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| One of Us |
Hi Everyone, My buddy and I have a hunt w Muchinga Safaris this September 2018 and are starting to look at our best flight options. I think Gracy will be handling the bookings but I wanted to see if others who may have made this transit had suggestions or dos and don'ts. Thanks in advance, Sam | ||
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| One of Us |
I just hunted with Muchinga this past Aug...Everything will be fine, but don't count on SAA to be on time or even close. I would overnight in Joberg on the way in and stay at the City Lodge. On the way out make sure you have plenty of time to make your connection in JNB...I almost missed my Delta flight back to Atlanta because SAA was 4 hours late leaving Lusaka. I thought a 5 hour connection would have been plenty. When I got to Lusaka they wanted Kwacha (Zambian currency) to pay for the ammo tax...I only had US cash. So I had to leave the secure area and try to get back in to get my guns...be prepared for either way. The hunt was great!..but traveling in Africa makes my head hurt....I don't have the patients for their chronic incompetence. | |||
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| one of us |
I've traveled BA to Jo'burg, overnight and SAA to Lusaka; but the last 2 years I've flown Emirates via Dubai to Lusaka and what a difference! I would not use the others as long as Emirates was a viable option from your departure point. Plus the cost was better! If you decide on the Emirates route, you should book fairly soon. One year I waited and Business class was double of what it was last year for the same flights when I booked before Xmas for August safari. I know Gracy's is a big fan of BA, but the ease of gun handling is so much better with Emirates. You'll have a fantastic time with Muchinga! Best regards, D. Nelson | |||
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| One of Us |
Emirates is the best out there right now. I agree with Darin. My wife won't go back unless we go on Emirates. | |||
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| One of Us |
I agree with the above...use Emirates if you have the choice. I had to go with Delta/SAA due to the dates I picked. I should have made sure the dates would line up with the Emirates schedule..next time I won't make that mistake. | |||
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| One of Us |
I am going with my buddy 163bc and want the smoothest and best travel naturally, The big concern I have with Emirates is the fact that they are subsidized by UAE and therefore are able to undercut the U.S. airlines and consequently cost Americans jobs. In the era of “America First” How can one morally justify supporting a foreign airline from a region that wants to destroy our way of life? | |||
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One of Us |
That’s all well and good but since Delta only gets you to Joburg and SAA is also subsidized by the Marxist SA government, how are you getting to Lusaka??? But by all means though, carry on..... Vote Trump- Putin’s best friend… To quote a former AND CURRENT Trumpiteer - DUMP TRUMP | |||
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| Administrator |
What a load of bullshit! You mean the US government bailing out the American airlines because of their incompetence does not matter?? And the UAE buying billions of goods and services from America does not matter?? Are you going to stick picky politics in everything we do? I fly on ANY airline that provides ME with the best service and schedule. I could not careless about what country they are from. I fly very often, and fly several airlines besides Emirates, although they are my first choice. | |||
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One of Us |
+1  for Emirates. Oh, and don't forget how many U.S. citizens are employed by Emirates in each city they serve in the USA!Some folks should never leave home.  Mike ______________ DSC DRSS (again) SCI Life NRA Life Sables Life Mzuri IPHA "To be a Marine is enough." | |||
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| One of Us |
I have flown to Africa for safari on average once per year for more than 20 years. I have flown on virtually every U.S. and international airlines during that time. Emirates is hands down the best at present. I have flown Emirates almost exclusively since 2011. The only time I have deviated is when Emirates did not provide service (Cameroon). I will be on Emirates again this May. AND, if you fly Emirates to Lusaka you can totally avoid JNB, the armpit of African airports! Mike ______________ DSC DRSS (again) SCI Life NRA Life Sables Life Mzuri IPHA "To be a Marine is enough." | |||
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| One of Us |
For sure Emirates is the easiest way to get to Lusaka. They run on time and have a user friendly firearms transport policy. The daily flight from Dubai to Lusaka arrives around 2.30 p.m. Proflight Zambia fly several times a day to Mfuwe. I believe their last flight out of Lusaka is currently around 4.00 p.m. This can be a problem but it’s not unmanageable. Immigration processes at Lusaka are notoriously slow and cumbersome - due largely to the manual process of buy at the gate visas. You will need $50 US cash for one of these. Until the new airport opens it’s something we all have to live with. If you’re bringing your own firearms and ammo then you need to pay ammo tax and complete paperwork with police and customs inside the baggage lounge. Your outfitter should have a facilitator waiting for you in the luggage area who will walk you thru this . Depending on who else is in the queue, this could also slow you down. I’ve seen people who have tight connecting flights actually get processed thru the “diplomatic passport” gate as the authorities are not unsympathetic to the impact the long slow queues can have. But, realistically, if you’re travelling with guns etc then I personally would favour staying a night in Lusaka and chilling before the onward journey. Proflight have several a.m. flights to Mfuwe. A recent re entrant to the domestic flight scene is Mahogany Air - get your agent to check them out - sorry I don’t have their schedule at hand. Any amount of charter flights are available but some operators may not want to leave departing Lusaka too late in the p.m. if they want the plane back that night. PM me if you want some charter operators or a contact for good clean hunter friendly accomodation very close to the airport. | |||
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| One of Us |
I have been flying Delta all over the U.S. and Africa with guns and dogs for over 30 years with only 1 small problem. I have found Delta to be efficient, with friendly staff and good food for the most part. I never said I WOULDNT fly Emirates and will use whichever airline makes the most sense for my next trip. With all things being equal I do try to favor American businesses and jobs. Saeed, you are correct in that Emirates buys Boeings and employs many Americans directly and indirectly. The vitriol was unnecessary and I wasn't necessarily injecting politics into it. https://www.forbes.com/sites/r...o-what/#1db2f44c1f5f | |||
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| One of Us |
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I flew Delta/Air France from Atlanta to Paris to JNB to Lusaka. Flight was booked through Steve Turner with TWG. The good: Was able to take the train in to Paris and have lunch on the way to Lusaka. Air France flys the big AirBus from Paris to Lusaka, you do NOT have to overnight in Joberg, you can check bags all the way through to Lusaka, the economy plus on AF is very nice and the food was actually decent, good connections on the return trip. The bad: Long layover in Paris on the flight over, have to fly through Joberg. | |||
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| One of Us |
Good info there. Thanks | |||
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| One of Us |
Are you guys planning on flying from Lusaka to Mfuwe and then drive to camp? | |||
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| Administrator |
Doesn’t whoever you are hunting with arranges and pays for the rifles and ammo import?? | |||
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| One of Us |
They arrange the rifle permit but you have to pay the Zambian ammo tax once you arrive....which can vary form less than $100 to $300 depending on who's on shift...  It's Africa....it makes no sense!  I had 4 boxes of .416 rounds...the lady in uniform looked at her clipboard, which I can assure you had no relevant information on it, and said that I owed around $180 USD. I asked are you sure? in a condescending voice....she looked back at her clipboard and said "yes"  She never asked what caliber of ammo..only how many rounds. | |||
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| Administrator |
Why can’t the outfitter pay this, as they do in Tanzania? Number of rifles and number of ammo is on the import permit, and they pay it in advance. So no delays as you arrive. | |||
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| One of Us |
I believe the answer to your question is..because the ammo tax price is "unknown" until the person in charge that day decides what you're going to pay! They seem to prefer it that way... | |||
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| One of Us |
I am pretty sure that is correct. | |||
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| One of Us |
Yes that’s logical but !!! Authorities here need to visually verify the serial numbers of all firearms and number of rounds. They do ask for a $ value of the ammunition so keep it realistically low. Reloading is not allowed in Zambia so no use telling them your rounds only cost you the powder and the pill. | |||
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| One of Us |
I would recommend chartering from Lusaka to camp...I believe it's a 6 hour drive from Mfuwe to Chifunda camp and not on the best of roads...your tailbone will thank you. just my ¢2 | |||
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| One of Us |
i have heard that from others as well. any suggestions on charter operators?? | |||
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| One of Us |
Without finding my paperwork I really don’t remeber the name of the charter company...Laura set it up for me. I was just quoted a price and agreed to it. Whomever she uses was professional and had good equipment. He got me there in one piece and not having to get on another commercial flight +drive to camp was worth it IMO. One thing I can say is Laura will take good care of you and more importantly if there are any hiccups she will make it right... that is gold in my book. | |||
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| One of Us |
Thanks that's good info. I really don't mind a drive but after 2 long days of travel a grind drive is no fun. I've been on a few "drives"in Africa and hear tales of others which causes me to view them w caution | |||
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| One of Us |
There are a number of charter flight operators that can help you. Contact Edmund Farmer at skytrailszambia.com for any help on this . Ed runs a good outfit and has a lot of experience. Other options are Staravia and Royal. Both are on the www. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Travel Forum Travel Suggestions to Lusaka Zambia then Mfuwe
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