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Of course we had lots of questions before visiting Zimbabwe after its political and financial decline that started around 2005:
Is it still possible to travel around due to fuel shortage or the breakdown of public transport? Is it safe to travel due to the increase of crime and political tensions between the different partys? Is it moral to visit a country whose government continues to use violence against political opponents, ignores the needs of its population and sacks its own pockets with the country's money...???
After all we would answer all the above mentioned questions with 'yes!'. Fuel is available again throughout the country and supermarkets are well stocked again after the collapse of the Zim dollar and the following introduction of the US-dollar as currency. We still consider Zimbabwe (together with many other travellers we met and spoke to) as a very safe country for visitors (although white farmers, their balck employees or opposition supporters will have a different story to tell). We didn't have any negative experiences but lots of encounters with welcoming and helpful Zimbabweans! At last the breakdown of tourism didn't have any impact on Robert Mugabe and its ministry. But it had many negative effects on ordinary citizens and the country's wildlife. By visiting Zimbabwe's sights travellers provide much needed incomes and assure residents their country is a worthwhile place to visit and therefore, for them to live in. Furthermore, the wildlife in the national parks is in need of tourism revenue. Without financial support, the waterholes go unpumped and poaching will still be on the rise...
 

Zimbabwe's tourist attractions definitely remain undiminished. First of all Zimbabwe shares one of Africa's biggest sights with Zambia: the majestic Victoria Falls! They build an impressive natural border between the two countries and the correspondent town offers some great outdoor activities. Nearby lies the small Zambezi National Park with its beautiful riverfront. The country still offers some of the best and least visited national parks in Africa with Hwange, Matusadona and Mana Pools being the most popular ones. They harbour enormous elephant herds, great scenery and other diverse wildlife. Furthermore the country offers unique walking in Chimanimani and Bvumba Mountains or Matobo National Park. The latter offers spectacular rock 'architecture' but was unfortunately freezing when we were there, even too cold to enjoy taking pictures...

Finally Kariba with its man-made lake and habituated wildlife retains a unique charm, especially as it feels a bit desolate and apparently was hit harder by the country's decline than the country's west. Many travellers we met rave about Great Zimbabwe, the largest and best pre-served ancient stone-walled city in sub-Saharan Africa that lies in the heart of the country. Obviously a place to visit next time!