We are on the ground here in Milibizi. The govt. cut all communications until yesterday. The country has operated on a dual currency for the last two years. Zimbabwe has been using the "bond" and the U.S. dollar. The bond is supposed to be on par with the U.S. dollar (year right). The price of fuel was raised on the bond. We were paying about B1.35 per litre on diesel and $1.00 U.S. per litre. Now the Bond price has gone up to around B3.50 per litre, but the bond is now trading for about B4.50 to $1.00.
O.K. so much for fuel, the local grocery stores have raised the price of food by somewhere around 12 to 15 times. A head of cauliflower at one of our South African owned groceries is Bond or U.S. $86.00. Dual pricing is not exactly legal so needless to say, not so nice.
Now as to what is taking place. First there was a stayaway and peaceful protests, then not so peaceful protest. The govt. responded shall we say harshly. Of course things turned into riots and as many of you know criminals love riots, it gives them a chance to maim, steel and destroy. At the moment things are very quiet. There are rumours of another stayaway this coming week, who knows. The army has been deployed throughout the country, the exact purpose is unclear.
I certainly cannot speak about August but if you were arriving in Victoria Falls tomorrow you would probably experience three courteous road blocks on the way to our hunting camp. You might hear a bit of sobbing from my tent, that could be because the nice roast beef dinner, with wine and side dishes cost me 50% of what your daily fee cost is, because of course I quoted you your price six months ago. In all seriousness our operating costs have and will continue to skyrocket. We bought goats for baits in 2018 and we paid B15.00 now the people want $80.00 each.
Your Zimbabwe Safari Operator will see that your hunt takes place in a safe and friendly atmosphere.
I am enjoying his book.
