To The Seasoned Hunters That Have Been To Zim Lately

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This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8121043/m/6851030082

24 December 2024, 01:27

RAR60

To The Seasoned Hunters That Have Been To Zim Lately

I have been to Africa lately but not to Zim for quite a while. When I went you could connect in Joburg same day and go on to Harare w/out messing with SAPS and having to stay overnight. I understand no more. My question, even though you have to stay overnight and do SAPS in Joburg is there a better way to get to Harare efficiently with less paperwork? I will be traveling with firearms. Thanks in advance.

24 December 2024, 01:48

llamapacker

I transited Jo'Berg on my way to Harare in November. I did have to spend the night and do SAPS paperwork for my guns. I stayed in the City Lodge hotel (decent) and used Bruce from Gracy Travel to do the firearms paperwork.
It was seamless and quite smooth, allowing a bit of an overnight rest before finishing the trip to Zim.
I think you can still avoid this with some of the flights through Europe (which can have their own issues), but I was flying Delta and there really weren't many other options.
Bill+

24 December 2024, 01:58

30.06king

If you can book on Emirates you can arrive in Harare without transiting through Joburg. The flights I went on went Dubai / Lusaka - Zambia ( short stop, you stay on the plane ) / Harare. Emirates needs to issue prior approval for firearms carriage but it's a straightforward online process. If you transit only in Dubai you don't touch your firearm. Dubai Police deliver it for loading onto the next flight. They have never failed me. If you overnight in Dubai I believe Dubai Police keep your firearm secure before delivering for onwards flights.
The system is effective and reliable in my experience and Emirates is a very good airline.

24 December 2024, 05:50

K Evans

quote:
Originally posted by 30.06king:
If you can book on Emirates you can arrive in Harare without transiting through Joburg. The flights I went on went Dubai / Lusaka - Zambia ( short stop, you stay on the plane ) / Harare. Emirates needs to issue prior approval for firearms carriage but it's a straightforward online process. If you transit only in Dubai you don't touch your firearm. Dubai Police deliver it for loading onto the next flight. They have never failed me. If you overnight in Dubai I believe Dubai Police keep your firearm secure before delivering for onwards flights.
The system is effective and reliable in my experience and Emirates is a very good airline.

This…

24 December 2024, 17:15

bwanajay

quote:
Fly Emirates

24 December 2024, 21:19

RAR60

Thanks for the feedback!

24 December 2024, 21:46

Hannay

The other (similar) option to Emirates is Qatar Airways. You stop in Doha, then the Doha-Harare flight makes a short stop in Lusaka. I've flown QA three times in the last three years, to Harare (twice) and Cape Town (once). When traveling without firearms, we stopped for an extra day in Doha, and enjoyed that. There was no problem when transiting with firearms.

Though...I should mention the first time, I flew American Airlines on the first leg and they wouldn't load my rifles. Full story here:
https://forums.accuratereloadi...8121043/m/6741052172

But other than the AA problem, I've had good experiences flying QA.

27 December 2024, 20:22

Michael Robinson

Yes, I could not agree more.

The best way to deal with OR Tambo/Jo'berg is to avoid it entirely!

Transiting Lusaka on Emirates, you don't even have to leave the airplane.

02 January 2025, 20:50

RAR60

Another question Gents. How about the 4457 situation flying through Dubai on Emirates general firearm transport to Harare? My 4457's will be a year old in May.
Also, what to do on the long layover in Dubai?
Thanks

02 January 2025, 23:52

K Evans

I know the 4457’s don’t expire but it’s too easy to get a new one to take a chance on some minor official ruining my trip, so I get new 4457’s.
Things to do…
Burj Khalifa (need to book few weeks ahead)
Dubai Mall
Textile Souk
Water Taxi’s

03 January 2025, 10:50

Saeed

quote:
Originally posted by K Evans:
I know the 4457’s don’t expire but it’s too easy to get a new one to take a chance on some minor official ruining my trip, so I get new 4457’s.
Things to do…
Burj Khalifa (need to book few weeks ahead)
Dubai Mall
Textile Souk
Water Taxi’s

To do all these he needs to have several days layover!

03 January 2025, 17:33

RAR60

I hear you about the 4457's. I used to live about eight miles from where I could do it. I now live 2.5 hours each way(all day affair) and it's hard to get the guy because he's a one man band. Like said, I don't want someone causing a problem.