Turkish Airlines from US to JNB

I flew Turkish Airlines in 2023. Did not do stop over due to uncertainty of claiming guns to go to hotel. How does this process work? Going back this coming summer
You don’t take your guns to the hotel, they stay in secure storage at the airport. The process takes a bit of time but works very well. I flew Turkish from San Francisco to Cameroon in February, with a 2-day layover to sightsee in Istanbul. I hired a tour guide that Gracy Travel works with and my guide met me in baggage claim, then escorted me and my gun/duffel to the security location where my baggage would be stored while I visited Istanbul. Paperwork was completed and I was escorted into a large vault room and we (we being the security officer and me) placed my Tuffpak and duffel in a corner of the room and I left. I then enjoyed 2 excellent days touring the European side with ‘Sam’, who speaks perfect English. He’s excellent and I highly recommend him and the company he works for.

When it was time to depart for Cameroon, I was collected at my hotel and taken to the airport by Hakan, the owner of the tour company. He also speaks excellent English and they’re very keen hunters themselves, so it was a very enjoyable layover.

Once back at the airport, Hakan took me back to the secure storage area, I had to show my paperwork and passport, then was escorted back to where my stuff was stored. I collected my baggage and was then taken to an area different than where you check in, much closer and more convenient, and placed my bags onto the belt and next I saw them I was in Douala, Cameroon. Turkish does an excellent job with firearms and I recommend them highly. Same goes for the tour guide service that Gracy Travel works with, they’re very top notch.

If anyone wants more information feel free to message me and I’ll gladly help. No matter where I’m going in Africa, if Turkish, Emirates or Qatar fly there, I’m going with one of them. Best airlines to Africa; Istanbul & Dubai are both great for a layover of a day or two. Best to do your layover on the way there, not back. Helps you adjust to the time and when coming home I just want to get home.
 
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Given they are the only airline that will ship the big 5 I so appreciate this post given I want to support the airlines that support us!!!
My shipment from Cameroon is riding home on Turkish, arriving SFO this Sunday. Can’t wait to pull that Lord Derby out of the crate and have it home.
 
We got our Leopard and Buff in Sept. from Ethiopian.
 
And how is your leopard getting from IAD to ____? Forward Air stopped taking trophies finished and unfinished. My crate is still Lusaka as Forward Air will no longer ship.
Have it shipped via Turkish Airlines from Lusaka to the USA.
 
Did you visit the mound of Hisarlık ? Ancient Troy
We did not travel that far east to Hisarlik (Troy). Closest we got was Antalya, which is a very nice resort city with lots of ancient ruins.

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This is the itinerary of the entire tour. We actually traveled to Istanbul a day early, departing DFW on a Saturday and arrived Istanbul on Sunday. With 8 hours time difference, we thought an extra day would help.

Day 1, Sunday - Sept 22​

Depart USA in the PM

Day 2, Monday - Sept 23​

Arrive Istanbul and get to hotel. (overnight in Istanbul)

Day 3, Tuesday - Sept 24​

Tour Istanbul: Hagios Sofia, cruise on the Bosphorus, and more. (overnight in Istanbul)

Day 4, Wednesday - Sept 25​

Fly to Izmir and transfer to see Smyrna Agora and new Museum. (overnight in Kusadasi) (B,D)

Day 5, Thursday - Sept 26​

A day boat trip to the Island of Patmos: Cave of the Apocalypse (overnight Kusadasi) (B,D)

Day 6, Friday - Sept 27​

Ephesus (overnight Kusadasi) (B,D)

Day 7, Saturday - Sept 28​

Visit Priene, Miletus, Didyma (overnight Izmir) (B,D)

Day 8, Sunday - Sept 29​

Pergamum with Acropolis and Asklepion; Thyatira (overnight Salihli) (B,D)

Day 9, Monday - Sept 30​

Sardis, Philadelphia, Hierapolis (overnight Pamukkale) (B,D)

Day 10, Tuesday - Oct 1​

Laodicea and Colossae; drive to Antalya (overnight Antalya)(B,D)

Day 11, Wednesday - Oct 2​

Magydos waterfalls, Perga, lunch at St. Paul Cultural Center; Walking tour of Attalia and new Necropolis Museum (overnight Antalya) (B,D)

Day 12, Thursday - Oct 3​

Fly to Istanbul in the AM and to the USA in the PM
 
And how is your leopard getting from IAD to ____? Forward Air stopped taking trophies finished and unfinished. My crate is still Lusaka as Forward Air will no longer ship.
I have no idea. Coppersmith is handling it so I don't have to worry.
 

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autofire wrote on LIMPOPO NORTH SAFARIS's profile.
Do you have any cull hunts available? 7 days, daily rate plus per animal price?

#plainsgame #hunting #africahunting ##LimpopoNorthSafaris ##africa
Grz63 wrote on roklok's profile.
Hi Roklok
I read your post on Caprivi. Congratulations.
I plan to hunt there for buff in 2026 oct.
How was the land, very dry ? But à lot of buffs ?
Thank you / merci
Philippe
 
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