Best way to Namibia

[RBurg44]

okay so pre planning here but thats half the fun; do plan to use @Travel Express but cant start there till end of Aug.

What would you do for you flights to Namibia?

I was looking at taking SAA outta jfk to hit Namibia. But with added gun fees more paperwork and now more trouble with an already troubled airline its best to look at other options.

So we arelooking into qatar airlines and Ethiopian airways. Both outta dullas; only reason we were gonna do jfk was bc we can catch the connecting flight to Namibia from there you cant from dullas. We dont want to waste a day in layover at joberg.

I like qatar airlines i think but don’t know anything bout there gun policies and what not and theres a long layover i think if i recall like 9 hrs making it like 25/30hr flight times. But they do seem cheaper.

Ethiopian is looking like next best option only a couple hr layover and 20ish hr flights and dont know there gun policies either.

Delta too much money and emirates waaay too much.

What did you all do or what would you do?

 

[Ryan]

I went from Frankfurt straight into Windhoek with Air Namibia twice. They deal with European hunters heading there a lot and overall they treat hunters reasonably, or they did in 2013 and 2016. See if you can line things up through Frankfurt.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Different strokes but I've flown my own bug smasher for twenty years and know a few guys flying for the majors. Consensus is DO NOT FLY Ethiopian airlines. After those dumbasses flew that 737 in to the ground and their training inadequacies became known, that's should be enough to swear off anyone flying to Africa.

 

[Jeff 907]

We flew through Frankfurt using Condor and Air Namibia. Both nonstop from Anchorage. If you have two different airlines connecting through Frankfurt DO NOT take your firearm past the customs exit. There was no one working and I didn’t see the 3.5x5 post card that says to call a number for assistance. Needless to say I was detained for some time.

 

[Beretta391]

In February we flew DFW to Doha, then Doha to Windhoek on Qatar airways. We did fly with firearms. No problems at all ! We bought a 1st class lounge pass so we could rest, shower and eat! It was well worth it and total trip was considerably cheaper than Delta. It is more flying time but we always had to overnight in Johannesburg if we flew Delta so time wise it’s the same.

 

[MAdcox]

In February we flew DFW to Doha, then Doha to Windhoek on Qatar airways. We did fly with firearms. No problems at all ! We bought a 1st class lounge pass so we could rest, shower and eat! It was well worth it and total trip was considerably cheaper than Delta. It is more flying time but we always had to overnight in Johannesburg if we flew Delta so time wise it’s the same.

@BJONES

 

[Dirtdart]

In the past I have taken Lufthansa or Delta to Frankfurt. There will always be a long layover in Frankfurt before the night flight to Windhoek on Air Namibia. October 2018 being the most recent.
Whomever you chose to fly with make sure that there is a baggage agreement between the airlines so that you do not have to take possession of your firearms until arrival in Windhoek if at all possible.
If a flight gets cancelled and you have to take possession of your firearm you will have to leave it with customs in the Frankfurt airport. They will give you a form and you will have to check in for your fight the following day and bring the baggage tags back to customs which will then escort you back to your airline and see to it that is checked. This has only happened to me on the return flight to the US. It is a hassle but in my experience the customs officials in Germany were accommodating and efficient.
If Air Namibia has an aircraft taken out of the rotation for any reason it will back their schedule up.
I am not sure if any other airline makes scheduled flights to the Caprivi but that is a different can of worms.
A representative of the airline you are flying with on your return will take possession of your firearm stateside and you both go see US Customs. After you clear customs they bring it to you at the exit of the airport which takes longer than if they were to let you walk away with it. They are more paranoid than they used to be at least from what I experienced on this last trip.
I can see why a lot of people borrow firearms and avoid the hassle and expense. For me using the rifle that I am familiar with and ammunition loaded with love is important.
P.S.
When checking in your firearm in Namibia have your 4457 handy when they ask for firearm your license.

 

[ack]

I think the flights from Frankfurt also charge for firearms..We are going on SAA in Sept.but got tickets before the latest gun charge..Travel Express also..Getting to be a pain in the butt..I will not go if I have to use someone else's guns..

 

[Hogpatrol]

Different strokes but I've flown my own bug smasher for twenty years and know a few guys flying for the majors. Consensus is DO NOT FLY Ethiopian airlines. After those dumbasses flew that 737 in to the ground and their training inadequacies became known, that's should be enough to swear off anyone flying to Africa.

Let me rephrase that. I meant flying to or in Africa on Ethiopian airlines. There were also a couple crashes in country on smaller aircraft.

 

[JimP]

Since you are planning on using Travel Express, why not just call them and talk to Lori or Jenifer. They will listen to all your concerns and worries and and get you there with no problems.

 

[Ryan]

I think the flights from Frankfurt also charge for firearms..We are going on SAA in Sept.but got tickets before the latest gun charge..Travel Express also..Getting to be a pain in the butt..I will not go if I have to use someone else's guns..

If you aren't charged for your firearm you got lucky. Air Namibia claims an extra bag is charged 120 USD, which is a given if they require the firearm and ammo on separate bags (I can't find that). Pretty good compared to others.

 

[RBurg44]

Well reading other posts about just today about Air Namibia i think they are on there way to chapter 11 so ill steer away from them.

 

[Ryan]

Well reading other posts about just today about Air Namibia i think they are on there way to chapter 11 so ill steer away from them.

Yeah, that's not looking too good. Bummer. Guess you'll have to see what pans out. Since Namibia is a big German vacation spot Perhaps Lufthansa will make a run from Frankfurt to Windhoek.

 

[Adrian]

I have no idea if it of any use to you or even if it's possible but I fly to Namibia with firearms from Heathrow with SAA.
I check in at Heathrow, my guns and ammunition are checked through all the way to Windhoek and you don't have any issues and SAA don't charge for carrying firearms and waive excess baggage charges.

So, if you could get from wherever you're from to Heathrow easily and cheaply and go forward from there with SAA it might be worth looking into.

I have no idea what the hassle of checking firearms in to the UK is or if it is worth it with paperwork etc but as a UK resident it is very easy and straightforward for us to get through the procedures.

May be an option, maybe not.

 

[Sako AV]

I can't imagine why Lufthansa wouldn't run direct flights to Windhoek from Frankfurt rather than into JHB and then requiring another flight to Namibia.

 

[Hunter101]

I have decide on my next trip over. Going to fly delta to Joberg is the fastest flight over. Then do a 5 day package hunt with a SA outfitter. To break up the flight and travel time before heading to Namibia. I also may do another 5 days in SA before heading home. Just my game plan may not workout. I also only bow hunt. so no issue with extra fees. good luck anyway you go flights and airports suck

 

[sestoppelman]

Where is "dullas"?

 

[Philip Glass]

okay so pre planning here but thats half the fun; do plan to use @Travel Express but cant start there till end of Aug.

What would you do for you flights to Namibia?

I was looking at taking SAA outta jfk to hit Namibia. But with added gun fees more paperwork and now more trouble with an already troubled airline its best to look at other options.

So we arelooking into qatar airlines and Ethiopian airways. Both outta dullas; only reason we were gonna do jfk was bc we can catch the connecting flight to Namibia from there you cant from dullas. We dont want to waste a day in layover at joberg.

I like qatar airlines i think but don’t know anything bout there gun policies and what not and theres a long layover i think if i recall like 9 hrs making it like 25/30hr flight times. But they do seem cheaper.

Ethiopian is looking like next best option only a couple hr layover and 20ish hr flights and dont know there gun policies either.

Delta too much money and emirates waaay too much.

What did you all do or what would you do?

Where do you depart from??? Do you need business class?
I just investigated this and with the help of TWG Travel chose to use DL 200/201. If you insist on business class then you will need to look at Qatar as Delta is too high.
We flew SJT-DFW-ATL-WDH, made late flight to WDH so no SAPS paperwork in RSA. Won’t do this exact route again but will go to San Antonio and go straight Delta, this is the fastest way to Africa from TX.
You can look at Delta, Qatar, and KLM for your trip to Namibia. You must use a travel agent and all will be fine.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

In February we flew DFW to Doha, then Doha to Windhoek on Qatar airways. We did fly with firearms. No problems at all ! We bought a 1st class lounge pass so we could rest, shower and eat! It was well worth it and total trip was considerably cheaper than Delta. It is more flying time but we always had to overnight in Johannesburg if we flew Delta so time wise it’s the same.

Good to know.

 

[Philip Glass]

Where is "dullas"?

DC. SAA flys out of there to JNB but it’s the one that stops in Ghana so it’s a long flight. I’ve done it a few times as the price was right.
Philip