Zimbabwe is a vibrant land with stunning landscapes, impressive safari parks and welcoming people. In recent years its politics have caused great damage and distress, but despite this, it still has much to offer and a handful of our travellers did visit Zimbabwe last year.

Small, professional safari operations continue to run quiet camps in Hwange and great canoeing and walking trips in Mana Pools. Some of Africa's top wildlife guides are still here and, with very few other visitors around, trips can be very rewarding. Don't expect bargain-basement prices though, as these have held fairly steady – it's just the visitor numbers that have plummeted.

There have been questions raised over the morality of visiting Zimbabwe. We are very clear where we stand. We use British Airways flights and mostly small, independent safari operations throughout Zimbabwe. These are businesses, run by good people whom we have known for years. In the present difficult times, trade is thin – and for many their future is very uncertain. They work hard to try to pay their staff a living wage, and to protect the animals that live in the parks.

We believe that they need our support for several reasons. Firstly, they are innocent victims of the political situation; we shouldn't punish them further. Secondly, if they remain in business, tourism will be able to return swiftly to Zimbabwe when things change; without them there will be nothing left to come back to. Finally, by consigning their lives to the scrap heap, we're giving in to politicians who want to turn Zimbabwe's clock back to the dark ages.

For all these reasons, we will continue to offer trips to Zimbabwe to visitors who understand the situation there. We will continue to monitor developments in Zimbabwe, and advise any travellers if we feel the situation has changed.


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