Who’s been to South Africa recent?

[arrowflinger]

Booked a trip in June 2025. Was looking for any advice and how’d you travel there?
I’m planning on using my United Airline miles. I heard there is a country that you can fly over to and not have much hassle with my rifle.

Any help or advice?
TIA

[washingtonmuley]

I good PH should be able to help you with all the specifics. Mine was phenomenal at getting us all the info. I paid a guy $100 to get  my gun cleared through customs in SA. If this is an option then I would pay the cash. I watched a gut trying to get his cleared and he was being sent all over the place and I was done in under 30 minutes.

[bugs n bones]

Booked a trip in June 2025. Was looking for any advice and how’d you travel there?
I’m planning on using my United Airline miles. I heard there is a country that you can fly over to and not have much hassle with my rifle.

Any help or advice?
TIA

425 698 3447. Give me a call and I tell you everything you need to know

[Fidelk]

I good PH should be able to help you with all the specifics. Mine was phenomenal at getting us all the info. I paid a guy $100 to get  my gun cleared through customs in SA. If this is an option then I would pay the cash. I watched a gut trying to get his cleared and he was being sent all over the place and I was done in under 30 minutes.

That sounds like getting into Mexico......a couple times I was getting shaken down before I even did anything. But a couple bucks did save a lot of time.

[Bob33]

I’ve been several times, mostly recently last summer. It is truly a magical experience that you will thoroughly enjoy.

South Africa is about as far away from Washington as you can get, and you’ll be in the air about 20 hours plus or minus. If you are taking firearms, the cities you connect through should be a consideration. I’ve always flown Delta through Atlanta because they generally do a good job with firearms. Some hubs such as London, Amsterdam, and others have reports of higher rates of poor experiences for travelers with firearms.

Of course you can avoid all those hassles by borrowing a firearm from your outfitter, which I did last year for the first time.

Try to get there on no more than two flights. Every added connection creates more potential for problems.

If you take your own firearms, I would advise using a service such as Rifle Permits.com. Getting yourself messed up with the South African police because you filled out the form wrong, and you’re tired and cranky from 30 hours of travel isn’t a good way to start out.

Best wishes; I envy you.

[arrowflinger]

Sorry I'm just getting back to this. Outfitter has a service to cover our rifles to get thru customs and SA police.
There will be at least 4 hunters and 2 non-hunters. I believe two of the hunters might make their own plans, but at least I can share the info I get here.

More questions than answers and maybe more clarification?

- Travel agent or not? planning either Delta or United straight  into JBurg or Kimberly.
- Do I pay the VAT on cull animals that I'm going to have euros done on?
- I'll be there in country from June 1-June 14, Recommend clothing? I know only need to 2 days worth of hunting cloths. but also heard it can get cold in the mornings and evenings.
- Lodging to stay for a night in JBurg?

Please DM me also...as I'm not always good about checking in here.

Thanks in advance

[lhrbull]

What area are you hunting don't believe there is direct flight to Kimberly Gracie Travel has people in Jburg and cape town

[Berin Denson]

On a flight back to Washington now from a 10 day trip to SA.  Happy to share my experience; it was a wonderful one.

[arrowflinger]

What area are you hunting don't believe there is direct flight to Kimberly Gracie Travel has people in Jburg and cape town

yea, I know we'll have to stay a night in JBurg and then catch a flight with Airlink into Kimberly.

On a flight back to Washington now from a 10 day trip to SA.  Happy to share my experience; it was a wonderful one.

Maybe send me a dm with how you traveled and to where? Did you use an agent and what airline did you use? any horror stories with firearms and ammo?

[Bob33]

I've travelled to South Africa several times and never used an agent. Perhaps they would be most valuable in a situation where you needed to change travel arrangements while in South Africa due to something like a cancelled flight.

My trips have always been on Delta from Seattle to Atlanta to Johannesburg. I checked guns on most of the trips without excessive issues. Traveling with firearms does make the process more complicated no matter how it's done.

Weather in June should be pleasant. I would recommend bringing a light jacket as temperatures in the mornings can dip into the upper 30s but warm as the day progresses into the 70s and 80s.

You should have a great time there.

[arrowflinger]

 

[bugs n bones]

Delta is about 1200 bucks more than this time last year in the comfort plus seats

[Boneyard72]

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