Taking a rifle to Africa

suits me

suits me

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Trip is bought for next year, four hunters and two observers going to South Africa. I seem to be the only one who wants to take my own rifle, and to be honest if I don't take my own I really don't even want to go. I see no point spending thousands on a dream hunt to borrow someone's rifle. From what I have read it seems fairly straight forward as long as we book the right flights. (Through Germany). Someone with experience walk me through it? I would like to spend a couple of days maybe touring SA after the safari but I could care less about going anywhere in Europe during layovers.
 
SA is a breeze for rifles.........pull up SAP 520 on your computer and fill it out and send it to your hunter, and keep a copy on you. That's really all you need to do for SA, however check out your air carriers carefully as they have some pretty funky rules and virtually all of them want 2 weeks notice now if you are travelling with firearms. That and take a pocket full of Benjamin Franklin permits.........although you won't likely need them for exclusively SA. Elsewhere on the continent they are an absolute must, when travelling with firearms. Your hunter can answer all your questions and his/her info will be right up to date........best way for sure, instead of relying on internet babble. Rules can change almost daily but this has been my experience. Also make absolutely sure that you arrive at check ins at least 4 hours early when travelling with rifles and if the gate isn't open seek out a representative and inform them you are travelling with a firearm. It can be somewhat of a trying experience but as long as you are patient it is worth it in the long run. Always be polite and don't be impatient or rude no matter what transpires, as cool heads always prevail. I have had some pretty rough goes at airports but I just resign myself to the fact it is their country and their rules that I must abide by and answer all questions and produce all the paper work they request. If you have had the rifle since our old registry days and still have a copy, it is a very good idea to bring it, as many countries and their citizens have no concept of a country where firearms are NOT registered and will call you a liar to your face when you tell them that rifles and shotguns in Canada don't have to be registered. This happened to me in London, that's how ignorant a lot of people world wide are and I'm not talking necessarily 3rd world either. If possible avoid England at all costs and route through Germany or the Netherlands, Germany is very firearms tolerant and helpful, I have never gotten a hard time in Frankfurt. I have only been through Amsterdam once and as I recall it was painless.

The airlines are the biggest hurtle you will face, just make sure you contact them well in advance and make sure they will in fact carry firearms......some won't......and exactly what their policies are. Do this through e-mail and make sure you get the representatives name and everything laid out in writing as to their firearm policy. Print these out and carry them with you and do not rely on verbal statements. Or again you may be called a liar and set up on the "merry-go-round" for a couple hours. Make no mistake there are some very anti gun/anti hunting people working for the airlines and will go out of their way to make you miss a flight or inconvenience you in any way they can. If you run into one of these, and they usually are very obvious about it, ask for a supervisor immediately and make note of their name and lodge a formal complaint against them. This generally expedites things greatly, however if the supervisor is of the same ilk, ask for his/her boss immediately and don't take no for an answer, or threaten to call the Police which are usually not too far away. But you MUST know the rules and that airlines firearms policies inside out and have them in writing in your carry on, ready to produce instantly and prove your position.
Good luck and have a great hunt.......travel with firearms is not usually too bad, but it can be.
 
Thanks. This week I will get to the 375 ruger recipe.

Deal with US and Canadian customs every week so I know the nod and smile ask for a supervisor routine.
 
Yeah, you're set. The routing through Frankfurt is the way to go and, as Douglas says, RSA is dead simple to take rifles into. Just be prepared for various idiots along the way.
 
Another "trick" the locals pull in Africa is after landing with your firearms and transferring to a smaller aircraft to get farther back into a hunting area by some miracle the serial #'s of your guns don't match the permits.Another bribe is in order to move along.Likely a relative called ahead for another sucker is on his way.Make sure the #'s match before proceeding anywhere to connecting flights.....Harold
 
mbogo3 said:
Another "trick" the locals pull in Africa is after landing with your firearms and transferring to a smaller aircraft to get farther back into a hunting area by some miracle the serial #'s of your guns don't match the permits.Another bribe is in order to move along.Likely a relative called ahead for another sucker is on his way.Make sure the #'s match before proceeding anywhere to connecting flights.....Harold
Click to expand...

And speaking of traveling by small plane, be sure to have a soft case for your rifle as well as a hard luggage style travel case. They don't like those big Pelican cases in small planes, and the soft case will give your rifle a bit more protection in the hunting car.
 
Take the center layer of foam out of your hardcase, and put your rifles in the soft case inside it. That way you have both, and you haven't taken up all the room (and weight) in your luggage doing it. Your ammo is heavy enough, and takes up enough room as it is. Speaking of ammo, if you have any domestic flights in or out of SA, make sure you have a lockable case that can be checked separately.
 
Be mindful of the weight limits on your ammo (they include the weight of your locked ammo box). If you go over you may be scrambling to figure out what to do with "extra" ammo at the airport (had this happen on a regional flight out of Port Elizabeth).
Word to the wise.
Other that that, it's a fabulous idea to take a hunting rifle that you are familiar with!
Fly through Frankfurt. Lufthansa is the way to go. They are partners with Air Canada and South African Airlines.
 
As you probably know, you'll need permits from the Government of Canada via Global Affairs Canada

Home>Trade>Services and Tools>Export and Import Controls>Controlled Products>Firearms, Related Goods and Ammunition
Firearms, Related Goods and Ammunition
<http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/firearms_armes_a_feu/index.aspx?lang=eng>

Home>Trade>Services and Tools>Export and Import Controls>Controlled Products>Export Controls
Temporary Export for a Hunting Trip
<http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/firearms_armes_a_feu/permit-licence.aspx?lang=eng>

Home>Trade>Services and Tools>Export and Import Controls>Applying for an Export Permit for Firearms, Related Goods and Ammunition
Applying for an Export Permit for Firearms, Related Goods and Ammunition
<http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/firearms_armes_a_feu/other-autres/license-demande.aspx?lang=eng>

Home>Trade>Services and Tools>Export and Import Controls>Export Controls>Export Permits and Export Controls
Export Controls Handbook
<http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/military-militaires/handbook-manuel.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=78>

Home>Trade>Services and Tools>Export and Import Controls>Publications and Reports>Printable Forms
Printable Forms
<http://www.international.gc.ca/controls-controles/report-rapports/list_liste/forms-formulaires.aspx?lang=eng>
 
The following reference charts are based on the size and weight baggage allowance for each airline, and which Pelican Case fits those allowances. Please keep in mind the categorization of this data was calculated based on the presumption that this 'protective case' is being used as the first piece of luggage. (Luggage specifications change for some airlines for the second piece. For most airlines, the second piece specifications are the same as the first piece.)

Please check with your Airline before flying for current requirements as policies may change regarding the baggage allowance specifications.

CO = carry on
OS = oversized
CB = checked baggage

Pelian Case Airline Allowance Chart
<http://www.pelican-case.com/airline-allowance.html>
 
Dogleg said:
Take the center layer of foam out of your hardcase, and put your rifles in the soft case inside it. That way you have both, and you haven't taken up all the room (and weight) in your luggage doing it. Your ammo is heavy enough, and takes up enough room as it is. Speaking of ammo, if you have any domestic flights in or out of SA, make sure you have a lockable case that can be checked separately.
Click to expand...

European airlines may ask for it too.
 
The time I went in 2013 we flew Air Canada to Atlanta with a 3hr stopover and then on to jBurg with Delta. We never handled the firearms in Atlanta so that made it simple and the pick up in JBurg was a breeze. There was no evidence of 'wanting extra cash' as aparentlly was the norm a few years back. We rented a Nissan pickup and drove south to East Cape, did the 7 day hunt and then drove back up to JBurg via a different route. Saw a huge chunk of SA while staying at Bed and Breakfast facilities since Motels as we know them are non-existant in SA. It was a great adventure..........Enjoy yours.
 
We won't be flying in SA, the outfitter is picking us up in Johannesburg and taking us to the "camp". We plan on fishing after the safari but it will be with the same outfitter. I want to get my ducks in a row early on this one. Hopefully my new stock will be done in time.
 
Go with Air Canada so you do Star Alliance. I put my guns on the plane in Grande Prairie and get them in Johanasburg or Windheok depending what Counrty I'm going to. If the airline tells you that the ammo wiegth includes the locking case, tell them you will just take it out and put the ammo and the empty case in your luggage seperate. The case is not included in the wiegth, it's just some one at the counter making thier own rules. Some people recommend using a service in South Africa to help with your permits, it's 150-200 US, and is worth it if you have problems. What ever you do do not tip the police at the airport the government of South Africa is trying to stop the bribing of the police.
 
This is interesting for me. I spoke with a PH from RSA at the Toronto Sportsman's show and was thinking about going there next year.
The PH recommended I rent a rifle from him for the week ($30 CDN/Day all ammo included) for a couple reasons.
1) I won't have any hassle while travelling;
2) and the rental is almost the same as what AC would charge me for both ways;
3) The rifles are suppressed, so they don't jump much plus the PH is right beside the muzzle (generally) when the hunter is shooting and the rifle is a lot quieter for them.

If I do go that is what I plan to do. BTW this was a plains game not DG hunt so that would be a big difference of course.

You make sure you enjoy yourself and post lots of pictures for us.
 
Bbb...........The PH you were talking to was way more concerned about himself and his game not getting spooked over to the neighbors land, than he was about your travel or entry problems. I was told I must use a suppressed rifle if I wanted to hunt on a certain concession, after we arrived there. I promptly told the PH to make arrangements on a new concession for the animals that I wished to hunt, because I did not intend to use a rifle I was not familiar with. The landowner was standing right beside the PH and I told him to kiss his concession fees and trophy fees goodbye because we were leaving immediately and if he had a contract with the PH he could eat it because this issue was never brought up in my contract with the operation. It took him less than a New York minute to change his tune, when he saw several thousand US dollars walking away..........Besides if memory serves me correctly it was a 270 Win that he had suppressed........NOT IN THIS LIFETIME !!!!!!!!!!!!

Wendell...........in the 15 or more times I have flown from this country, and 1/2 dozen times I have driven, with firearms and even handguns several times, I have never, ever applied for any permit from within Canada. I have also never, ever been given a hard time about permits to re-enter Canada.........except for my permits to convey for my handguns, which I had, of course.
 
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