Namibia gun import

[johnnyblues]

Oh well...if I don’t make it I don’t make it. Next flight on SA departs at 1 pm. Hopefully there’s a spot on that flight.

 

[Spooksar]

I try for at least 3 hours between flights, the only time I had a 1-1/2 hour layover was with my boys. Guns made it home but our luggage was 3 days late. I usually fly SAA from either London or Frankfurt which gets in around 7 AM and fly to Windheok on the 10:30 ish flight.

 

[YancyW]

One hour is no where near enough time....surprised your travel agent booked it...

The flight was delayed, it wasn't planned.

 

[autofire]

In August 2018 I flew into Windhoek from JBerg. Arrived on Sat am early flight and Namibia Customs/Passport Control was a GIANT cluster***k. Took 1.75 hours to clear because of long lines. The Namibian Nationals line was empty and staffed but they would not process an non-Nambians (line for diplomats also empty and staffed)
My rifle case was sitting in the open access luggage area for the entire 1.75 hours.

I had emailed my import application, sort gun clearance went smoothly.

However, this time they asked me the specific brand of ammo that I was importing and wrote that down on the rifle import.

Namibian police involved with clearing rifles in and clearing rifles out were very courteous

 

[spike.t]

The flight was delayed, it wasn't planned.

ok....thats always nicely stress inducing.....

 

[spike.t]

That’s my concern Phillip, I only have one hour and twenty five minutes to get thru the process. Hopefully by landing in Johanasberg at 8 am I may not have a big line.

walk to the front...explain you are going to miss your flight...usually people dont mind...have done it couple of times when been delayed on first leg into joburg....

 

[johnnyblues]

Well I just checked with Orbitz I was going to book the next flight out but apparently SA only operates one flight to Windhoek that day from Joberg..

 

[johnnyblues]

First of all merry Christmas to everyone. I need some opinions here. I’m quite concerned about the short connection time I have in Johannesburg for my hunt. I see air Namibia has a flight that leaves joberg at 11 am. Only$131. I wonder if I should book this flight as insurance in case I miss my SAA flight. I can’t loose any hunting days on a leopard hunt. If it were PG only I might not be as concerned. Opinions?

 

[Spooksar]

Air Namibia charges $100 US for your rifles, that said I would probably book the flight.

 

[johnnyblues]

Don’t forget my rifles will be sent through already from my SAA flight. Doing this in case I miss my connection

 

[YancyW]

Don’t forget my rifles will be sent through already from my SAA flight. Doing this in case I miss my connection

If you aren't on the flight, your bags won't be sent through. That is pretty standard.

When I missed my fight, my bags went to the police station in the airport, when I finally got them a couple days in later in Namibia, they had been picked through and plenty of stuff gone.

 

[johnnyblues]

I’m starting to get the feeling I should cancel that connection. I see air Namibia has a flight leaving at 11 am. Anyone know if SAA will transfer my guns to air Namibia?

 

[YancyW]

I’m starting to get the feeling I should cancel that connection. I see air Namibia has a flight leaving at 11 am. Anyone know if SAA will transfer my guns to air Namibia?

I can't say for sure, there are people on here that know much better, but I would guess you will have to do all the SA permits and then recheck your rifles on the flight the next day.

 

[fourfive8]

Hmmm? a bunch has been posted here the last few years about this very problem and the oft posted solution seems to escape many. I have been, several times, to various countries in Africa to hunt and have always taken a firearm. Have gone from US to JNB via both SAA and Delta. Never an issue- zip, nada. Simple. Arrive in JNB and overnight at either City Lodge or local secure lodge. Have always used a "Meet and Greet" service for SAPS and expediting getting to lodging. Overnighting allows time to rest and relax from torture flight. Get up next morning and catch flight from JNB to wherever. No problem- why create one or create a potential for one when solution is so simple. Beats me? And, if a travel agent books flights with tight connection windows, I think I'd look for a different travel agent!

 

[johnnyblues]

Hmmm? a bunch has been posted here the last few years about this very problem and the oft posted solution seems to escape many. I have been, several times, to various countries in Africa to hunt and have always taken a firearm. Have gone from US to JNB via both SAA and Delta. Never an issue- zip, nada. Simple. Arrive in JNB and overnight at either City Lodge or local secure lodge. Have always used a "Meet and Greet" service for SAPS and expediting getting to lodging. Overnighting allows time to rest and relax from torture flight. Get up next morning and catch flight from JNB to wherever. No problem- why create one or create a potential for one when solution is so simple. Beats me? And, if a travel agent books flights with tight connection windows, I think I'd look for a different travel agent!

I appreciate your input thank you. Unfortunately its not so simple in this case. I have always booked my own tickets wherever I have hunted. In this case I didn't have any other options with SAA from Joberg to Windhoek. This was the only flight they had flying there for the day. My time unfortunately is very limited with work so I need to squeeze in as much as possible in this 2 week hunt. I m now looking at my options. If I have to spend the extra $131 as insurance to book with Air Namibia for there 11 am flight then I will. Now do I need a SAPS permit in the event I miss my connection and need to recheck in with Air Namibia? I already e mailed Henry at Rifle permits. Waiting on an answer.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

That’s my concern Phillip, I only have one hour and twenty five minutes to get thru the process. Hopefully by landing in Johanasberg at 8 am I may not have a big line.

@johnnyblues : If I understand correctly, you are flying SAA from JFK to JNB, then have a tight connection to go to WDH. Good luck, but I'd suggest some other alternative. Back in July I flew from JFK to JNB on SAA and it was a quite nice flight (sitting in b-class). I had just under two hours to connect to Luanda, Angola and just barely made it. My checked bag got lost and it took SAA exactly one week to locate it and get it to me. Part of the problem at JNB is a lot of the arriving planes get parked out on the tarmac and don't pull up to the terminal building. Parking out on the tarmac requires waiting for a bus, then driving all around the airport, finally get to the terminal building and then it's like a scene from the running with the bulls. I would fly the SAA flight again from JFK to JNB, as the price for b-class was actually pretty good, I would just make sure I have a longer layover for a connecting flight or plan to overnight in JNB.

 

[johnnyblues]

Thank you sir for your response. I am really leaning towards booking that Air Namibia flight as a back up? Maybe I should just cancel my initial itinerary with that short connection even though that means a $300 penalty...But will I need to get the SAPs permit?? I don't think so as its still an international connection.. I also placed an email to Lori on this. I just may have her take over here.. Am I just jumping the gun?? Not sure what to think..

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

It seems all the alternatives are even more complex. You might just stick with your original plan, but make sure to have some hunting clothes/gear in your carry on and make sure you can use a rifle from you PH for a day or two, in the event of problems. Is your hunting location a long drive from WDH, just in case your rifle or checked bag comes in late?

SAA is showing the short connection is doable. When I went through, even the escalators were down for repair, causing a long wait for elevators to get to the in transit passport control desk (usually a quicker place than the normal immigration check point if staying in JNB).

If you are just connecting in JNB, both directions, then I don't think you need SAPs permit.

 

[johnnyblues]

Thanks again. Yes the drive is about 6 hours... I plan and having at least one pair of hunting clothes with me. I ll wear my hunting shoes. Agreed transit passport control should be much faster.. Roll the dice....aghhhhh

 

[johnnyblues]

Spoke to Henry at Rifle permits, for $100 he will give me VIP service , meet me at the gate and expediate me thru immigration. I think this will be well worth it..