Namibia flights

[Philip Glass]

Good to know.
Have you used a travel service? Any recommendations ?

Any travel agent that specializes in travel with guns will work. What won’t work very well in many cases is not to use a travel agent. (Search AH for horror stories) If someone is very well versed in traveling with firearms and has the luxury of being on one carrier then they can get by without using a travel agent.
I always say “how much is this trip costing you?” “How much is your gun etc worth?” And you won’t spend $200 to have a professional get your travel itinerary organized for you?
My 2 cents.
Philip

 

[JimP]

I think one of the biggest reasons to use a agent is that they watch out for any change in your travel plans done by the airlines.

I had a flight and Lori was on top of it. She also gave me two choices of when to depart NYC on my way home. It is a good thing that we took the later flight because just as we cleared customs the first flight was taking off. They can also make sure that your flights are good if you are in a area where you can not be contacted. Now if you were doing it yourself you might be doing a lot of scrambling instead of enjoying your safari.

 

[sestoppelman]

Curious what the service with Henry is for since you are in transit? I think someone else mentioned a VIP service on an in transit connection. If the bags are checked through all one does is clear the quick passport check, hit the duty free shop, and find your gate.
Most days there are multiple flights to WDH are you sure that day there is only one?
Philip

I have read here that some guys have used a service to get them thru the lines quicker in case of a delayed flight, and no time to make a leisurely transfer. Not sure how they do this other than barge into the line, grease some palms with baksheesh and piss off a lot of other people in line but I suppose its better than missing a flight, especially if you have guns and would have to stay overnight. It happened to me that way once, and I remember the airline rep saying pretty much, oh man, gonna be a problem. He told of a gal down the line somewhere, this is at Jo, and I found her and explained what happened, guns here, no paperwork, etc. She was just as nice as could be, ensured me that all of our luggage would be held in bond overnight, no problem with SAPS, don't worry about a thing! Sure enough, next day with new flights, everything was on the plane and off we went to WDK.

 

[Ryan]

Is there any JFK to Frankfurt flights? If so go to Frankfurt and then take the direct flight to Windhoek from there.
I went through Frankfurt twice to Namibia, 2013 and 2016. Zero complaints.

 

[JimP]

I have read here that some guys have used a service to get them thru the lines quicker in case of a delayed flight, and no time to make a leisurely transfer. Not sure how they do this other than barge into the line, grease some palms with baksheesh and piss off a lot of other people in line but I suppose its better than missing a flight, especially if you have guns and would have to stay overnight. It happened to me that way once, and I remember the airline rep saying pretty much, oh man, gonna be a problem. He told of a gal down the line somewhere, this is at Jo, and I found her and explained what happened, guns here, no paperwork, etc. She was just as nice as could be, ensured me that all of our luggage would be held in bond overnight, no problem with SAPS, don't worry about a thing! Sure enough, next day with new flights, everything was on the plane and off we went to WDK.

I used a meet and greet in Joberg and they met me as I stepped off of the plane. The took me straight to the VIP or what ever passport agent pass all the rest of the folks that were standing in line. Then to pick up the rifles and into the SAP's office. It was well worth the money that it cost.

 

[sestoppelman]

I use the service also if guns are involved, of course. That's not what Philip Glass was asking about. He was talking about being in transit to somewhere else and not having to do SAPS.

 

[YancyW]

Any travel agent that specializes in travel with guns will work. What won’t work very well in many cases is not to use a travel agent. (Search AH for horror stories) If someone is very well versed in traveling with firearms and has the luxury of being on one carrier then they can get by without using a travel agent.
I always say “how much is this trip costing you?” “How much is your gun etc worth?” And you won’t spend $200 to have a professional get your travel itinerary organized for you?
My 2 cents.
Philip

I completely agree with you, it is worth more than $200 to me. But I would say that last summer Lori helped with a multiple leg trip to Africa and she was within $100 of what I could do online myself. A hell of a bargain.

 

[JimP]

I use the service also if guns are involved, of course. That's not what Philip Glass was asking about. He was talking about being in transit to somewhere else and not having to do SAPS.

If I had a short time between connections I think that I would still talk to one of the companies and see what they would charge to to get me to the front of the lines. I don't know what kind of pull they have but it has to be some kind to take you right to the front of the line while others wait.

 

[sestoppelman]

I personally would not do that unless it was a desperate too close situation, like cut in line or miss the plane. I don't believe in cutting in line. I hate waiting in line, but I hate it when others cut in without waiting their turn.

 

[Mike B.]

Yes you can use the same service that would help you clear your guns to also get you through customs faster even if you do not have a gun. If you have a tight window for a connecting flight, I'd highly suggest looking into it. You may find that it's a complete waste of money, but you won't know that until you get there and see how long the line is. For us, it was worth every penny to have a stress free entry into the country and to the shuttle to the guest house.

 

[JimP]

You are not cutting in line but hitting the VIP line or whatever they call it which is separate. When I did it the lady was just sitting there waiting for someone to show up while the others were processing those that did it the normal way.

 

[johnnyblues]

Curious what the service with Henry is for since you are in transit? I think someone else mentioned a VIP service on an in transit connection. If the bags are checked through all one does is clear the quick passport check, hit the duty free shop, and find your gate.
Most days there are multiple flights to WDH are you sure that day there is only one?
Philip

Yes Phillip, SAA only runs one flight into Windhoek, other airlines do run flights later on in the day but the hassel wasant worth it and the costs were high. Remember I only have one hour and twenty five minutes to get to my connection. Just though using Henry would pretty much assure my connection as the bring you to the head of the line.

 

[johnnyblues]

You are not cutting in line but hitting the VIP line or whatever they call it which is separate. When I did it the lady was just sitting there waiting for someone to show up while the others were processing those that did it the normal way.

Exactly Jim why I felt it’s worth the $100 bucks. It’s just to far of a drive to return the next day as SAA only has the one flight to Windhoek

 

[Lobster.mike]

I've contacted Lori and begun the process. Thank you all. Great advice!
I'm looking forward to this trip !

 

[Philip Glass]

Yes Phillip, SAA only runs one flight into Windhoek, other airlines do run flights later on in the day but the hassel wasant worth it and the costs were high. Remember I only have one hour and twenty five minutes to get to my connection. Just though using Henry would pretty much assure my connection as the bring you to the head of the line.

I wonder if Henry can get you through passport control faster? I’d love to hear your experience after your trip.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

Yes Phillip, SAA only runs one flight into Windhoek, other airlines do run flights later on in the day but the hassel wasant worth it and the costs were high. Remember I only have one hour and twenty five minutes to get to my connection. Just though using Henry would pretty much assure my connection as the bring you to the head of the line.

Looks like it’s just Tuesday and Wednesday with only one flight a day. Several days there are three flights but it just depends on the day of the week. When I go in May we will just catch the late flight with just a 2 hour layover. It’s quite risky but id rather take a risk and get on to Namibia. If we get caught we will have to spend the night and do the SAPS form.
I am curious about others experiences in getting in long lines at passport control because it’s never happened to me and I’ve been quite a few times. I normally sit in the front in Comfort+ seats and I suppose this makes it quicker for me to get through the line.
Regards,
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

You are not cutting in line but hitting the VIP line or whatever they call it which is separate. When I did it the lady was just sitting there waiting for someone to show up while the others were processing those that did it the normal way.

Jim
Are you talking about the passport control line that is for customers transiting to other countries? I’ve never seen someone assisted through there and just wondering.
Philip

 

[johnnyblues]

Looks like it’s just Tuesday and Wednesday with only one flight a day. Several days there are three flights but it just depends on the day of the week. When I go in May we will just catch the late flight with just a 2 hour layover. It’s quite risky but id rather take a risk and get on to Namibia. If we get caught we will have to spend the night and do the SAPS form.
I am curious about others experiences in getting in long lines at passport control because it’s never happened to me and I’ve been quite a few times. I normally sit in the front in Comfort+ seats and I suppose this makes it quicker for me to get through the line.
Regards,
Philip

I am leaving Memorial day so yes I hit Africa on Tuesday. Hopefully I get thru in time otherwise I will have to try and book another Airline into Windhoek later in the day. Question...If that happens do I still need to go to SAPS? I assume not but if I have to overnight then I will I guess.

 

[johnnyblues]

Jim
Are you talking about the passport control line that is for customers transiting to other countries? I’ve never seen someone assisted through there and just wondering.
Philip

That's exactly why I am paying Henry. He didn't seem to have any issues with that and readily took my money.

 

[JimP]

Jim
Are you talking about the passport control line that is for customers transiting to other countries? I’ve never seen someone assisted through there and just wondering.
Philip

I thought that there was only one passport control that you pass through and then onto your other flight if catching another one.

We went through a passport control area then to pick up our rifles then to the SAP's office and finally back up to the ticketing agent to recheck our bags. Our escorts left us when we went back through security.