Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa travel problems going thru Doha

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.

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.

Yep.


RS

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.

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.

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

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......

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.

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.....

So are all of you this year Africa travelers vaccinated, or what? Do you have to be or just show a negative test?

In general, a negative test is needed.

JG. Still room for Aug2022! 😉

Roy

Don't tempt me Roy.......!

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.

Hmmm, I love Joburg airport.

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.

African airports have great food....Jo Burg and Namibia !