quote:

What is the cost of these numerous testings at various airports in Europe or Africa

quote:

Originally posted by bisonhunter1:
so is the negative covid test the PCR required one?

When does the timeline for the negative test start, 72 or is 48 hours before getting on the plan in the IS or before arrival in Africa, in this case at JNB.

What "proof" of the negative test is needed, test result printed off home computer, something more "official" looking from the docs office, etc.?

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

Originally posted by bisonhunter1:
so is the negative covid test the PCR required one?

When does the timeline for the negative test start, 72 or is 48 hours before getting on the plan in the IS or before arrival in Africa, in this case at JNB.

What "proof" of the negative test is needed, test result printed off home computer, something more "official" looking from the docs office, etc.?

You have to have proof, Qatar would accept proof in the form of results on an electronic device, Airlink would not. On all of the test we took, results were provided in the form of a sheet showing results of the various viruses for which we were tested as well as a letter stating we had tested negative for Covid 19. The point at which your time starts is apparently different between countries and airlines and whether you are "in transit" or if you are on separate itineraries. Seems simple enough.

Steve, add to your list the difficulty of counting empty brass in a box containing loaded rounds as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
I cannot believe that intelligent, successful people are willing to trust their ability to get home on people who can't count 80 rounds of ammo,(4 full boxes) without the aid of a calculator.

It's a sketchy endeavor in the best of times.

quote:

Arrive Dar, now I have to go through it again, this time with the Revenue gals. At least they were pleasant.

I had an Axe in my gunbox that we took from a group of poachers we caught. They confiscated my axe.???

quote:

Originally posted by kevin henderson:

quote:

Arrive Dar, now I have to go through it again, this time with the Revenue gals. At least they were pleasant.

I had an Axe in my gunbox that we took from a group of poachers we caught. They confiscated my axe.???

Steve,
Perhaps they recognized the axe and wanted to return it to the owner? My bullet counters weren't particularly pleasant in Dar.
kh

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:
I cannot believe that intelligent, successful people are willing to trust their ability to get home on people who can't count 80 rounds of ammo,(4 full boxes) without the aid of a calculator.

It's a sketchy endeavor in the best of times.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by kevin henderson:

quote:

Arrive Dar, now I have to go through it again, this time with the Revenue gals. At least they were pleasant.

I had an Axe in my gunbox that we took from a group of poachers we caught. They confiscated my axe.???

Steve,
Perhaps they recognized the axe and wanted to return it to the owner? My bullet counters weren't particularly pleasant in Dar.
kh

I had a non-hunting pal go along last trip. We met fishing in Brazil, he's the closest thing to a dad I have.

Anyway, I told him to watch the hoops I jump through to get my guns to Camp and back. I flew Phoenix-LA-Dubai-Dar-Bukoba and back.

After just getting there, he was absolutely flabbergasted at the process from Gate agent to "Bullet counters" and commented that there was no way he would go through all that.

I'm good for this last trip for the Maasai species then I'm gonna call it a career for the Africa portion of my big game hunting.

I have no patience for this anymore and refuse to not use my own rifles.

There are plenty of places to hunt and fish that aren't so stupidly difficult to get to and get participating. Besides, catching the Amazon Giants gives me the exact same rush I get when closing on a Buffalo. No TF's, no gun regulations, reasonable prices and much shorter flights. I can be to Manaus in 9 total hours from home. I can fish for 10 days. Catch and release, make a replica mount if I desire. I'm all in for about 7K.


The African outfitters need to get their shit straight or there won't be any clients left. 20K to go shoot a Buffalo is just nonsense.

The hard-core guys are all getting old and guys like me are losing interest. There is only so much we can or will take.

And "Bullet Counters"

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

Originally posted by bisonhunter1:
so is the negative covid test the PCR required one?

When does the timeline for the negative test start, 72 or is 48 hours before getting on the plan in the IS or before arrival in Africa, in this case at JNB.

What "proof" of the negative test is needed, test result printed off home computer, something more "official" looking from the docs office, etc.?

You have to have proof, Qatar would accept proof in the form of results on an electronic device, Airlink would not. On all of the test we took, results were provided in the form of a sheet showing results of the various viruses for which we were tested as well as a letter stating we had tested negative for Covid 19. The point at which your time starts is apparently different between countries and airlines and whether you are "in transit" or if you are on separate itineraries. Seems simple enough.

Steve, add to your list the difficulty of counting empty brass in a box containing loaded rounds as well.

I am otherwise a very patient man.

I arrive Dar, go through the ammo counting drill. Fly the next day to Bukoba, a domestic flight. Go through the ammo counting drill once again.

Depart Bukoba 17 days later, now we enter the "empty case counting drill" A partial box of full/empty cartridges is a real problem for these guys.

Arrive Dar, now I have to go through it again, this time with the Revenue gals. At least they were pleasant.

I had an Axe in my gunbox that we took from a group of poachers we caught. They confiscated my axe.???

Geez.

These experiences are why I won't travel, internationally until this shite has concluded.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Cal & Karl,

Thanks for the info on tests. Where do you get them? I'm going in August.

Steve,

A safari is a journey. That's the meaning of the word in Swahili and it is as it should be. I've always found the cartridge counters humorous, but that's the way it is. No, they will never accept the concept that a full box of rifle ammunition is 20 rounds and all they have to do is multiply by the number of boxes, so don't try to engage them in conversation while they attend to their task or they will lose count and start over. Been there and done that at nearly midnight in Dar.

If that is annoying to you, rather than just humorous, you might be happier going fishing someplace else.

Compliance is really not that bad generally. My unsolicited advice is to relax and enjoy the experience. The most stressful experience I had with the authorities in Tanzania was getting ready for a local flight, when my PH had elected to store his 9mm in my ammo box. That wasn't the real issue believe it or not, but one of the officials asked me to load a round into my rifle to prove it was the right ammo. So I'm really being asked to load a rifle in an international airport? Every fiber in me said no don't do it, but the PH nodded, I did it, and we went on our way. Rifles, ammo, and PH's pistol.

You are on vacation. Relax and enjoy it. Smile at everyone. They'll smile back and you'll have a lot better time.

quote:

Following 9/11 they've added "security" to this airport where one has to go through a metal detector and the baggage is x-rayed before walking out to the plane. The fact that one has access to his "checked" baggage before it is loaded on the plane doesn't seem to matter. (What are you going to do, hijack a Cessna???) And of course you repeat the screening after returning from safari. What purpose this serves is unclear.

quote:

Originally posted by JohnDL:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

Originally posted by bisonhunter1:
so is the negative covid test the PCR required one?

When does the timeline for the negative test start, 72 or is 48 hours before getting on the plan in the IS or before arrival in Africa, in this case at JNB.

What "proof" of the negative test is needed, test result printed off home computer, something more "official" looking from the docs office, etc.?

You have to have proof, Qatar would accept proof in the form of results on an electronic device, Airlink would not. On all of the test we took, results were provided in the form of a sheet showing results of the various viruses for which we were tested as well as a letter stating we had tested negative for Covid 19. The point at which your time starts is apparently different between countries and airlines and whether you are "in transit" or if you are on separate itineraries. Seems simple enough.

Steve, add to your list the difficulty of counting empty brass in a box containing loaded rounds as well.

I am otherwise a very patient man.

I arrive Dar, go through the ammo counting drill. Fly the next day to Bukoba, a domestic flight. Go through the ammo counting drill once again.

Depart Bukoba 17 days later, now we enter the "empty case counting drill" A partial box of full/empty cartridges is a real problem for these guys.

Arrive Dar, now I have to go through it again, this time with the Revenue gals. At least they were pleasant.

I had an Axe in my gunbox that we took from a group of poachers we caught. They confiscated my axe.???

Geez.

These experiences are why I won't travel, internationally until this shite has concluded.

I mainly hunt TZ and prefer to base out of Arusha than Dar. The charters from Arusha are out of a small airport west of town. Following 9/11 they've added "security" to this airport where one has to go through a metal detector and the baggage is x-rayed before walking out to the plane. The fact that one has access to his "checked" baggage before it is loaded on the plane doesn't seem to matter. (What are you going to do, hijack a Cessna???) And of course you repeat the screening after returning from safari. What purpose this serves is unclear. Fast forward to landing in the U.S. You must unload your guns and go through U.S. Customs inspection. After repacking your guns you have to repeat the same procedure for TSA. If, indeed, it takes two inspections, why can't they do it at the same time? The reality is that the inspections in Arusha are useless "make work" as are the needless extra inspections in the U.S. The stupidity and needless hassle will no doubt continue. Just shrug your shoulders and chuckle. It's the price of hunting in Africa.

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Test still required.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by JohnDL:

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:

quote:

Originally posted by bisonhunter1:
so is the negative covid test the PCR required one?

When does the timeline for the negative test start, 72 or is 48 hours before getting on the plan in the IS or before arrival in Africa, in this case at JNB.

What "proof" of the negative test is needed, test result printed off home computer, something more "official" looking from the docs office, etc.?

You have to have proof, Qatar would accept proof in the form of results on an electronic device, Airlink would not. On all of the test we took, results were provided in the form of a sheet showing results of the various viruses for which we were tested as well as a letter stating we had tested negative for Covid 19. The point at which your time starts is apparently different between countries and airlines and whether you are "in transit" or if you are on separate itineraries. Seems simple enough.

Steve, add to your list the difficulty of counting empty brass in a box containing loaded rounds as well.

I am otherwise a very patient man.

I arrive Dar, go through the ammo counting drill. Fly the next day to Bukoba, a domestic flight. Go through the ammo counting drill once again.

Depart Bukoba 17 days later, now we enter the "empty case counting drill" A partial box of full/empty cartridges is a real problem for these guys.

Arrive Dar, now I have to go through it again, this time with the Revenue gals. At least they were pleasant.

I had an Axe in my gunbox that we took from a group of poachers we caught. They confiscated my axe.???

Geez.

These experiences are why I won't travel, internationally until this shite has concluded.

I mainly hunt TZ and prefer to base out of Arusha than Dar. The charters from Arusha are out of a small airport west of town. Following 9/11 they've added "security" to this airport where one has to go through a metal detector and the baggage is x-rayed before walking out to the plane. The fact that one has access to his "checked" baggage before it is loaded on the plane doesn't seem to matter. (What are you going to do, hijack a Cessna???) And of course you repeat the screening after returning from safari. What purpose this serves is unclear. Fast forward to landing in the U.S. You must unload your guns and go through U.S. Customs inspection. After repacking your guns you have to repeat the same procedure for TSA. If, indeed, it takes two inspections, why can't they do it at the same time? The reality is that the inspections in Arusha are useless "make work" as are the needless extra inspections in the U.S. The stupidity and needless hassle will no doubt continue. Just shrug your shoulders and chuckle. It's the price of hunting in Africa.

The best part is you are in your very own private plane!

I had to laugh once as the lady at the x ray machine wanted to look inside one of the passengers carry on bag.

While she was doing that, I asked “can I take my guns on now?”

She said yes!

The security check at Dar between the main airport and the charter section is nothing but a joke.

Provided for employment only!

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Ahrenberg:

quote:

Originally posted by kevin henderson:

quote:

Arrive Dar, now I have to go through it again, this time with the Revenue gals. At least they were pleasant.

I had an Axe in my gunbox that we took from a group of poachers we caught. They confiscated my axe.???

Steve,
Perhaps they recognized the axe and wanted to return it to the owner? My bullet counters weren't particularly pleasant in Dar.
kh

The African outfitters need to get their shit straight or there won't be any clients left. 20K to go shoot a Buffalo is just nonsense.

The hard-core guys are all getting old and guys like me are losing interest. There is only so much we can or will take.

And "Bullet Counters"

quote:

Originally posted by crbutler:
I can hear everyone going on about how nonsensical some of this is.

I agree it’s a pain, but to me, even traveling within the US is more of a pain than it should be... toll roads with all their goofiness, the occasional “sobriety check point”, speed traps, and so on.

One thing that was always harped on in Med school was the inappropriateness of ordering tests that you saw no reason to suspect something requiring it. The downside of a false positive is huge (I have seen a false positive biopsy come back... not pretty, although better than a false negative...)

We have a sensitivity and a specificity for these tests, and if you want to make sure everyone who is positive tests as such, you will have some false positives mathematically speaking.

That is to say, I rather strongly suspect a small percentage will have to quarantine due to a false positive.

That being said, having to work in that environment daily, I’m no longer interested in giving up another of my limited number of years on earth to living in a self imposed quarantine.

I’m going. F this crap.