I am leaving for Harare on Sunday. I have done the South Africa trip several times, but never connected through Jo'berg to another country. I am not overnighting, just have a 2 hr layover. What is the process?

What is different than the typical baggage/customs process.

I assume there is not a baggage/rifle collection process (assuming my bags are checked all the way to Harare).

I welcome any and all suggestions/recommendations.

Theoretically, you don't need to do anything other than change planes, and your luggage shows up in Harare with you.

My personal experience based on doing the exact same thing once, is that there is a 33 1/3 % chance of that occurring.

Our other two bags got there on Air Botswana the next day, forcing us to RON in Harare and costing us a hunting day....

The above has been almost my experience, albeit, I'm batting 50%. I've had no trouble retrieveing the bags at Harare the next day, however. If possible, I now stay a day at the Afton house to avoid the angst.

Tambo is pretty good in giving the traveler sufficient signange to navigate to the concourse where the flight to Harare leaves. Of course, you stay in the international concourse and will have a good hike to the waiting area where you will take a bus to the A/C.

If you don't have a visa for Zimbabwe, make sure you get in the proper line in Zimbabwe and have the proper U.S. bills to buy it. I've seen folks hurry to the customs kiosk, only to have to then go to the lady selling visas.. That can cost you 30 minutes, easy. Have a couple of black ball point pens to fill out the permits/visa. I always leave the pen with the custom folks and they gladly take them.

Someone else can tell you the visa fee and other fees (all payable in U.S. dollars). I've forgotten.

Many thanks for the info. I am overnighting in Harare at the Harrison House. Hopefully we will get to leave on time without waiting for bags. I am an ultralight packer, so only my rifles and ammo are at risk. As if that is not important....
Thanks again for the tips and info.

I've done this route numerous times, including March and last August. Check your bags thru to Harare, and as was stated in Joburg just change planes. The updated terminal in Joburg is well marked, when you land just look for the "connecting flights" arrow and follow it to the desk where you need to check-in with SAA. Keep your luggage tags handy...I forget where exactly but somewhere along the line for the first time we were asked to produce these.

2hrs is not a lot of time, but hopefully your bags will make the transfer. Sometimes you can check at the SAA desk before boarding and they can tell you if the luggage has been loaded, in March they said they did not have that capability w/their terminals so perhaps this is not possible any longer. Ditto in Dullles assuming you are connecting...I think this is where a lot of the problems come from.

Knock on wood, I am running 100% w/my bags on 12 trips to Africa…so it can happen. In any case, pack ALL that you absolutely need in your carry-on, and if the suitcases arrive all the better! You can always lighten it up for the way back.

Good luck, and have fun!

PS - Tell Shirley Bill said hi!

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:The updated terminal in Joburg is well marked, when you land just look for the "connecting flights" arrow and follow it to the desk where you need to check-in with SAA. Keep your luggage tags handy...I forget where exactly but somewhere along the line for the first time we were asked to produce these.

Exactly - I was passing through in Oct. 06 and April 09 - in 06 had only 1hr connection and rifle showed up in Hre, bag was on next SAA flight in the evening. This year I had 2hrs connection and all went well - I have filled in a F.R.20 at home and made 3 copies - guy at the desk in Hre was delighted. You can get a copy here - just leave the date and signature place empty.

P.S. Firearm may not turn up with regular baggage (don't panic - yet), but will be delivered to you personaly at the end of baggage claim by a porter - in my case he apeared with 5 firearms for all the hunters on the flight.

As has been said above all you need do is deplane at jborg, go to the transit gates, check in with SAA, go through customs and then go to the departure lounge. On all our past trips to harare we have had time to go to the premier lounge, shower, shave before boarding the harare flight. Just be certain all your checked baggage is checked all the way to harare

I made this exact flight a few weeks ago. Just checked by bags through to Harare at Dulles and everything went fine. Bags and guns arrived with me at Harare. Same thing on the return flight. SAA in Joberg was able to confirm that my bags made the connection - just be sure to ask.

Many thanks for all the info. Is the Harare flight still downstairs where there are 4-5 gates all together? This is where my Moz flight departed last year. I think we had to ride a little bus out to the plane....

quote:

Originally posted by STGS:
Many thanks for all the info. Is the Harare flight still downstairs where there are 4-5 gates all together? This is where my Moz flight departed last year. I think we had to ride a little bus out to the plane....

That is where the connections were the last two years I made the connection to Harare. You walked down a long hall (with the biltong stand ) then took a long escalator down to a ground level where there were multiple gates where they would bus you to the plane for loading.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:


That is where the connections were the last two years I made the connection to Harare. You walked down a long hall (with the biltong stand ) then took a long escalator down to a ground level where there were multiple gates where they would bus you to the plane for loading.

Ah yes the biltong stand. Last year I think there was a cell phone and "gangsta" accessories stand near by as well. Always gotta get my bling.

Thanks again guys for the assistance. A full report will ensue upon my return.