Can I take reloaded ammo into South Africa? I thought it was okay, but did read one travel document that said ammo needed to be in its original box. I already have a lockable case that I plan on putting 3 - 20 round reloading boxes in or one of the 50 round boxes, just want to make sure that will clear customs without any problems. Also, what's a good power converter/adapter for my camera battery charger and laptop? One more question, do you guys rent a cell phone in SA or just use email from the lodge to check in with the wife back home? Thanks for any guidance you can offer this newbie.
1. I have never used anything but reloads in South Africa; all with appropriate head stamps of course though no one ever check them.
2. What most airlines require, and it has nothing to do with customs, is that cartridges are packaged in containers meant for their storage. That could include plastic cartridge boxes. Some airlines are a bit more picky (i.e., Air France), so to be safe you're best off with factory packageing of your reloads. This has never been an issue with Delta Airlines or South African Airways but rules can change.
3. The lockable ammo case is good. For some strange reason, on my last trip, on the leg with South African Airways from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth, my ammo was OK in my suitcase but on the return they made me send the ammo separately. Once I got back to Joberg, I put it back in my suitcase again.
4. Preapproved firearms permits and a meet and greet service will facilate your transit through Joberg.
5. You can get power adapters and plug adapters for South Africa's plugs in various places. I forget where I got mine but I believe AAA sells them.
6. I had an old Blackberry cell phone I had unlocked and it worked very well from Paris and South Africa. I called my wife daily and the charges were very reasonable. I got the sim card from Telestial. It gave me 2 phone numbers; one U.S.A. number with a CA area code and another international number that's routed through the British Isles. For the outrageous fee of 50 cents (yes, you read that right, fifty cents) a month (yes, really, a month or $6 a year), you can keep your numbers. I still have mine; I checked and a few days ago it still worked and that's over a year since my last trip.
7. I would recommend you use a travel agent knowledgeable about foreign travel with firearms. Kathi Klimes of Wild Travel is who I used.
8. On my last trip, there were many officials wanting "tips," less charitably known as bribes. They will try to separate you from your meet and greeter or PH on some pretense like trying to find your firearms, counting your ammunition or who knows what else. I paid them no tips; doing so is like feeding the bears and you make it harder on other travelers.
