Travellers head back to Zimbabwe

Despite Zimbabwe’s much-publicised political problems, it seems travellers haven’t been deterred from visiting the country.

Official figures from Zimbabwe’s Council of Tourism claim that 362,000 people visited Zimbabwe in the first eight months of 2009. That’s up from 200,000 in the same period in 2008.

Despite these figures not being verified, local experts believe the tide may be turning in terms of tourist numbers.

“I’m certainly noting a greatly increased interest from the UK. This is most obvious in the media and travel trade, but it’s also starting to feed through to the wider UK public,” Chris McIntyre, Managing Director of tour operator Expert Africa and long-time advocate of the country, told us.

“News that the US dollar is now legal tender and working well in Zimbabwe has made a big difference. Travellers are no longer worried about being ripped off by currency scams based on inflated exchange rates, and they are reassured that they will be able to buy things there.”

Despite UK travellers largely avoiding Zimbabwe in the recent past, travellers from other places have not been put off.

“Many lodges and camps have been sustained by trade from Europe,” McIntyre says.

As the 30th anniversary of the country’s independence approaches next year, things look to be improving, both on a political level – the power-sharing government is continuing and there is even talk of the country returning to the Commonwealth – and on the ground.

McIntyre underlines this with the story of a camp owner called Dave: “He moved with his young family to Cape Town and got a job to pay for their life there. His camp [in Zimbabwe] was kept operating by his loyal staff – charging as little as US$40 per night for a very basic service. They kept what they could make, and Dave wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to resurrect the camp.

“Now he’s back in Zimbabwe with his wife. Amazingly, his top guide is still there, and keen to start work. Together they’re fixing the place up again, because they see an upswing in the mood.”

If you’re tempted, there are some good deals to be had now, according to McIntyre: “We’ve got some great deals for 2010 – travellers can spend three to six nights in Zimbabwe as part of a trip to Botswana or Zambia. There are great prices for great camps – and I think that these kinds of offers will really start the ball rolling in slowly re-introducing Zimbabwe to the UK tourism scene.”

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