Travelling to Harare to watch a test match

[bayhaus]

Zim is one of the most safe places to be in Southern Africa. As for the train journey, forget it. I once got out of a train in the middle of nowhere to find an alternative. Unless you are prepared to waste some time in a Zim train. The service is rundown.

Would you please elaborate?

I have always been under the impression taking a train in Zimbabwe would be a bit of an "adventure", I just wasn't sure if it was safe.

LOL it is safe but if its adventure you want then you must take the train and then you can tell us about your adventure! Then jump onto the luxury Steam Train or Tram between Victoria Falls and Zambia for a totally different type of adventure.

[maehara]

I have always been under the impression taking a train in Zimbabwe would be a bit of an "adventure", I just wasn't sure if it was safe.

Many years ago - on our emigration trip, as it happens - we took good ol' NRZ from Bulawayo to Jo'burg. I was 15 at the time, and as a way of travel I loved it. Timekeeping was terrible - we got to Jo'burg over 12 hours late - but it was great fun. Decent sleeper accommodation, good food in the dining car, helpful & friendly staff, and great fun had by all.

BUT. The rolling stock hasn't been updated probably since independence, and hasn't been that well maintained. There are tales of frequent derailments and fatalities on the Bulawayo - Vic Falls line, mostly blamed on the condition of the trains. So it would be an adventure, but of the thank-God-I-survived type.

Back before things went to pieces and the Blue Train was still running the route (Pretoria - Bulawayo - Vic Falls), that would've been the way to go, but on the rare times it heads north now it stops at Francistown in Botswana & doesn't continue into Zim.

EDIT: Wait, Rovos does the Vic Falls run now. Might be an option, but like the Blue Train, it isn't cheap. Linky.

[americanzimfan]

Sounds like everyone would be up for a ZCF meet-up for a test match...it would be nice but a little expensive. ..

[eugene]

ZCF should charter the Rovos train. I am not rooming with hhm though.

[brmtaylor.com admin]

What exciting things are there to see and do in Harare and Bulawayo? Besides going to HSC and Queens of course!

[StevenZim]

I would be keen for a meet up at Harare or Bulawayo Test. It is definately a bucket lister. It is a shame Zimbabwe wont tour Australia for awhile. There would be quite a bit of support for Zim.

P.S. has anyone got any photos and crowd figures of the T/20 Matches?

[sloandog]

I'm heading to Zimbabwe in June to watch some cricket, anybody who would like to meet for a castle is more than welcome

[CrimsonAvenger]

I'm heading to Zimbabwe in June to watch some cricket, anybody who would like to meet for a castle is more than welcome

Cricket? In June in Zimbabwe?

[sloandog]

I'm heading to Zimbabwe in June to watch some cricket, anybody who would like to meet for a castle is more than welcome

Cricket? In June in Zimbabwe?

I dunno I'm heading to Zimbabwe in June with some lads from Uni, and if there's some cricket on I'll be going to watch it

[betterdays]

What exciting things are there to see and do in Harare and Bulawayo? Besides going to HSC and Queens of course!

Harare: split a tab of acid in two, slipping a half under each eye-lid ... then head off for a ramble in Domboshawe (disclaimer: watch for cows if you decide to drive while tripping though).

Bulawayo: for some excitement I guess one could walk down First avenue around the time of a cricket match, waving posters calling for the legends Ewing and Duffin to be fast-tracked back into the national squad at the expense of the hapless Mpofu and Ncube. ... or ... I always found Matopos to be worth a visit

but it has, sadly, been a long time! Hope you have fun sloandog...