I have a Namibia trip coming up. Who has traveled there through Europe and what routre was taken. Were there any problems with traveling via Europe with firearms or bagge delays ? Any help appreciated. I have gone through SA before but am trying to avoid the JoBerg hassle.

Namibia was a German colony and still has German connections and culture. You can fly to Frankfurt then on to Windhoek on Lufthansa. I suggest you spend two or three days in Frankfurt. The hotel can store your rifles. You can enjoy the city, shrug off the jet lag and take a day trip. Koln (Cologne) is a good choice. You should find the entire experience pleasant and without problems. I'm sure other posters will add to this.

I have flown Houston-Frankfurt-Windhoek twice. Frankfurt to Windhoek on Air Namibia. There is a 10-12 hour layover in Frankfurt. I have checked baggage straight through from Houston to Windhoek. I am taking the same route in August next year.

I have been to namibia 3 times. Each time flying from Houston on Lufthansa to Frankfurt. Then to Windhoek on Air Namibia.

On two trips, we had 4 hunters. All of our luggage and rifles arrived with us. No delays. No problems getting our rifle permits.

I really like this route. Pretty easy trips considering the distance.

We've been to Namibia every year for the past four years. Done the ATL (Atlanta)-JNB (Johannesburg)-WDH (Windhoek) once, JFK-JNB-WDH twice and last year CLT (Charlotte)-FRA (Frankfurt)-WDH once. We overnighted in JNB once, went straight through twice and did the day room in FRA once.

Of all the combos so far the day room in FRA was the most comfortable. Over night flight to FRA and overnight flight into WDH and you get in about 0600. By the time you clear immigration and get your rifles it's 0700 and you still can make the drive to your hunting area by early to mid afternoon,

The down side is up until last year the FRA route was anywhere from $500 to $1000 more per person. Since there are two of us traveling that equates to another PG trophy or so for each. Don't have to claim checked bags/rifles no issues at all. Just make sure to check in early on the return trip back through FRA and to write on your baggage claim tickets which one(s) are bags with ammo and which are gun cases as the agents in FRA have to find them and put some tags on them during the transfer from Air Namibia.

First year JFK-JNB-WDH with out staying over in JNB our checked bags and rifles disappeared for three days. When they where finally delivered to the PH's place about $300 in cosmetics/personal items my girlfriend took as gifts for the PH's wife were gone.

Second trip was the ATL-JNB-WDH with the overnight in JNB all bags/guns arrived in WDH but like I said - not impressed with Afton House. If we do it again we will try someplace else.

Third trip was JFK-JNB-WDH direct with no issues other than being dog tired when we arrived in WDH. We rented a car and spent a week split between WDH and Swakopmund/Walvis Bay - GREAT TIME!

This year we did the FRA route - was the best so far as far as arriving in WDH the most rested. Could have easily made the 7 hour drive to our PH's place, but we rented a car again and knocked around for ten days.

The overnight we did in JNB was with Afton house (2009) based on the positive comments they were given here - we were not impressed and would not stay there again.

As long as your are not staying in JNB for more than 24 hours you don't need to claim your bags or guns so no hassles with the temp import permit - just pack your carry-on appropriately.

Haven't decided which route we will take for next years trip (June) yet - will depend to a large extent on the airfares. If we can do it for just a couple of hundred more via FRA that is the way we will do it as we don't have to spend a day/night in WDH.

Yep, the Frankfurt route costs a bit more because it's worth it. A nap and a shower is a wonderful thing. No problems with firearms and when you get to Namib you can hit the ground running.

I did the Atlanta to Gatwick to Windhoek. The only issue with this is the 13+ hour layover in Gatwick.

I have done it several ways but the one I like the best is going through Frankfurt. You get there early in the morning and have depending on the airline you take 10-12 hours layover in Frankfurt. We discussed taking the subway in to town to look around abit but choose a day room,, hot shower, nap and good meal before the Air Namibia leg into Windhoek. We arrived at first light into windhoek,, very little hassle with customs and was able to watch the sun rise as we made the 6-7 hour drive to camp. I enjoy the drive and seeing the countryside and animals along the way,, and I didn't miss the hassles af the airport in JNB. I was much more rested as well.