| Harry |
| (.224 member) |
| 02/03/04 07:57 AM |
Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Mims, I got a note from the Namibian Professional Hunting Association
regarding a rifle in transit problem for hunting clients coming to Namibia via South Africa.
Recently a rifle agreement in SADC countries were signed which will be in
place from May 1, 2004 onwards.
It imply the following for our clients coming via South Africa (Johannesburg) to Windhoek and it will be a problem for all SADC countries,
e.g. clients being in transit at Johannesburg going to Namibia, Zambia,Zimbabwe or Botswana.
The client will arrive at Johannesburg with his rifle and before he can depart, they require an import permission from Namibia or whatever country.
The Namibian police does not issue any permit without having seen the rifle,you can imagine what mess they will do in issuing permits with wrong
numbers, etc. Thus, the rifle will stay at the airport and the hunter may take it back to the US after the hunt is over, or he might change his hunt
to a South African place.
Different organizations are actively involved in solving the administrative
SADC legislation.
If they can not solve the problem, all land-locked countries (Botswana,Zimbabwe and Zambia) will loose a lot of hunters.
Air Namibia already organized with Air Singapore a flight via Frankfurt to
land in Namibia, and then there is no rifle problem anymore.
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 02/03/04 10:25 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Harry, who initiated this cluster flop? I sure hope they get this mess straightened out quick.
NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 02/03/04 10:35 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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It must have been some "bright" boys in the non-South African countries agreeing to this one.
Flying through Jo'burg, making it harder to hunt in Zim, Nambia, Bots, Zambia etc. Guess which country will benefit.
But if you only in transit at Jo'burg what business on earth is it for South Africa to be restricting international luggage anyway. You have never legally entered their country!
| 475Guy |
| (.400 member) |
| 02/03/04 11:27 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Hey, that's African logic at work again. NOT!!
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 02/03/04 12:09 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Welcome to "The New South Africa" .
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 02/03/04 12:11 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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I emailed this thread to Vaughan Fulton. Let's see what he's found out about it. Many times rumors start up that turn out to be unsubstantiated. Hopefully this is one of them.
| Sheldon |
| (.224 member) |
| 02/03/04 12:23 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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I'm travelling out there on April 4th and returning on April 17th headed to vaughan Fulton's camp, so I hope this doesn't apply to me, nor anyone else for that matter.
| Vaughan_Fulton |
| (.224 member) |
| 02/03/04 10:31 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Hello Members,
Okay I spoke with NAPHA this morning and this is what I was told.
Government Ministries, NAPHA and related industries are working to get this matter solved. At this stage all countries including South Africa (though to a lesser degree), will be affected by this as the rifles will not leave the Jhb. Airport without import permits. Now apparently there has been a postponement though it is not in writing as yet. I know the postponement does not fix the problem though I think that it will be reviewed as this is not just Namibia that is being affected but all countries in the SADC region.
So lets relax for now as I believe that a solution will be found. I suggest we view it as a potential inconvenience. It seems obvious that nobody thought about certain consequences when making a certain decision. There is just too much revenue generated throughout the SADC region from the hunting industry for them to seriously consider this. There may be a backup plan in place that has not been shared as yet. Governments around the world make similar decisions regularly.
I will keep tabs on this and let you guys know as the info comes through.
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 03/03/04 01:07 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Here's the latest on this fiasco. In addition to sending this warning to Vaughan Fulton, I also sent it to NAPHA in Windhoek to find out what they knew about it. This is their reply:
Dear Sir
The information you sent our office is correct. The only difference is, that nobody really knows when it actually comes into effect. There has been mention of the 01 July. So, I am afraid at this point in time, everyone is hanging on tentative hooks. May I make a suggestion that you re-route your flight that you fly directly into Windhoek, or the other alternative would be to hire a weapon at your point of destination.
I'm afraid at this point in time I can not be of more assistance to you.
Kind regards
Carlin Sobotta
NAPHA Office
My personal opinion is that this is just a temporary fly in the ointment, and will get sorted out. Hang in there guys and girls. (my comment, not NAPHA's)
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 03/03/04 01:16 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Harry-for your 1st post here, you sure made it a block buster! Thanks for the heads up, and welcome to the forum.
| AspenHill |
| (Sponsor) |
| 03/03/04 01:29 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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The stupidity is blinding, isn't it?
I have recommended to all of my clients they get a formal letter head stamped document from their local police agency listing their rifle serial numbers verifying ownership for all travel to Africa. I can tell you now, this is going to be mandatory very soon. Get a photo of yourself pasted on the paper too. Keep it with your Passport and shot documents.
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 05/03/04 01:24 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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btt
| bwanamrm |
| (.224 member) |
| 07/03/04 10:47 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Thanks for the "heads up". I was considering flying through Jo'berg to Harare for an ele hunt with Buzz Charlton in late July. This might give me reason to fly KLM through Amsterdam since British Airways is not welcome in Zim. Or, we could just stay overnight at the Afton House. Back in May it took us two hours to get our luggage, gun paperwork and thru Customs in Jo'Berg. Anybody reconsidered the flight thru RSA?
| AfricanHunter |
| (.275 member) |
| 08/03/04 11:49 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Ref. getting to Zim
How is Amsterdam to deal with on the firearms transfers? Can anyone shed any light on it.
What about the stop in Nairobi since no hunting is allowed in Kenya? Has anyone done this. Some schedules I have looked at call for overnight in Nairobi before going on to Harare, Zim.
thanks,
Leroy
| bwanamrm |
| (.224 member) |
| 09/03/04 01:39 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Leroy,
I flew KLM to Arusha, Tanzania this past November. Once I was checked in at Houston there were no problems. My agent at check-in hadn't processed many firearms but with some help he got us on to TSA and loaded on the plane. After that it was smooth sailing. I checked my guns through to Tanzania and had no problems. The flight to Amsterdam direct from Houston was easy and it was nice to stop and deplane and walk around for a couple of hours before boarding up again for the final leg of the journey. KLM food sucked but the service was great and Heinekens were gratis! I haven't had much problem with SAA but they have been getting sloppy here lately with service and the hassle factor in Jo'berg trying to get gun paperwork done. I do like the entertainment centers in the seat though! Give SAA a five star for that!
| Sevens |
| (.224 member) |
| 09/03/04 03:50 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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In reply to:
the other alternative would be to hire a weapon at your point of destination
If I can't have my gun, I wont go to Namibia . This is a bummer as I really would like to hunt in Namibia, but as a first timer the easier it is to go from country to country, the better. Hunting with a loaner rifle is just something I can't do, don't know why, just can't. Maybe it's because my rifles carry my memories, without them I have only a well polished gun that sits in the safe. Is there any direct flights offered from the US to Namibia?
Sevens
| luv2safari |
| (.400 member) |
| 09/03/04 04:36 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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You may have to go through Europe and to Dar, Harare, etc. It's better than fighting the idiocy that is the Jo'burg airport...its the National Zoo of RSA IMHO!
I hate to say these things about Jo'burg, as I have good friends in RSA, but things are turning to shit, as every crony seems to be working there...with their hand out and palm up.
It is a shame that things have gone down hill so badly, but that's the new SA. I'll be there again in September, but may hunt with a borrowed guns.
Maybe we will find that RSA is not going to end up biting a hand that feeds it; I hope so for the sake of all the fine outfitters and PHs there. They are hard working guys who take pride in their craft.
| cchunter |
| (.375 member) |
| 09/03/04 07:24 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Direct flights from Europe are available with Lufthansa from Munich, once a week and with Air Namibia from Frankfurt four times a week.
The only other connecting countries with direct flights I found was Angola, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
| TerryBlauwkamp |
| (.224 member) |
| 11/03/04 11:24 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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WHAT IF.......... you don't check your guns THRU to Windhoek, but take possesion of them in Jo Berg,(or Cape Town) get the permits, and then recheck them into international departures to Windhoek?
Does this eliminate the transit thru problem?
What if.... I spend a couple weeks in RSA and then go to Namibia? Then all I do is check into international departure, just like above.
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 11/03/04 11:59 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Terry, I think the issue is that before South Africa will allow the weapons to be checked as luggage for transit to Namibia, you must have in your possession a permit from Namibia. That seems to be what has us all concerned. How do we get the permit from Namibia, when they don't issue permits (at least for now) until they see the weapons and verify the serial numbers.
| luv2safari |
| (.400 member) |
| 12/03/04 02:26 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters *DELETED*
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Post deleted by luv2safari
| TerryBlauwkamp |
| (.224 member) |
| 16/03/04 06:53 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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To each his own.... opinion.
I for one will not stay home. I didn't stay home after 9/11, and am not ging to let the bureaucrates screw me out of the one thing I live for everyday, Africa.
I'll get it done, one way or the other even if I have to use a rented gun.
| luv2safari |
| (.400 member) |
| 16/03/04 04:19 PM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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Terry
Well, you have the right attitude after all...
I'll be in Limpopo Prov on Sept.13...traveling on 9/11 as planned, then over East to look for a BIG Nyala. After I got done ranting, I calmed down and realized all I would be missing.
I'm going to remove my last post here, accordingly...
Still luv2
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 16/03/04 10:53 PM |
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Terry, I'm with you. Life's too short to let the bureaucrats and terrorists screw with my life.
| mikeh416Rigby |
| (.450 member) |
| 29/03/04 01:16 AM |
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Re: Heads Up Namibian Hunters
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btt again