12 he 45 min Layover in Johannesburg

[Mountaineer]

I’ll be flying to Windhoek this summer from the US east coast. Both New York and DC options have layovers in either Johannesburg or Cape Town for 12 and 15 hours respectively. I’ll have guns. Has anyone had experiences leaving guns with the airlines for that long?

 

[375Fox]

I don’t think you can. You take them to hotel for night with you. I’ll be interested to hear if someone has. It would save having to get a firearm permit in South Africa.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Check in is usually limited to a couple hours ahead of the flight. Do you know if your guns and checked bags will go straight through to Namibia or do you have to collect them and then go to the check in counter for your flight to Namibia? If the bags are checked straight through, that's sort of a scary thought with the bags and guns sitting in a baggage cart that long. However, you can get a day room at the Protea Hotel, in the International terminal (in the secured area.) You are only allowed to use this hotel for connecting international flights. You can eat at the restrarauts in the terminal. I am not sure if the Protea in the International Terminal has reopened, post COVID.

If your bags and gun are not checked all the way to Windhoek, then do you clear them into RSA? Get a room at the City Lodge and relax for the 10 yours or so. Money well spent IMHO.

 

[mediumbore]

Assuming your have checked your bags all the way to Windhoek, but have a layover in Johannesburg, you can't take your guns out of the airport to your hotel (or anywhere else). An airport baggage employee will take them to the firearm's police desk in the airport, lock them in the vault, and then see that they get on your next flight. If you are connecting with Airlink Airline to Windhoek, make sure you have advance permission to check rifles, The form is on their website. And drop an Apple Airtag in your gun case so you know where they are at all times.

 

[375Fox]

Assuming your have checked your bags all the way to Windhoek, but have a layover in Johannesburg, you can't take your guns out of the airport to your hotel (or anywhere else). An airport baggage employee will take them to the firearm's police desk in the airport, lock them in the vault, and then see that they get on your next flight. If you are connecting with Airlink Airline to Windhoek, make sure you have advance permission to check rifles, The form is on their website. And drop an Apple Airtag in your gun case so you know where they are at all times.

Have you done this yourself with that long of layover? My last trips to Namibia were 2018 and 2019. I used Gracy Travel both times. They had me get South African gun permit and collect guns then recheck next day. Delta was able to print Windhoek on bag tags.

 

[Mountaineer]

United will fly to Johannesburg and then airlink has the second leg from Johannesburg to Windhoek. I do plan to check bags all the way through. I have flown this route in reverse and everything was checked through, but the layover was only 3 or four hours. I’ll check on Protea Hotel.

 

[Mountaineer]

I am booking these as award flights myself.

 

[375er]

I would think you would have to claim them through SAPS and recheck the next day. Atleast that is what I had to do last May.

 

[mediumbore]

Yes. I did this in September. I spent the night at the Protea Marriott. But always good to confirm because people and procedures change without notice there. In doubt, email SAPS and ask them what they recommend.

 

[Mountaineer]

Thanks to everyone for their experience. Has anyone overnighted in Cape Town?

 

[autofire]

I believe that their is a max time limit that guns can be held by airlines, between flight. 12 hour? I suggest you contact Henry at rifle permits re specific info and procedure for layover in Jberg.

 

[Tgood1]

Another vote for Henry at rifle permits, fantastic group

 

[Manny R]

I am flying to Namibia in June on Qatar. I fly roundtrip from the US to Doha then nonstop to Windhoek and back. I bypass JoBerg. I believe if you layover more than 8 hours you have to claim your guns present the SAP form. It would be well worth the price to shoot Henry Rifle Permits an email and let him deal with your guns and customs Police. Then just go to the hotel, have dinner a long hot shower and sleep.

 

[Scott CWO]

I’ll be flying to Windhoek this summer from the US east coast. Both New York and DC options have layovers in either Johannesburg or Cape Town for 12 and 15 hours respectively. I’ll have guns. Has anyone had experiences leaving guns with the airlines for that long?

If I have a long layover in JNB, I claim and recheck my bags a few hours before the next flight. This saved me a lot of trouble the last time I went to Zimbabwe. The other hunters on the same itinerary checked their rifles and luggage all the way through and when we all arrived in Zimbabwe, I was the only one with luggage. Long layovers in JNB can be trouble!

Because of that experience, I again claimed and rechecked my bags/rifles in JNB in 2021 when I had an 8 hour layover in JNB on my way to Maun, Botswana. Everything arrived in Botswana with me. It’s a pain but I will continue to claim and recheck bags when I have an 8 hour or more layover at JNB.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

i would assume if you are coming out of transit, as in through passport control then u have to collect all baggage and guns
in other words you cannot enter south africa without your luggage and guns, you would have to have a temp import permit for the weapons, then you have to check them in again when you check in for the namibia flight

if you bags etc are checked through to namibia then you will be in transit in the airport and will not have access to any luggage or guns at all. and you do not pass through passport control and do not effectively "enter" south africa

 

[M McDindi]

Done the Jberg overnight layover a good number of times. Twice last year (2022), June and Aug. June was to Namibia, Aug to Botswana. Delta over and SA Ailink from Jberg to Windhoek and Gaborone.

Two major factors: a) are you flying on a "contiguous ticket". Meaning, is your long-haul flt from the US to Jberg and your flt from Jberg to, in this case Windhoek, on the SAME reservation code or are you flying on "split tickets". Meaning one airline ticket and reservation code to JNB and a separate ticket and reservation code from JNB to WDH with SA Airlink? IF, you are on a contiguous ticket, when you check-in with the first flight you're checked luggage and rifle case and ammo should be able to be checked all the way thru to WDH. Good side of this is you don't have to screw with the SAPS 520 form and the SAPS office dick dance. You just have to plan your carry-on bag for your overnight stay accordingly.

b) IF you are on a split ticket and your primary airline has a baggage handling agreement with SA Airlink or other regional African carrier, when you check-in for your first flt, IF you show both tickets to the check-in agent, AND they are feeling agreeable, they can check everything all the way thru. The next morning you'll just need to collect your boarding pass from SA Airlink desks in the main hall. When you do, MAKE SURE you give them your baggage claim tickets so they can be sure your bags/rifle cases are on the aircraft loading manifest. You'll also have to pay a nominal $35.00 US fee for EACH rifle in your case.

Coming home, same thing. When checking in, show both tickets to the agent and they should be able to check your luggage/rifle case and ammo box all they way back to your US Port of Entry. Collect it all up, clear US Customs and then you'll need to re-check it all to your final destination. Your US Port of Entry airport will have a baggage transfer area so you don't have to go out into the main hall.

Examples: On my June 22 trip two of us flying Delta to JNB. I originated out of Tampa, friend out of South Carolina. Both traveling on "split tickets". He showed both to his check-in agent and all his was checked all the way to WDH. I opted to claim my stuff in JNB, mostly because I don't trust anything being left for a long time there.

Just to be certain, I did have SAPS 520's for both of us filled out and just needed to be signed. He obviously didn't need his and I did. His luggage and rifle case pitched up just fine the next day in WDH. Coming home, SA Airlink agent checked us both all the way to Atlanta but, I still had another set of filled out SAPS 520's for us, just in case. We again, just had to pay the gun handling fee. We also confirmed our baggage claim tickets

I did a solo trip to Bots in Aug 22. Same deal, split ticket Delta from Tampa to JNB and SA Airlink next day to Gaborone. This time, showed both tickets and checked all the way to Gabs. Same drill. next morning got my boarding pass from SA Airlink, confirmed by luggage claim tags, paid my fee, got my boarding pass etc.

Same drill coming home. Checked all the way to ATL, paid my fee in Gabs, confirmed my baggage claim tickets in JNB.

BUT, I STILL carried two sets of completed SAPS 520's just in case.

One more general caution. Your US carrier to JNB usually has a 50# free checked bag limit. However, SA Airlink is 40#. IF you claim your bags in JNB and re-check in the morning and your rifle case and checked bag(s) are over 40#, you'll be paying overweight bag fees as well.

Sounds like you've already booked your tickets. Just be 100% sure that the airlines you've got from the US to JNB will carry firearms. I think currently, there are only two US carriers that fly direct from the US to JNB, Delta and United. They are both firearm friendly. As a general caution to all, there are several international carries that do NOT allow firearms or have layovers in countries that don't allow firearms to even transit.

To the OP, as others have mentioned above, if you have limited experience traveling internationally with firearms and transiting JNB, it would be a VERY good idea to hire a transfer agent/meet and greet service. There are several, all are about the same price. EVEN IF your firearms are checked all the way thru, they will still meet you at the gate, walk you thru RSA Immigration and IF you're overnighting in the airport terminal complex, escort you to the hotel and meet you the next morning and make sure you get on your next flight.

So far, I'm taking three guys with me to Bots this Aug. Split tickets purchased (Delta/SA Airlink). Same drill with an overnight in JNB at the City Lodge Hotel. All of us flying out of Tampa and hopefully, checking luggage and rifle cases all the way to Gabs. I will STILL have copies of pre-filled out SAPS 520's for each of us for each way, just in case.

This all may sound scarier/more complicated than it is, once you've done it a few times.

 

[Philip Glass]

First of all this is an overnight not a layover. United will not check you through to Airlink With rifles. You will have to collect your luggage and guns, go to SAPS and get the RSA rifle permit, and then go to a hotel. If you are doing this without an agent you will need to inform United of your rifles and I suggest you use Riflepermits.com for the RSA gun permit. City Lodge, Intercontinental, or Africa Sky get my vote for the overnight.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@M McDindi great info, thanks! Question about paying fees to Airlink. Do they accept payment at the checkin counter or do you have to go over to the Customer Service counter to pay and then come back to the ticket counter? Seems like that was the drill in years past.

Also, checked Airlink's website and economy check bag weight limit is 20kg or 44 lbs to some destinations and 30kg to others.

 

[Philip Glass]

Done the Jberg overnight layover a good number of times. Twice last year (2022), June and Aug. June was to Namibia, Aug to Botswana. Delta over and SA Ailink from Jberg to Windhoek and Gaborone.

Two major factors: a) are you flying on a "contiguous ticket". Meaning, is your long-haul flt from the US to Jberg and your flt from Jberg to, in this case Windhoek, on the SAME reservation code or are you flying on "split tickets". Meaning one airline ticket and reservation code to JNB and a separate ticket and reservation code from JNB to WDH with SA Airlink? IF, you are on a contiguous ticket, when you check-in with the first flight you're checked luggage and rifle case and ammo should be able to be checked all the way thru to WDH. Good side of this is you don't have to screw with the SAPS 520 form and the SAPS office dick dance. You just have to plan your carry-on bag for your overnight stay accordingly.

b) IF you are on a split ticket and your primary airline has a baggage handling agreement with SA Airlink or other regional African carrier, when you check-in for your first flt, IF you show both tickets to the check-in agent, AND they are feeling agreeable, they can check everything all the way thru. The next morning you'll just need to collect your boarding pass from SA Airlink desks in the main hall. When you do, MAKE SURE you give them your baggage claim tickets so they can be sure your bags/rifle cases are on the aircraft loading manifest. You'll also have to pay a nominal $35.00 US fee for EACH rifle in your case.

Coming home, same thing. When checking in, show both tickets to the agent and they should be able to check your luggage/rifle case and ammo box all they way back to your US Port of Entry. Collect it all up, clear US Customs and then you'll need to re-check it all to your final destination. Your US Port of Entry airport will have a baggage transfer area so you don't have to go out into the main hall.

Examples: On my June 22 trip two of us flying Delta to JNB. I originated out of Tampa, friend out of South Carolina. Both traveling on "split tickets". He showed both to his check-in agent and all his was checked all the way to WDH. I opted to claim my stuff in JNB, mostly because I don't trust anything being left for a long time there.

Just to be certain, I did have SAPS 520's for both of us filled out and just needed to be signed. He obviously didn't need his and I did. His luggage and rifle case pitched up just fine the next day in WDH. Coming home, SA Airlink agent checked us both all the way to Atlanta but, I still had another set of filled out SAPS 520's for us, just in case. We again, just had to pay the gun handling fee. We also confirmed our baggage claim tickets

I did a solo trip to Bots in Aug 22. Same deal, split ticket Delta from Tampa to JNB and SA Airlink next day to Gaborone. This time, showed both tickets and checked all the way to Gabs. Same drill. next morning got my boarding pass from SA Airlink, confirmed by luggage claim tags, paid my fee, got my boarding pass etc.

Same drill coming home. Checked all the way to ATL, paid my fee in Gabs, confirmed my baggage claim tickets in JNB.

BUT, I STILL carried two sets of completed SAPS 520's just in case.

One more general caution. Your US carrier to JNB usually has a 50# free checked bag limit. However, SA Airlink is 40#. IF you claim your bags in JNB and re-check in the morning and your rifle case and checked bag(s) are over 40#, you'll be paying overweight bag fees as well.

Sounds like you've already booked your tickets. Just be 100% sure that the airlines you've got from the US to JNB will carry firearms. I think currently, there are only two US carriers that fly direct from the US to JNB, Delta and United. They are both firearm friendly. As a general caution to all, there are several international carries that do NOT allow firearms or have layovers in countries that don't allow firearms to even transit.

To the OP, as others have mentioned above, if you have limited experience traveling internationally with firearms and transiting JNB, it would be a VERY good idea to hire a transfer agent/meet and greet service. There are several, all are about the same price. EVEN IF your firearms are checked all the way thru, they will still meet you at the gate, walk you thru RSA Immigration and IF you're overnighting in the airport terminal complex, escort you to the hotel and meet you the next morning and make sure you get on your next flight.

So far, I'm taking three guys with me to Bots this Aug. Split tickets purchased (Delta/SA Airlink). Same drill with an overnight in JNB at the City Lodge Hotel. All of us flying out of Tampa and hopefully, checking luggage and rifle cases all the way to Gabs. I will STILL have copies of pre-filled out SAPS 520's for each of us for each way, just in case.

This all may sound scarier/more complicated than it is, once you've done it a few times.

Since he is buying his ticket himself it is highly unlikely that it will be all on one reservation. In most cases only an agent can do this and not in all circumstances.

 

[Philip Glass]

@M McDindi great info, thanks! Question about paying fees to Airlink. Do they accept payment at the checkin counter or do you have to go over to the Customer Service counter to pay and then come back to the ticket counter? Seems like that was the drill in years past.

Also, checked Airlink's website and economy check bag weight limit is 20kg or 44 lbs. So indeed it is not the usual 50 lb limit.

No, they do not accept payment at the ticket counter. The only PIA with Airlink is you have to go to the business office and pay For rifle fee and bag charges.