I had 11 awesome days traveling around Zimbabwe, and now I want to share with you the 5 most hilarious things I did during my time in this landlocked country in southern Africa, which is officially named the Republic of Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia.
1. Celebrating Christmas in Zimbabwe
There is something special about a hot Christmas (especially when you’re from a cold country like Denmark,) and celebrating Christmas in t-shirt and shorts in the heat is just what you need. I love escaping the cold winter from home! To celebrate Christmas in Zimbabwe with two of my good Danish friends was a great experience, and after some delicious African food for dinner, we went straight to the dessert, which was of course some super spicy Carolina Reaper chili’s, which is the strongest chili in the World, (because it wasn’t hot enough already?!) My friend Emil went puking om the grass afterwards and then jumped in the pool to try to save his life! It’s amazing how fast you can empty 2 liter of milk after such a little spicy fellah!
Amazing Christmas in Zimbabwe!
2. Helicopter Tour Over Victoria Falls
It was quiet pricey, but he needed to do it. Helicopter trip over Victoria Falls. 3 big Danish guys and a pilot in the smallest helicopter over the huge waterfalls. We were all looking nervous at each other when the helicopter made strange noises, but at the same time we were amazed to soar over the iconic Victoria Falls— one of the seven wonders of the natural world— on this helicopter flight. An aerial view is definitely the only way to take in the vast scope of the waterfall. Plus, the flight enables you to see both the Zimbabwe and Zambian side of the falls without the hassle of the border crossing. Pretty awesome!
3. Bungee Jumping in Victoria Falls
First we wanted to see how high we could go over the Victoria Falls, and after how low we could get. Bungee Jumping in Victoria Falls was a MUST-DO! It’s a 111m (364ft) drop falling almost into the Zambezi River, jumping off the historical Victoria Falls Bridge with extremely scenic views and crocodiles below. I remember the day before the jump we watched some horrible fails from this place, where an Australian woman went straight into the water. It didn’t make any of us more nervous at all! It was a great experience though!
4. Speed Boat Tour Chasing Hippos
Though they look pretty slow, clumsy and friendly, we all know hippos aren’t necessarily any of these things — they can run very fast, and are Africa’s most dangerous animal to get close to. Hippos kill more humans each year than great white sharks and lions combined! These guys are lethal. So why not take a speed boat through a very narrow lake full of hippos in Zimbabwe? That’s what me and my friends did on the border to Botswana! We were all so scared when our speed boat driver gave it full speed towards an enormous hippo in our super small, cr*ppy speed boat, but what we didn’t know was when an object moves towards a hippo with full speed in a narrow place like this, it apparently makes the hippo scared, so instead of a brutal collision, we saw the hippo turn in the other direction torpedo through the water away from us. That what an absolutely wild experience and I’m so glad it turned around and ran away!
5.Walking Around Wild Rhinos
Is is stupid? Yes. Would I do it again? No. Matter of fact we went walking around wild rhinos by ourselves in Zimbabwe and it was nerve-wrecking as few other things! If these guys decide to attack you, you probably won’t stand a chance. White rhinos can weigh over 3500 kg (7700 lb.) Stupid, stupid, stupid! Will never do it again! I promise!
That’s It And What A Crazy Trip in Zimbabwe!
I forgot to tell you we also ate some delicious crocodile meat, ate mopane worms which were alive (the worst thing I’ve ever tasted – you could feel them moving around in your throat,) drove past Robert Mugabe’s house (it was that time where the military would shoot at your car if you stopped in front of it,) and did some epic road trips. We should have had a diploma for this trip, but at least we had a diploma for eating these terrible mopane worms. They were so bad – But Zimbabwe wasn’t, it was a really great country!
There is a lesson for everyone in Africa. I can sometimes be sad about my life and the problems I have, and then go to Africa and see people with 100x bigger problems than me, smiling and enjoying their life.
Why You Can Learn So Much When Traveling Africa?
Appreciation of life (perspective): In my country and in many Western countries people love to complain. Life is sooo challenging, we don’t get the small pay rise we obviously deserve from our boss, why do we absolutely need to pay so much in tax, if I don’t live in the middle of Copenhagen I can’t live anywhere, tonight we’re having fish “badhrrr, I hate fish..” The list go on..
We have endless problems! This is why you can learn so much when traveling around Africa..
Problems?
Travel Africa and you feel like a massive douche bag complaining about some of these luxury problems.. All people have tough periods indeed, but some of the problems we create in the Western World aren’t really problems. In most African countries if you don’t have a job, the Government won’t pay you anything and you have two options: Find a job quickly/be an artists/create an income or go begging on the streets or die.
Differences Between Western World VS Africa
Appreciation is everything: The appreciation I’ve been privileged to witness in Africa over more than 15 months of travel on the continent is authentic, honest and incredibly powerful in the way it constructs most African people’s life. I have learned to be much more grateful for the small things and I guess the saying: “you don’t see the rich people dancing on the streets” is a very powerful statement. Those people you see dancing on the streets are the ones who have appreciation of life. The happy ones. There are those that live in extreme poverty yes, and in the face of a large stereotype- there are also those that don’t. Not one of them is deprived of an appreciation of life that we may never understand or care to look for.
The Search Of Happiness
Happiness: Most people I know are constantly searching for happiness in day to day life. The perfect career, the perfect relationship, the perfect car, the dream house.. If we have a Ferrari, we want a helicopter next! We keep wanting more and more stuff! People are yearning for the next event on the weekend that will distract them from their studies or uninspiring 9-5 job. But we forget living life right now! To be in the moment.. I thrive getting away from this environment here and there, to explore the World and the different mindsets that exists. I like to surround myself with people who value happiness as a rich part of life. The smiles, laughs and joy in Africa can be about the simplest things and sometimes we really don’t need to complicate things too much! Happiness can never be huge amounts of material stuff which limit us!
Generosity Is Unreal In Africa
Generosity:Not generosity like buying our friends a drink, or buying them a meal, but generosity of the heart. Generosity that is not of monetary value, but consists of love, support, encouragement and respect. I witnessed children in kindergarten for those from underprivileged families in Arusha, Tanzania, literally share their food with those who didn’t have any at lunch time. Children, 3 or 4 years old, breaking up their own food, and genuinely passing it to those kids whose family could not provide them food this day. This generosity does not stem from privilege, it stems from values. It stems from understanding what it means to not have anything at all, either from your own experience or from that of people you are close to, and understanding the warmth received from passing on your kindness. I get a little emotional thinking about this kind of stuff, but there are a lot of lessons to be learned about generosity from all over Africa.
Who’ll Help You The Most When You Need It?
A big challenge for me was getting a ride 1 hour in England from outside Portsmouth to London, because I was stuck there for hours with plenty of cars passing by. But when I arrived to Bissau, Guinea-Bissau with no idea where to go or stay, I was immediately welcomed as a complete stranger inside of a family’s house. They didn’t have anything, but offered me everything they had. I wanted to pay for it all, but they rejected me every time. Real generosity! Sometimes I had the most from the people who had the least.
Do You See Why I Love Africa So Much?
Yes, cultural shock may confront most people on arrival, and you’ll for sure meet good and bad people like anywhere else in the World, but once you understand the heart of Africa, you’ll never look back.
You can get scammed anywhere in the World, not only in Africa for sure. These 7 Advices on How To Avoid Travel Scams are great to keep in mind, no matter where you go. Stay safe out there!
Travel Scams Happen To Anyone?
I’ve traveled a lot over the last 7 years, and to be fair a proper travel scam can hit us all, experienced traveler or not. But for me it has become more rare now that it happens and on a much smaller scale, than in the beginning when I started traveling, because I stick to these 7 rules on how to avoid travel scams.
Why Scams In Africa And Not Another Place?
After having spent a big part of my adulthood in Africa, this article is mainly about how to avoid some of the 7 most common travel scams in Africa, but similar scams scan be found in any other continent. So if you go Europe, North America, South America, Latin America, Australia or wherever, you can still use these tips, so you don’t get caught off guard so easily, even though a travel scam can happen for us all.
When I started to travel around Africa many years ago I was often blind folded and trusted wrong people too much, which can be an expensive mistake here. I’ve seen famous Travel Vloggers in Africa pay $300 for a simple 1 hour boat trip in Zanzibar. SCAM! I paid $5 for a half day boat trip, swimming with wild dolphins in Zanzibar, because I went to a local fisherman there and asked him instead. It’s easy for tourists to fall in ‘the tourist trap’, especially if you’re new to traveling around Africa. After the boat trip the fisherman and I became friends and enjoyed some fish together. You have to know your psychology in Africa and quickly find out, which people are genuine and which people have hidden interests with you.
7 Most Common Travel Scams In 2019 (Africa)
1: Broken Taxi Meter
Cab drivers near airports or train stations are known to pull this scam, but it can happen in any place. When you get into a taxi and start to drive, the driver will inform you, (or not inform you,) that the meter is broken and charge you a ridiculous price (to the tune of 100s of dollars if you’re not careful).
My Experience:
This is a pretty common scam in some African countries. I’ve probably had 10 different taxi drivers try to pull this scam on me around the world and half of them were when traveling in Africa.
How To Avoid It:
I usually agree the price before I get in the taxi, but if there’s a taxi meter I make sure it looks legit and works as it should. I usually check in the first 30 seconds how the taxi meter goes, and if it’s looks wrong, I quickly get out of the taxi. Negotiate rates ahead of time, or ensure the meter is in fact working. If the taxi driver refuses to turn on the meter, or tells you it’s cheaper without the meter, get out and opt for another driver. Not all cab drivers are scammers, but I honestly prefer to avoid taxis if possible.
2: Fake Police Officers
The fake police officer scam is a popular one in many large cities or capitals. Most often, a person will approach a tourist and offer illicit items, like drugs. While conversing one or two other people will approach, appearing to be police officers and flashing “badges.” They will then insist the unknowing traveler hand over their passport and wallet. However, they are not police officers.
My Experience:
I’ve had similar experiences, mostly in Africa and Latin America. In Maputo, Mozambique I had fake police stopping me all the time, to check my bag for ‘cocaine’ and other stuff, usually just wasting my time to try to get money out of me.
How To Avoid It:
Never hand over your wallet or passport. Request they show you their identification and then inform them you will call the police to confirm they are who they say they are. Or tell them your passport is locked up in the hotel safe, and they’ll need to accompany you to your hotel. If they don’t allow this, simply walk away.
In Mozambique I asked for the fake cops identification and couldn’t stop to laugh about their homemade Police ID. Some of the fake police men would follow me around for 15 min and in the end ask me for any kind of tips. Tips for the police? Really.. How come, for what?
3: Friendly ATM Helper
Someone approaches at an ATM cash machine to help you avoid local bank fees. What they really want to do is scan your ATM card with the card skimmer in their pocket and watch you enter your pin number, so they can drain your account later.
My Experience:
I never fell for this scam, but a close friend of mine did in South Africa.
One man was the helpful local, the second pretended to be a fellow customer waiting in line who agreed with what the first was saying. When the first guy cancelled my friend’s transaction and told him to try again, he then scanned the password and the other guy quickly took his card, a car quickly pulled up to the side in literally no seconds and off they were, leaving my friend running after them in tears.
How To Avoid It:
Never let anyone near you while you’re making an ATM transaction, and ALWAYS cover the number pad with your other hand while entering your pin code. If someone approaches, take your card and find another ATM. Always have a look over your shoulder to see if anyone is too near to you.
4: Injured Or Child Beggars
Usually deaf, blind, or pregnant, sometimes accompanied by a “helper”, beggars will ask you for money. Women with babies are common (they might not even be theirs). Children are also frequently used by begging gangs to collect money. Why? Because it’s difficult for most people to say no to the old, injured, or young. Sometimes an accomplice nearby is just watching to see where you keep your wallet, so they can pickpocket you later.
My Experience:
You’ll see this stuff almost everywhere.
How To Avoid It:
It’s practically impossible to distinguish who is legit and who is not, so my policy is to never give cash to street beggars. I’m a very emphatic person and I want to help everyone suffering, but when traveling in Africa or other places in the World, it’s a big mission impossible to help everyone. However I do buy food, water or giveaway old clothes sometimes. Then your money isn’t going to a gang, alcohol or drugs.
5: Gemstone Or Carpet Deals
A local man casually brings up his lucrative side business of buying jewelry, gemstones, watches or carpets then selling them back in the United States (or some other country) for a fat profit. He offers to share how he does it, and shows you where to find the best deal. The only problem is that these products are fake.
My Experience:
This has never happened to me. For me I don’t believe in the stories that: “Jesus had this earring in his ear or washed his body in this towel,” but I can assure you that some people do and pay A LOT OF MONEY for their stupidity, because they’re actually just getting scammed!
How To Avoid It:
Don’t buy expensive luxury items overseas while on vacation, no matter how good the deal is. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a travel scam.
6: Flirtatious Local Women
You arrive to a new country only to discover that beautiful local women seem to pay much more attention to you than back home. One of them invites you out to a nightclub or bar. However after a wild night, the woman disappears and you’re forced to pay an overpriced bill. Or worse, drugged and robbed.
My Experience:
This hasn’t happened to me. I can usually see what a woman’s intention is quiet easily. If she gives me the wrong signals, I know I need to be aware and in most cases I stop the conversation before it even gets started. There are much better women to surround yourself with than these types!
How To Avoid It:
Be wary of attractive women who are unusually forward or hitting on you aggressively. I know it is every man’s dream to be propositioned by beautiful women, but if it’s not a normal occurrence for you, then it’s probably a scam and you can end up paying big time for it!
7: Fake Bus/Train/Plane Tickets
Someone offers to sell you train tickets at a discount, or avoid the line and pay a slightly higher price. Maybe a taxi driver offers to bring you to his friend who’s a local travel agent. However the tickets they are selling aren’t real, and by the time you figure it out, the scammers are gone with your money.
My Experience:
One time when entering Gibraltar a man started to scratch my rental car in the front window and asked for 20 euros for the ticket. I was very confused on what happened, and I was just about to give him the money, when I realized he looked drunk and it was a scam, so I drove away. Ticket scam! Also I bought a fake bus ticket in Zambia for a long drive, but the bus driver was nice to me and let me in the bus anyways! Top guy!
How To Avoid It:
Always buy transportation tickets from the official ticket office or website.
Conclusion
Try to stay avoid these 7 scams, and you’ll enjoy Africa a lot more and it will be relatively cheap. If you do something over the top extraordinary when traveling in Africa, it’s obviously pricey!
Like
1: Climbing Africa’s Highest Mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro
2: Paying the gorilla permit to see the mountain gorillas in the rain forest in Bwindi National Park, Uganda
3: Safaris can be a bit expensive also, but worth it!
But sometimes even for a safari in Africa you can pay very little…
Africa is cheap (just avoid the scams)
I hear many people saying Africa is so expensive to travel, and yes, it is more expensive than South East Asia, but in most cases what adds up the expenses are the scams. Visas and accommodation can cost you a bit, but public transport, food and a lot of other stuff are in most African countries extremely cheap.
Remember’s
Remember to question everything and make sure you know the price before you’re getting a taxi, a new haircut or buying food. I usually confirm the price on the calculator on my phone to avoid misunderstandings. I had a taxi driver wanting to scam me in Senegal recently by putting an extra 0 on the price, but I already had confirmed the price with the taxa guy on the calculator before we went. In that way I had no problem rejecting his new price. Also remember to have TOTALLY ORDER in your passport, documents, stamps, vaccinations etc., a small mistake in any of these will be super expensive at a corrupt police check-point. Last but not least, don’t wear expensive clothes or jewelry when traveling in Africa, in this way you invite scammers to come to you straight away. I usually wear basic shorts, a normal t-shirt and a dirty cap, when I’m in crowded markets or places to avoid getting too much bad attention.
Africa is the continent where everything is possible, so remember to check out your options before you do something. And remember to try to avoid these 7 Most Common Travel Scams, it’ll help you!
Travel Scammers Suck!
The truth is that no matter how prepared you think you are, you’ll eventually fall for some sort of travel scam. But don’t let this deter you from traveling the world. Think of it as a rite of passage.
Sure, it’s embarrassing to be tricked out of your money, but there are always worse things that could happen. It’s just a learning experience. At least that’s how I look at it! For me Africa is the best continent to travel, both on the good and the bad days and scams can happen anywhere..
Here are some random pictures from all over the world. One from each country/territory. I will add more here and there from new travels and adventures, so check back every now and then. Enjoy!