Best way to Namibia

Jeff 907 said:

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.

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https://neweralive.na/posts/frozen-...ancelled-joburg-and-cape-town-flights-reduced

Air Namibia does not have the best reputation although many have flown that way.
Philip

Cost wise, Qatar is x, SAA is 2x and Delta is 3x.

Was actually trying to be funny,,, aint no such airport as "dullas". Its DULLES, DC.

Philip Glass said:

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

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I am sending you a PM my friend.

First, yes, im using travel express, but like i said planning is part of fun so thats why i posted this thread. But also i like to get as much information before I do something as possible. But apparently i didnt come across as clear as I originally thought. After rereading ill try to be. alot of routes you all listed is 30/35+ hr trips and/or changing airlines mid trip and not checking guns all way through. Of course id like best deal possible and economy class is fine, but we are limited too how many days away from work we can take so preferably not use 12+ hrs to save couple hundred rather be at final destination then in air still. Dulles is my closest major airport but i am willing to go to jfk bc i can take SAA and make the connecting flight hence the no long layover part and its like 14hrs then 1.5hr layover then 2hr flight to windhoek. If i take SAA out of dulles you won't make your connecting to namibia and youll have to spend night in joberg. SAA is looking like best deal still out of jfk. Qatar is looking good longer layover but you skip the whole joberg stop but total hrs a just a few longer but we get to fly out of dulles any looks like it could be cheaper. Ethiopian was just another option out there that ive seen people use aswell. And looks promising as well cost and travel time. From what i can tell and thats just me most flight to Germany and UK are too long or just seem to be a hassle and you arent saving any money doing it just burning up more time. And again this is a thread trying to inform myself and have a lil fun at same time maybe i was missing and airline or a flight plan i wasnt aware of at same time. Travel express will do there job and ill be thankful when they do.

Qatar is a good option with no firearm hassles and KLM via Amsterdam direct into Windhoek (avoids Johannesburg) is also good but may be higher than Qatar. We'll look at the options for you when flights open up.........

sestoppelman said:

Where is "dullas"?

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Dulles(dullas) is close to Washington DC.

sestoppelman said:

Was actually trying to be funny,,, aint no such airport as "dullas". Its DULLES, DC.

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OK. I read that as dull ass.

MAdcox said:

@BJONES

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That’s the route I was thinking would be pretty good.

Travel Express said:

Qatar is a good option with no firearm hassles and KLM via Amsterdam direct into Windhoek (avoids Johannesburg) is also good but may be higher than Qatar. We'll look at the options for you when flights open up.........

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KLM great airline to fly with need transit permit Amsterdam which must be applied for a month in advance, can be done online no cost in 2018 last time I flew.

Thanks for the KLM info never knew of them before!

Two of my buddies just flew to Namibia Tuesday with Qatar. If the lay-over in Doha is long enough they give you a free room at the airport (bed and shower). Qatar is very good with the guns. No hassles, a little slow but very smooth. I've had bad luck in Heathrow with rifles and won't go back that way. The last few trips I have used Travel with guns. They understand the limitations of travelling with firearms. I've had good luck with them.

Forgot to add that Qatar flies directly to Namibia after the lay-over in Doha.

RBurg44 said:

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?

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I would just let Lori at @Travel Express set you up. Travel as free from headaches as you are going to get with any current info you may need.

Been working with Lori this week on our hunt with @Kowas Hunting Safaris next May. Glad to see you’re planning to use @Travel Express. Lori just makes it too easy. We’re going KLM from OKC thru Amsterdam to Windhoek. Check guns at OKC and don’t touch them again until Namibia, and a great rate. If it wasn’t for all my rookie questions she would have us fixed up in an email or two.

Thanks a million @MAdcox - always a pleasure working with you!

I took KLM from Toronto - Amsterdam - Windhoek last year, no problems. No extra baggage fees for the rifle case, and all luggage was checked through straight to final destination. First leg was an overnight, which put me in Amsterdam in the morning. The problem is a 10 hour layover, but the solution is 3 quick Heineken in the bar, then a "Pod" room at the Yotel inside of the terminal. Got me a bed, sink, shower and toilet for 7 hours, and slept like a baby. A quick shower and a nice meal before boarding for the next leg to Windhoek.
A Transit pass to allow your firearms to transit through Dutch territory was applied for online a few months before departure, and was surprisingly easy. I don't know about your departure city, but dealing with only one airline has its advantages.

I'd suggest to book the flights sooner than later. If you’re seeing only a limited number of seats available for the flights you’re interested in, then you’ll want to snag them as quickly as you can, since once they’re purchased fares are likely to rise. Just recently found a nice resource that helps to find cheap flights as well as compare prices

JimP said:

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.

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Relax,,Just let Lori or Jenn handle it

I have 2 trips to Windhoek with SAA. Dulles-JHB-Windhoek with overnights at the airport hotel. This stops in Senegal or Ghana depending on day of departure. Going again next June, same flight except we are connecting to Windhoek without an overnight. So far no issues either way. Guns and bags all present and accounted for.