Travel through Johannesburg

[Finprof]

If booking Qatar Airways to Johannesburg and then SA Airlink to Victoria Falls does baggage get checked through to Vic Falls or do I have to pick up luggage in Johannesburg and re-check it in before the Victoria Falls flight?
I would like to bring one firearm and am concerned about checking it through customs in Johannesburg.
Thanks.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

I might be wrong (have been a time or two) but I think you have to check your bags with Airlink so you will need to go thru SAPS but that is no big deal, just contact Henry at Rifle Permits he will do all your paper work and meet you at the arrival area. also don't forget to contact Jennifer at Travel Express for all your flight needs she is great to work with

 

[wesheltonj]

As you have a gun, you will have to claim at JNB, transit permit with SAPS, check your luggage at the ticket counter, then your gun and you will go to the Airlink office and pay their fee, then they will take your gun with you to the gun check-in, and then your done. Gracy has an personal on the ground at JNB, ask for Nicole if you use them.

 

[Finprof]

Thanks. I thought so but wanted to make sure.

 

[wesheltonj]

As you are booking Qatar and Airlink, I would suggest you use an agent. I had huge problems when I booked both flights on the same reservation. Call Nicole at Gracy.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I always book my own flights connecting through to Port Elizabeth on Airlink. I book Airlink connection separately via their website. No problems. I usually book the assistance of Professional Hunters Assn of SA (via their website) to get my guns through police at Tambo. Last time less smooth than it should have been but my former guy who had changed to airport porter spotted me and stepped in. I have his email and will be using him personally next time.

IF YOU BOOK YOUR OWN FLIGHTS GIVE YOURSELF AT LEAST TWO HOURS TO TRANSFER TO CONNECTING FLIGHT AT TAMBO. You will need it, especially if flying with guns.

 

[Finprof]

As you are booking Qatar and Airlink, I would suggest you use an agent. I had huge problems when I booked both flights on the same reservation. Call Nicole at Gracy.

Will do. Thanks.

 

[Andrew62]

One thing to note, on your flight to South Africa, your ammo will go in your checked luggage, once you get to Africa, and fly on Airlink, you will pull your ammo out of your checked baggage and it will go as its own small piece of luggage. I use a Pelican case, maybe it is Model 1200, something like that. It is easy to do, just make sure your ammo is in its own small locked case. Once you fly back to JNB, you will put your little ammo case back in your checked luggage for the flight home.

 

[JimP]

I always book my own flights connecting through to Port Elizabeth on Airlink. I book Airlink connection separately via their website. No problems. I usually book the assistance of Professional Hunters Assn of SA (via their website) to get my guns through police at Tambo. Last time less smooth than it should have been but my former guy who had changed to airport porter spotted me and stepped in. I have his email and will be using him personally next time.

IF YOU BOOK YOUR OWN FLIGHTS GIVE YOURSELF AT LEAST TWO HOURS TO TRANSFER TO CONNECTING FLIGHT AT TAMBO. You will need it, especially if flying with guns.

And how many flights have you done?

For the novice heading to hunt Africa for the first time it is best to use a agent along with a firearm permit handling service.

Then after you have at least one trip under your belt and know what to expect you can go it on your own.

I've been twice and I'd still use a agent and a permit service. It gives me peace of mind knowing that I don't have to deal with it and everything is taken care of.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

And how many flights have you done?

For the novice heading to hunt Africa for the first time it is best to use a agent along with a firearm permit handling service.

Then after you have at least one trip under your belt and know what to expect you can go it on your own.

I've been twice and I'd still use a agent and a permit service. It gives me peace of mind knowing that I don't have to deal with it and everything is taken care of.

Fine. I didn't use an agent here for travel or guns on my first safari. I'm traveling out of Ontario, Canada not Atlanta. It's not rocket science but not a cakewalk either. The point being if the guy has a head on his shoulders, can read airline instructions, and asks questions here, it's certainly possible to DIY. I would, however, always advise obtaining a "helper" at Joberg airport to get guns through and connected. Those guys are "connected" and they will get things done expeditiously. One has to understand that lack of expediting is a way of life in South Africa bureaucracy. Just the way it is. The going rate for helper to avoid lack of expediting at Tambo is $150. Or it was anyway. Requires purchasing this service in advance, not at the airport. And yes, I always do my own South African Police gun permit paperwork. Best to have a completed copy (in BLACK INK and UNSIGNED) in my carryon in case the helper screws up his copy (the first safari) or doesn't show up (last safari). Again, anyone with questions on how to complete these forms can come here and ask. I seem to recall one well known safari operator had indepth instructions on their website. The helper also knows where he's going in Tambo and that's important. The guns have to be picked up at a special place, then taken through a maze, to the police station in an obscure location, then off to put the guns and ammo on connecting flight. I've maybe done it enough times to manage on my own but it's great to have some extra hands and extra eyes (third safari my helper caught an error in my ticket for return connecting flight).

 

[Hyde Hunter]

also if you are going to do your own Airlink reservation, after you get your flight number you will have to ask customer service for permission to travel with guns very easy and keep your approval letter then a couple weeks before you fly email the same person that issued your approval again to make sure it is still ok. real easy and quick return email back with approval. keep all copies

 

[JamieM]

I have flown a number of times to SA via Jo’burg, but from the UK and not the US, the procedure is relatively straightforward at the SAP desk and has improved over the years.

Firearms now are off loaded from the plane and taken direct to the SAP office, you no longer have to find you find firearms at the end of the carousels to sign the couriers paperwork.

As long as you have your paperwork in order - SAP form completed but signed - there is only a couple of pages to complete out of the whole document along with copies of your supporting documentation - saves them having to copy them. I have the copies label and sectioned. I would allow a minimum of 3 hours to clear SA border control, SAP and check into the connecting flight. 2 hours, as suggested above, can be a little tight and stressful. Border Control alone can take an hour……

The best advice is to remember that Africa moves at its own pace (slow), to remain calm and if you are in a hurry, then the world (SAP office) will move extremely slowly…..

If your paperwork is not in order and the SAP office find fault with it, it most likely will cost you, it might take some careful negotiation to breach the subject but if you remain good spirited all should be resolved……..

If you are booking your own internal flights use SAFAIR as you can book in and pay for your firearms as part of your ticket saving a load of grief.

Once cleared the SAP office, head up stairs to the internal flight check in, get your boarding pass and then head over to the firearm checkpoint to the left of the check-in gates.

Then go and a beer………

 

[Philip Glass]

If booking Qatar Airways to Johannesburg and then SA Airlink to Victoria Falls does baggage get checked through to Vic Falls or do I have to pick up luggage in Johannesburg and re-check it in before the Victoria Falls flight?
I would like to bring one firearm and am concerned about checking it through customs in Johannesburg.
Thanks.

This is a good TA question as some things have changed. Qatar is now a 25% owner of Airlink and of course they have a baggage handling agreement. If your itinerary works out well you may be able to check all the way through. I have yet to be able to have an itinerary that would allow me to try this both ways.
Please let us know how it works out.

 

[Philip Glass]

One thing to note, on your flight to South Africa, your ammo will go in your checked luggage, once you get to Africa, and fly on Airlink, you will pull your ammo out of your checked baggage and it will go as its own small piece of luggage. I use a Pelican case, maybe it is Model 1200, something like that. It is easy to do, just make sure your ammo is in its own small locked case. Once you fly back to JNB, you will put your little ammo case back in your checked luggage for the flight home.

Usually true but since he is going straight to Zim he may get lucky and get to leave it in the suitcase because it is an international flight. Airlink is, like all airlines these days, inconsistent on this.

 

[Finprof]

Thanks for your help. I contacted Gracy Travel and Henry to make arrangements. I am hunting with a buddy who will overnight in Johannesburg. This information will be relayed to him.