Qatar Flight

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I am booked on Qatar June 13 2020 flight Houston -Doha - Johannesburg
Just wondering if any other AHer’s may be on this flight.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I am booked on Qatar June 13 2020 flight Houston -Doha - Johannesburg
Just wondering if any other AHer’s may be on this flight.

I'm not, but I did this flight this past May. I know you didn't ask, but I suggest you pay for time in the Qatar lounge or for a room at the hotel on the air side of security. A nap in a bed followed by a shower prior to your next flight is awfully nice.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I'm not, but I did this flight this past May. I know you didn't ask, but I suggest you pay for time in the Qatar lounge or for a room at the hotel on the air side of security. A nap in a bed followed by a shower prior to your next flight is awfully nice.

Thanks Phil. I am flying business class but with a 5 hour layover I think I will get a room in hotel you mentioned. A hot shower and being able to relax for awhile sounds like a good idea, because after I reach Johannesburg and meet PH we have a 6-7 hour drive to the Kalahari for first leg of this hunt.

 

[cpr0312]

@Mark Biggerstaff ,

Whats the rifle policy with Qatar? That is if you are taking your own. Pre flight permits, transfer country permits, etc. Curious because I'm considering them for next year.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

@Mark Biggerstaff ,

Whats the rifle policy with Qatar? That is if you are taking your own. Pre flight permits, transfer country permits, etc. Curious because I'm considering them for next year.

You must notify Qatar you will be traveling with firearms prior to checking in. Jennifer at Travel Express is handling my flights and said she will take care if notifications when I give her the information she needs. Guns and baggage is checked straight thru to Johannesburg.
I went with Qatar this year because Jennifer got me a business class seat on them for only a couple hundred more than Delta comfort was selling for. Also the Qatar flight arrives in Johannesburg at 04:35 am.

 

[wesheltonj]

For 5 hours I would use the lounge shower and skip the hotel.

 

[MMAL]

I just booked Qatar/doho to Windhoek for sept. They have a deal that you can add a layover leg and stay at a 5 star hotel for an extra 23 dollars. Something to look into.

 

[Areaonereal]

I flew Qatar just last November to Joberg. FYI...your checked baggage will accompany your firearm to SAPS pickup. Your luggage will not be on the carousel, that was the case for us. We looked around for our checked bags for an hour with no help from Qatar baggage, even when I asked them if it could be with our firearm in the SAPS office...oh no....was the answer. Finally we gave up and proceed to pickup our firearm..greeted by Mr X...where have you been...your luggage is with your firearm. Qatar Air beats the devil out of Delta....just that long layover in Doha..70 US dollars gets you into one of their lounges..first class lounge....rest area, food and drink, and showers....very meticulous environment. The airport is a sight to behold and a Qatar Air representative at every turn directing you or answering questions...very friendly and welcoming. I flew economy in November, much better than Deltas economy at less than 1/2 the Delta rate..will be flying Business QSuite this June to Windhoek for a few hundred more than Deltas Economy “Discomfort”
Any question on a firearm with Qatar, just pm with questions....they are very easy and helpful accommodating travel with a firearm if you have your docs in order and easily accessible for them to review at every boarding check in....your name is flagged that you have a firearm....you are treated VIP

 

[CAustin]

I just booked Qatar/doho to Windhoek for sept. They have a deal that you can add a layover leg and stay at a 5 star hotel for an extra 23 dollars. Something to look into.

sir where are you flying out of to make it to Namibia?

 

[AZDAVE]

I have the same question as @CAustin . We are going to Namibia in 2021.

 

[Areaonereal]

sir where are you flying out of to make it to Namibia?

Chicago O Hare to Doha to Windhoek. Long layover in Doha each way, but if flying economy by lounge access for around 70 dollars each way in either first class lounge or business lounge they are adjacent to one another with a common check in desk. Food, sleeping room! Drinks and shower, Well worth it all around.

 

[MMAL]

sir where are you flying out of to make it to Namibia?

JFK to Doha to WDH. 11pm flight lands @4pm doho and 2:15am lands in wdh at 10:40am. I miss the flight to Katima in the caprivi though.

The only flight that gets in early enough into wdh is the Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt. Lands wdh at 6:20am. Switch airports to Eros for 9:50am to caprivi. But they don’t fly everyday and was more expensive.

 

[mdwest]

Just priced DFW to Doha to JHB today... $1080 round trip for July dates...

 

[JGRaider]

Just checked Qatar from Dallas to WDH for late July. Roughly $1850 for economy. If I go I will probably try this route and carrier to avoid JBurg, avoid SAPS, overnight, etc.

 

[whitetail]

Just checked Qatar from Dallas to WDH for late July. Roughly $1850 for economy. If I go I will probably try this route and carrier to avoid JBurg, avoid SAPS, overnight, etc.

I am likely going to do the same as you but in mid August. There is an overnight both ways in Doha I guess- is the hotel or executive lounges within the airport so that you don’t have to officially exit the airport? I know checked luggage and gun case will stay checked until arrival at Windhoek.

 

[thi9elsp]

My plan is to use Qatar in 2021 to get to Windhoek. I'll stay over a night there before flying Namibia domestic to the Caprivi. I haven't heard anyone have issues with Qatar.

 

[Trophyhunter01]

Going Qatar from Houston to Doha to Jburg next week. Only $715 round trip this time of year. Will be warm hunting but same as home and the price was right. People I work with say that Qatar airline and the airport is really nice.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Going Qatar from Houston to Doha to Jburg next week. Only $715 round trip this time of year. Will be warm hunting but same as home and the price was right. People I work with say that Qatar airline and the airport is really nice.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes with flight. I am booked the same way in June

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I am likely going to do the same as you but in mid August. There is an overnight both ways in Doha I guess- is the hotel or executive lounges within the airport so that you don’t have to officially exit the airport? I know checked luggage and gun case will stay checked until arrival at Windhoek.

There is a hotel on the air side of security, but it is pricy. The Qatar lounge is a cheaper option it seems.

 

[Tra3]

@MMAL who are you hunting with in caprivi? I’ll be up there in June with Jamy Traut safaris. We are taking the delta flight through Joberg, though.
I’m curious to follow this thread to find a more reasonable way to get there. My wife and kids are going to Amsterdam for 3 days, then will meet me in joberg. I’m glad to give them a bit of time to adjust to the time change.