Any good layovers?

[Ryanlo]

daughter and I going to SA in 2019. I hate to fly. The thought of the 16 hrs is a nightmare. Just did 15 to NZ and not wanting to do it again. Wanted to know if there any good lay over places that you can stop for a day or two and not have problems with your rifles? Sure it is a pain and best to just get it over with and do the 16. Just wanting to avoid it possable. Any advice is a big help

 

[sierraone]

There are many great places to have intentional 2-3 day layovers in Europe on the way to or returning from Africa. I have done it many times returning from the Middle East. BUT, if that is your plan, rent rifles from your outfitter.

 

[CAustin]

Interesting question sir. I have always done the direct route! I wonder if there is an easy way to do this and spend a couple of days somewhere!

 

[sierraone]

Interesting question sir. I have always done the direct route! I wonder if there is an easy way to do this and spend a couple of days somewhere!

Charlie, I am sure it can be done, but it will definitely add expense and more administrative complications to your trip. There should be members that have done so before and can give detailed explanations on what agencies to contract with to handle their guns for them depending on the city the layovers are to occur in. Just not for me. I would love to spend time in Paris or London every I cross the Atlantic, which I have done in the past, just not with guns. I can only wish this gun transit thing was not such a PITA!

 

[CAustin]

@sierraone you trip is getting closer. Hope your son is getting excited!

 

[sierraone]

@sierraone you trip is getting closer. Hope your son is getting excited!

I am ready. My son has run into problems with his job, so am not sure at this time if he will make it. Keeping my fingers crossed. He may just have to eat his ticket, we will see! I notified Pieter of this already.

 

[Dave Zimmerman]

On my upcoming trip I had the option to have long layovers in between flights in Turkey, Qatar, or Abu Dhabi. Qatar and Turkish airways offer free tours of the city if you have a layover of certain length. Qatar is what I booked(cheaper and better quality) and found out I might not qualify for the free tour by not booking directly with them, but you can get visa to enter country for like $27 US then take a taxi to hit tourist areas, get a hotel, or whatever.

Since my flight arrives at 4:40pm and don't leave to head to JoBerg until 2:20am, planning to leave airport and head to the Souq Waqif (open air shopping area with restaurants) and take in the sights. The Islamic Art Museum is right there also to walk to if you want. Taxi shouldn't run more than $35-40 im told in multiple online sites and for me personally, it should be a nice way to be in another country briefly while on layover between flights. My plan is to shop a bit for family, eat, and take it in, then head back to airport and continue flight to Africa.

Check the airlines you are looking to book and most layover in Europe or Middle East (delta had straight from Atlanta to S.A.), but saw layovers in Zurich, Paris, London, Madrid, Amsterdam, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Dubai..... If you aren't traveling with gun or bow, shouldn't be an issue and why not take in some sight seeing in a foreign country while on way to hunt Africa?

 

[sierraone]

On my upcoming trip I had the option to have long layovers in between flights in Turkey, Qatar, or Abu Dhabi. Qatar and Turkish airways offer free tours of the city if you have a layover of certain length. Qatar is what I booked(cheaper and better quality) and found out I might not qualify for the free tour by not booking directly with them, but you can get visa to enter country for like $27 US then take a taxi to hit tourist areas, get a hotel, or whatever.

Since my flight arrives at 4:40pm and don't leave to head to JoBerg until 2:20am, planning to leave airport and head to the Souq Waqif (open air shopping area with restaurants) and take in the sights. The Islamic Art Museum is right there also to walk to if you want. Taxi shouldn't run more than $35-40 im told in multiple online sites and for me personally, it should be a nice way to be in another country briefly while on layover between flights. My plan is to shop a bit for family, eat, and take it in, then head back to airport and continue flight to Africa.

Check the airlines you are looking to book and most layover in Europe or Middle East (delta had straight from Atlanta to S.A.), but saw layovers in Zurich, Paris, London, Madrid, Amsterdam, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Dubai..... If you aren't traveling with gun or bow, shouldn't be an issue and why not take in some sight seeing in a foreign country while on way to hunt Africa?

Agree...If no guns, then see Europe going over and coming back if you have the extra time and money! Have done it many times and will never regret it!

 

[Dave Zimmerman]

Or if you want to maximize trip, book a layover on way over in one area and a different on way back. I looked into laying over in Qatar on way there and hitting Turkey on way back to do both tours....it was about $400 more on my ticket so I didn't, but had the $$$ not been such an issue id have done it to get more tourist/exposure while on my big trip.

 

[wesheltonj]

I have had a lay over in London with a gun but not for more then a day. BA flights arrives in London in the morning (DFW & IAH) and the flight to RSA leaves at night. That gives you a lot of daylight., you can (1) head into central London and see the sights or (2) head to Windsor and see the Castle. It's fairly easy and lots of transportation choices.

Other Layovers: Paris - there is a train into Paris, not as easy is London, unless you read/speak French. Frankfurt - Trains available to take you just about anywhere in Germany. Easy day trip to Cologne or Heidelberg. Dubai - you can purchase a day tour of the city, personally its a waste of money, just Uber everywhere. Zurich - train into town, easy.

 

[Ernie Shipman]

I would consider the direct flight again. In 2015 I flew to Senegal, spent 2 weeks with family, then went to SA to hunt & photo for 2 weeks. (didn't take a rifle) This year I flew direct from JFK (with a rifle). I much preferred the direct flight. Bose wireless headphones, downloaded movies to my laptop, the galley was left open for snacks: I found both flights quite easy to do. We did get upgraded seats for better legroom. PLUS, only one security, waiting at the gate, customs, etc... Lots less stress.... BUT, a 2-5 day layover in London, Paris or Rome would be super!!! (all 3 on my short list)

 

[Whiskey1]

Cocktails are complimentary on the ATL to Joberg direct flight. Good headphones, 3-4 belts of Jamison or Woodford, a nice nap, catch a movie, and next thing you know you are landing. Though Europe would be nice I enjoy hunting with my own rifles and it just seems like too much complication.

 

[Eric Anderson]

You can usually get a 10-16 hour layover in Frankfurt. I have rented a hotel room in the past and taken a nap. I can’t sleep on a passenger plane for some reason.

 

[ActionBob]

Twice I did the Paris route, both times departing for Joburg like about 11PM. I found Air France to always be in a rush, and never on time.... Both times with rifles. Had a form to turn in for the rifles which are technically not a problem if your layover is less than 24 hours. Challenge is of the 4 times through, twice over and back on that route, they never seemed to know what to do with the form and treated it differently all 4 times....

First time we paid to store carry ons and took a taxi downtown then got on a tour bus that hit the high points and ended at the Eiffel Tower. Then taxi back in plenty of time.

Second time we booked a private tour in a van to Versailles. That was great. Able to leave carry ons in the van. Probably cheaper as well.

Of course this means getting some sleep over the Atlantic. And then again heading down to Joburg. Tuff going, but if you stay awake in Paris, you should be able to get some sleep. They cater to that on the flight. In flight service on AF is great. You arrive in the morning so can make any connections out of Joburg or if being picked up you have all day and may be hunting that evening... Most African Outfitters will not charge extra for that, just add a days worth of tip. To me the best part is if you stay awake until about 8 PM that first night.... you will be over the jet lag at 4 or 5 AM the next morning and the rest of your trip will go great, sleep wise.

My other 3 trips were the direct route. The last was 13 months ago and coming back from Mozambique I had 6 back to back flights and a 2 hour delay without A.C. on the run way in Joburg in November. 60 hours from the time I got out of bed in camp until my head hit my pillow at home..... slept like a baby across the Atlantic

 

[fourfive8]

If you want to complicate your trip then plan a layover. When I go to Africa I want to go to Africa! There is no way to mitigate the 16 hr flight except 1st class seat or at least comfort economy seat. Moderate libation may help??, pull a blanket over head and over the video screen (works great with the fold out screens with certain seats, like the ones behind bulkhead) to form a small movie theater tunnel and watch a few movies. For the Delta 777, make sure to get a true comfort economy seat... the outside aisle seats on either side just behind the 1st class bulkhead are considered "comfort" but you'll get bumped each time an attendant walks from 1st class into the economy cabin since those seats are slightly offset into the aisle. You can look at a seating chart and see the offset. Also, some of the Airbus seats which are considered comfort are also offset into the aisle- check the seating charts for each aircraft.

Then suck it up and go to Africa. Plan a day or two "layover" or adjustment in Africa on the front end of your trip to recover from the flight. Then enjoy the safari!! Some PHs and companies can accommodate this and some can't (or don't want to). It's one of the questions I ask when booking a hunt. I've always been able to plan, in some way, a day or two near destination in Africa on the front end of a regular safari. An added benefit of this is that it may allow missing baggage or guns to catch up to you if they go missing or are delayed on your outbound leg.

 

[mdwest]

We did a 12 hour layover in frankfurt my last trip to SA (United) .

Direct from DFW to Frankfurt.. We ended up in Frankfurt from about 8AM to 8PM I believe... which was perfect for us.. we left the airport and went and had breakfast and lunch in the city and did some "tourist" stuff for a few hours.. then got back to the airport with plenty of time to get some rest in the lounge before departing for SA..

We then went from Frankfurt to Joberg and arrived in the early AM (I think 7am?) which was again, perfect for us.. we cleared the airport quickly and were able to make the drive to camp in time to get lunch and get in an afternoon hunt the same day we arrived..

It was a long trip.. but I mostly slept on the plane between DFW and Frankfurt and then slept again between Frankfurt and Joberg..