We are going to Zambia in late August. We would like to miss the SAA flight and try the European route. Has anyone done this before? Going from the USA to Zambia?What are your recommendations. We will book flights through Shawn at Gracy travel and we were wanting to see what experiences the forum members have had. Some of the best information comes from those on the froum that have been there and done that!!!!!

I just did this last June: San Francisco to Frankfurt to Johannesburg to Lusaka. I few Lufthansa to Johannesburg, then SAA to Lusaka. There was a 12-hour layover in Frankfurt (take the train into the city for the day) and another five-hour or so layover in Johannesburg (go have a leisurely brunch). I found the two 10-hour flights were much more bearable than a red-eye cross-country flight followed by the long ATL or JFK to Johannesburg endurance run.

I'm scheduled to go to Zambia in 2006, and while I was in Reno I spoke with Gracy Travel. They recommended going through London. The lay over is 3 hours, and they said there were no problems last hunting season.

Haven't been to Zambia lately, but I used to go Chicago-London-Lusaka with no problems. Don't know today.

I went to Namibia last yr via London. Going wasn't too bad but be prepared on the return trip with hassels regarding guns going into London.

lb404

CONSIDER this route, our PH Dene Bird used it recently when he attended the Dallas & Houston hunting shows.

Air France: Houston to Paris - CHECK OUT the wine cheese and Can Can ladies, nice colourful underwear

Air France: Paris to Johannesburg

Comair:: Johannesburg to Lusaka / or Livingstone .... Livingstone route if you want to see the Vic Falls.

THEY ALLOW GUNS on their flights

SAA: Johannesburg to Lusaka / or Livingstone

Nationwide Air: Johannesburg to Lusaka / or Livingstone .... BUT DONT allow guns on their flights

Have a great trip

Peter

Thanks ALL for the tips. Shawn at Gracey suggested the USA-London-Lusaka trip. I just find it hard to reward crappy policy towards guns through London. Unfortunately, I also can not use a French airline arrangement as that country is responsible for much sorrow in My country. It may not seem to be a big thing to others but I think it is the right thing to do. I know that KLM goes to Frankfurt, and that Namibia Air will fly to Windhoek. I wonder if you can then transfer on Air Namibia to Lusaka without going to RSA?????

lb404

I understand your feeling towards France and do respect it .... my personal view is if we boycotted all those whom we dont like we would proberbly never leave home ... Dont worry unduly your esteemed GWB has France and other Europen antoginists by the balls and they will soon be eating out of his hands, look at IRAQ they are slowly and unwillingly falling in behind ... enought on politics have a great trip

Peter

Thanks Peter, I sure enjoyed talking to your P.H. and his wife in Dallas. Actually your group were responsible for our going to Zambia this year. Do you have access to sable and roan in your area? Could one arrange a tag along hunt just a couple of days to hunt??

lb404

WE essentially offer cape buff specials as we have large herds on the property, and we allow add on plains game species which are found within the property.

Unfortunately although we do have Sable & Roan on the ranch we are strict (minimum 14 day charge hunts) for those species, so it works out expensive to bag them. WE dont have large herds of those species so we only allow one or two maybe Sable/Roan/Leopard hunts per sesson.

If you let me know which area you are planning to hunt in Zambia later this year MAYBE I can find you a Sable offer regionally !!!

Peter

Great! I am at work again for an all nighter. I think we are in the lower Lapunde game area with peter Chipman, 08-23-05 to 09-03-05.

I am going to Zambia in June. I am already booked OKC/Chiciago/London/Lusaka

will hunt Mumbwa East with Swan/Scan for 10 days.

Sprig

What did that ticket go for? We still have not heard from Gracey Travel. We are going much later in the year and they might not be ready to book us yet. Whom did you book your flights through?

lb404

I've been through London absolutely hassle free several times. In fact I went to Lusaka through London in '98 and 2000. Last year's trip through London to RSA was the best yet with BA being extremely helpful in all respects. I highly recommend the route and BA. I've experienced no anti-gun sentiment in London and Both coach and business class on BA are very comfortable and the service is excellent.

Regards,

Mark

Thanks, do you know generally how much of a lay over there is in London?

lb 404,

Your layover in London might depend on the city your flight originated from. We alway have left from Seattle because it is handy for us and our layovers have been lengthy but not unpleasant. I'm sure Kathi Klimes could give you an idea very quickly on lenght of layovers if you give her a call.

Regards,

Mark