I'm leaving on July 30 via London and Jburg to Bulawayo.. There is a 3 hour layover in Johannesburg and then to Bulawayo..Can I check my rifles through to Zimbabwe without going through the hassel at the Johannesburg airport?

As far as I know, no SAPS crap is necessary if you're in transit; only if you remove the guns from the airport. I'd just check them through to Bulawayo.

And don't forget to try to pick up a pair of Courtneys at the factory in Bulawayo.

OH, all this is predicated on you taking me along to get you through all the hassle .

You should have no problem I have done it 4 times What I do do though is in addition to my Zimbabwe gun permit filled out I fill out a SAPS 520 with exhibits unsigned just in case I miss the connection and have to stay in Joe burg does not take long good insurance

Scratch that last post You CANNOT bring your gun through London to Zimbabwe England has a gun embargo on Zimbabwe They will seize it. If you want to go through England your ticket must show South Africa as your final destination. I have heard that you can clear customs in South Africa Collect your gun(need SAP520 filled out and book to Zimbabwe direct. Your travel agent should have told you that. You might consider South African Air direct from the US You can book straight through without a SAp 520

DO Not Book any flight through England that the destination Is Zimbabwe!!!!!!!

I'll second that. The London customs office told me over the telephone that If I have a ticket into Zimbabwe and am flying there, they will seize my firearms and I will not be allowed to proceed on my journey. I will get to see the inside of one of their jail cells. My advice is to fly through Germany or direct through to Jo'berg. Check your firearms straight through to Zim and you won't have any problems. The other way to do it is to fly to Jo'berg and overnight so you have to collect your firearms and then fly to Zim.

The Brits have always been a tight-assed bunch. Their upper lip ain't all that's stiff.

I'm certainly no expert - didn't even stay at Holiday Inn last night, but I think this ban on guns to Zim may apply to the entire EU as well.

Not sure of your country of origin. I am headed from the USA to Bulawayo, leaving Atlanta to JoBurg on the 29th of July, over nighting in JoBurg on the 30th and then on to Bulawayo on the 31st via SAA.
I took this route to avoid Europe.

That has always been my rout of travel due to the draconian and confusing gun regulations in European countries. I would love to go through Europe and spend some time in rout but not do so because of the above reason

As others have stated, if you are traveling on British Airlines from where ever in the world, you cannot be booked with firearms going to Zimbabwe. Other airlines no problem connecting all the way through to Zim.

If you are booked on British Airlines you will have to claim your firearms and rebook on your SAA connection.

It is a bit of a hassle, so a 3 hr. layer is close. Use a rifle permit service and they can expedite things for you.

Best regards, D. Nelson