Can anyone share experience?? In October (heading for an ele in Chewore) I'll be flying Qantas from Auckland via Sydney to Joburg, transitting to a SAA flight Joburg to Harare (approx 3 hrs in JIA). I plan to check my rifle in in Auckland straight thru to Zim, partly to avoid all the hassles in Joburg. As I will be in transit the whole way to Zim does this sound reasonable? I'm conversant with the airline regs but it's difficult to get a firm answer on the question as there are customs and police involved as well as airline staff (and the people in Zim can't vouch for the SA requirements). Any advice much appreciated - Charlie.

Checking guns and luggage on SAA through Joburg and on to Zim worked fine for me. As long as you're not planning to spend the night in the RSA, I think you'll find that a very efficient way to go.

Cd,

You should not have a problem..Passing thru you do not have to check sporting arms with police...But it is when you are overnighting that one needs import permits...
Make sure you have all permits and the right money for entry into Harare..they do not give change...Do you have all paperwork?? Fillout do not sign..Even make extra blank copies...you never know...
Good luck on the ele hunt...

Mike

First, a question: Chewore North or Chewore South/

Check your luggage all the way through to ZIM to avoid hassles with the RSA cops. But hire Optima Travel Service or Air 2000 to make sure that your gun bag actually makes it on the airplane from JNB to HRE. That helps prevent a lot of lost guns.

quote:

Originally posted by cducat:
Can anyone share experience?? In October (heading for an ele in Chewore) I'll be flying Qantas from Auckland via Sydney to Joburg, transitting to a SAA flight Joburg to Harare (approx 3 hrs in JIA). I plan to check my rifle in in Auckland straight thru to Zim, partly to avoid all the hassles in Joburg. As I will be in transit the whole way to Zim does this sound reasonable? I'm conversant with the airline regs but it's difficult to get a firm answer on the question as there are customs and police involved as well as airline staff (and the people in Zim can't vouch for the SA requirements). Any advice much appreciated - Charlie.

Charlie

Qantas and SAA cross ticket of cource BUT the key is will Qantas allow you to book baggage rifles all the way from Auckland via Sydney via JNB to Zimbabawe ...

What seems to be occuring is that (IN TRANSIT) passangers travelling via JIA SA dont have a problem with their guns going through ....

BUT you must FIRST ask QANTAS or (preferably your Travel Agent) must ask on your behalf and (give it to you in writing) that YES you can or No you cant book guns all the way through.

It is the Airlines whom need to give you the firm answer, not the JIA Police people. You are really only travelling on two differnet AIRLINES being Qantas and SAA so I dont anticipate a problem !!!

BUT get written confirmation as you know the saying, a verbal statement has a habit of being conveniently forgotten when the s..t hits the fan

Peter

Thanks for all the advice - really appreciate everyone's suggestions - seems it might pay to use a handler to expedite the transit in Joburg - will look into it. Cheers, Charlie.

I used Optima to ensure that my rifles and luggage made the transfer to my SAA flight in Jo'berg. Best $50 I ever spent! The guy goes down on the tarmak and finds out what gondola your luggage is offloaded onto and makes sure that it is a gondola slated for the flight you are supposed to be on. Thyn he returns to the terminal and gives you the gondola information, so if something happens, you know where your luggage was last seen.