In July I will be going to Zim via Hararre on SAA. Question is that I arrive at 5:10 on the new Direct Delta 777. The next Hararre flight on SAA leaves at 7:20 so I should have time to make it and connect through. I had originally planned to stay overnight but if I get to Hararre I can charter early AM and be hunting.
Questions----
I assume there is a baggage agreement with Delta and SAA and the baggage can be checked all the way through. Does anyone have experience with this.
Second, I have recently read that Airlines will not check guns that are to go through to Zimbabwe. Any truth to this item.
I should hire one of the gun permit people anyway to just make sure the guns get from plane to plane ok. comments on this.

Please PM me as well.

Thanks,

Larry

Yes, you can check your bags all the way through.

Based on a sample size of one, they will make the connection 1 out of 3 times.

Our other 2 bags came on an Air Botswana flight the next day, which did cause us to have to overnight in Harare and lose a hunting day.

I made sure to check mine all the way thru from Boise, Idaho, to Harare. You have to tell them that when you check baggage in here. They put another tag on. I had the same layover, but got in about 9pm in Harare. Everything came in okay.

They just checked serial numbers on my form against the two rifles, thanked me for showing them, and wished me a safe and happy trip.

Rich
Buff Killer

As I understand it, the baggage expediting companies can no longer "follow" baggage that doesn't go through customs at Tambo.

I've had my bags not make it with me to HRE a couple of times for the evening flight but got them off of the a.m. flight the next morning with no hassle. I just did the missing baggage drill and picked up my stuff at noon.

That said, a R.O.N. at the Afton House is sometimes a good idea (or an evening at a B&B in Harare), even if you have to go through the hassle of customs. In any event, trying to cut it close on arrivals and departures where you have to jump in a vehicle and go to/from the safari area or miss a day is just not for me (if I can help it). It is a vacation, afterall, not an exercise in angst.

If you book as planned you can go through JNB via the "In Transit" area. This has always been an expedited and simplified passage, in my experience.

quote:

Originally posted by BigBBear:

Questions----
I assume there is a baggage agreement with Delta and SAA and the baggage can be checked all the way through.

Larry

Assumptions are the mother of all F%#$k ups.
I recommend a night at Afton.

Larry:

I am checking mine through on those same flights on Sept 30. I have done it before.

You should not have a problem unless the Delta flight is late.

The advantage of checking your guns all the way through is you don't have to bother with South African paperwork!

I like the tuffpack concept- guns tend to get treated with extra care and not infrequently the client and his guns arrive but not the other suitcase- that comes a couple of days later....

pack at least one spare set of cloaths in with your rifle, carry bino's and camera in your hand luggage (never, ever put a camera in a checked bag through OR Tambo - it will get stolen) and you are good to go!