I have seen many suggestions that Jo-berg be avoided during travel on to Namibia. Would there be improvement if the itinerary used Capetown instead?

Thanks
Jim

I think most people complain about the firearm permit process when they have to overnite in JoBerg. It would be the same in Capetown, maybe less people getting the permits. And I am guessing that they do issue the permits in Capetown. If you do not have to overnite then you can check firearms all they thru to Nambia and do not have to worry about it at either Capetown or JoBerg.

Both are ports of entry to the country... Joberg offers meet and greet services and dont know about Capetown..
If ones paperwork is in order it is not a problem... Its one when someone in front of you has it all wrong and the shit hits the fan.. illegal firearms, ammo of the wrong kind...This happened to my and my son on our way to Zim... There wasonly 8 in line and the first two good ol boys had all of he above and more...
An hour later many of us wanted to put those two guys down... If looks could kill they would have been dead at least a hundred times, and they knew it and left like lambs...

Mike

Mike

Jim - just arrived back from Namibia through JoBurg last week. We timed our flights so that we had a minimum of 3 hours down time in the Jo'Burg terminal between SAA flights to Windhoek both going & returning. I had my South African Police forms completed and Ann"s phone # at Air 2000 just in case one of our flights was cancelled or delayed but never had to use them.

As long as you check your rifles/baggage straight through then you should be fine. There were some minor things and potential "glitchs" at Jo'Burg that I noted for my soon to be coming hunting report but nothing that prevented a relatively smooth transition to the connecting flight to Windhoek.

We used African Odessey travel but there are other fine ones also on the AR forum also Air 2000, Kathi @ Wild Travel, Gracey etc).

One big advantage going through Cape Town is the opportunity to take a day off and go see the penguins at Boulders. It was a highlight of our trip a few years ago.
Also, the food on the waterfront was excellent. And there are some incredible bargains for souvenirs at Green Market Square, a flea market downtown.
Cape Town is much more tourist friendly than Jo-burg. Just don't go out alone at night. Normal city-smarts should suffice.

We flew through Cape Town, had no trouble at all with getting guns through. Not many people in front of us, no hassle from personnel. Cape Town is beautiful, we did a few days before and after the hunt. Lots of sites to see, prices great with the exchange rates. Bob

I overnighted in Joburg at the end of July and had no problems with the gun permit. Just have them all filled out prior to arrival, but do not sign until there and wait your turn. Not too bad. I was in and out in less than 20 minutes and a few in front of me.

Went through Capetown in 2006 and Joburg in 2008. Both where no problem at all.

Jim,

The reason to avoid Johannesburg is that if you are connecting to Namibia, Botswana or Zim etc you may have to overnight there and therfore go through the SAPS gun permit process. It actually has nothing to do with the town.

If you are going to Namibia for instance it is just less hassle to go through Europe and directly to Windhoek rather messing with the possible paperwork and expense of transiting RSA. Actually if airline arrangements are better for you to go through RSA for some reason the paperwork is not really difficult but I would recommend a meet/greet service who will help you expedite the process with ease.

Mark

If you intend to overnight or do anything from a tourist point of view to my way of thinking Cape Town wins hands down.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Jim,

The reason to avoid Johannesburg is that if you are connecting to Namibia, Botswana or Zim etc you may have to overnight there and therfore go through the SAPS gun permit process. It actually has nothing to do with the town.

If you are going to Namibia for instance it is just less hassle to go through Europe and directly to Windhoek rather messing with the possible paperwork and expense of transiting RSA. Actually if airline arrangements are better for you to go through RSA for some reason the paperwork is not really difficult but I would recommend a meet/greet service who will help you expedite the process with ease.

Mark

Thanks Mark,

I'm going to try and use Alaska Air miles on British Air so that pretty much means London to RSA. I'll probably use a meet and greet as suggested.

Just thought I'd ask about Capetown since I haven't seen much info while lurking here.

Hi to Sadie!!

Jim

Jim,

Sounds like a plan. If you have enough miles economy plus or business is well worth it.

BA is my preferred carrier and who I recommend for travel to Afrca.

Mark

I overnighted this year in Joburg on my way to Namibia, I hired Afton House and VIP meet and Assist to clear my rifles. It took 5 mins to get permitts and then to Afton House. Next moring they took me to the airport then on to WDH. No problems at all.

Four of us are going to Moz next year. Is there a way to get to Biera, Moz from the USA without an overnight stay in JoBerg? We would prefer going through Germany, Netherlands etc to JoBerg arriving in time to just continue on to Biera. We will be checking with our travel agent in a month or so, but just wondering if anyone here has been there/done that before? Thanks for any help or suggestions.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry, I'm not sure about current connections to Beira through Joberg but last time I flew it was impossible to avoid spending the night in Joberg. One other option you may want to consider is TAP Air Portugal from Lisbon to Maputo and connect to Beira on LAM (Air Mozambique). I've flown LAM before and would again, they seemed to be as good as anything in that part of the world.

I have been to Namibia twice and am going back next year. I have been thru JoBerg but by far I prefer going thru Frankfurt. There is a long lay over in Germany but you take a day room at a local hotel. That way you can shower, take a nap and eat some good/real food. I fly overnight from the US to Frankfurt, take the day room and fly overnight to Windhoek Namibia. I arrived about 8:00 am and was refreshed enough to hit the ground running. If you need any more information such as travel agent or airlines etc e-mail me. setterrun@mebtel.net

Larry,

Of course you should consult Kathi Klimes or Gracy Travel but I can tell you my clients this year could get all the way to Maputo, Mozambique without overnighting in JNB thus avoiding the SAPS process in RSA. My clients only went to Chomoio so I can't personally comment on a connection to Beira. Air Portugal as has already been suggested is an alternative. I have had no one go that way but I do know that Spanish clients do come to Mozambique using TAP.

Hope this helps.

Mark

One is about as good as another, the rules don't change...When in Africa, the best thing to do is just chill out and go with the flow or you will certainly go berserk dealing with the local folks...

If you have to over night then do it, your guns will be safe. As far as I know no-one who has lost them..

As far as towns go they are both Africa but I personally prefer Capetown, for one thing it's safer I think, but then, I have never had any problems in either one of them and I have spent a lot of time in both.

I notice the hands are out at the firearms desk again. They were in out 2000 and then in 2002 they didn't expect tips. Now they aren't bashful at all about telling you "that's not enough".