Okay, here is my question: What is the best direct flight into Joberg? and with whom? the reason I ask, because I have seen alot of threads, on carrying firearms, ammo etc. thru connecting flights in London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt etc, and having additional paperwork and and stuff. When I went to S. Africa last month I flew from Dallas to Dulles to Joberg, I never had to touch my firearms once I checked them in at DFW until I got to Joberg, despite the United Airlines to SAA (I guess because they are affiliated) But why do I see many hunters going thru these other countries(connections) when you can go direct to Joberg from Dulles and Atlanta? Is this to save costs or to break up the LONG Flight? It was a 14 hour flight from Dulles but it wasn't bad and no hassle with firearms changing planes or carriers in different countries. Believe me, when I go back I'm doing this same route again. Or is it your travel agents doing this to save costs? Please enlighten me, I've only done Africa once, but I'm doing it again next year, and if theres something I'm missing, let me know....Chuck

If Johannesburg is your airport of final destination, then the direct flights offered by SAA and Delta are the best choices. If Windhoek is your final destination, then the route through Europe is superior to going through JNB for a number of reasons that have been discussed elsewhere.

JNB is the hub for Southern Africa, so many of the hunting destinations in other countries of southern Africa can be (or must be) accessed through there. Because JNB is not a particularly traveler-friendly place to make airline connections, if your destination is some other country and direct flights are available to that country from Europe, then by all means go through Europe and avoid JNB.

StoneCreek, I have not been a member of this forum that long, so if it was discussed before I wasn't aware of it. I joined shortly before I left for my safari in April, just to gather info. and experience from others so I would not be lost or dumbfounded once I got in country.

I had met other hunters while I was there, and they were asking me how did I get a direct flight, I said I don't know, I just went with whoever was cheapest online. I also didn't know JNB was not traveler friendly for connecting flights either...but now I know.

From anywhere to Paris, France, then Air France non-stop to Joberg. Air France is Skyteam so you can use your Delta or other miles as well. CDG is an easy airport for transiting hunting rifles, probably the airport with the least reports of people having problems.

I would recommend SAA over Delta. I have taken SAA three times over and it is not too bad and I have allways gotten good service on flight. I have done the Delta flight over but my experience with Delta is that they nickel and dime you to death. With Delta you want someting to eat that's extra, something to drink that's extra, watch a movie that's extra and they charge for the head phones as well. Last year went I went to Africa, it was cheaper for me to fly up to Dulles and then to Joberg on SAA than it was to take Delta and I live in Atlanta.

AKsheep: As I said, if you are hunting S.A., then by all means you should take the flights that go directly (more or less) from the U.S. to JNB. Some of them stop in Dakar, Senegal for refueling, but after an hour or so continue to JNB. The only reason you would want to go through Europe to JNB would be for the purpose of making Europe a tour destination, also.

However, it is particularly disadvantageous to go to Windhoek (Namibia) through JNB. The problem is that the flights from the U.S. arrive AFTER the last flight of the day leaves for WDH. This requires you to overnight in Johannesburg (expensive) and to arrange for your guns to be held or imported to S.A. temporarily, which may be inconventient, costly, and not always successful (you can find a plethora of stories of hunters who went through JNB and did not have firearms or baggage when arriving in WDH or other destination.) Conversely, baggage can be checked all the way through on most airlines when you travel to either London or Frankfurt to connect with Air Namibia to WDH. The layover in Europe is all day, but there is no overnight expense and you have no issues with your guns because they are checked all the way through to your final destination. There are obviously instances where all of a traveler's baggage didn't make it when he did on this route, but the percentage success rate is much better than through JNB.

Does this all make sense?

Now, with that said, it is clear why airlines operate so inefficiently. Instead of going direct to JNB from ATL, Dulles, or wherever, airlines could fly FIRST to WDH. It is two hours closer than JNB and thus negates fuel and weight problems in making the long trans-altantic jump (and negates the need to stop in Dakar). WDH passengers would get there many hours sooner, and JNB passengers would get there just as quickly as they do when the plane stops in Dakar. WDH practically never has an IFR day, thus fuel reserves are reduced for the airlines and cargo capacity is increased. Of course, all of this makes too much sense for airline executives, who are too busy figuring out the newest charge for a cup of ice, a checked bag, or a headset.

I have done Joberg on SAA 4 times. Twice out of JFK and twice out of Dulles. Direct out of Dulles to me has always been the least hassle. Plenty of lines to get through security, nice international terminal, direct flight over and I have been fortunate that all of our luggage and guns arrived and that was with groups of 3-8 people. Never a problem getting through customs on return. Just my two cents worth. As far as price if you travel during high shoulder season you will be the highest price.