ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe has a generous sampling of the Africa that many people hope to see: exotic scenery, interesting cultures and a good variety of game parks. It also has a few things you might not expect to see, including Great Zimbabwe, the most extensive ruins in sub-Saharan Africa. Without a doubt, the highlight of Zimbabwe is the dramatic Victoria Falls, which the country shares with neighboring Zambia. There, the mighty Zambezi River crashes into the Bakota Gorge and is deservedly one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.
Despite these attractions, however, since 2000 Zimbabwe has been experiencing a variety of self-inflicted political and economic problems. Backed by longtime President Robert Mugabe, the government's plan to redistribute white-owned land to black Zimbabweans has thrown the country into turmoil and led to violence. Additionally, a crackdown on any criticism of the government has resulted in the imprisonment of opposition leaders, newspaper shutdowns, elections riddled with accusations of intimidation and vote rigging, white flight particularly of residents holding British passports and a weakening economy. Also in recent years, the government has threatened to take over tourist resorts, although to date this has not happened. Still, some game reserves and park lodges have closed temporarily because of a drop in visitors and violence on nearby farms.

Until political stability in the country improves, we suggest combining a visit to Zimbabwe with ones to neighboring Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. These countries are just over the border from Zimbabwe's town of Victoria Falls and also offer compelling and impressive game parks with fewer dangers. You can combine Botswana's Chobe National Park, Namibia's Caprivi Strip and Zambia's colonial town of Livingstone with a quick trip across the border to Victoria Falls, which is not close to any farmland and has witnessed less trouble than other parts of Zimbabwe.