Just back from a great hunting and fishing trip to Namibia they have had good rains so the place is very green. First trip since CV19 so more paperwork and checks, below just some facts and observations for anyone considering going to Africa this year
Flew Virgin from Heathrow, informed them a week in advance about firearm, it makes no difference you just fill out the forms then wait for security to take the rifle and ammo box. Went through security then waited an hour for Border Force to arrive, number check on rifle then good to go. When you are on the plane the Virgin guys find your seat and give you a copy of the paperwork
Johannesburg, you have to show a negative test inside a 72 hour window which we did, it has to be uploaded on to a world system that SA and Namibia recognise, it has a QR code on it but no one scanned it. Rifle and ammo checked straight through so no aggravation at J/burg airport
Virgin now partner with Airlink who do carry firearms, they were on time and very efficient, at Windhoek go through security, show your negative CV test again no scanning pick up your bags and now the Police/ Firearms unit is outside so you go out through the door turn left, police paperwork straightforward 10 minutes
Return was straightforward however the SA authorities want a negative CV test cert so outfitter arranged that for us, 360 Euros ( That did include the tester coming to the lodge) for the two of us, the only people who checked it were at the Namibian guys at Windhoek we were never asked for it in SA
Summary, there is more paperwork than normal but I along with many others have waited 2 years to go on a hunt cancelled back in March 2020. Airlink are very good I would use them again and they are expanding in Africa as SAA appear to be doing nothing
Flew Virgin from Heathrow, informed them a week in advance about firearm, it makes no difference you just fill out the forms then wait for security to take the rifle and ammo box. Went through security then waited an hour for Border Force to arrive, number check on rifle then good to go. When you are on the plane the Virgin guys find your seat and give you a copy of the paperwork
Johannesburg, you have to show a negative test inside a 72 hour window which we did, it has to be uploaded on to a world system that SA and Namibia recognise, it has a QR code on it but no one scanned it. Rifle and ammo checked straight through so no aggravation at J/burg airport
Virgin now partner with Airlink who do carry firearms, they were on time and very efficient, at Windhoek go through security, show your negative CV test again no scanning pick up your bags and now the Police/ Firearms unit is outside so you go out through the door turn left, police paperwork straightforward 10 minutes
Return was straightforward however the SA authorities want a negative CV test cert so outfitter arranged that for us, 360 Euros ( That did include the tester coming to the lodge) for the two of us, the only people who checked it were at the Namibian guys at Windhoek we were never asked for it in SA
Summary, there is more paperwork than normal but I along with many others have waited 2 years to go on a hunt cancelled back in March 2020. Airlink are very good I would use them again and they are expanding in Africa as SAA appear to be doing nothing
