Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > sub-Saharan Africa
Zimbabwe Info? Zimbabwe Info?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
sub-Saharan Africa Topics specific to sub-Saharan Africa. (Includes all countries South of 17 degrees latitude)
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Jul 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vimercate, Italy
Posts: 3
Zimbabwe Info?
Hi bikers, "Ciao" from Italy.

I am searching for updated informations about Zimbabwe internal situation.

I'll be in SouthAfrica with other friends (10 motorbike in total) in August. The original plan was abou a trip SouthAfrica-Zimbabwe-Mozambico-Malawi-Mozambico-SoutAfrica in 4 weeks.
In the last few days we got some bad AND unconfirmed news about Zimbabwe, depicting a situation rapidly going bad: almost impossible to obtain gasoline (excepts for big city) with situation going worst and severe social problem (small riot, bandit problem and so on).

Anyone can confirm or point me to up to date news an reliable informations?

If this infos will be confirmed we will be forced to cut the trip reducing it to only mozambico and malawi!


Thanks in advance

Bibo - Italy

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Jul 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Posts: 86
Hallo Bibo

Things are getting worse all the time in Zimbabwe but most of the reports you hear are simply rumours because of the partial media blackout. Only some of it is true.

Fuel is a problem – sometimes there is fuel and sometimes there isn’t. Diesel and unleaded petrol can be difficult or impossible to get hold of.

I still think it’s pretty safe since tourists travel through the country all the time without any problems. You will certainly get mixed reports: some will tell you the country is filled with friendly locals and others will tell you ex-soldiers were trying to kill them.
Reliable information will be difficult to get unless you speak to someone who went there “yesterday”.

Residents and recent emigrants of Zimbabwe are usually negative and will probably advise you not to visit. They may simply be paranoid and should not always be believed. The situation in the UK with bombings in London and the recent riots in Edinburgh is far more scary to me than riding across Zimbabwe with a group of 10 bikers!

Read the Special Reports at www.news24.com for some Zimbabwe updates. Remember: only sensational bad news are ever reported.

[This message has been edited by LuckyStriker (edited 11 July 2005).]
__________________
BMW R1200GS
Suzuki TL1000S
Suzuki GSX750R
Honda MBX50
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London
Posts: 542
I rode through Zim several months ago and spent two weeks in the country.

At that time leaded petrol (super) was readily available, although my friend found diesel to be very difficult to obtain, particularly in Bulawayo. Unleaded petrol can be difficult to find.

From a tourist perspective, I think you will be very safe, with the difficulties seemingly confined to opponents of the Zanu PF regime. The current demolition of property is unlikely to affect you, unless you happen to be standing next to the buildings when the bulldozers go through.

Make sure you carry cash to change on the black market, as official exchange rates are ridiculously low. The benefit of this is that petrol, which is based on official rates is the cheapest in southern africa by a long way.

cheers
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Jul 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vimercate, Italy
Posts: 3
Thanks for the info. I am collecting news from various sources and, as usual, I got a mixed warning, from "Everything is fine, good travel" to "You are mad! Never in a life...".
I think I'll go on to collect info and we will choose the travel route "last minute style" using the info we will collect in the last day of july when I'll be in Johannesburg with a friend three days in advance to start the disembarcation and veichles import process.

Thanks again

Bibo - Italy
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 30 Jul 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 142
Having just returned from Zim a couple of weeks ago, I personally would say that 99% of the "security warnings" are unfounded, at least for foreigners and tourists. If you happen to own a farm in Zim that one of Mugabes corrupt cronies wants to get their greedy hands on, it would be a differant matter of course...

I felt just as safe, if not safer in Zim than I have been in 20some other african countrys.
Mind you, I was only in the northeast of the country this time. But then it is where the shacks have been bulldozed over etc recently, and it appeared that other parts of the country are not even effected by this recent policy. The only "riot" I saw was at the Senegal vs. Zim rugby match, where some of the croud got a bit over excited, and threw some rocks at the Senegalese players. Since Zim won the game, nothing more happened!

I would in otherwords go for it if I were you, and you will also most likely find that fuel is actually easier to get away from the main cities rather then near them. At least that's what we experianced.

Good luck and have fun!

Erik

www.dunia.no

------------------
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Aug 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2003
Location: UK/ZW
Posts: 725
My sister in law, who lives in Bulawayo, says there is no fuel and nothing on the shelves apart from mealie meal. The people are cool in the west, bulawayo, vic falls etc but Harare is a bit difficult sometimes. The main problem is fuel, you may have to be patient and hunt around for it (usually paying over the odds) but you should find some somewhere. As Eric says, stay clear of politacal rallies, the police and army and just go for it.

Eric - how'd it go? Send us an email sometime!
__________________
Enzo
Last edited by Bundubasher; 12 Nov 2019 at 19:07.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Aug 2005
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vimercate, Italy
Posts: 3
Thanks for all hints. Sadly I could not read the last two posts because on 27/7 I went to JHB three days in advance to complete the temporary importation procedure for all the ten bikes.
We avoided the zimbabwe and followed the limpopo river in mozambico to north directed to espungabera and Tete before entering in malawi, go again in mozambico to ila de mocambique and then south following the tracks along the coast. We covered about 7000 km in 4 week

Thanks again for all suggestions

Ciao

Bibo - Italy
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:07.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top