Traveling through Europe to South Africa

[MizzouAg]

We will be flying to South Africa next summer for our first safari. My wife is interested in flying through Europe with a long lay over for a quick sight seeing tour instead of Atlanta to Johannesburg. Flights are cheaper and I like the idea of not spending as many consecutive hours on a plane but understand travel time is longer and more complicated. We also plan to bring our own firearms which complicates the travel. For those of you that are worldly travelers let me know the pros and cons of a trip through somewhere in Europe to South Africa. What country(s) to avoid if we try it.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Are you taking your own firearm?

 

[wesheltonj]

You might have your work cut out for you traveling with a gun for more then a 24 hour layover. I would check with BA first. They use a bonded service to transport and store your gun between flights at Heathrow. Not sure what the cost would be for a couple of days. Between flights at Heathrow it's 50 pounds each way. If you just want to spend the day, the BA flights arrive in the morning and the JNB flight leaves later that night.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

 

[MizzouAg]

Are you taking your own firearm?

Yes. Planning to.

 

[sierraone]

As implied by the previous posts. If you don't take your own firearms, the only limits on your sight seeing travel is money. You could hit several countries before finally heading to S.A. if you choose. If you take firearms, lots of complications, and that would be in each country you entered for sight seeing.

 

[MizzouAg]

As implied by the previous posts. If you don't take your own firearms, the only limits on your sight seeing travel is money. You could hit several countries before finally heading to S.A. if you choose. If you take firearms, lots of complications, and that would be in each country you entered for sight seeing.

Any recommendations on countries to avoid? Any easier to travel within than others?

 

[Mekaniks]

After @DoubleLunger recent experience transferring luggage in London I think I would absolutely avoid it.

 

[Ryan]

I've been through Frankfurt twice and each time it's worked out well. I did not have the layover you want but last I heard Customs there will hold your firearm there for an extended layover, do some research here and with their airport on the net. Munich is not so nice, there is report not so long back concerning someone being held until their connecting flight time. If travelling with a bow avoid Amsterdam. Bowhunting is illegal there and they'll confiscate your broadheads.

 

[DoubleLunger]

You might have your work cut out for you traveling with a gun for more then a 24 hour layover. I would check with BA first. They use a bonded service to transport and store your gun between flights at Heathrow. Not sure what the cost would be for a couple of days. Between flights at Heathrow it's 50 pounds each way. If you just want to spend the day, the BA flights arrive in the morning and the JNB flight leaves later that night.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

I’d avoid BA and Johannesburg at all costs. They lost my archery equipment and nearly ruined my trip

 

[wesheltonj]

I hear a lots of folks complain about BA and London. Most of those complaints are really AA fault and not BA or Heathrow's. If you fly BA metal to London and not a AA flight, you will normally not have a problem. However, any airline can have delayed or lost luggage. And UA will not transfer your gun in London either unless it to SAA flight. If you fly AA metal to London even if its on BA ticket stock its AA not BA that will not transfer your gun.

The other problem that occurs is Comair operating as BA in Southern Africa will not carry your gun. So flying BA to JNB and then BA to Windhoek is a no go. Also a no go is flying anywhere from Europe to Zimbabwe on the same ticket with a gun.

 

[sierraone]

I hear a lots of folks complain about BA and London. Most of those complaints are really AA fault and not BA or Heathrow's. If you fly BA metal to London and not a AA flight, you will normally not have a problem. However, any airline can have delayed or lost luggage. And UA will not transfer your gun in London either unless it to SAA flight. If you fly AA metal to London even if its on BA ticket stock its AA not BA that will not transfer your gun.

The other problem that occurs is Comair operating as BA in Southern Africa will not carry your gun. So flying BA to JNB and then BA to Windhoek is a no go. Also a no go is flying anywhere from Europe to Zimbabwe on the same ticket with a gun.

@wesheltonj ...Lots of members here hunt in Zimbabwe. With all the restrictions you listed....how do they travel there?

 

[wesheltonj]

@wesheltonj ...Lots of members here hunt in Zimbabwe. With all the restrictions you listed....how do they travel there?

They either fly Delta or a Gulf airline and its not a problem. Or get a separate ticket on SSA to Zimbabwe from JNB.

 

[CAustin]

Use your outfitters rifle and you can tour all you want.

 

[MizzouAg]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Heeler75]

If you're dead set on doing a quick tour, I'd contact one of the travel agencies that specialize in hunting. Travel Express, Gracy, and Travel with Guns come to mind. They could probably set you up lickety split and also help with firearms in Joburb on arrival.