Is it really worth taking your own guns to Africa with all the headaches involved?

I'll let you know in a couple weeks. Leaving Saturday. So far relatively painless.

Are you using a service?

For me has always been a breeze but then again I am a patient person and take things as they come as part of the trip. I would highly recommend using a pre-approval service and should be fine.

We have been doing it for years and years.

Never had a problem.

You do need to make sure everything is planned well ahead and you shouldn't have any problems.

quote:

Originally posted by Rsm458Lott:
Are you using a service?

Yes. Kathi at Wild Travel handled my travel arrangements and she got all my docs in order. She has me hooked up with Hunters Permits Africa. They'll be waiting in Joburg to walk me through.

The best money you will ever spend is the $100+ it cost to hire a service to help you through JNB. All the paperwork will be pre-approved. Start your hunt out without a hassle by paying a specialist to get you through it. Then sit back and relax as they walk you through the process.

Kathi, Wild Travels, is my go to girl!

I won't leave home without her handling it!

Best regards, D. Nelson

To me it's worth it because I develop my loads and practice for months before I go so that I am confident of my shooting and my load's performance.

Also in my case being left handed, it would be difficult to find a gun for loan in camp that would fit.

Picking up your trusty big bore and thinking back about the buff that charged or the angry elephant you dropped at 20 yards with that rifle is well worth the hassle involved in taking it to Africa IMO.

It becomes an old and trusted friend.

Riding a stable horse is never as satisfying as riding your own horse.

BH63

I can't go over without taking my own.

If you are a rifle guy, load your own, and like shooting your own stuff then it is worth the minor hassle, inconvenience, and cost. If on the other hand the rifle is a tool and one rifle is as good as the next then I would shoot what is in camp. Cost wise I think it would be a wash either way. Definitely a little easier travelling without. To me it is worth the headache. Really a personal choice and only you know the right answer for you.

I don't like surprises. I will ALWAYS take my own guns.

That's kind of only one of those questions you can answer yourself. How important is it to you to have your own? There is more hassle and cost involved for sure. To us it's worth it!

I've taken only handguns 8 times. Never any problems with the "named" clearing services.

Are you going to do any sight seeing before or after your trip. If so, its not economically worth it taking your own gun. On the other hand no sight seeing (or a day or so) and straight away to your hunt, then yes I would take your gun.

That said, I will not take mine back unless the trip is just hunting only.

I've been 3 times. Will not take my own guns again. I want to be able to walk off the plane with only a carry-on and not worry about whether my guns made it.

quote:

I've been 3 times. Will not take my own guns again. I want to be able to walk off the plane with only a carry-on and not worry about whether my guns made it.

I don't know how anyone can go on a 10-14 Hunt with only a carry on?

quote:

Originally posted by nickh:
Absolutely worth taking your own guns!!!
Permits aren't that hard to do.
As most have said , if JNB is your port of entry , get one of the companies that assist with gun entry, and it will be fine

Cheers

Nick

I agree, I just returned, and had no problem, as Air-2000 had it well in hand.

Have all your paper work in order and it's a breeze. The extra time it takes to have someone at customs check serial numbers to paperwork is negligible.

I really don't see it as a headache. I can understand how for a first time it might add some stress, but once you're in camp with your own rifles it won't seem like a big deal. And then you'll be glad you have them. If you're not confident in clearing them yourself have a reputable company do it for you.

Half the fun of a hunt is the anticipation, and for me personally testing loads, practicing with my guns is a big part of that. I love the fact that I can go into my gun case and pick up my double I killed an elephant with or one of my buffalo rifles and remember a hunt I had with it. I think a lot of folks here are nostalgic that way.

quote:

Originally posted by Slider:

quote:

I've been 3 times. Will not take my own guns again. I want to be able to walk off the plane with only a carry-on and not worry about whether my guns made it.

I don't know how anyone can go on a 10-14 Hunt with only a carry on?

It's quite easy. You only need 2 sets of khaki pants that double as travel clothes, 2 nicer shirts and 2 hunting shirts, shaving kit, 3 sets of underwear, flashlight,and binos. I have done it more than once. In fact I hunted in Cameroon for 2 weeks on a self guided foot safari with much less than that after Air France lost both my bags....

I wouldn't go without taking my own guns. I just returned from a trip to Namibia. Getting the gun permit was very easy. I downloaded the form ahead of time and filled it out and handed it to the Namibia officials. They checked the serial #'s on the form and my guns and I was on my way with the permit.

Leaving was easy but a bit more complicated. First you have to check in your luggage and get luggage tags. Then you take your gun and bag, (if it has ammo inside) to the gun office where they again just check the serial numbers. Then it's off to another office where they stamp your luggage tags and then back to the counter to check your gun and bag. MY PH was with me for the trip around the airport and everything went smoothly.

No hassles like the SAPS folks in RSA and nobody tried to hit me up for a bribe. I was pleasantly surprised. I took the early morning flight out of JFK and checked my guns/bag through to Namibia so I avoided the SAPS folks in Joberg.

Most countries are relatively easy - Namibia, RSA, Zim, Ethiopia, Turkey, Canada. Others are a nightmare - CAR, Cameroon. Zambia is expensive buy relatively hassle free.

I prefer to use the PH's guns if they have the quality. I have done that a few times without issue.

quote:

Originally posted by d.unger:
Have all your paper work in order and it's a breeze. The extra time it takes to have someone at customs check serial numbers to paperwork is negligible.

I really don't see it as a headache. I can understand how for a first time it might add some stress, but once you're in camp with your own rifles it won't seem like a big deal. And then you'll be glad you have them. If you're not confident in clearing them yourself have a reputable company do it for you.

Half the fun of a hunt is the anticipation, and for me personally testing loads, practicing with my guns is a big part of that. I love the fact that I can go into my gun case and pick up my double I killed an elephant with or one of my buffalo rifles and remember a hunt I had with it. I think a lot of folks here are nostalgic that way.

x2!