I did it to Harare in 2015 - checked all the way thru.. No issues in JNB, they held my bags and gun. I even missed my flight to HRE and had to overnite at Afton. No issues.. everything showed up in Harare..
I agree - looking for a good flight to ZIM for this fall myself.. not a lot of good options right now...
"At least once every human being should have to run for his life - to teach him that milk does not come from the supermarket, that safety does not come from policemen, and that news is not something that happens to other people." - Robert Heinlein
Originally posted by Scott Powell: I did it to Harare in 2015 - checked all the way thru.. No issues in JNB, they held my bags and gun. I even missed my flight to HRE and had to overnite at Afton. No issues.. everything showed up in Harare..
I agree - looking for a good flight to ZIM for this fall myself.. not a lot of good options right now...
I would have done this in a heart beat prior to 2020. The COVID issues concern me.
Yep…we did this in March, had firearms checked all the way thru so theoretically, we didn’t leave the secured area, but I had to because the “meet and greet” company had my rifle brought to SAPS. Anyway, we had a 5 hour layover and I had about 9 hours left on my covid test timeframe, so no problem there with SAairlink to Harare. Had about 3 hours left upon arriving in Harare, but the lady checking covid test letters was only interested in the date and not “time”. If you can get a test the same date you depart Florida, you should be in good shape. I’d hire a meet and greet service to walk you through the transit hassle, but I won’t use RiflePermits.com again. If you choose the thru Joburg option you might take some Rand just in case SAairlink charges you a “transfer fee” for your rifle.
We transited no problem on SA Air on to Tete Moz on Airlink with no problems in 2018, almost a pleasant experience compared to 2016 when Saeed's favorite airline decided they needed to look at our guns on the way home from Zim. I declared that I would avoid JNB and British Airways like the plague after getting to spend a couple hours in the bowels of the airport with the SAP. I would think that if you are checked through you should be fine.
Posts: 1023 | Location: Imperial, NE | Registered: 05 January 2013
Scott Powell, I just got back from Zimbabwe 3 weeks ago. I flew Salt Lake City - Seattle - Dubai - Harare with no problems. Using Emirates it is cheaper than flying Delta through Johannesburg and you don't have to mess with a South African permit.
Scott Powell: I just got back from Zimbabwe 3 weeks ago. I flew on Emirates and did Salt Lake City - Seattle - Dubai - Harare with no problems. It was also cheaper than flying Delta to Johannesburg and then Harare. Also you do not have to deal with a South African permit. I booked my flight through Travel with Guns.
I did it in 2011 going to Bulawayo and actually met Karl Stumpfe in the airport during my layover and had a coffee and nice conversation with him. I would prefer a layover in the OR Tambo better than a number of other airports.
Frank
"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953
NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite
Posts: 12818 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002
Originally posted by Dale: Scott Powell, I just got back from Zimbabwe 3 weeks ago. I flew Salt Lake City - Seattle - Dubai - Harare with no problems. Using Emirates it is cheaper than flying Delta through Johannesburg and you don't have to mess with a South African permit.
Yes - it look sleek if you hit the days right, Emirates is a good option.. I'm gonna try for it..
"At least once every human being should have to run for his life - to teach him that milk does not come from the supermarket, that safety does not come from policemen, and that news is not something that happens to other people." - Robert Heinlein
Just back from Bulawayo via Doha, Joburg on Qatar/Airlink. The best airline I have flown. Did pop for business and the little cubbyholes are nice. Did have to overnite Africa Sky in Joburg to meet Zim covid requirements. Again overnight in Bulawayo for covid test back to states.
Very UNLIKE current US airlines every flight was on time. Only problem throughout was DID NOT get a shot at leopard!
Originally posted by muygrande: Just back from Bulawayo via Doha, Joburg on Qatar/Airlink. The best airline I have flown. Did pop for business and the little cubbyholes are nice. Did have to overnite Africa Sky in Joburg to meet Zim covid requirements. Again overnight in Bulawayo for covid test back to states.
Very UNLIKE current US airlines every flight was on time. Only problem throughout was DID NOT get a shot at leopard!
Enjoy your flight options and BE VERY PATIENT!
I am looking at the same flight, same destination in October.. I assume you had to do RSA gun paperwork and then re-check them to Bulawayo? Where did your flight originate in the US? I'm thinking I can make it from Dulles all the way without having to retest in JNB..
"At least once every human being should have to run for his life - to teach him that milk does not come from the supermarket, that safety does not come from policemen, and that news is not something that happens to other people." - Robert Heinlein
