Declaring your firearms with Delta Airlines

[Rare Breed]

Finally have the tickets booked for our first trip to SA and our honeymoon. I know I have to declare to the airlines that I am traveling with firearms at some point. My questions are
1. How far in advance do I need to do it
2. Is this in writing


The Delta website says we must declare it to the ticketing agent at check in but that seems late in the game to do it. Anyone have any first hand experience on this.

No worries. no advance notice needed unlike say Airlink in JNB or if you are going through Amsterdam. Just plan on showing up at least three hours early I do four hours. They will weigh your ammo ask you to open your rifle case then they place their review card in your rifle case and tell you to place your ammo case in your checked luggage. They then escort you to TSA who checks your rifle. TSA then takes your rifle to luggage for loading not you and you are done. In all my trips zero problem with Delta and TSA out of Atlanta

 

[TERMINATOR]

That's an important piece of information relevant to your trip. You will need to find an agent in the country to "hold" your rifle and ammunition while you travel around. Not hard to do, but necessary. They treat firearms differently "over there". Happy Honeymoon!

100 percent.
It is not the best idea to tour the country lugging your guns everywhere for multiple reasons.
riflepermits.com can store your firearms before/after the hunt as long as you come back through JNB airport. Which is the main hub for the whole country

 

[JimP]

As mentioned your big question mark right now would be just where are you going to do your touring?
If in the Eastern Cape talk to your outfitter about firearm storage. If flying back to Joberg then Henry should be able to take care of you. If anywhere else then you might want to consider renting a rifle from your outfitter, then you won't have to worry about them this trip.

I was lucky on my first trip to the Eastern Cape and while we did a week long tour of the coast and into Lesotho and back to Port Elizabeth one of our PH's took care of our firearms and returned them to us on the morning of our flights out.

 

[swashington]

Hunting with KMG and will most likely arrange for them to store them for a few days. We are going to Port Alfred to check out some real estate. Looking at the possibility of retiring down there. Want to find out if the little town is as beautiful as it looks and how the quality of life is. Real estate looks very good for the prices.

 

[shootist~]

I assume you have arranged one of many services in RSA to help with the paperwork upon arrival? It is money well spent.

This. At least 6 weeks in advance if taking a rifle.