Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Best way to fly to Namibia?

Last June we flew Atl to Jberg. Overnighted in JBerg with all the subsequent SAPS BS.

If I ever go back, I will do everything I can to not deal with a JBerg overnight.

I have had good experiences with SAA direct to JoBerg and connections to Windhoek with minimal layover.

One trip my gun case had a mishap with a baggage fork lift. Miraculously the firearms were fine. SAA picked up the full cost of a much better case when I arrived in Windhoek. Was actually pleasant going to the different gun shops to find the replacement and took less than an hour.

I would check to see if there are any restrictions on carrying trophies back on the return as this has changed. Future trips if I am so lucky everything will be in one duffle with the rifle broken down or I will rent when I am there. Same for any trophies if a scull can't be detached from the horns and fit in the luggage then it stays in Africa.

I go to Namibia a couple of times a year. Leaving for trip #1 this year at the end of this month. Going via Europe is a nice way to break up the trip into two overnight flights, but adds two extra "calender days" to getting into Namibia.

I've flown ATL-JNB on Delta and in to WDH on SAA. IAD (Dulles)-JNB-WDH on SAA. JFK-JNB-WDH on SAA. Swiss Air to Zurich(ZRH)-JNB-WDH. Lufthansa to Frankfurt(FRA-JNB-WDH and Lufthansa to FRA-WDH on Air Namibia.

Always choose mostly on price point. This first trip at the end of the month I got for $1100 r/t direct to ZUR overnight, 11hr lay-over (got a day room inside the airport for $75 and will take the train into town for a few hours with an overnight flight to JNB and will be in WDH at 4:30pm.

Trip #2 in May will be on SAA through JFK to JNB and into WDH by 2:30pm the second day.

Trip #3 in Aug going Delta via ATL-JNB overnight and SAA the next morning into WDH by 10:30 am.

As mentioned above, Delta/KLM is now offering flights via Amsterdam direct into Windhoek. They DO require a pre-approval process/permit to transit Amsterdam with firearms even IF the rifle cases are checked all the way through and you NEVER touch them.

Frankfurt dropped the transit permit requirement a couple of years ago and I have transited FRA with firearms both before they instituted the transit permit requirement and now since they have rescinded the requirement. Short story is the Mayor of the City of Frankfurt was a "greenie" anti-gun guy and put it in place and was then overruled by the German Federal Govt.

Be careful routing through England. Some flight arrive from the US in Gatwick and you have to transfer across London to Heathrow to connect to J'berg. Even if your rifles are checked all the way, there is still a very expensive courier fee they will charge you each way. If you can connect directly to Heathrow then no issues - just have to tell BA your traveling with firearms a couple of weeks before your flight to make sure it is entered in their manifest. Be very CAREFUL as BA uses COMAIR as their connector carrier from JNB to WDH and COMAIR DOES NOT CARRY FIREARMS - PERIOD.

Also, be aware that if flying SAA be sure you get SAA from JNB to WDH and NOT South African Express. SAA your ammo travels in your check luggage (not your rifle case) but on SA Express, they will make you take the ammo out of your checked luggage and send it separately and charge you an extra baggage fee.

Only used Air Namibia from FRA to WDH once before they instituted the extra fee each way for handling firearms. Had no issues other then we had a split ticket and had to claim and re-check all luggage in FRA. Their ticket prices tend to be a little higher even before you had $200 for the r/t firearm charge. On the upside, it is an overnight flight straight into Windhoek that gets in a little before 6 am.

TIP - There are two types of tickets: contiguous/package ticket where all your flights/connections are listed on just one ticket even though it may be with airlines on different legs/segments of the trip. With this, you can "generally", check your luggage/rifles in and not have to mess with them again until you pick them up at your destination.

Second way it "split tickets" - you get one ticket for each carrier. SOMETIMES you can still check luggage to your destination by showing the check-in agent all your tickets. Recent airline security changes are making this more difficult.

Can be a HUGE difference in price on the same flights, same routing, same point of origin and destination between one contiguous ticket and two split tickets - ie. Delta from ATL to JNB and then separate/split ticket with SAA from JNB to WHD.

DOWN SIDE OF GOING THROUGH JFK connection with SAA is that even if you have a contiguous ticket that takes you through JFK, the airlines will check your regular luggage with ammo inside all the way to your destination, but will ONLY check your firearms to JFK. You have to claim your rifle case from the oversized luggage belt, then carry to the SAA check-in counter in Terminal 4. They will call the NY Port Authority Police (always have been nice guys but not always very firearm knowledgeable). It will take them 20-30 min to arrive, you'll have to give them ID/Passport, your 4457 and they will write down the info into their little note pad, have you open your rifle case there on the floor in line in front of all the other passengers waiting to check in, they will confirm the rifle is "unloaded" (they handle your firearms, not you). Once they are happy, you re-lock the case, finish checking in with the SAA ticket agent, the routing sticker is put on your rifle case and one of the NY PA Police will escort you to the TSA screening room and drop your case off. They'll wait with you until the TSA person says your good to go and you can then go get felt up again by the TSA passenger screening circus again.

ONLY JFK requires this - doesn't happen in Dulles, Atlanta, Charleston, Frankfurt or Zurich.

If YOU have a contiguous ticket all the way through J'berg, you don't have to mess with clearing RSA Customs, even IF you are staying overnight. As long as your stay is less than 24hrs and or you are catching "the next available flight" the next day, your rifle cases and luggage with ammo are locked in the SAPS security area overnight. Been back in the area - locked security cages with video monitors. Some guys still decide to claim the cases luggage and take them with them to their overnight lodging.

IF you are flying on a "split ticket" you will have to claim your firearms and luggage in JNB and re-check them at the SAA ticket counter and then take the rifles BACK to the SAPS office.

The SAPS 520 Temp Import/Transit form is not that bad and as long as you have the form filled out properly before you get there and already have the required cert copies of your passport and 4457 and don't have a tight connection and understand the SAPS people work at a snails pace and allow for it, I've never had any problems.

A personal rule of thumb I have is I always leave at least a MINIMUM of 4hrs of time between connections. Especially, when making International connections, changing airlines AND TRAVELING WITH FIREARMS.

What most people don't realize is the size and amount of traffic, luggage and passengers that transit O.R. Tambo airport everyday. It is the African version of LAX, O'Hare, JFK or Atlanta without as much of the automated baggage handling equipment. Add to that, when traveling with rifle cases, they are supposed to be signed for between handlers kind of like registered mail in the US. All that takes extra time.

If this is the first time you've gone into any southern African country and you intend to take your own rifles and ammo and not traveling with someone who has gone through this, I'd recommend you use a travel agent that is familiar with traveling with same. I'm retired military and flew a LOT of International flights and airlines over 30 yrs and 68+ countries.

Sorry for the long post. PM if you want greater details, recommendations or ideas.

Super information, thank you.

When I go, fly direct on SAS from Dulles in DC. Stops in Dakar to drop of a few passengers and clean plane. The on to joburg. If anyone has problems with Joburg, not sure why. Been through there a 3 times in the past 7 years. I stay at Africa Sky guest house. Recently saw a R.T air fare to Joburg for $700 on SAS. The other option I have used is to go through Atlanta on Delta. Except for the layover in Atlanta same timewise. I will not go to or through Europe. No use chancing problems . In joburg found the gun clearing an efficient, quick, process. Book to Windhoek to begin with and flight pretty much seamless.

I think that Emirates Airlines flys to Namibia as well? Anyone gone that route?

Well, the down payment is in for July of 2018....

Where ya going duckster?

I don't know if it is the best way or not but coming from Kansas we flew out of Atlanta to joburg, spent the night gambled at the casino in the mall and hopped our flight to Windhoek the next morning. I kind of liked that little break and playing black jack with the rand is like monopoly money. Actually won about $400 us

I would avoid an overnight in J Burg is you are traveling with guns. SAA has old planes but OK food. I would look at Emirates.

Hunting with Janneman Brand at Kalahari Safaris

So, now getting closer to the hunting dates in July. Anyone with any new recommendations regarding flights to Namibia?

When I go back to Namibia, I will try to avoid J'burg totally if I can. If not, I like Africa Sky Guest House as a place to overnight. City Lodge is probably more convenient though since it's in the J'burg airport. I recommend meet and greet services, as well as the SAPS pre-approval. Africa Sky does all of that too. You're gonna love Namibia.

I will be flying toronto to Addis Abba, then direct to windhoek. Heard a few stories of delays in addis ababa . My first trip over, very excited and i hope the flight go well.

I am on ethiopian airlines from toronto to windhoek , so hopefully the rifle makes it there ok.

Emailed their customer service, one rep said i just need the form for their airline, another guy said i need permission from the ethiopian consulate to fly thru there with firearms. He also said i needed permits for south africa, . I tried to explain i am not going through south africa, he stated i need permits anyway. I think he is a wee bit dim.

Anyone on here flown ethiopian air?

I will print off email from the rep who said i just needed a form, as it is the same as their website on travelling with sporting firearms

Want to avoid going to JoBerg.

I recently passed through JoBurg en route to Vic Falls with zero issues.

It seems like JoBerg would also take you way too far east, only to have to fly back west again?

This past August I went:
Houston - Dulles - Jburg - Windhoek. Returned: Windhoek - Jburg - JFK......

The reason was to check bags to final destination Windhoek & not overnight in Jburg (or anywhere) to avoid claiming firearms in both ways (esp. SA). Didn't mind the extra legs at all. Flew SAA- very happy. (Was on the local to Jburg with the one non disembark stop in Accra. Return was the express to JFK.)

Good luck.

Has anyone used the flight option that takes one thru Quatar (sp)? Looks like a 8-9hr lay-over.

Just an update, British Air now charges $125 BP ($140) each way for every bag that contains a firearm.