So, made it back. The trip bookended by typical British bullsh1t.
A bit more detail on my departure, I had booked in, got boarding passes and joined the queue to check in luggage and firearm.
In the queue a supervisor asked what was in my long case, I leaned in and discreetly told her it was a firearm. Her reaction was to jump back and exclaim loudly "A firearm?" to which the nearest fifty people turned around and then started staring and taking an interest at what was unfolding.
Refused travel, boarding passes confiscated, told I couldn't fly because the firearm wasn't booked in.
I explained that I had tried on many occasions but had no response. Was told I should've kept trying.
I asked her if she was me, what would she do if my attempts were ignored?
Told I couldn't fly unless it was booked on the flight and it might be too late so had to go to the Ethiopian desk and book it in.
The ancient Stasi officer at the desk couldn't book it in so gave me a number to call to book it in.
Rang the number, it was answered by someone who couldn't help and told me it was the supervisor and station manager's responsibility at the airport.
Back to the supervisor who had refused me travel and told her that the people on the phone had referred me back to her.
The station manager turned up and I explained the situation once again, showed him my emails and phone calls.
He granted me the travel and asked me to forward him the unanswered emails.
Booking procedure once again. Was told I wouldn't be charged excess baggage but would have to pay a sporting equipment charge.
Back to the desk and the unhelpful Stasi.
She didn't know what to charge me and was waiting for over half an hour for them to decide it was £75.
Paid it and made it on the flight.
That was my three hours proir to the flight taken up.
In Addis, there was a chap with my name as I exited the plane, had an hour and a half turnaround.
Down to the bowels of the airport, check firearm, all good but no ammunition case.
A search was made and no sign. I was promised that it would be on my next flight or the next one.
Nothing I can do about it so then get escorted at a sprint through the airport to catch my transfer which I make just in time.
The Ethiopian guys were incredibly professional and very helpful.
At destination, firearm and ammunition were there waiting for me, go through the import procedures and pay the bullet tax, in case anyone else is heading to Botswana, remove any price from your retail ammunition boxes, they base the tax you pay on the value of the bullets so always declare the value to be half of what it really is to save yourself money.
On the return I had no issues whatsoever, checked in with Botswanan police and customs, checks and forms signed and join the queue to check in, all luggage was accepted, no charges levied and they couldn't have been more helpful, polite and professional. I was thanked so many times for visiting and asked when I would return, did I have a good trip etc. Awesome service.
Back in Addis, and off the plane, asked a member of staff what I needed to do reference my firearm, told to go to the customer service desk just past the immigration queues.
They contacted a member of staff who escorted me through the whole thing again. No issues, taken through priority boarding and then had five hours to waste in the airport before the flight back to Heathrow.
Back in Heathrow, through the red channel, no one there. Picked up the red telephone and told the person at the other end where I was and what I was there for.
Waited for ten minutes before the glass screen went back and I could see my firearm case on the x-ray machine surrounded by Border Force.
"We have an issue sir, we'll be with your shortly"
Typical.
Waited for another twenty minutes, people were waiting behind me now.
Eventually the glass screen opened again and three Border Force officers emerged with my rifle and ammuntion.
"Everything ok?" I enquired.
Apparently the issue was the airline hadn't stuck any red Firearm stickers on my case.
I was told in future to make sure this happened. My response of "it isn't really under my control" was met with, "I know sir but you need to have the stickers identifying it as a firearm on the case, YOU need to make sure the airline does this."
FFS.
One firearm came off that plane, they had the details, they scanned it through the x-ray, they could see what it was yet because it had no stickers on the case, it created an issue.
Common sense is sadly missing in the British jungle of red tape and jobsworths.
Between leaving the UK and returning I was met with nothing but helpful, polite and willing assistance. People put themselves out to help and all Africans that I met along my way were great people who did their job very well and with a smile.
It was only in this country that I encountered any problems. Kind of sums up where we are. All other countries were easy to negotiate and full of help, not this one.
Would I do it again?
Yes, although I actually prefer a long flight to Johannesburg and a short hop rather than two seven and five hour flights respectively but fares dictate the choice.
I hope my experience might help someone else in future and has provided some information to any readers.
. You will probably find more up to date information on the Africa Hunting forum.
