Has anyone flown KLM or Swiss Air to dar es Salaam with firearms? We are hearing mixed experiences.

I have flown in to dar a couple times with guns.

Can't say it was much of an issue, but the safari company folks were there and made it a nonissue for me.

I flew KLM (as a delta codeshare) and didn't touch anything in transit as far as the rifles, but you do need to get Dutch customs preapproval for the weapons, and they tend to do that last minute, even if you sent the forms in a while in advance.

To me, the use of a good travel agent ( I use Gracy, but others know what they are doing as well) will make sure that you filled out the forms right and can get fixes done if needed.

Not sure what the horror stories are, other than Amsterdam has some odd rules... no archery equipment (broadheads) or folding knives.

I have seen the airport police question some things, but my interaction with them through the hunting folks was quick and painless. They do open your ammo, so don't try and bring some stuff for your PH that you don't have a gun for...

quote:

We are hearing mixed experiences

Such as? .... it might be useful to know so that appropriate measure be taken and avoid repeat incidents.

last time i was on klm they beat up my aluminum gun case so hard that they actually bent the scope tube - had to be a deliberate action

We'd just been warned to avoid both when traveling with firearms. Thanks for the info so far.

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
We'd just been warned to avoid both when traveling with firearms. Thanks for the info so far.

You're from Alberta, so you're close to Seattle. Why not just fly Emirates, Seattle to Dar through Dubai? That way, you know you won't have anything to worry about.

All but one of my trips to Africa has been with KLM. Last one was in 2014 - Calgary, Amsterdam, Dar, return. Never had an issue with them. The connection times in Amsterdam were good too with plenty of time to make flights both ways. The KLM gate staff was even quite helpful on last trip, they even came over while we were waiting before boarding to let me know that my gun case had made it to plane.

Just had to make sure that the Dutch transit permit was done and airline was notified when booking of guns.

What issues are you hearing about?

TJ,

I always heard nightmares about AMS. I flew through with rifle and ammo in December. No problem. I am doing it next month to go to Uganda, already have my AMS permit. I will do it again in October going to Kaz for ibex. Let me know if I can help with the forms, etc. You fax them in, and within 2-7 days, they have emailed me back my permits. No one asked me anything in AMS before, but I did have permits. They transferred through just fine.

The Swiss are a gun friendly community in general and also very moderate on hunting;
cannot say the same for the Dutch and KLM is known for conveniently sending your gun/s in the opposite direction to original destination which at minimum causes a delay in receiving them, or at worst lost forever.

Amsterdam is notorious for purposely damaging gun cases and which, if time allows, individuals in baggage-handling will go as far as opening cases and damaging their contents.

I have seen a rifle that went via Amsterdam arrive with its stock broken off at the foregrip and the scope beyond repair (the case was intact).

I flew KLM with rifles to Uganda in 2010. Flew DFW to Amsterdam...Amsterdam to Entebbe...absolutely zero issues.

Bwanamrm and I are flying KLM to Uganda on the 15th and to Kaz in October with Tim. I will post our experiences with the KLM. I have flown KLM, with guns, many times without a hitch. Knock on wood!

I did KLM to Dar, put my rifles in storage and on to climb Kilimanjaro, then back to dar, collected my two rifles, and chartered to camp in the Selous. Not a worry or problem.
Cal

We used KLM in 2006 to Amsterdam and on to Dar. The guns were delayed at Amsterdam for 3 days. So we had no guns for the first several days of the Safari. The group before ours in camp had the same problem.

We flew KLM through AMS to Dar in September. We had an emergency landing in Halifax (ill passenger) that delayed us just long enough to miss our connection to Dar. We were told we were rebooked through Nairobi, then that flight was cancelled. We were then told we were booked through some other airline to Dubai and on to Dar. Waited in the AMS airport for about 8 hours only to find we were not, in fact, booked to Dubai because that airline did not transport firearms. KLM gave us a hotel room and meals and we made the next day's flight to Dar.

We used Travel With Guns and they got all of the Amsterdam permitting done. The only strange thing I found about AMS is that we had to have our permit taped to my gun case and another copy inside the case. No damage to my guns or case and they made Dar with our flight.
kh

I have used KLM many many times, beats the hell out of flying from joberg to Tanzania. I love the private room showers in the airport, especially on return travel....

If you fly Joberg to Tanzania, take a pistol to shoot yourself with in case you get the wrong seat.. I have never had a serious problem traveling in Africa..Had some damn funny experiences, they are great memories..

Many if not most problems in Africa are traveler caused, it pays to be polite as hell when traveling in any 3rd world country..Put your give-s---ter in neutral, act stupid or innocent as opposed to all knowing will get you by everytime. Several times Ive had to call and get some uninformed hunter out of the Tanzania jail..Praise Alla to Licky Abdulla..

I've never had a problem with KLM with firearms. What I would like an answer to is if you can take a knife through Amsterdam. No one seems to have a good answer and as a result, I've been without a decent knife on my last two safaris, which isn't my preference.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
I've never had a problem with KLM with firearms. What I would like an answer to is if you can take a knife through Amsterdam. No one seems to have a good answer and as a result, I've been without a decent knife on my last two safaris, which isn't my preference.

You shouldn't have a problem if your knife were to travel in the same box as the firearms or even in your suitcase as baggage in the hold.

Some EU states do however require owners of knives whose blade exceeds 4" be registered and issued with "permits to possess" but which do not allow you to carry one in public.

This requirement however is in reality designed for collectors of knives, bayonets, swords, etc.

Its a pretty good idea to check your guns thru, from the USA to Dar, Ive done it both ways, have not had any real problems other than a day late arrival..taking them off and rechecking them is an option, but I have mostly chosen not to do that, as it can get complicated..I recall one time early on when KLM hollered at me on the Loud speaker to surrender! I answered their questions and they send the guns on my pland..but in the 3rd world never try to figure out why or what, you would go crazy...

Ive flown KLM to Arusha many times, transiting through Amsterdam. I have never had problems with KLM and handling my rifles. Must make sure Dutch Consent form is completed and in place. Good travel agents are a must for this. Annelise with Areva Travel has made this process painless. I was advised to tape the consent form to the outside of the case. I slip it in a clear envelope and use a clear shipping tape to secure it to the case.
KLM works best for me, Seattle to Amsterdam to Arusha or Pasco-Minneapolis-Amsterdam-Arusha

Thanks all...it looks as though KLM it is. It looks as though direct to Amsterdam and then onto dar....easy peasy.

I must confess that I have been off the scene for several years since the last fiasco with guns and/or luggage with KLM.

I do not therefore discount the possibility that KLM Management may have investigated claims and accusations against the carrier (KLM) and its baggage handling department and sorted out the problem which we think was attributed to one or more anti-hunting individuals in the transits section identifying and purposely sabotaging hunting-related baggage.

Ive always had a knife or two. I put them in my checked luggage or drop them in my Tuff case.At worst they would just take them away, but that has never happened to anyone I know of..

What I recall is that folding knives were banned in holland. A fixed blade hunting knife was not an issue in checked luggage as I recall, but one can double check that fairly easily.