Fly to Bulawayo- is Ethiopian Airlines ok w/rifle?

[wildwilderness]

Looking to get airfare to Bulawayo Zim from Anchorage- what’s the recommended way? I can get some good deals on Ethiopian Airlines but not sure I should travel them with rifles?

other option is Delta or United to JNB then take an Airlink hop to Bulawayo-

What would you do?

 

[JimP]

To start with I would just call Jennifer at Travel Express, sit back and let her work her magic.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Looking to get airfare to Bulawayo Zim from Anchorage- what’s the recommended way? I can get some good deals on Ethiopian Airlines but not sure I should travel them with rifles?

other option is Delta or United to JNB then take an Airlink hop to Bulawayo-

What would you do?

Ethiopian Airlines allows sporting guns as checked baggage, but with specific requirements. They must be unloaded, suitably packed, and have the safety catch on, and a maximum of 2 firearms are permitted. A Firearms Declaration Form must be completed for each case containing a firearm and provided during check-in. Advance notice to the airline is also required.

Transporting Firearms Internationally| Travel Express

Travel Express are experts in transporting firearms internationally and firearm transit for your hunting trip. Book with us now!

www.travelexpressagency.com

 

[Ma Baker]

I don't have any personal experience on Ethiopian but found this post re someone else's trip....

Thread 'Ethiopian Airlines - Anxiety in Addis Abada'

Apr 27, 2025

The purpose of this post is to share my experience of flying through the ADD airport in Addis Adaba, and the challenges I faced flying with Ethiopian Airlines.

Before I get into the frustration side of this story, I would like to say that beyond what I am going to say about making the connection in Addis, ALL aspects of my trip in regards to Ethiopian Airlines were very nice. I honestly cannot think of anything about my 6 flights with them that was negative. Check-in, food, service, bathrooms, everything was very nice.

My flight went from Dulles to Addis to Victoria Falls. When...

• Andrew62
• Replies: 68
• Forum: Before & after the hunt

• 
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[MLindsay]

There is a thread started recently on problems on Ethiopian getting guns checked in Addis.

I will be flying on Delta, June 26, to Joburg then next morning to Bulawayo. I have taken this route numerous times. I stay at City Lodge, so simple. Gracy travel handles all of my needs, from tickets, gun permits, taking me through customs and finally to City Lodge. Again SIMPLE!

 

[Skshyk]

I have flown with Ethiopian to Zim twice. They allow firearms, only annoying part is when you land in Ethiopia before you get on your transfer flight you have to be taken down to there luggage storage area I guess and open your firearms bag and confirm serial numbers with your 4457 paperwork. Both times they made me do it right before the flight.

 

[Paul K]

There is a thread started recently on problems on Ethiopian getting guns checked in Addis.

I will be flying on Delta, June 26, to Joburg then next morning to Bulawayo. I have taken this route numerous times. I stay at City Lodge, so simple. Gracy travel handles all of my needs, from tickets, gun permits, taking me through customs and finally to City Lodge. Again SIMPLE!

Gracy Travel is the best. I dealt with Debra Gracy several times and the service was outstanding and her meet and greet service was great,worth every penny.
Paul

 

[wildwilderness]

For those that do the JoBerg layover- I assume you have to do the firearms check twice? both when coming from the States, then when returning from Zim? Do you still recomend RiflePermits?

 

[Doug Hamilton]

To start with I would just call Jennifer at Travel Express, sit back and let her work her magic.

Yes! Call Jennifer at Travel Express. I used her.on.my.last safari. I wouldn't consider another trip without her words of wisdom!

 

[Scott CWO]

For those that do the JoBerg layover- I assume you have to do the firearms check twice? both when coming from the States, then when returning from Zim? Do you still recomend RiflePermits?

Yes, each way and make sure you have a decent layover in Addis of 3 hours if possible.

 

[Racer00]

I flew Ethiopian thru Addis in March. I didn't take my own firearms, as layover is so short and Jennifer was worried if I would make my connection. I used camp rifles, and they were ok, but I would much rather have my own.
Our plane was late. Addis was a cluster. I had my 82 yr old mother with me. We deplaned on the tarmac and were herded around like cattle until they walked us to the correct plane, last minute. Our checked baggage made it to us 3 days later. If I would have had firearms, I am reasonably sure we would have missed our flight and had a 24 hour layover in Addis. YMMV

 

[jasyblood]

For those that do the JoBerg layover- I assume you have to do the firearms check twice? both when coming from the States, then when returning from Zim? Do you still recomend RiflePermits?

I've done this twice. Once to Zim and once to Botswana. On the way over, yes, you get your rifles checked in Joberg and your final destination.

On the return flight from Bulawayo, I was able to check my rifle all the way back to the US(Airlink/Delta).

On the return flight from Maun, the airlines computers were down, so could only check back to JNB. Luckily, we had booked with Gracy Travel, so we were able to call Bruce from Maun and he met us at Joberg to get through SAPS quickly so we could catch our flight home.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

For those that do the JoBerg layover- I assume you have to do the firearms check twice? both when coming from the States, then when returning from Zim? Do you still recomend RiflePermits?

Yes to Rifle Permits!

On your return flight, you might be able to check in at Bulawayo and get your rifle and back checked through to Alaska. So no rifle clearance required, assuming you are not overnighting in JNB on your return flight.

 

[C.W. Richter]

Looking to get airfare to Bulawayo Zim from Anchorage- what’s the recommended way? I can get some good deals on Ethiopian Airlines but not sure I should travel them with rifles?

other option is Delta or United to JNB then take an Airlink hop to Bulawayo-

What would you do?

I realize this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but now that I think of it, my 1st "Zim" trip (to the Bulawayo area) was simply flying into OR Tambo (JHB) and the PH met me there for a really nice roadtrip N across RSA-we stayed in a guest house overnight on another PHs property and went hunting the next day in RSA before heading N crossing into Zim at Beitbridge. The trip was amazing and wonderful in every way (and 'got to experience both countries on the ground!) On the return trip, I was able to help the PH drive one of his safari vehicles into RSA where it was dropped off for maintenance prior to another safari. Driving through the Louis Trichardt mountainous area (among a great many other places/people/things-food/hunting shop in Pretoria!!) was an amazing sight indeed! (and, 1 flight there, 1 flight home.) Are you hunting the BVC? We went there too when it was in the making...saw lots of Buffalo, some Lion and LOTS of PG.

 

[wildwilderness]

I realize this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but now that I think of it, my 1st "Zim" trip (to the Bulawayo area) was simply flying into OR Tambo (JHB) and the PH met me there for a really nice roadtrip N across RSA-we stayed in a guest house overnight on another PHs property and went hunting the next day in RSA before heading N crossing into Zim at Beitbridge. The trip was amazing and wonderful in every way (and 'got to experience both countries on the ground!) On the return trip, I was able to help the PH drive one of his safari vehicles into RSA where it was dropped off for maintenance prior to another safari. Driving through the Louis Trichardt mountainous area (among a great many other places/people/things-food/hunting shop in Pretoria!!) was an amazing sight indeed! (and, 1 flight there, 1 flight home.) Are you hunting the BVC? We went there too when it was in the making...saw lots of Buffalo, some Lion and LOTS of PG.

I have done a couple long road trips as well. Not an option this time. The average outside temperature is pretty important to me as to if the drive is bearable or not. Coming from cold Alaska anything over 70 F is too hot to be enjoyable! And a hot car ride gets old fast (blasting ac if it works can help) October will be getting hot….

 

[Sideshow]

To the op @wildwilderness have you read through this thread? https://www.africahunting.com/threa...iety-in-addis-abada.92133/page-2#post-1413891