Reading about the current situations and my dislike for hassles who are recommended outfits for getting guns through without a hitch? Or is it doable on my own? Got 2 other newbies coming from Alaska as well. I did not remember a problem the last time but I was with some big wigs so I think they had it all figured out.

What all should I look out for? I know the current customs form is one. I will contact the outfitter and see what all is required.Want to avoid any unpleasantness

If doing an overnight stay I recommend AfricaSky Guest House. They will do the meet and greet and preapproved permits without any hassles.

I have had great luck with Gracy's service.

I have used Africa Sky and overnighted there too. Next time its Riflepermits.com and overnight in either City Lodge or Intercontinental, preferably Intercontininal.

I have used Gracy's travel with good success.

I book at the city lodge and it is a nice place to stay. Short walk from the airport.

i will be using both when i travel to South Africa this year.

I used Air 2000 three times. Stayed at city lodge at airport once and Afton house twice. This was 2012, 13, and 14.
Think things are more difficult these days.
The meet and greet was well worth it to me.

The first time I went to RSA, I used Air2000. I got to Joberg on Delta, but my rifle didn't. Delta didn't have a clue as to where the rifle might be. Air2000 located the rifle AT THE UNITED TERMINAL IN DALLAS and had it delivered to me in Port Elizabeth on the afternoon of the third day of a ten day safari.

I went twice more, and used Air2000 both times, and when I go back, you can bet that I will use Air2000 again. They have forever more earned my business and my gratitude.

Air2000 took care of business.

Gracy

Using Afton House in August for both meet-and-greet and temporary rifle permits. Have to overnight in Jo'burg anyway to make P.E. domestic flight/connection. Spend the do-re-mi!

Linda Falcon (Falcon Travel) handled all the electronic based hassle for us easily. Unlike the courier hassle eleven years ago, emailed scanned documents for passport (notarized copy!!), notarized copies of Forms 4457, signed pages for SAPS 520, letters of invite, etc.

Will pay in cash after staying with Afton House.

Second on riflepermits.com Ask for Henry.

I’ve done it myself, and with meet and greet, next time I’ll be using a meet and greet, worth the peace of mind if something goes south

GRACY TRAVEL'S VIP SERVICE!

Sailed through Joberg so easy on the way to Zim we told them we could handle the return on our own. Spent 5 hours in a very small room with up to 13 armed "officials" and my luggage dumped on a table until we got a phone call through to our contact person. It's amazing how fast people can vanish while your trying to repack your bags.

I have used Gracy on every trip, it just wouldn't be SA without Bruce and Lucky, stayed at Afton and African Sky.......African sky wins hands down.

.

quote:

Originally posted by DLJ:
GRACY TRAVEL'S VIP SERVICE!

Sailed through Joberg so easy on the way to Zim we told them we could handle the return on our own. Spent 5 hours in a very small room with up to 13 armed "officials" and my luggage dumped on a table until we got a phone call through to our contact person. It's amazing how fast people can vanish while your trying to repack your bags.

Plus one! Been through JNB 2x with Gracy; no problems and no waiting on line. The meet & greet guys walk you right up to the counter passing dozens of people waiting and seem to have a good relationship ($$) with the ticket agents. SAPS was quick and painless both times although the SAPS lady who wrote my name in the ledger was pretty clear about wanting $20 for the service. Bottom line: for me it is well worth the expense to get through quickly and effortlessly.

Next trip, however, I am not going through JNB if I can help it. I have heard so much about Emirates that I want to fly them and they go from Dulles to Dubai to Lusaka to Harare.

I use Africa Sky Guesthouse meet and greet, including the firearm permit process. Smooth, fast, no problem.

I have done it on my own in the past a couple of times, man, that sure brings the worst out in the officers!

Gracy.

It seems that all those offering this service are doing a great job.

History now, but I usd Afton in 2009 and 2012, both occasions they were a no show and I did the job myself.
I will consider one of the others mentioned here for ths years trip.
Thanks for the info
Regards
Stu

Africa sky for service above and beyond my most demanding expectations. If Gilbert is still there,he will make every aspect of the onerous RSA experience easy.

quote:

Originally posted by stuey:
History now, but I usd Afton in 2009 and 2012, both occasions they were a no show and I did the job myself.
I will consider one of the others mentioned here for ths years trip.
Thanks for the info
Regards
Stu

This is the first time I have heard a complaint against them.

I am not doubting your word, but if it had happened twice, could you have not done something wrong in dealing with them to cause this?

Hi Saeed
I would normally confine my comments to a PM but in the spirit of the conversation I thought I would share.
On both occasions the paper work was done prior to my arrival and prior to the second trip I made a point of reminding Afton about their no show. "No problems" I was told.
My flights are always early arrivals, around 5:30am.
First time was difficult as I did not know what the back office proceedure was, second time around was easy, with a very helpful Policeman assisting me through the process.
Both occasions I was cleared and waiting for some time in the arrivals hall (enough time for a coffee) with gun case before Afton showed up.
No axe to grind, just my experience. I believe ownership has since changed hands so this may be a thing of the past.
Cheers Stu

Air-2000 for the last 10 years, and now twice a year. Saved my butt more than once.

quote:

Originally posted by stuey:
Hi Saeed
I would normally confine my comments to a PM but in the spirit of the conversation I thought I would share.
On both occasions the paper work was done prior to my arrival and prior to the second trip I made a point of reminding Afton about their no show. "No problems" I was told.
My flights are always early arrivals, around 5:30am.
First time was difficult as I did not know what the back office proceedure was, second time around was easy, with a very helpful Policeman assisting me through the process.
Both occasions I was cleared and waiting for some time in the arrivals hall (enough time for a coffee) with gun case before Afton showed up.
No axe to grind, just my experience. I believe ownership has since changed hands so this may be a thing of the past.
Cheers Stu

Thank you very much.

This is the sort of actual report we like to see.

quote:

Next trip, however, I am not going through JNB if I can help it. I have heard so much about Emirates that I want to fly them and they go from Dulles to Dubai to Lusaka to Harare.

I used EMIRATES often and I really like that airline. This year I gonna fly Emirates from Cape Town to Zuerich, my 9,3 will be with me. On my way back
I wanted to fly Emirates from Zuerich to Harare. I have booked a buffalo in Zimbabwe. But shit because of the arms embargo I‘m not allowed to fly from any EU country to Zim because of my hunting rifle! Not even from Switzerland, they joyned the EU embargo.

Therefore my flight goes from Zuerich to Jo‘burg and from there, three hours later to Harare. I‘m still furious about this nonsense.

I used Air2000 in 2013 and again in 2016 and they were great. In and out of the police station in about 10 minutes.

Riflepermits did me well. My incoming flight was delayed many hours and missed my connection. The agent for riflepermits not only was there’s after the long delay, but arranged new flights for the next day, hotel, and taxi. SAA paid for it all. I can’t imagine getting that done as a “civilian” in RSA.

I highly recommend Gracy Travel. Bruce and Lucky are great, and very well-connected at the airport. I've used them for the last 6 trips through Jo-Burg and they've executed flawlessly. Last month, I was through the rifle permitting process on arrival in less than5 minutes. On two occasions, they've backed down the counter clerk from trying to assess excess luggage charges. Well worth the price.

My wife and I used Gracy to arrange the travel for Zimbabwe last Sept. and paid for the meet and greet. I would never think to do that trip without the M&G service. Bruce and Lucky also bailed our butts out on the way home. We landed in Joburg for the trip home and while walking between the terminals we stopped at the airline "Help Desk" located between the arriving flights and departing flights just to see that everything was in order. BIG MISTAKE, the lady grabs and tears up our boarding passes and tells us we have to gather our guns and luggage and go through customs as Johannesburg is our "Port of Entry. I knew she was full of it and the argument ensued. I was getting pissed but I kept remembering what many had told me to keep my cool. There was an Immigration officer there who came over and supported what the lady was doing and he escorted us out of the area and into the baggage claim. Our luggage was not on the carousel as we had checked it through to Detroit in Harare. I called Mark at o dark thirty Vegas time and he told me to call Gracy's emergency number that I had forgotten about ( Sorry about that Mark). One call and Hazel answered, she got Bruce back there and he had us straightened out pronto. Lesson learned, never make the arrangement myself and never skip the meet and greet.

No problem! You remembered I said to call me if you had ANY questions and it all worked out fine.

Gracy VIP Service...I like the City Lodge, you can get to your room quickly and rest. Bruce will be waiting for you down in the lobby the next day to get you back through the airport to make your next day flight a breeze.

If Bruce ever retires I'm going to stop going to SA.

OK sounds like gracys or riflepermits

OK riflepermits wants it 25 days prior any shorter notice services?

quote:

Originally posted by gunslinger55:
OK riflepermits wants it 25 days prior any shorter notice services?

Call Gracey and ask, better to get your info direct from the source.

Just in Frankfurt on way home from South Africa. We used Afton Safari Lodge for M&G, clearing, luggage storage between trips and a night’s stay on this trip and the service was perfect. We had Air2000 fail to meet us on our last trip so this was a trial run with Afton. First Class all the way.

AIR 2000. aNNA HAS ALLWAYS BEEN a STAR.

Guys,

I've used Air 2000, Rifle Permits and Gracy's meet and greet service. Personally I've found Gracy's service at O.R.Tembo to be flawless and they are my recommendation everytime. I see no reason to leave the airport if you are arriving one day and overnighting to catch a flight the next day. The City Lodge right at the airport is perfectly fine. If you want upscale the Intercontinental is in the same building as City Lodge and directly across the road from the SAPS station. Why leave the airport and fiddle around with shuttles to take the risk of encountering the violence in the JNB area?

Mark

Agree with what Mark says.

I've used Gracy's service twice and found it to be perfect. Worth every nickel!

Just got back too, and Air-2000 did a their usual GREAT job.