Arriving on the late United flight from the States. I have to overnight in Joburg. I normally stay at Africa Skies but with the covid testing, etc I am looking at possibly staying at the airport. My guy in Zim says if we stay "in transit" at a hotel at the airport then we will be able to land in Harare even though my covid test will be over 48 hours old. (Testing on Tuesday evening in States and arriving in Joburg on Thursday at 5:30).
I've received so many mixed messages on entry into Zim after having to overnight in Joburg not sure what to believe. Anyone who has done it recently please advise what you had to do. I have heard City Lodge is good from one person and horrible from another??? Again, this is for entry into Zim.
Thanks

We went DFW to Harare mid March, we purposefully booked flights that didn’t require an overnight in Joburg or even leaving the secured area of OR Tambo, just because of the Covid test requirements. I can’t tell you what might happen when you are arrive, but I can tell you that those passengers on our SAairlink connecting flight who had overnighted in Joburg were refused boarding with out a new Vovid test. My wife’s Covid test was about 2 hours beyond the requirement but they allowed her to board due to being “in transit” and not leaving the secured area. I’m pretty sure leaving the secured area will cancel any in transit status. Same thing on arrival in Harare. When we have to overnight in Joburg we stay at City lodge, always been good for us, decent restaurant, better restaurant next door and lots of dining options in the airport.

City Lodge right across the street from reception at ORT. Simple and very nice.

Mark

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Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
City Lodge right across the street from reception at ORT. Simple and very nice.

Mark

What Mark said.

I have overnighted at Citylodge twice. It is convenient, comfortable and has a good restaurant.

Another vote for City Lodge.

Used to say at African Sky but now stay at City Lodge.. Cheaper, more convenient, and very nice. Half the price of the Intercontinental Hotel, also at the airport.

I would not leave the secure area right now as Covid has surged in SA and they may change the rules at any time. They just did in fact. US Govt might change their minds as well .. insecure people do strange things.

Personally, you won't see me on a plane as long as they insist on the asinine mask thing.

Another vote for City Lodge, stayed there twice and both times it was very nice.

City Lodge

The Covid testing is making timing difficult. How do I stay "in transit" unless I leave my rifle with the baggage smashers? Does staying at City Lodge solve the "in transit" issue? It looks as though I might need to stay two nights instead of only one at Africa Sky just to get a new covid test before my Air Link connection the next day. It is getting so complicated that it is pouring cold water on my desire to go this year at all.

You are going to need another COVID test if you clear customs. You likely won’t make it past check in the next morning. So many people on the United flight the test centers there had issues when the family came through and their charter out was delayed. There is a transit hotel. See if you can check everything straight through and stay there. If not Zim is looking at dates on the COVID as are the airlines.

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It is getting so complicated that it is pouring cold water on my desire to go this year at all.

That is exactly how I feel as well. I'm skipping any trips to Africa for the second year in a row. The long flights, over 30 hours of travel time, and Covid testing requirements have kept me at home.

quote:

Originally posted by conditionone45:
The Covid testing is making timing difficult. How do I stay "in transit" unless I leave my rifle with the baggage smashers? Does staying at City Lodge solve the "in transit" issue? It looks as though I might need to stay two nights instead of only one at Africa Sky just to get a new covid test before my Air Link connection the next day. It is getting so complicated that it is pouring cold water on my desire to go this year at all.

I think others have said you can’t stay “in transit” if you leave the secured area, no idea where you are flying out of or what your final destination might be, but if you are headed to Zim, there are flights from a number of US cities that get you there within the Covid test “window”. We did it in March from DFW. I had my Covid test the morning we left and had no problems. I personally saw passengers turned away at the boarding gate for expired tests and also saw others denied boarding passes at the in transit ticketing counter for the same (and other) reasons, such as non PCR test and obvious forgeries (but both worked on some airline to get them to the in transit counter). To me, checking baggage, including firearms, all the way to destination is by far the best option. As to the baggage handler holding the firearms, there was one individual who took procession of the firearms off of our flight, or should more correctly say firearm as mine was the only gun case. He had the gun case on a trolley and came and had me sign a form saying the gun case belonged to me. He said he would put it on the plane and he did, it was the very first item to come off of the plane in Harare.
We plan on following the same procedure in September on our way to Moz, assuming things regarding firearms transfer will be sorted and one will be allowed to take a firearm from SA to Moz.

I am not sure if the Protea Transit Hotel is currently open, but if you stay there you are still in transit. If you stay at City Lodge or Intercontinental you are no longer in transit.

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Protea Transit Hotel

Turn a long layover into a refreshing experience.

Turn a long layover into a refreshing experience at the convenient Protea Hotel Transit O.R. Tambo Airport where day use and overnight rooms offer an ideal reprieve between flights for weary international travelers. Enjoy the convenience of not having to collect your luggage upon arrival, check in and relax while in transit at Protea Hotel Transit O.R. Tambo Airport. Please note that the hotel is not suitable for domestic passengers or guests, as it is situated inside the international terminal at the O.R. Tambo International Airport. Guests must not clear customs or immigration, and should follow the signs towards International Transfers. Guests will need their boarding pass or e-ticket upon check in. A visa is not required and may only bring in hand luggage. 12-24 hour stays are bookable online. For quick stopovers that are less than 12 hours can be booked directly through the hotel.

The Protea Hotel Transit OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, does not feature dining facilities. But due to its location, it is situated in close walking distance to the airport's duty-free area, where guests find many shops and restaurants.

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Originally posted by Labman:

quote:

It is getting so complicated that it is pouring cold water on my desire to go this year at all.

That is exactly how I feel as well. I'm skipping any trips to Africa for the second year in a row. The long flights, over 30 hours of travel time, and Covid testing requirements have kept me at home.

Qatar Airways may make a difference and is flying into Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Protea seems to be the only choice if you want to stay in Transit but I plugged in a couple of dates and nothing came up. I assume then that they are not open yet. Rating was not real high for them either.

Mark