Johannesburg Question

[wesheltonj]

I would like to fly DL to JNB, and the next morning fly to Victoria Falls. I would like to leave my gun(s) in RSA with a service. I would like to spend the night at the Transit Hotel, so I do not have to clear Customs and Immigration. They say to not collect luggage, how would I be able to leave the gun(s) in RSA without clearing, or is that even possible? Open to any suggestions, thanks

 

[BRICKBURN]

Leaving guns in a country (RSA) without collecting them?
You will have to clear your firearms to have them enter the country. Otherwise, there is no legal reason for them to be there.

I have left my firearms with a licensed firearms dealer to transport for me while I toured IN RSA and did not leave.

Not sure about leaving guns in RSA and you leaving.

I'd love to head into Swaziland and leave the guns in RSA while I toured for a couple of days. Never tried it though.

This one should be interesting. I look forward to some other replies on this one.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

It seems like I've read of others doing exactly what you're wanting to do, but I can't be 100% sure of that. I would contact any and/or all of the following:

Afton Guest House - they handle pre-approved permits
http://www.aftonguesthouse.com/

Africa Sky - again they handle pre- approved permits
http://www.africasky.co.za/

Air2000
http://www.hunterssupport.com/hunters/

Henry Durrheim
http://riflepermits.com/

These folks would be the ones in the know.

 

[JG416]

It seems like I've read of others doing exactly what you're wanting to do, but I can't be 100% sure of that. I would contact any and/or all of the following:

Afton Guest House - they handle pre-approved permits
http://www.aftonguesthouse.com/

Africa Sky - again they handle pre- approved permits
http://www.africasky.co.za/

Air2000
http://www.hunterssupport.com/hunters/

Henry Durrheim
http://riflepermits.com/

These folks would be the ones in the know.

I have twice done exactly what you are talking about doing. One trip I checked my gun on South African Airways at Dulles thru to Windhoek. I never touched them in SA and I stayed in the transit hotel in the International part of JNB. I did go with a porter to the area in JNB where you pick up your guns and gave a few tips to try to ensure my guns made it to the plane the next morning. The only problems or area of concern with this plan was whether to trust the JNB/SAA to hold my guns overnight. Given that on that trip I was staying in the Transit Hotel in the airport I could not possess my guns over night I really had no choice. The other time 6 of us checked our guns directly thru to Bulawayo on an elephant hunt with Martin Pieters. We spent the night at the Afton House and boarded our plane to Zim the next morning and all 6 guns arrived there safely . It does work, but I do worry until I see the guns arrive.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Transiting is not the same thing.
Never touching the guns as you move on your trip is fine. You can do that almost anywhere.

I left firearms with Customs in Frankfurt and never entered the country with them. The guns stayed "in transit", while I entered the country. I also never left Germany without the guns.

Entering the country, or having your firearms enter a country and leaving the guns in the country while you go on to return later is not the same thing.

 

[Wheels]

I have left firearms at Afton House for a few days while I traveled in country. Of course I stayed with them before and after the side trip.

I considered doing this last month. Hunt in RSA, business in Tanzania, hunt in Botswana. It wasn't possible to take the firearms with me to Tanzania since I wasn't hunting there and you can't get permits without hunting. Or jumping through about a year of hoops. In the long run I decided to use camp rifles and not worry about it. It is probably a doable deal but I don't know if I would recommend it.

Look forward to the comments of others more knowledgeable.

All the best.

 

[wesheltonj]

I contacted Henry Durrheim. The short answer is I cannot stay In Transit, I must clear customs and immigration and claim the gun. Once that is done, the Gun can stay In Transit, with him storing it, while I temporary leave the country to Victoria Falls and Botswana.

So much for 2 passport pages and a night in The Transit Hotel.

 

[BRICKBURN]

That has never been available before.
Henry is offering a good service for you then.

Have a great trip.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I contacted Henry Durrheim. The short answer is I cannot stay In Transit, I must clear customs and immigration and claim the gun. Once that is done, the Gun can stay In Transit, with him storing it, while I temporary leave the country to Victoria Falls and Botswana.

So much for 2 passport pages and a night in The Transit Hotel.

Glad you're able to make it work.

 

[petrusg]

Good luck!!