When we moved from Ghana to Namibia, there were no direct flights to Namibia. Inevitably we had to re-route through Johannesburg, RSA, and customs insisted upon medical documents for our 2 dogs that we could not produce.
It was not like we did not have any medical traveling passports for my dogs, it was a case of customs wanting every other possible document other than to 5 or 6 we had obtained before leaving Ghana. We used a reputable International company specialising in International Pet Travel Services, and extensively researched both Namibia and South African customs requirements before we departed.
The problem arised in Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg we opted not to connect to Namibia directly as "there was a problem with the animals-in-travel". We had to produce these strange extra documentation or alternatively have the dogs put down there in the cargo ares in Johannesburg. After phoning the State Veterinarian in Windhoek, Namibia and obtaining an assurance of quarantine for both dogs, they were finally allowed to travel to Windhoek. Then upon arrival the dogs were put into quarantine for 3 months. No complaints about the quarantine facilities as it was air cooled (Windhoek is VERY hot) and spacious and we could take the 20km drive to visit them as often as possible when ever we wished.
The problem was my dogs and children alike were so traumatised by the travel and being separated from each other, that we decided NEVER to do this again to another animal or our family.
But now we have to move back to Ghana, and I am adamant NOT to relocate with my dog back to Ghana after this horrible experience! Although I can leave my Maltese dog with other family members here in Windhoek - my family and I shall miss her terribly and the dog will morn for me as she has done when we travel on vacations.
There are direct flights between Ghana and Namibia now as well...
It was not like we did not have any medical traveling passports for my dogs, it was a case of customs wanting every other possible document other than to 5 or 6 we had obtained before leaving Ghana. We used a reputable International company specialising in International Pet Travel Services, and extensively researched both Namibia and South African customs requirements before we departed.
The problem arised in Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg we opted not to connect to Namibia directly as "there was a problem with the animals-in-travel". We had to produce these strange extra documentation or alternatively have the dogs put down there in the cargo ares in Johannesburg. After phoning the State Veterinarian in Windhoek, Namibia and obtaining an assurance of quarantine for both dogs, they were finally allowed to travel to Windhoek. Then upon arrival the dogs were put into quarantine for 3 months. No complaints about the quarantine facilities as it was air cooled (Windhoek is VERY hot) and spacious and we could take the 20km drive to visit them as often as possible when ever we wished.
The problem was my dogs and children alike were so traumatised by the travel and being separated from each other, that we decided NEVER to do this again to another animal or our family.
But now we have to move back to Ghana, and I am adamant NOT to relocate with my dog back to Ghana after this horrible experience! Although I can leave my Maltese dog with other family members here in Windhoek - my family and I shall miss her terribly and the dog will morn for me as she has done when we travel on vacations.
There are direct flights between Ghana and Namibia now as well...
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