I will be arriving late in Johannesburg when I fly to South Africa in September . As I have to fly to Port Elizabeth it would be more convenient to spend the night in Johannesburg . In the past a particular hotel has been mentioned as hunter friendly .
Does anyone know the name and have contact details please .

Mark

Africa Sky has been getting a lot of mention, but I haven't stayed there.

I write this assuming you will be bringing your rifles?

Your firearms will need to be cleared upon arrival at JNB. Last year, my domestic flight to Port Elizabeth had about a two hour layover after arrival on Delta 200 from Atlanta.

Usually I do my own gun clearing, but since time was tight, I had Afton Guest House have my gun permits, etc. ready at SAPS (the international office). Afton promptly got me through that process, took me over to ticketing, then the SAPS domestic office, got my guns checked and I had an hour before boarding. Their prompt and efficient handling of my baggage/guns negated the need for an R.O.N.

That said, if you wish to spend the night in Johannesburg, which I usually do, there are several good choices. I started with Afton 20 years ago or so, and I find no reason to change, particularly because they seem able to fix any lost baggage issue faster than anyone else. Some, or all, of my baggage hasn't showed up in JNB multiple times. Every time, Afton has been able to find it and get it to Harare, Vic Falls or wherever so that I've never lost a day of hunting.... and that's a quite valuable service.

Remember, some carriers in South Africa don't transport firearms without your jumping through some hoops.

We used African Sky the last time, and was happy with their service all around. This time we are going to use Afton, just for something different. I like to change things up sometimes and try someone new even when I'm happy with past experiences.
Both have web sites that you can contact them through.

quote:

Originally posted by JudgeG:
I write this assuming you will be bringing your rifles?

Your firearms will need to be cleared upon arrival at JNB. Last year, my domestic flight to Port Elizabeth had about a two hour layover after arrival on Delta 200 from Atlanta.

Usually I do my own gun clearing, but since time was tight, I had Afton Guest House have my gun permits, etc. ready at SAPS (the international office). Afton promptly got me through that process, took me over to ticketing, then the SAPS domestic office, got my guns checked and I had an hour before boarding. Their prompt and efficient handling of my baggage/guns negated the need for an R.O.N.

That said, if you wish to spend the night in Johannesburg, which I usually do, there are several good choices. I started with Afton 20 years ago or so, and I find no reason to change, particularly because they seem able to fix any lost baggage issue faster than anyone else. Some, or all, of my baggage hasn't showed up in JNB multiple times. Every time, Afton has been able to find it and get it to Harare, Vic Falls or wherever so that I've never lost a day of hunting.... and that's a quite valuable service.

Remember, some carriers in South Africa don't transport firearms without your jumping through some hoops.

I would totally agree with Judge, I have been using them the last 8 years with 0 issues. I made the same trip last year to Port Elizabeth, even though I didn't ask them, they made sure to collect me on my return flight back to joberg and ensure my transition back from Port Elizabeth went smoothly as well by assisting me with guns and luggage for my trip back to the states. Great people who really know how to cut through that red tape at joberg.

Afton for sure.

Great service, great barbecue, great people.

Afton
Those guys are synonymous with efficiency
They are just that good, very friendly and you'll feel like home

You might also consider the Intercontinental (might have changed it's name) which is right outside the airport terminal or the Holiday Inn which is a 5 minute drive in their courtesy bus from the airport.

City Lodge in the airport terminal. Why get in a car when you can just walk to your room?

My hunt party used African Sky this past June 2014 and it was very nice

This being my first trip I can't comment on Afton House but my friend graybird can.

Hopefully he can chime in later on his thoughts of both.

I have stayed at African Sky once and it was top notch.

Afton has been the standard for quite a long time from what i have read.

A few years ago,IIRC, there was a bit of displeasure with Afton. Things such as pushy vendors selling jewelry etc to guests and some dinner issues I think. I would suggest a careful search in old threads for those issues and make sure they have been addressed.

quote:

Originally posted by SOUTHPAWHUNTER:
City Lodge in the airport terminal. Why get in a car when you can just walk to your room?

Mark,

I totally agree with SOUTHPAWHUNTER. The City Lodge is just too convenient and hassle free. Why spend your time riding and dragging your luggage around JNB when you could relax right in the airport. I recommend all my clients overnighting in JNB stay there and I'm staying there myself next October.

Mark

Another vote for City Lodge. Great food, convenient, nice rooms. If you want to go the extra mile, get Gracy Travel to do the meet & greet and clear your rifles. Air 2000 will do the same thing if you don't want to use Gracy. The $150 was well worth it IMO.

Is the City Lodge what used to be the Intercontinental? - I'd guess it is if you walk from the terminal.

Steve,

The City Lodge is new construction on top of the parking ramp, right across the roadway in front of the terminal.

Les

CITY LODGE

Haven't stayed at the airport. But I have done both Afton and African Sky. African sky get's my vote all the way!


.

I use the birchwood. they have a shuttle to and from the airport, nice rooms, secure, good rates, great staff.

Another vote for City Lodge and Gracy services. When you're tired, keep it simple.
lb

Further reading for you



http://forums.accuratereloadin...001032421#3001032421



http://forums.accuratereloadin...591093471#7591093471

quote:

Originally posted by LHowell:
Steve,

The City Lodge is new construction on top of the parking ramp, right across the roadway in front of the terminal.

Les

CITY LODGE

Les

Thanks........ what is the hotel that used to be the Intercontinental and just across the road from the terminal now called. I get an idea it became Southern sun after Intercontinental sold it but get an idea it's been renamed yet again now?

Steve,

The Intercontinental is still showing up on Trip Advisor

It remains a little "pricey" - but it IS an Intercontinental!

Les

Thanks Les. I thought it had changed hands a couple of times but maybe I'm having a senior moment.

Don't know if it's still the same but I used to use it pretty regularly and could usually screw them into quite a reasonable discount....... and of course the convenience is always well worth paying a bit more for.

I always thought the restaurant was a bit over priced and over rated but you can always walk across the road to the terminal and hit the Ocean Basket or one of the many other restaurants.

I stayed at the Intercontinental several times, and liked its convenience. My last stay there was ten years ago, so it could have changed.

Bill Quimby

Africa Sky is "Top Notch". Stayed there in 2013 on my way to Namibia.
I took Duckear's recommendation and it was good advice.
About 10-15 minutes from airport.

MauserK98

Steve:

The Intercontinental is still there - same place. The City Lodge is in the main terminal just outside the main ticketing area. The one across the street is called the Protea.

We stayed at the City Lodge one year, before the World Cup tournament - pretty bad. They underwent a serious renovation for the World Cup and we stayed there again last year and the rooms were very nice - $125 or so US for either single or double occupancy. Planning to stay there again on this years trip.

Stayed with Afton in 2009 and not impressed for the price and trouble of vehicle transit/transport or the $25 per person family style beef steak dinner.

Last year at the City Lodge, the rooms were very nice and meal selection at the City Lodge restaurant was better and less expensive than Afton and just a 10 min walk to the check-in gate. Porters handled the bags each way for a 50 Rand ($5 US) tip each way.

City Lodge hands down for what you need on this trip.

Having stayed at both Afton Hiuse and African Sky Guest House, there is absolutely no comparison. African Sky will get my business henceforth.

I've stayed at the City Lodge 4 times in the past three years.

Extremely convenient after a long flight.

I have only overnighted in Joburg once and stayed at Africa Sky. No complaints at all. They not only fixed up a lost rifle on arrival but assisted with Check in the following day. My driver knew which check in people to avoid and who to check in through. Great service.

I staryed at City Lodge last June. You can't go wrong! Very convenient, very clean and well priced.
John

Of course many years ago but I stayed at a Holiday Inn about 20 minutes away from the airport. I remember their shuttles were Green. They had a Spur inside the motel and had the absolute best breakfast I have ever had anywhere. Marvelous buffet and eggs to order. Had a good safe facility for your guns and shuttle ran every 15 minutes I think. I doubt it's still there. I remember finding it totally incongrous that they had a western style steakhouse with indian motif when I had just flown in from Tucson,Az. Excellant steak though. Found out later that almost all the Holiday Inns had a Spur in them, I know the one in Bulawayo was also excellant. I understand clearing your guns is quite a chore now. It was relatively easy back then. Things DO change and we DO get older.

Thank you all of you for your helpful replies . I will be taking my own rifle . I have never been to South Africa so if it is tricky bringing rifles in to the country Afton Lodge seems to have benefits but if the process is easy City Lodge sounds good .
The flight from Australia lands at 5.30pm so I think I would be cutting it too fine to get on a connecting flight to Port Elizabeth .
The key to the choice seems to be the difficulty of arriving from Australia with a rifle .

Mark

Several companies provide a service that does the following:

1. Acquires, in advance, gun permits from the South African Police (SAPS).
2. Meet you upon exit from "regular" customs and escort you to SAPS where your firearm will be delivered. Let me tell you that it is really great to get to the exit from customs (pushing the non-gun bags on a cart) and when the hallway dumps into the crowded lobby, to see a smiling face holding up a sign with your name on it!
3. Assist you at the police desk with the final serial number/ammo checks which results in you gun(s) being registered into the country.
4. Meet you the next morning for the domestic flight and assist you in the domestic airline process with your firearm
5. And, if need be, assist you in the departure SAPS process when leaving South Africa.

In my experience of 20 or so times through Johannesburg with firearms, I've seen folks with absolutely no clue as what to do get easily through the process and also have seen "know it all" folks have heartbreaking delays, miss flights or even have their firearms denied entry.

For the first time, I'd surely go with a good service.

Afton (and others) have website info of what they offer, how to avail yourself to the service/forms, etc. and the prices. For around $100 U.S., it would be nice to have an angst free entry on a multi-thousand dollar trip.

JMHO

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
Having stayed at both Afton Hiuse and African Sky Guest House, there is absolutely no comparison. African Sky will get my business henceforth.

That's the thing, companies and businesses change, and who might have been good a few years ago, might not be now. The Afton was great at one point in time, but then things unfortunately changed for them, and being loyal I gave them another opportunity....but it was not the same place and in fact was rather somber with very poor airport shuttle service. The next trip using African Sky was wonderful, noting this was in 2013.

I would suggest that one strives to look for recent experiences, and weight these more than those a few years old. This also applies to hunting companies, areas/concessions, travel agents, custom brokers, etc.....

I stayed in the City Lodge earlier this year 1/1/2015.

No complaints, but I didn't have firearms with me, so I can't comment on that.

One thing I found to be a pain in the rear was they closed the pub at 10pm, so if you get there late, there is NO chance for a relaxer before you hit the sack. After a 19 or 29 hour flight, I WANT a drink. Can't remember if they had room service, I didn't want it, so I never looked.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:

I would suggest that one strives to look for recent experiences, and weight these more than those a few years old. This also applies to hunting companies, areas/concessions, travel agents, custom brokers, etc.....

Excellent advice that more should heed than will.

I have only stayed at Africa Sky 3 or 4 times. Top notch and great price and service. Dinner is fantastic as well. Nice to sit by the fire or take a swim depending on the time of the year. I have not been to Afton but have friends that have done both. They will go nowhere but Africa Sky now. Oh and I timed it last time. It was 7-8 minutes from the airport. They are very efficient.