How long is this flight, and how much more is it price wise, vs. just flying to Jo'berg? Thanks.

Mad Dog

The last time I did it was another 280 or so US. It seems the flight was 3 or 4 hours. This was 2003. You might do a search here and look for direct routing via Amsterdam or others, especially if you are traveling with firearms.Might save you time and money.

I think you can fly via Frankfort. I know there are direct flights from Frankfort as I tried to go that way and had no problem except they could not get back from Windhoek as I was there in the high German vacation season and all flights out were book for a solid week and I didn't want to stay any longer. I was flying out of Pittsburgh.

Mad Dog

I would check with Gracy Travel after they return to work on the 2nd but I believe you can get direct flights from London to Windhoek on Air Namibia.

Contrary to the popular opinion I don't believe going through London equals gun problems. I have been through there several times with guns and plan on going through in '06 and '07. I have always been treated with respect and have had zero negative experiences.

Ask for Shawn at Gracy and follow her lead. You be glad you did.

Mark

MD: try flying from Ind. to Dulles (IAD) Washington on SAA 747-400 to Jo'berg to Windhoek on SAA the last leg is SAA Airbus but you only endure this for 3 hrs. Check your bags straight thru from Indiana to Windhoek and you won't need to touch them till you deplane in Windhoek as long as you do not overnite in Jo'berg.
The fare excluding your flight from Indiana to Dulles is $1535 roundtrip plus an additional $295 in approximate taxes ( taxes aren't guarranteed till tickets are printed approx. 4 weeks before you leave)..total $1835. This is a shoulder season rate.
I just bought mine this past November to travel in late August 2006.

Be careful booking into Europe planning on using Air Namibia to connect directly to Windhoek as the layovers are long so if you'll want to leave the "in transit " terminal to take a day room,sightsee,etc. you'll have customs to deal with . Also the flight is approx. 8 hrs on Air Namibia's Airbus which suck just as much as SAA's Airbus. Air Namibia just switched over to the Airbus.
PM me if you wish. Cats

I seem to remember the flight from Joeys to Windhoek was two hours .. the three hour comment might be because of the one hour time difference ..

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
Be careful booking into Europe planning on using Air Namibia to connect directly to Windhoek as the layovers are long so if you'll want to leave the "in transit " terminal to take a day room,sightsee,etc. you'll have customs to deal with . Cats

I had a long layover in London this fall. Gun was checked through and going through customs to spend the day looking around was not a problem at all. No paper work needed. I did have a small problem with my gun in London, but that was an Air Canada goof. The baggage handlers at Heathrow were supposed to be told, in advance by the connecting airline, that a gun is coming through. This didn't happen and it took my gun a few days to catch up with me. Would have had the exact same problem on the way back, except I checked in for my return flight as I arrived and told them I was travelling with a gun. I had to wait around for 15 mins while the agent at the desk was on the phone, but there was no problem after that. If I'd only thought of that the first time through.

Dean

I made the flight two months ago and it was about 2 hours. I´d highly recommend Air Namibia from Frankfurt to Windhoek (which is pronounced Venthook in Afrikaans) or some other direct link as the security in Joburg stole my Barnes X bullets at their check point!

My stupid fault for putting them in my carry on...the guns were checked trough so no problem there.

About $300 roundtrip and 2 hours flight time August '04.

I flew it last year, and booked thru Tatum Travel. Judi Noth was great to work with. The trip was 2 hours from J'Berg to Windhoek. My charges for high season were $200 domestic connection, $1600 for ATL to J'Berg, and $200 to WDH for a total of $2000, plus $180 taxes.

My son and daughter-in-law flew mid season this year and paid $50 less total, with the increased fares due to fuel costs.

maki I did not mention gun issues going thru customs ,you seem to have read that into it. I also wouldn't call a delay in getting my guns by a couple days a SMALL problem.
All I suggest is to be aware of potential problems traveling thru Europe, also that Air Namibia is using Airbuses now not larger aircraft.
My partner recently made the trip in reverse an advised me against it. As he travels that route a min of once per month I heeded his advice over what I read here. Cats

We took this trip in May of 2005 on SAA. The plane was actually more comfortable than the one from Atlanta to Joburg. Flight time was 2 hours and the cost was approx. $250. roundtrip.

quote:

Originally posted by cats:
maki I did not mention gun issues going thru customs ,you seem to have read that into it. I also wouldn't call a delay in getting my guns by a couple days a SMALL problem.
All I suggest is to be aware of potential problems traveling thru Europe, also that Air Namibia is using Airbuses now not larger aircraft.
My partner recently made the trip in reverse an advised me against it. As he travels that route a min of once per month I heeded his advice over what I read here. Cats

Fair enough on all points.

The gun getting delayed was a pain, but certainly not enough to ruin a good hunt. I was trying to point out an easily avoided pitfall that I wasn't sharp enough to avoid the first time through.

Dean

Dean my bad little testy as my head is pounding from Yule Tide celebrations an I must be at my desk today. TLM/cats