Firearms assitance afterwards?

[Pheroze]

Hi all

I am using @riflepermits.com when arriving for my Safari in June. Last time I found them to be very professional. I am wondering about departing. Is there a value add for peace of mind when departing after the safari or is the trip out just very straight forward? I recall having to have my rifle "inspected" on the way out last time but I am wondering if the passage of time has distorted recollection.

 

[mdwest]

I havent had anyone inspect anything on my way out on my last 4 safaris..

Certain airlines can be a bigger PIA than others to deal with.. but I've honestly never had any sort of a challenge that couldnt be overcome reasonably easily (Lufthansa in particular was a huge PIA in 2016)..

Ive used @riflepermits.com on all of my trips, and am using them again in July.. the assistance getting through SAPS quickly and easily is worth every penny they charge.. and I have also always found their people to be polite, professional, and super helpful..

Unlike many here, I dont use a travel agent with any regularity for travel in and out of Africa... I've been traveling to the continent anywhere from 1-6 times a year for the better part of the last 20 years (mostly for work), and am familiar with most of the commonly traveled through/to airports, the regional and national carriers, and dealing with the US and Euro carriers that fly into Africa.. I know which hotel to go to if I get stuck in most countries, and how to safely get to the hotel, etc (not a lot of good options in Benin, Liberia, Sierra Leone, CAR, Cameroon, etc... lol...) so Im pretty comfortable handling everything myself..

But... I dont even bother trying to deal with firearms permits on my own.. I 100% rely on Henry's team for that..

 

[375Fox]

Does rifle permits charge to meet you on the way out or is it already included if you ask? When I was using Gracy travel, their people would meet you if you called. Gilbert with Africa Sky helped me on a different trip on return. I see no reason not to use their help if it doesn’t cost you any extra. I’ve never had an issue though, but was still glad they were there.

 

[sierraone]

On my two trips, my PH walked me into the check in counter, then the rest was straight forward. An employee walked the gun case and me to a back room where he checked my rifle, left him a tip, then I was on my own to shop or go to the restaurant after walking through security.

 

[JimP]

On my first trip I used Air 2000 and I am sure that Rifle Permits follows pretty much the same routine.

In Port Elizabeth my PH took me the ticket counter, I don't just remember if it was here that I dropped off my rifle or if it was down at the SAP's office where they took care of it. Then once I reached Joberg and had retrieved my rifle case and ammo box Air 2000 met me just outside the baggage claim and took me up to the ticket agents desk where everything was rechecked for my trip home. It was here that I placed my ammo back into my checked bag.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I used them both ways... there were some small snags coming back - I don't remember what exactly. But they had me on the straight and narrow lickety-split and at the front of the line to boot. The older fellow (feel bad I can't remember his name), he knew what to say and how to say it. His assertiveness alone in getting things to go smoothly was totally worth it to me.

Put another way - and tying this a wee bit to another thread - I felt like hunting buffalo with a .45-70 came with less risk than attempting to navigate Tambo on my own, first time out of country, with two of my own rifles. Using Rifle Permits, for me, was "having enough gun".