Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Africa Travelling with rifle-question

On a flight from Canada to Harare via Johannesburg (no overnighting) do i need to pick up my rifle, luggage and pass through security at Johannesburgh?

sorry, I forgot that we can't bring our rifle to Zim.

Why can't you take your rifle to Zim. I've taken mine every time I went there. Check it straight through to Harare.

Canada has an export ban on firearms of any sort going to Zim.They will not issue a temporary export permit for Zim.

Have you checked into the following.

Book your flight to South Africa and stay the night in one of the fine motels, and yes there are a couple and they will do your rifle import paperwork for you.

Next day you fly from South Africa to Zimbabwe with your rifles. Do your paperwork, i have mine filled out before i leave so that part is easy.

For your return, just do the opposite.

I know that this add additional days and 2 night lodging in South Africa, however you will have your rifles.

Each leg of your flights needs to be separate and a good travel agent can do that for you.

The consequences of being convicted of international arms smuggling makes this seem like a very bad idea. Canadian Export controls require the outfitter to list their address. Yes, a hunter probably could lie and say the hunt was in South Africa, but I wouldn't. I'm going on a hunt in Zimbabwe in February, via Johannesburg. I'm renting a rifle.

I wanted to use my rifles as well when i went to RSA last June but had heard horror stories and finally just decided to bow hunt. Next time I go, I do plan to take my 375, but not knowing was more than enough to convince me to leave her at home the first time.

Chance - It's pretty simple. The paperwork isn't that difficult and if you use a meet and greet service in RSA they do all the heavy lifting. The only problems I know of are travelers who don't follow simple airline instructions on how to pack ammo and rifles. The other challenge happens when flying multiple connections on multiple carriers and somewhere along the way a bag goes missing. But from Nashville you would fly Delta to ATL and then to JNB.

More and more hunters headed to Africa are not traveling with firearms due to the time hassle. It does take time on both ends of your travel but that is the only real downside.

Swiftshot,

STRSWilson just gave you a complete, thorough, and accurate answer.👍

R

I would recommend that you spend a day or two in South Africa, then go to Zimbabwe. If you go directly to Zimbabwe, you are noticeable and drawing attention to yourself. Canada does not allow citizens to take firearms to Zimbabwe.

I know people who landed in Johannesburg, grabbed their rifle and stayed over a day or two, or left the airport and then re-entered and went to the airline check-in for the flight to Zimbabwe.

Understand that you could be in trouble taking your rifles to Zimbabwe.

Castnblast has given the best most complete answer.

Americans, your answers do not address the realities of being Canadian.