If a potential hunter reads all of the warnings from the CDC, US Foreign Department and other supposed watchdogs, it would appear that claws and teeth are not the only dangers involved with an African Safari. Prior to my Zimbabwe hunt in May-June, 2003, many advised that I avoid Zim like the plague. "Mugabe will have your head!" But, I never really pay much attention to most well-meaning advice when my mind is made up. So, after getting the appropriate shots and malaria medicine and med-jet insurance to get my body (or what might be left of it) back home, I went to RSA and Zim with my son-in-law. We saw and experienced Africa, or at least parts of it. It was an entirely mind-blowing experience. Words can't adequately explain how these African experiences so captivated my consciousness. The hunting was wonderful and we took nice trophies. But this was only part of the experience. We saw and lived an entirely different life than we were used to. This was wonderful until towards the end of our trip when we almost got arrested and lost all of our equipment and another later incident when we again almost lost all of our equipment and traveling possessions. Both incidents involved road block checks. At best these are a wave through by the guards who are a mixture of police and soldiers. Usually it is the hassle of a cursory examination of your stuff and verifying the gun permits on the cased firearms. However, in the first part of June, 2003, the opposition faction of the Zim government was staging a work boycott (ie. The Illegal Stay-Away). Mugabe and the government powers felt that this was the start of a general coup with possible assassination attempts. Consequently, the road blocks were more beefed up and the few officials at road blocks were supplemented with more military. A number of tough looking soldiers with AK-47's and banana clips greeted us as the PH drove us into Bulawayo. A serious confrontation ensued when the PHs borrowed rifle lack the necessary permit. The police were adament that my son-in-law and I get in the police car because we were going to the police station. The PH pleaded, negotiated and then defied. This continued for about a half hour in the mid-day heat. Our PH performed brilliantly and avoided the arrest and the necessary permit was brought to the roadblock by the outfitter. The second problem roadblock involved a missing vehicle license on our Land Rover. Apparently, in Zim, if your vehicle license is not current the officials can confiscate the vehicle and contents (like our stuff). Our guide was a former Zim police officer and was able to work this out with the representatives of officialdom and we were allowed to continue on our way.
My Question: Have any of the other veterans of African adventure experienced any problems with government officials, red tape, roadblocks, etc?
