I am planning a safari to Zim in 2012. I will be traveling on Delta via Joberg to bulawayo. I will have to overnight in Joberg on the way over and will return direct from Bulawayo to Joberg. Could someone please explain the process of getting guns from Delta and then to SAA on the way over and then from SAA to Delta on the way home. I am aware of the SAPS form - just wondering about the actual process.

Fbull,
While I can't answer your questions specifically, I can give my whole hearted endorsement of those that can:
Steve Turner with www.TravelWithGuns.com
and Henry with www.riflepermits.com.
I have no relationship with either of these outfits, just a very satisfied customer.
Lou M

Check them all the way from wherever you start to JNB. The folks at the counter where you check in can handle the proper tagging.

Pick them up in JNB and get an "In-transit" permit from SAPS using the 520 form.

Overnight in JNB.

In the morning check back out thru SAPS, check your guns onto the flight to Bulawayo.

Land in Bulawayo and Get a Zim permit using the Zim form.

Coming back you can generally connect without overnighting in JoBerg and just check them all the way from Bulawayo to your final destination (picking them up at US Customs of course).

Not as hard as it sounds. JNB's Duty-Free and curio shops makes it one of the coolest airports in the world.

You can also arrange the in-transit permit in advance using one of the services that does this. It may speed things up for you.

Shawn with Gracy Travel has got me through Joberg three times without a hitch.

I have used their SAPs service and had somebody meet me at the plane two of three trips. They will walk you through everything.

Each trip I overnight at Africa Sky. Gracy's rep will make certain you are on Africa Sky's van in the evening and will meet you in the morning to get you back on the plane.

I know full well I can do it on my own but the cost is small and after 15-16 hours on a plane it is nice not to have to deal with some things.

Mike,

Amen! And my recommendation everytime. Let the professionals handle it for you and relax and enjoy the process.

Mark

Thanks to all that replied - sounds like Gracy is the way to go. One last question: Because retrun flight is SAA to Joberg and Joberg to Atlanta is Delta I can not check all the way through - correct?

Fbull:

I agree with Mike and Mark. I have used Gracy's service twice now and will again this Sept to Zim. We will over night at Africa Sky as well.

I looked at Delta but decided on SAA from Dulles for a couple of reasons. First they are partners with United and I have miles with United plus I fly out of Chicago. Also, it is usually less expensive for connecting flights from JoBurg to other cities in Zim, RSA, etc. on SAA when you fly over on SAA. On the return from Zim to the USA when flying all legs on SAA, I like the idea of my luggage being handled by one airline versus 2. Not to say you can't have problems with SAA but at least you only have to deal with one airline. Finally, I just don't like Delta after a number of flights with them in the Caribbean and US.

Regardless, use an experienced travel pro such as Gracy or Steve Turner.

Regards,

RCG

RCG - Thanks for you input. The problem is I am flying with miles on Delta.

quote:

Originally posted by Fbull:
Thanks to all that replied - sounds like Gracy is the way to go. One last question: Because retrun flight is SAA to Joberg and Joberg to Atlanta is Delta I can not check all the way through - correct?

Check your bags to your final destination in Bulawayo. SAA will transfer them over to Delta no problem. You will see them in Customs in Atlanta.

I like Delta. I like the non stop service and prefer Boeing to Air Bus. But that is just my humble opinion. Kind of like which is better Winchester of Browning? I also live in the South and Delta has service to Atlanta 20 minutes from my house.

I prefer Delta's maintenance and training to SAA's. I would not fly SAA.

Just returned from Zim myself. Flew from Atlanta to Joberg on Delta...Overnighted at Afton House then flew to Vic Falls the next day on SAA.

Had Riflepermits.com take care of my Transit Permit through SA and completed 3 copies of the Zim Permit prior to leaving home so it was ready to be stamped and approved when I got to Zim. On the way home SAA checked my bag all the way to Atlanta even though my flight was with Delta from Joberg on. The whole process was seamless.

A word of warning: On the way home it took me 2 hours to get through Atlanta Passport Control and Rifle rechecking and I almost missed my connection home. I recommend leaving a minimum of 2.5 hours (3 is better) for your connection from Atlanta.