zaitsev
.300 member
Reged: 15/05/06
Posts: 138
Loc: Trysil, Norway
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I have been planning an trip to Zimbabwe this fall to see how the PH&guides are training before their exam at Rifa, and then some hunting afterwards the week course is over.
then all the hornets nest start to go up in the air.
Isit safe to go there or should i go to another african country on a hunting tour instead of Zim and not getting the chance to meet the Legeandeary PH`s Ganyana,Don Heath and others.
I would like your advice as you guys have traveled to Africa many times and i havent gone there yet. But if mr Mugabe needs a successor, i can probably arrange my schedule for that.
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The world hasnt got enough big Bores ,and people who uses them
(mr rigby at AR)
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Ripp
.577 member
Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
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I have been there several times --I have always felt safe. Granted things are always changing so it would be prudent to keep a vigilant eye--however I would not hesitate on going, in fact I have another hunt booked there for 2008--in northern Zimbabwe--for lion and buffalo.
The country is very, very poor especially since Muggabee has taken over with his new political practices. He has raped the people and the land has been paying the price for his actions, IMHO.
Just take the same precautions you would otherwise take when traveling and you should be fine. As in all things in life, there are no guarantees, so watch your backside.
Good luck and Safe Travels
Ripp
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ozhunter
.400 member
Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia
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Just got back from a three week hunting trip to Zimbabwe last week and only felt threatened twice.
Once from a Elephant and once from a Lion.
You will enjoy a holiday there.
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EricD
.416 member
Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
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Zeitsev,
I see absolutely no reason to hesitate when it comes to visiting Zimbabwe as a tourist/hunter.
Many of us follow very closely on what goes on in various African countries, including the security situation. Often via direct contact with people who live there (vs various "State Dept." advice found on the internet, which IMO is often biased depending on the political relationships between countries).
Although Zim is a poor country in many ways, you will find that the people are in general very friendly and helpful. I'd go so far as to say visiting Zim is far safer than at least a dozen other African countries my wife and I have spent time in.
I presume you will not be wandering alone in downtown Harare in the middle of the night, which would not be a good idea. But then the same goes for virtually every other African city I've spent time in (With the exception of Khartoum. I guess the threat of getting your hand chopped off for stealing is pretty preventive when it comes to cutting down on crime. )
So I say go have a great time, take lots of pictures for us here on NE, and enjoy all the fun, and friendly people, Zim has to offer. You will not regret it! 
Erik
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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member
Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....
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My friends in Zimbabwe asure me that there really is nothing to fear, unless you plan on attending a political rally. Aside from that, go, have fun, and don't forget to post pics when you get back.
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40645
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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At the moment I don't see any big problems in doing a hunting safari in Zimbabwe. Good outfitters have the supplies issue taken care of and the client is met, led around and escorted so most things are taken care of.
Plus the visit to the Professional Hunters exams sounds interesting.
Go for it!
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John aka NitroX
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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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zaitsev
.300 member
Reged: 15/05/06
Posts: 138
Loc: Trysil, Norway
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As i have gotten info about the PH Exam is closed for outsiders and its only open to Apprentice PH `s , guides and the examiners.
What the info says the Excam concists of a weeks excamination where the Learner will put up an camp and be the boss of that , and the examinators will be the clinet with all strange things that can happen when the lion will try to be a cub for a week..:)
The Rifa course is a practice session before that week and outsiders /civillian are allopwed to watch it, and thats what im planning, i must get more cash and papers in order before that trip.
The course will consist of bush survivval, shooting practice, tracking, shooting, and skinning an elephant or more, im not sure yet how hunting it will be there, but the will walk upon elephants every day, and lion and buffalo is in the area also.
So 9,3x62 with 286 grain slugs are mandatory minimum for the trip.
I think the 404 with a good 400 grain solid will be the best as it can be close range and you probably are safe there, but much can happen on Safaris, and being careful hasnt hurt anyone on tours.
Rifa is alos the testground for various rifles and ammo so its where the good bullets are checked out to see if they are worth the ammo price and if they behave properly in game.
If i could afford it , i would have had a DR rifle in .450 NE for the trip . But the .404 is an ecellent round that is a good cartridge to carry.
And who knows perhaps it will get the chance on a Jumbo?
Now where is a rich spoiled girl........
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The world hasnt got enough big Bores ,and people who uses them
(mr rigby at AR)
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NitroX
.700 member
Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40645
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
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Quote:
The Rifa course is a practice session before that week and outsiders /civillian are allopwed to watch it, and thats what im planning, i must get more cash and papers in order before that trip.
Quote:
So 9,3x62 with 286 grain slugs are mandatory minimum for the trip.
If you are only an observer watching, why would you be allowed to carry a rifle?
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John aka NitroX
...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"
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