I did the same. Flew Emirates. Avoids an overnight in Joburg. And Emirates is a good airline. Left out of O'hare and the process was simple and didn't see my guns again until Harare. Although my airtags told me they were with me all the way.
Exactly. Emirates Chicago - Dubai - Harare is the nicest flights, plus you don't need a travel agent, plus you do your own gun permit right from their website.
1.) They state they have the lowest offered fares on their site.
2.) No ticketing fee
3.) No gun export expert fee
4.) You don't change carriers where everything with guns gets screwed up
5.) You don't risk an overnight in Jo'Burg
6.) You avoid RSA SAPS fees, risks to delays, nonsense, etc.
The seats and food are the best in their classes. The layover in Dubai is like being laid over on Rodeo Drive with plenty of people watching and shopping to be done to your heart's content.