Background: The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. Opposition and labor groups launched general strikes in 2003 to pressure MUGABE to retire early; security forces continued their brutal repression of regime opponents.
April 20th 2008Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls Zimbabwe was probably one of the more interesting countries we've been to economically. It's really hard to describe the experience. When we arrived, the street rate for US dollars was 50,000,000 to ... 15 photos[full story]
March 30th 2008Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls
I arrived in Zimbabwe a day late due to Air Namibia's technical difficulties but being honest, I didn't miss much. Basically there are two options for seeing the Victoria Falls - Zambia (Livingst ... 2 photos[full story]
December 21st 2007Africa » Zimbabwe On the 21 December we set off on our second Oasis overland trip. This time a 33 day trip from Harare down to Cape Town taking in the sights and highlights of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Afri ... 17 photos[full story]
February 25th 2008Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls This morning I walked over the border from Zimbabwe to Botswana, and then caught a local bus into Kasane. Over the river I can see Namibia, but it will be weeks yet before I set foot there.
I flew ... [full story]
January 15th 2008Africa » Zimbabwe » Bulawayo
A while back, just after New Year we crossed to the Zimbabwe side of the Victoria Falls. The falls themselves were just as great from this side as the other, but the spray was stronger so the view ... 9 photos[full story]
January 5th 2008Africa » Zimbabwe » Bulawayo The South African woman working in the British Embassy in Pretoria, who had shockingly bad English despite being employed to represent our Queen and country, handed me my brand spanking new British pa ... [full story]
January 18th 2008Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls Africa has been so much fun, we are into our last few days, and have
mixed feelings about leaving. John is so at home here, he is really
enjoying the bush life. I am too of course, but I am really ... [full story]
December 26th 2007Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls Six hours on the road and we arrive at Lilongwe - the capital of Malawi - for lunch. It had a Nando’s!
More cultivation and larger villages with cone hut shaped thatched roofs as we’ve ... 24 photos[full story]
December 13th 2007Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls We crossed the border today into Zimbabwe and arrived at our last CC Africa destination…Matetsi Private Game Reserve. Upon arrival we switched to our open 4WD and into the bush one last time t ... 15 photos[full story]
December 16th 2007Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls We flew into the Okavango Delta in a five seater plane with Bruce, a pilot who grew up in Devon, spent years as a mining surveyor, then somehow got into flying planes in Botswana. "Right, where are w ... [full story]
Map of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's Flag
