Jo'Berg transit

[Amflyer]

I'm traveling through S.A. en route to Namibia this April for the first time. Past trip was through Frankfurt. I'm debating whether to hire an "assistant" service to help with SAPS 520 vs. doing it myself. I've heard both sides. Experienced thoughts?

Also, I'm overnighting at City Lodge there in OR Tambo. Does anyone know if they have a secure area for rifles, or if in-room is the norm, etc?

Thank you all.

 

[BRICKBURN]

You'll get both sides.
I fill out the form in black ink. Turn it over and have never been more than 15 minutes.
You are staying over night anyway. Got somewhere to go?
Save the $150 bucks and pay for the room or several bottles of very nice wine.

City Lodge. Throw your guns in your room. Never had an issue.

 

[bluey]

do saps your self ,they are friendly and you will have a couple laughs while its getting done .....
don't know about city lodge and fire arms in the room , where we stayed it was the norm to do that ......

 

[James.Grage]

If this is your first time.

I suggest the following:
1. Use a meet and greet - i use Gracy travel - other use Air 2000
2. Walk to the motel is maybe 5 minutes.
3. Room is secure and i have never had an issue.
4. Dining room has good to great food - depending n what you order - My wife just loved the lamb.
5. Drinks are served and reasonable priced at the city lodge. Ask the Brickburn... great after the long flight.
6. City lodge has a great breakfast spread second only to the one i have been at in Tanzania.
7. next morning after your meet and greet will walk you to your airline check in and rifle check in and you are set.
8. shop now, before flying, prices are reasonable at the shops. These are different shops than you will have when you come back into jo'berg to fly home.

If you have done it before, the process is relativity easy. I have seen the gun room packed to almost empty. ( the day it was almost empty, i was able to meet Ivan Carter and we chatted for a while asking each other where we were going and what we were after, he was also at the city lodge) The thing to remember is that the paying customers using a gun service are ahead of the do it your self-er. One time my wait was over 3 hours when i did it my self, the place was that packed.

 

[JTEX]

+1 On the Gracy travel thing. Having Bruce there to get you through lines, both ways, is worth every penny!


.

 

[richteb]

Have to agree with James, at least for the first time, then perhaps go the do it your self route.

 

[Red Leg]

If you do a lot of international travel - no big deal. However, if a first Africa transit with weapons, I would use meet and greet. I have stayed at City Lodge twice and it is fine for an overnight. As noted above, weapons in the room worked out fine. On the way out, you will be hounded by guys wanting to "help" you for a consideration. Three choices - beat them off, hire one and let him help you through check-in and weapons clearance, or use meet and greet at departure as well. If your first trip, I'd use the contracted assist for both. Also, without meet and greet, the police weapons clearance goons will have their hands out as well.

 

[Royal27]

+1 On the Gracy travel thing. Having Bruce there to get you through lines, both ways, is worth every penny!


.

Bruce is the man!!!!!

Meet and greet is like insurance. It isn't worth the money if you don't "need" it but if you do.... To me it is all about peace of mind. Not positive I will use it again next time, but glad I did the first time. And having those Gravy tags on your lugage will be a help if your bags get lost. The airport folks know who to call. Again, insurance....

 

[cptkirk]

In regards to the rifle storage issue, after my hunt was done back in early September we went on a side trip up to Zimbawe and Botswana to see Victoria Falls. While we were on that leg of our journey we stored my gun and all my hunting gear and some excess baggage and souveniers in the secure baggage storage area right in OR Tambo airport. It only costs a few dollars per item per day and everything looked to be in fine shape when we returned. The stuff is right at the airport for when you leave and you don't have to hall it all over town.
I had a little help from my outfitter checking my guns when we first arrived and I was glad to have the help. One of the lesser minions working the counter was asking for an original copy of some form and Ananja bypassed him and went right to the boss man to get it resolved. Its nice to know you have someone there thats knows when some B.S. is being pulled. Have fun, I sure did!

 

[BigSteve57]

+1 for Gracy travel. We used them and used their meet & greet and departure service. Their rep got us out of a real jam when our ammo suddenly needed a separate piece of baggage when going from Johannesburg to Windhoek.

 

[daved]

Its real easy to do and you probably wont have any issues, BUT I have had custom guys try to bribe hunters with perfect paperwork. Also as mentioned the meet and greet will collect you at the Plane and wisk you through customs to the rifle section. This is a life saver when there are 20-50 other guys wanting to get their guns done.

It boils down to how adventurous you are. other wise graceys travel, Henry Durheim, air 200, PHASA ( Professional hunters ass. of SA) even the Afton House if you are staying with them. All will do a great job looking after you.

 

[sestoppelman]

Using a rifle service to ease you thru SAPS is how I do it, even having done it several times now, its just easier. I don't hear worth a hoot and accents can be a problem for me, and it just saves a lot of confusion and anxious moments to have a local deal with it. I use Afton Guest house for the meet and greet ($100 this year) and have stayed overnight with them as well. Rifle in the room seems to be normal, the facilities are gated and locked after hours and fairly secure I should think. Its worth the few extra bucks for peace of mind. Let the pros do their thing.

 

[Amflyer]

Thanks all. I'm not a overly nervous traveler, but I usually don't sleep on airplanes and will probably be a bit cranky by then, so I will probably pony up for some help. Lori from Travel Express referred me to Henry of RiflePermits.com. Oddly, their website defaults to a domain seller at the moment. Guess I'll give it a few days and try again.

 

[Hank2211]

Amflyer, if a web address defaulted to a domaine seller, I'd try someone else.

I'm not a nervous traveller either, but after a series of long flights, the last thing anyone wants or needs is to deal with long forms and bureaucrats. While I've never had any real problems with rifles at Jo'burg, small things do crop up from time to time. A clearing agent can smooth any problems out.

I have always used AfricaSky Guesthouse, both for permits and, in one case, to stay overnight at the guesthouse. Service is superb, you are met at the exit from the luggage, and they don't leave you until your guns or checked onto the next flight (if there is one) or you are otherwise on your way. Plus the fellow has always helped with the luggage. He knows where to go, and in what order.

I've been through the process 4 times now, and I think I've got it down.

I will still use AfricaSky.

 

[Rob404]

I used Afton, I had Lori (http://www.travelexpressagency.com) set it up for me,,breezed right thru,,and had a couple of cold Windhoeks in the fridge waiting for me

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Amflyer,
Just stayed in City Lodge recently with my firearms. Was on-route back to the Eastern Cape. Had zero problems. Rates were reasonable, and the rooms comfortable.
All the best for your trip.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[bluey]

Thanks all. I'm not a overly nervous traveler, but I usually don't sleep on airplanes and will probably be a bit cranky by then, so I will probably pony up for some help. Lori from Travel Express referred me to Henry of RiflePermits.com. Oddly, their website defaults to a domain seller at the moment. Guess I'll give it a few days and try again.

Last trip I tried to email henry to help with the guns and they never even got back to me .
originally we had 4 hour wait for a flight to P.E but that got changed the day before we left Australia.
but l figured it was to late then so I went in blind to saps , and it was a walk in the park, every one there was so help full .
then we stayed at African sky , my wife loved this place .
last time in 2010 me and my youngest boy , stayed at afton house , and we loved it there .
I don't think id be able to choose which one id rather stay at , they are both great . id have flip a cion to decide.

 

[slad68]

Download the SAP520 from the internet. Fill it out yourself, keep the SAP520 and an Invitation letter from your outfitter in Namibia with you at all times. The invitation is only a proof of what you intend to use the guns for and that you are in transit to Namibia.
Once you have cleared customs you go straight to the Police department in OR Tambo. Your guns will be waiting for you. Wait till they attend to you or call you when they handle your guns, do not get inpatient with them, I have seen guys do that and wait even longer. Hand them the papers and once all is sighed and stamped you are off to go.

My experience with delays are when plenty of guys are waiting in the cue, other than that I have never had any trouble.

 

[jbeach]

We are heading back to SA in 2015. Last time I used Gracy and was very happy. I used Travel Express this time for tickets and they recommended Henry of RiflePermits.com for the meet and greet and permits help. I emailed him a couple of weeks ago but like bluey he never got back to me, so I will use someone else. Would like to use Bruce with Gracy again but not sure if they offer that service if you do not book through them. Anyone know ? Thanks,

 

[sestoppelman]

Use Afton, they will get back to you. Contact them directly.