With the nonstop Delta flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg, how early is the flight at Tambo? In 2008 we did the old flight that stopped in Dakar and arrived too late to travel to Limpopo until the next morning and overnighted at Afton which was great. We just didn't know if the new flight would get us there early enough to travel the same day.
Thanks for the information!

Nope. Actually gets there later, though the overall duration is shorter.

However, I like the 15+ hour direct flight.

Gets in O R Tambo around 1700.

Yes the flight does not get into Joberg until around 5pm but not making that refueling stop and being deloused is worth it.

I've done that flight 3 times over the past year or so and I have to say it is far better than the one that has the stop mid-way. It allows for a shorter flight but not being woken up in the middle of the flight is great. Unfortunately it gets in a 5 PM and does not allow for many connecting flights.

Agreed!

I have done it the last 2 years. I was able to fly on to Harare the same day without problem.

Larry, I'm mighty glad to hear that..this thread had me worried. Am booked on this flight on to HRE in May and had planned to transfer straight on thru. Thanks. Mr. Spots awaits.

Both years, if I remember correctly we made it in plenty of time. I think I had about 2 hours layover in Johannesburg. It is a relatively short flight to Harare, about an hour and a half I think.

The problems is that one has travelled a long time by the time that they make it. At that point, one has to deal with getting bags, a visa and gun permits. They move at a slow pace over there. By the time one is done with all of this, it will be late. Regardless, it beats the heck out of spending the night in Johannesburg.

Thank yall for the input, 15 hours sounds better than the previous "sentence", I mean flight!
thanks

Have done this twice straight on to Harare that evening. Both times I was missing my guns, and last August all of my group had no guns, and one guy no clothes. I am going to overnight in Jburg from now on, put my hands on my guns that night and recheck the next day. I think the baggage handling between Delta and SAA is a mess and that is where problems arise...

Overnighting in Jburg is a safe way to receive your luggage at final destination but certainly no guarantee.

Yep Adam...I figure there are no guarantees flying...my bags just going to SCI Reno were lost for a day and a half...no excuse for that!

I'm making that flight in August, and then to Harare. I'll overnight in Harare and will have the charter to camp scheduled for mid afternoon. That should give my bags some time to catch up if there's a problem.

We took that flight in August and decided to stay overnight in JoBurg before heading down to East London. We could have made the trip to East London on the last flight of the evening but chose to spend the night in JoBurg. Something about depending upon the last flight of the day is not my cup of tea. At least if you miss a flight early in the day, you have all day long to get there. Miss the last one at night, and well ....

Opus...I wish you luck. Both times it has taken my bags 2 extra days to get to Harare. I have always overnighted there, been told to wait on the noon flight from Joburg, still no bags, so we took off to camp with bags arriving 2-3 days late...I know lots of folks have done it with no problems...but of 4 flights for me and my friends, we are 100% on missing one or both bags...

Works for the connector to Lusaka as well....at least it did.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
DSC

I am making the flight in May and plan to overnight in Johannesburg on the way over. As Tim said, it is a chance to handle the bags and get them lined out for the next flight.Steve with Travels with Guns tells me it will increase my chances of getting there with all my bags exponentially. And if they do not make it all the way at least you know where to begin looking for them.

eyedoc....PM sent

I made the Delta flight from Atlanta to Joberg on 3 Oct and came back on 27 Oct. Steve Turner at Travels With Guns handled the bookings, as I connected with the SAA flight to Durban, and after a week went to PE from Durban on SAA, then from PE back to Joberg, again on SAA. The Delta flight home was the last leg.

Thanks to Steve Turner, and to Air 2000 for their meet and greet in Joberg, the whole thing went seamlessly. They will get my business again next time over.

I'll second those comments about Steve, he did a great job and most importantly he answered promptly everytime I called or emailed him. He recommended Africa Sky Guest House in Joburg and that turned out to be a treat. After 18 hours flying, all a person wants is a good meal and a place to get horizontal(unless of course you were flying business). Don't forget the Bulawayo Club if going that direction!!!

My son are making this flight in October. Short layover in JB then on to Harare the same evening. I am anxious to see how everones trip goes.

Hartley,

Have your firearms always arrived with you when you make that connection. Gracy advises me to overnight in JNB to make sure I have guns on the flight to HRE the next day.

What scares me is than on my three preivious trips over I have not had any problem with my guns. 1st time it was Atlanta, JoBerg. a 3 hour of so lay over then on to Bulawayo. The next two times it was Atlanta , Joberg and overnight at the Afton.

I might see if it is possible to change my flight from Joberg to Harare. and overnight in Joberg and then fly to Harare the next morning.

I wonder if any of the services that help you with yout firearms permit in Joberg can help expite your fireamrs from Jober to Harare.