems

We are staying in city lodge the night of the 28 at jnb. If you are around that night let me know we can hook up for dinner.

Would love to have taken you up on that offer however I wont be in Jo'Burg until the 31st.

Thanks for the input guys. I do plan on still going and figured we would have no problem, juat wanted to hear thoughts from others. I agree you would think it would not be so bad of an aftermath this time as supposedly the "world" will be alert and watching. Doesn't inspire much confidence does it. As he is getting older than dirt they may make a hard determeined run so he can transfer power to a party man. Who knows, could go either way. Unless Terry calls and states stay home we will be going. Juat nervous about taking newbies.

Was in Bulawayo when the Iranian president was in. Armed soldiers on most corners made it a little concerning BUT not as much as having him and his armed entourage pass up by...