All, have you ever been anywhere with lighting as dim as in the Harare Airport? I'm serious, I could barely see my rifle serial numbers, TSA lock combinations, or my paperwork. It was like the opening scene in the movie 'Joe versus the Volcano'.

Also FYI, after I was finished with Customs inspection of the rifles and ammunition and after locking everything back up, I was detained by a police detective and three other policemen (none in uniform) in the hallway next to Customs. I had to open everything back up and go through the entire process again, and also got the third degree about where I was hunting, what I was hunting, had I ever been to Zimbabwe before, and what safari company etc. etc.

Now here in the States if some guy said his name was 'Detective So-and-So' my first comment would be "Okay, how about I see your Detective So-and-So identification and badge." In Harare, I just said "Yes sir."

Shake down

I expected to be asked for an 'airport tax' or 'import tax' or some such thing but no such thing happened. This guy was a legit detective according to the Customs guy.

It is a shame you were treated like this. There certainly was no call for it. One of the comforting things for me booking with Save Safaris is that Mike Payne always meets me in the baggage area of the dimly lit Harare airport. Mike speaks Shona fluently, and the the folks at the airport seem to know they cannot put anything over on him. I have never had a problem of any kind in 7 trips to Zimbabwe.

Admiral, apparently the rules were (maybe temporarily) changed and the pilots or PHs could not come into the baggage area to help with immigration, baggage, or customs. My charter pilot said the rule started around July 1st. He was right outside waiting in the lobby. At least I've been to the Harare Airport before so I basically knew what to do.

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Admiral, apparently the rules were (maybe temporarily) changed and the pilots or PHs could not come into the baggage area to help with immigration, baggage, or customs. My charter pilot said the rule started around July 1st. He was right outside waiting in the lobby. At least I've been to the Harare Airport before so I basically knew what to do.

Same thing last week. No pilots or PH's allowed. They had to wait just outside the door after your guns were cleared.

Harare airport is my favorite airport.When I am there I get this good feeling-thinking about good times I had hunting etc...It is as if I landed in dream land or some feeling like that-maybe not always but...

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Lozano:

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Admiral, apparently the rules were (maybe temporarily) changed and the pilots or PHs could not come into the baggage area to help with immigration, baggage, or customs. My charter pilot said the rule started around July 1st. He was right outside waiting in the lobby. At least I've been to the Harare Airport before so I basically knew what to do.

Same thing last week. No pilots or PH's allowed. They had to wait just outside the door after your guns were cleared.

I was not aware of the rule change. I hunted in May this year, and things were same as usual. That said, a little biltong or guru still goes a long way!

Let your Safari operator know of this harassment.
It is a deterence for people coming into Zim to hunt.
The fact you had cleared Customs and had the firearm permit smells as if they were after a bribe. But being in Zim you are better off going with a more conciliatory tone with these guys as you did.

As to the rules re entry into the arrival baggage/ claim area, i was there in First week of June. PH's weren't allowed in ,but charter pilot for the other group was there??? go figure??

Nick

When I flew in on the 6th of July, it was the same, no pilots or PHs allowed in the gun clearing customs area.
I keeps getting harder and harder to keep up with the changes....

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Harare airport is my favorite airport.When I am there I get this good feeling-thinking about good times I had hunting etc...It is as if I landed in dream land or some feeling like that-maybe not always but...

George, I will agree with you on arrival to the Harare Airport, that is a good thing. But departure day from Africa is always a sad day.

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
Harare airport is my favorite airport.When I am there I get this good feeling-thinking about good times I had hunting etc...It is as if I landed in dream land or some feeling like that-maybe not always but...

George, I will agree with you on arrival to the Harare Airport, that is a good thing. But departure day from Africa is always a sad day.

Depends on how the hunt went.

We were in the que for visas one evening when the power went out.

Black as the inside of a whale. Surrounded by folks you don't know. No idea how long we would be in the dark. Can't move without bumping into others. No place to "go" to wait it out. Not scary - but one of the few times when I truly thought "what now?"

Luckily it was only about 10 minutes - but Lord what a long 10 minutes!

quote:

Originally posted by pagosawingnut:
When I flew in on the 6th of July, it was the same, no pilots or PHs allowed in the gun clearing customs area.
I keeps getting harder and harder to keep up with the changes....

That is the way it was for me in Vic Falls in May.

Yikes. I will remember to have my flashlight in my carry-on next time I am in Zimbabwe.

Just arrived home early this AM leaving Harare on Sunday.lights were so dim at 2 PM I needed a headlight to read.Also no towels in men's room. Like most other governmental agencies,the airport suffers from poor funding and disinterest.The workers are all nice and helpful and what other airport gift shop(s) have soapstone of wooden carvings for $4 ? Still,you have got to love .....but cry for,Zimbabwe.

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Yikes. I will remember to have my flashlight in my carry-on next time I am in Zimbabwe.

WOW I am glad I read this thread. I would have never put a flashlight in my carry on. I arrive there in two months at 9:30 pm. Thanks for the heads up.

quote:

Originally posted by Slider:

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
Yikes. I will remember to have my flashlight in my carry-on next time I am in Zimbabwe.

WOW I am glad I read this thread. I would have never put a flashlight in my carry on. I arrive there in two months at 9:30 pm. Thanks for the heads up.

I havent traveled anywhere with out a flashlight handy for years---just sayin

I have a flashlight app in my Phone but it runs the battery down.