traveling to Zimbabwe via South Africa with firearms

[hunter's wife]

My husband is planning a safari for June. We have differing advice regarding how to best travel to Zim with firearms. We were told Johannesburg then charter to Zim camp. We will have to overnight in Johannnesburg. Delta or South African Air? and Why? We would like advice from anyone who has had recent experiences.

[pomoxis]

Here is my advice after going through the process in 2004.

First make sure you have the proper documentation for all the guns, this includes checking the serial numbers while at the US Customs office to make sure they did not write down the wrong number or caliber.

Next work with your booking agent on the flight araingments. I spent the night in Jo'Berg and had to go through the SA customs and all the paper work. They have changed the process since I was there but your booking agent should have the forms that you need (that what they get paid for).

You will have to show the custom agents all the guns and they will check the numbers against the paperwork. I would suggest you use a golf bag transport case that open when you lay them on the side. One fellow in front of me unlocked the case and took two small duffle bags out to expose 2 rifles in egg shell padding. When the inspection was done he folded the padding back over the rifles and set the bags on top closed his case and was out the door. It made my Cabela's duffle bag system seem very clumbsy. The other advantage is that golf bags do not appear to be hunting equipment and some baggage handlers in Europe have mis-directed rifle cases.

The biggest question is what part of Zimbabwe you will be hunting? The roads in Zimbabwe are not that bad and some companies will pick you up at the airport and drive you. Of courase now since fuel is in short supply it may not be a viable option for some areas.

When you go through Zimbabwe customs I would bring along some carbon paper since their paper work needs to be done in triplicate. If you can get the paper work ahead of time have everything filled out before you go.

Once you get out of the urban areas you will have a great time. I would go back in a heartbeat. The only thing I would have done differently is to spend more time in Victoria Falls. I would add 3-5 days after the hunt to do the tourist things. You spend so much time hunting that you don't have time to get all the photographs you want.

[BradC]

I would highly reccommend to travel SAA instead of Delta if you are traveling straight to Johannesburg. I've done it twice and really like the service on SAA. The seats are a bit cramped but I don't know an airline thats any better, plus SAA has a TV screen in each headrest where you can control what you watch. Its my understanding that Delta does not have this.

I'm going back in May and am flying to DC instead of leaving from Atlanta so I can fly SAA

BC

[grayghost]

I just returned from Zim a few days ago. I took SAA to Jo'burg, spent the night in the airport hotel (Protea) which our room was hot, the shower didn't work and the room had roaches. Be sure to take along your own wash cloths. Seems some areas won't have them, only towels. I checked my guns (2) in at the Nashville, TN airport direct to Bulawayo, Zim. They arrived a day late but that was Uniteds fault in Nashville, not SAA. I have no problems with flying SAA. Yes, airline seats are uncomfortable after 15-18+ hours, but you can fly business (1st) class for $6K per person as an option (no thanks, I'll deal with the sore rear). Food is usually good to decent (only once did I get a "meal" from Dr Tongue's 3-D house of road kill) and the service has always been good. Ask for Amarula and drink it with everything: coffee, tea, water, OJ, wine etc. Makes the flight seem to whisk right along If you do not check your guns direct to Zim, you'll have to fill out the RSA SAPS Temp gun forms and go through the dog and pony show. Since your final destination is Zim, just tell the ticket agent you want to check your baggage and guns straight to your final destination in Zimbabwe. I recommend putting a copy of your Customs form inside your gun case. Ammo weight limit is 11 pounds, so don't go over! You'll need a Zim Visa ($30) US and you get that when you arrive. Good hunting, grayghost