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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 791
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 791 |
Hello All, first off, just got back from another fun, safe and successful safari with Kolobe safaris' My wife Rose took at White Rhino, son a Cape Buffalo bull and big Wilderbeast and I a Golden Wilderbeast and a large lion. However, booking and flying with Qatar Airlines was an issue. First let me say that Qatar Airlines is first rate and would gladly fly with them again, But the first leg off the flight from Denver to Dallas was a problem, it turns out we needed to deplane, get our luggage and rifles, yes our rifles, walk around the airport and check in again at Qatar airlines, Who knew, not I as they were all under Qatar. So as we arrived Joberg. SA we had no rifles and had to use the PH'S rifles. Which for gunfolks, is a pretty big frikken deal! Next after getting to Doha and having a nice long layover. A half hour before boarding customs/security came and got us and took us to their office. to make short, they kept our ammo because we didn't list it on some unkown form, possibly the declarations form, we didn't have time to agrue so we lost nearly a 1000.00 worth of ammo, .375 H+H, 404 Jefferies and 416 Rigby. So if anyone chooses this route, please check into these issues before leaving so you aren't put in that situation either, Good hunting.
Retired Deputy Sheriff, 30 years gunsmithing and grip making, full time stag grip maker for 22 years.
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,709
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,709 |
Precisely the reason why I book my trips through Steve Turner's, TWG.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,412
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,412 |
Precisely the reason why I book my trips through Steve Turner's, TWG. Nailed it. Travel with Guns is top notch. Well worth the money spent.
Last edited by BlackHunter; 06/24/21.
SCI Life Member DAV Life Member NRA Life Member North American Hunt Club Life Member
Your true character shows in your conduct
You cannot solve a problem at the same level of awareness that created it - Einstein
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,874
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,874 |
Precisely the reason why I book my trips through Steve Turner's, TWG. Yep. RS
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,461
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,461 |
Never had any problems with Gracy either, and Bruce was always in Joberg at the SAP`s check in. Never wanted to get into trouble in Africa...tho a coupla bucks goes a long way.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457 |
Emirates used to be my favorite airline. Now it’s Qatar. But I don’t bother with a rifle. Simplifies things. Using them again n August to Joberg, then SA Airlinks to Kasane.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 426
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 426 |
I have a two word solution for those guys running into travel problems with guns: CAMP GUNS. The PH I hunt with in Namibia has excellent guns at reasonable rates. Easy Peasy
Jesus saves, but Moses invests
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457 |
I have used camp rifles on the last 10 safaris- 3 elephants, 2 buffalo, a leopard, 2 crocs, 2 hippos, and a truck load of plains game. I will be using another one for buff and plains game in Namibia in September. Figure that over the years I have saved at least $10k in fees and a lot more in aggravation factors......
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,200
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,200 |
10K in fees? You're saying you've saved $1000 fees on each of your last 10 safaris. I don't get your numbers.
Now my circumstance is different than yours, I'm Canadian.
Here is my experience. Canadian Export Permit: free if I do it myself. It's easy. Netherlands Transit Permit: free. It's easy. KLM: no penalties or fees for travelling with a gun, just make sure you and your travel agent properly advise them making sure to cross t's and dot i's. South Africa pre-approved SAPs Firearms Permit. Let's say $300. I could do it myself, but Anne Gaines-Burrell of Air 2000 Hunter's Support makes it so easy that it would be stupid not to hire her. I have used a number of her services and my time in the OR Tambo airport is a pleasure. I won't go without it.
Plus I get great pleasure out of using my own rifle and my own handloads.
Last edited by AB2506; 06/27/21.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457 |
Fly to Joberg, pay a import permit service, fly on to Kasane, pay for a Botswana gun license fee, drive across the border to Namibia, pay for a gun license. Reverse the process coming home and pay again. Or, fly to Joburg, pay a permit service, fly on to Mozambique, pay a gun license import fee. Reverse the process and pay again. It adds up quickly- and that doesn’t include the bribes to grease the skids.....
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,241
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,241 |
So are all of you this year Africa travelers vaccinated, or what? Do you have to be or just show a negative test?
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 457 |
In general, a negative test is needed.
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,819 |
So are all of you this year Africa travelers vaccinated, or what? Do you have to be or just show a negative test? JG. Still room for Aug2022! 😉 Roy
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,241
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,241 |
Don't tempt me Roy.......!
It is irrelevant what you think. What matters is the TRUTH.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,678
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,678 |
Just back from SAX/DFW, Doha, Joburg, Bulawayo on American/Qatar/Airlink. DFW SUCKS, while Doha, other than 9 hour layover on return was superb and Joberg/Bulawayo sucks as normal. Even without guns and with three negative covid tests both outbound and inbound were a hassle. Especially Joburg and please do not ask about covid testing there. As I knew before departing nobody (yet) cares if vaccinated just all working the money hassle on covid testing.
Had the “cubbyhole” on the long legs on Qatar and to me well worth the money and their employees all along the way made our USA personnel look like beginners.
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,200
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,200 |
Hmmm, I love Joburg airport.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,678
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,678 |
It’s the hands out, covid test protocol, health form to enter/exit. Each flight we had two checkpoints for our covid test forms on one flight etc. Guns arE simple if you have a person from Afton, African Sky etc on meet and great doing the payoff beforehand. I guess I am just getting out of patience as I MATURE into late seventies with all the MONEY GRABBING in every direction.
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 148
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 148 |
African airports have great food....Jo Burg and Namibia !
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