New from British Columbia. Africa 2026 booked. Any fellow Canadians w/ experience?

[Shiverz]

Hello everyone,

Greetings from Northern British Columbia (hence the screen name). I have been a long time viewer of the site but have finally made an account. In 2024 I made my long time dream a reality and booked a 10 day safari with Willie Nel from WN Hunting Safaris in South Africa. I am travelling in late April/early May of next year. The plan is to hunt for a Cape Buffalo or CB Lion and possibly some plains game. I intend on taking my own rifle on the safari - a Ruger Hawkeye African in 416 Ruger. I semi customized this rifle by getting it bedded in a Bell & Carlson stock and have been shooting with it extensively (hand loads as factory ammo is non-existent). I also have a Ruger Hawkeye Alaskan in 375 Ruger in a similar configuration.

I would be lying if I didn't have some anxiety about travelling with my rifle(s) internationally for the first time. I was hoping there may be some fellow Canadians or British Columbians on the site who have travelled with firearms to South Africa via YVR in the past couple of years that would be willing to connect with me. I am looking to book a flight soon but would love to speak with some of you first. I have attached a photo of my rifles for attention.

Thanks and have a great evening.

 

[Mekaniks]

Lots of good Canadian forum members around here that can help you

 

[Hooked Now]

Welcome to the sickness! First trip sounds like a good one. This may be entirely helpful as I traveled from the US and not from our great neighbor to the north, but travelling internationally with rifles for my first trip ended up being easier than I'd thought. The rifle import assistance firms that folks will suggest took all of the guesswork out. I'll leave it up to your Canadian brothers to give the full assist, but worry not. Dream only of your African adventure!

 

[Chris M.]

Hello Shiverz:

I've traveled to RSA 3 times with my rifles and with a 4th coming up in September...bringing my 416 Taylor 2 of the times.

I can hopefully provide assistance with the Canadian (EXCOL), Dutch (if traveling through Amsterdam) and RSA permit process and packing requirements (N.B. - remind me if interested in the follow up to mention the requirement for an extra small luggage to transport ammunition back out from RSA on the leg homeward)

 

[Shiverz]

Hello Shiverz:

I've traveled to RSA 3 times with my rifles and with a 4th coming up in September...bringing my 416 Taylor 2 of the times.

I can hopefully provide assistance with the Canadian (EXCOL), Dutch (if traveling through Amsterdam) and RSA permit process and packing requirements (N.B. - remind me if interested in the follow up to mention the requirement for an extra small luggage to transport ammunition back out from RSA on the leg homeward)

Thanks Chris, that would be awesome. I've heard to avoid London at all costs and to route through another European country. I'm open to ideas.

 

[MarkB]

Welcome to the best African safari site there is. A plethora of real info from those who have done it.

As to your question, I am Canadian, (although not now as proud as I used to be due to fools voting in gun grabbing Carney Liberals), I am also a BC resident. I take all my own guns and reloads on every safari and start large part of flights from Vancouver. Also do all my own export and import paperwork, no company assistance.

I recently helped a fellow site member from Northern BC who is heading over. More than willing to help, have contact names, numbers or pers in external affairs in Ottawa for export permit assistance.

After safari I also act as my own importer. So can assist with that when your ready. Imported my CB Lion in 2023.

After doing flights from Van or Toronto (TO) to European countries and then US to Atlanta my recommendation on flights is Van-TO, then Ethiopian with stop in Addis Ababa then Joberg. Very firearm friendly, best prices on last check and no firearm charges.

Give me a DM if you like to chat.

Mark B

 

[Shiverz]

Welcome to the best African safari site there is. A plethora of real info from those who have done it.

As to your question, I am Canadian, (although not now as proud as I used to be due to fools voting in gun grabbing Carney Liberals), I am also a BC resident. I take all my own guns and reloads on every safari and start large part of flights from Vancouver. Also do all my own export and import paperwork, no company assistance.

I recently helped a fellow site member from Northern BC who is heading over. More than willing to help, have contact names, numbers or pers in external affairs in Ottawa for export permit assistance.

After safari I also act as my own importer. So can assist with that when your ready. Imported my CB Lion in 2023.

After doing flights from Van or Toronto (TO) to European countries and then US to Atlanta my recommendation on flights is Van-TO, then Ethiopian with stop in Addis Ababa then Joberg. Very firearm friendly, best prices on last check and no firearm charges.

Give me a DM if you like to chat.

Mark B

Sounds great Mark - will shoot you a DM.

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Adam Stevens]

Welcome to the best African safari site there is. A plethora of real info from those who have done it.

As to your question, I am Canadian, (although not now as proud as I used to be due to fools voting in gun grabbing Carney Liberals), I am also a BC resident. I take all my own guns and reloads on every safari and start large part of flights from Vancouver. Also do all my own export and import paperwork, no company assistance.

I recently helped a fellow site member from Northern BC who is heading over. More than willing to help, have contact names, numbers or pers in external affairs in Ottawa for export permit assistance.

After safari I also act as my own importer. So can assist with that when your ready. Imported my CB Lion in 2023.

After doing flights from Van or Toronto (TO) to European countries and then US to Atlanta my recommendation on flights is Van-TO, then Ethiopian with stop in Addis Ababa then Joberg. Very firearm friendly, best prices on last check and no firearm charges.

Give me a DM if you like to chat.

Mark B

That's good info. Been thinking of routes for my next trip and never thought of this one. I liked the ideas of the direct ATL to Johannesburg, but I'll look at your route too.

 

[Hillbilly Marine]

Welcome Aboard!!!!!!

 

[Nyati]

 

[Graham Hunter]

Welcome. I have. been to South Africa 4 times. I have also helped numerous fellow Canadians with their travel plans.DM me if I can help.

 

[Brian]

I have taken rifles to South Africa about 6 times. I found that going through Heathrow is easy, nothing to it on a simple lay over format. Waiting a few hours for my next flight, I never hear a peep about my rifles.

When I went to South Africa recently my spare scope was stolen out of my gun case in Tambo between the plane landing and the gun case coming out of the luggage handling area which in this case was an unusually long time, nearly one hour. ( I guess stealing stuff out of a gun case is slow work.) Also, upon my return flight the Firearm guys tried pretty hard to shake me down for some cash. Good old South Africa.

I have always done my own paperwork/permits. This time I found it to be more stressful than usual. Probably just "old age anxiety". I now think that using a good Firearms Agency is the way to go. I was just a nervous wreck doing it on my own. The airport and air lines seem to be changing over the last decade. It seems that few of the staff know what to do as they are are just over loaded. This is just my opinion.

 

[Shiverz]

I have taken rifles to South Africa about 6 times. I found that going through Heathrow is easy, nothing to it on a simple lay over format. Waiting a few hours for my next flight, I never hear a peep about my rifles.

When I went to South Africa recently my spare scope was stolen out of my gun case in Tambo between the plane landing and the gun case coming out of the luggage handling area which in this case was an unusually long time, nearly one hour. ( I guess stealing stuff out of a gun case is slow work.) Also, upon my return flight the Firearm guys tried pretty hard to shake me down for some cash. Good old South Africa.

I have always done my own paperwork/permits. This time I found it to be more stressful than usual. Probably just "old age anxiety". I now think that using a good Firearms Agency is the way to go. I was just a nervous wreck doing it on my own. The airport and air lines seem to be changing over the last decade. It seems that few of the staff know what to do as they are are just over loaded. This is just my opinion.

That is concerning. Did they break the locks off your gun case?

 

[BRICKBURN]

Plenty of Canadians here on AH.

Welcome!

 

[Brian]

That is concerning. Did they break the locks off your gun case?

Yes, the locks were gone and the latches were jimmied a bit so that the don't close easily anymore.