Afrique Escapades: Zimbabwe Tourism scooped International Award??

Afrique Escapades: Zimbabwe Tourism scooped International Award??: "'Zimbabwe, now ranked Africa's fourth best tourist destination, scooped 'The Best Country Image Promotion Award' at the maiden Guilin Intern..."

Zimbabwe Tourism scooped International Award??

"Zimbabwe, now ranked Africa's fourth best tourist destination, scooped "The Best Country Image Promotion Award" at the maiden Guilin International Tourism Fair held in Guangxi province, China, recently, as the country's tourism and hospitality industry continues with its fairytale recovery.

The award comes at time when Zimbabwe has stepped up its marketing efforts and destination perception management across the globe through celebrity host programmes that have seen world acclaimed artiste perform in the country.

It also comes at a time when Zimbabwe is strengthening its market position in China which is set to become the world's number one tourist wholesaler by 2020 and whose outbound tourism market size will reach an estimated 100 million international departures."

For the death of me I do not know how this happened.  To be honest I wish it could be true.  Zimbabwe has wonderfull places for Tourists and specially the beautiful scenery and wild bush.  Lake Kariba and Vic Falls used to be known as the Riviera of Africa.  But alas, we all know what happened in Zimbabwe and the tourism industry (not to mention everything else) has been damaged by our friend Bob and his dogged stupidity. At the recent Tourism Indaba in Durban, I specifically looked for the Zimbabwe booth, as I really would like to encourage tourism in Zimbabwe.  And I did find them, but sooo little information was available.

Was the "award" given to Bob for his generous nature towards the Chinese Goverment in return for more money into his pocket, in order for the Chinese to set up more little "shops" in the every town you pass, selling the biggest rubbish.  And what about Zimbabwe's natural resources....China would just love getting their hands on that....so yes, I dont think this is a true reflection of the state of the Tourism Industry in Zimbabwe at the moment. 

I absolute adore the bit about "their fairytale recovery" .  Does China even know what is going on in Zimbabwe, or is this now a "make Bob feel better" issue?

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK ACCOMMODATION - MOPANI CAMP

I have always loved Kruger National Park and on my recent trip there, again I had a great time.   My one complaint will be of course the volume of people.  However, as I know Sanparks has to make money, I wont complain to much. 

We stayed at Mopani Camp for the first few nights and as always this is my favourite camp.  The setting is lovely.  Most of the chalets are surrounded by trees (this camp does not really look like the old fashioned style of the Kruger with chalets and rondawels set in a laager).  But of course beloved chose the most beautiful one beforehand, no. 49, set right at the tip and overlooking the lake.  Only two of these and apparently no 49 is the best one.  He of course knows Mopani is my favourite. The chalet has the most stunning views over the lake and you  have a constant flow of animals there.  Always hippos, elephants, waterbuck, etc.  And of course lovely bird viewings. The chalet can sleep 4 comfortably, kitchen and bathroom.  We had lots of  visits from the tree squirrals and dwarf mongoose.  Also lots of birdlife around the chalet.  I also just want to mention, to me, the staff at the reception here are very friendly, with  a great sense of humour.  It was a pleasure dealing with them.

Would have liked to stay longer at Mopani, and in hindsight should have.

Next we moved to Letaba Camp.

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Rhino Poaching in South Africa

As we all know we have been made more aware of Rhino Poaching in South Africa, which has become a real problem for the conservation of Rhino.  So far this year more than 150 Rhinos have been poached. 

A local radio station has started a fund for the prevention of Rhino Poaching and has so far collected more than 1 million rand.  My main concern is where will these funds go to?   And who will keep control over it. 
I totally agree money should be collected for the conservation and preventing of poaching of the Rhino and more people should be made aware of the problem.  Millions and millions of dollars are being given to conservation instances like the Sea Shepard for the Saving of the Whales against mostly the senseless killing by the Japanese. (And I applaud Paul Watson and the Sea Shepard).

Should not the same attention be given to the prevention of the Rhino being poached to extintion.

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