Travel agent useful for Europeans?

[DieJager]

Hi everybody. Do any of my fellow Europeans use a travel agent for flying with firearms? Next year I'll travel for the first time with my own guns.
I'll fly directly to Senegal. In the next couple of weeks the tickets will be available.

It seems a rather straightforward affair doing it by myself or do I underestimate it?

What would be the cost of using a travel agent? A lot of Americans I see using one but is a travel agent also useful for us Europeans, do they have the specific knowledge? Just questions that pop up in my head.

 

[mark-hunter]

This is the question that needed to be asked before!
I would love to know the same.

My experience, with two gun travels to hunt:
I used hunting agency, to book the hunt and organize the flights.

Pro:
they have well beaten pat, to their usual destination and usual outfitters they work with.
That is mainly for South Africa and Namibia. This covers 99% of national clients. Because other countries are expensive, and not many clients travel there.

Con:
They dont have a clue, for some countries where they do not send clients.
Simple question, how to get to Zim with rifle, blocks them frozen. I am in touch with several agencies always looking for good offers, and this is the trick question I use to check their expertise. For example, I ask them for Zim offer, they give me. I ask the travel details for a rifle, they block. I move away. If I pay the agency, I pay their experience and full service. Getting offer from outfitter is easy. They forward the offer. For that I dont need the agency. When it comes to experience, and travel, ups, here they stop.

(so there is a lot of professional incompetency around, and you need to be careful)

I am following this thread with great interest,

 

[mark-hunter]

It seems a rather straightforward affair doing it by myself or do I underestimate it?

Never underestimate travel with gun!
Some countries are very difficult.
And some airports are very difficult.
And some airlines dont take guns.
If you travel with gun, make sure every confirmation and condition you get in writing.

 

[DieJager]

@mark-hunter thanks for the reply. That is what also is on my mind. What my outfitter says it is really straightforward. He sended my a form what I need to have with me.

I'll definitely will ask the airline per email what is required. I know they accep firearms and the rules seems straightforward. I think most agents are up to speed with countries in southern Africa but West Africa is something different. If someone used one with great success I'll definitely want to hear.

 

[grand veneur]

Hi everybody. Do any of my fellow Europeans use a travel agent for flying with firearms? Next year I'll travel for the first time with my own guns.
I'll fly directly to Senegal. In the next couple of weeks the tickets will be available.

It seems a rather straightforward affair doing it by myself or do I underestimate it?

What would be the cost of using a travel agent? A lot of Americans I see using one but is a travel agent also useful for us Europeans, do they have the specific knowledge? Just questions that pop up in my head.

I was sometime in Senegal for fishing, never for hunting, but often booked a flight from Paris to Burkina Faso with rifle and ammunition. I always booked my flight ticket by Air France through a regular TUI travel agency and informed them that I was bringing a rifle and ammunition. The travel agency provided all the information regarding the rifle and ammunition to Air France and after confirmation that everything had been accepted, the reservation was made.

 

[DieJager]

I was sometime in Senegal for fishing, never for hunting, but often booked a flight from Paris to Burkina Faso with rifle and ammunition. I always booked my flight ticket by Air France through a regular TUI travel agency and informed them that I was bringing a rifle and ammunition. The travel agency provided all the information regarding the rifle and ammunition to Air France and after confirmation that everything had been accepted, the reservation was made.

I plan to fly directly from Brussel with Brussel Airlines. Besides Paris it is the only option for a direct flight. Their website says I'll have to use their contact center c.q. service center and inform them I'll be flying with firearms.

 

[grand veneur]

In all cases, it is better if the airline knows this in advance and it is noted with the details of your flight ticket.

Senegal is a hunting country for many French hunters, especially for birds hunting, but also for warthogs hunting.

 

[Philip Glass]

That is a very good question. I would Get with a TA with lots of experience like Patrick Wright and ask these questions.

 

[DieJager]

That is a very good question. I would Get with a TA with lots of experience like Patrick Wright and ask these questions.

Thanks. Do you have any contact info?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Thanks. Do you have any contact info?

I agree with Philip, Patrick is a great resource. I don't know if he handles clients from Europe or not, but you can find his contact information here:

 

[DieJager]

I agree with Philip, Patrick is a great resource. I don't know if he handles clients from Europe or not, but you can find his contact information here:

Thanks!

 

[SRvet]

This is the question that needed to be asked before!
I would love to know the same.

My experience, with two gun travels to hunt:
I used hunting agency, to book the hunt and organize the flights.

Pro:
they have well beaten pat, to their usual destination and usual outfitters they work with.
That is mainly for South Africa and Namibia. This covers 99% of national clients. Because other countries are expensive, and not many clients travel there.

Con:
They dont have a clue, for some countries where they do not send clients.
Simple question, how to get to Zim with rifle, blocks them frozen. I am in touch with several agencies always looking for good offers, and this is the trick question I use to check their expertise. For example, I ask them for Zim offer, they give me. I ask the travel details for a rifle, they block. I move away. If I pay the agency, I pay their experience and full service. Getting offer from outfitter is easy. They forward the offer. For that I dont need the agency. When it comes to experience, and travel, ups, here they stop.

(so there is a lot of professional incompetency around, and you need to be careful)

I am following this thread with great interest,

@mark-hunter I looked into this in great detail for a hunt in Zim last year for three UK citizens. I appreciate that the UK has left the EU but the effect of the EU arms embargo against Zimbabwe is still in place and is legally enforceable. I do not know for certain but strongly suspect that EU citizens can similarly NOT legally take a firearm into Zimbabwe. I explored the official route in obtaining a temporary export license to take rifles as personal property and return with them but this was rejected out of hand by the UK Department of Trade. This was partly because I could not get anyone from Zimbabwe to give official confirmation that I could enter Zim with a firearm for hunting. I tried contacting the police, the department of tourism, the Zimbabwe Embassy in London and the airport in Harare but no one would answer my questions.
The conclusion I have come to is that there is no legal way for me to enter Zim with a firearm as a UK citizen. The offence is crossing the border with a firearm and can carry a custodial sentence or fine of up to £25,000 GBP. I have heard that some people take the risk but to me it was not worth it. I used the camp .375 instead. What it does mean though is that I will look at Zimbabwe much less favourably than other destinations. If I was an agent I could see why they may investigate then abort the booking.

 

[Luminous Ham]

I've flown with Ethiopian, self-made, no problems at all - think I was even better off than those who had planned it with an agent as I had a zillion copies of everything, just in case, others did not and took forever.

Reported rifle to Ethiopian once I got the ticket (bought online), got a confirmation on bringing the rifle (at check-in they couldn't find the info but got it sorted after a couple of calls).

Had to report to customs in Copenhagen but straightforward.

So, if airline says it's good to bring weapons I don't see problems (provided the outfitter is clear on requirements upon arrival).

Send me a pm if you want to talk on eg WhatsApp.

 

[Luminous Ham]

Ah, see now you will fly directly, so not even change of flight in another airport, that should make it a lot easier.

 

[Luminous Ham]

Just had a look on

https://wwws.airfrance.dk/information/bagages/bagages-speciaux-hors-format-airfrance#tab

Seems straightforward enough except this:
The rifle and ammunition cannot be transported in a baggage item(s) containing other personal items.

So you will either have two bags for your weapon stuff (add cost), you will have a larger rifle box than I have where the ammo can fit, or you might be able to buy the ammo in Senegal.

 

[VertigoBE]

I’ve flown twice to Africa with rifles.
Ill send some info on the steps I took coming from Belgium. It might not be completely applicable but it should inspire. Currently I’m in Berlin, so first need to get home though.

One thing both you and Mark should get in order well before, is requesting the EU weapon pass, with the rifles you plan to take. That will be a prerequisite in any case.

 

[DieJager]

Just had a look on

https://wwws.airfrance.dk/information/bagages/bagages-speciaux-hors-format-airfrance#tab

Seems straightforward enough except this:
The rifle and ammunition cannot be transported in a baggage item(s) containing other personal items.

So you will either have two bags for your weapon stuff (add cost), you will have a larger rifle box than I have where the ammo can fit, or you might be able to buy the ammo in Senegal.

Thanks for all the information. No I'll be flying with Brussel Airlines. I'm currently awaiting approval of my outfitter for the dates I'll be flying.

Then I'll contact Brussel Airlines. I'm not using Air France so different rules.

I'll using shotgun shells provided by the outfitter. For my rifle I'll be bringing my own ammo.