If I were to overnight at Afton House would I still need to use Air 2000 or is Afton's service the same?

My understanding is that Afton's service only meets you after you clear customs. I will be staying at Afton's in July and will use www.riflepermits.com to have pre-approved firearms permits ready when I arrive.

I considered using Air2000 but their service is nearly twice the price and they could not give me a good reason why.

quote:

Originally posted by wyattd:
My understanding is that Afton's service only meets you after you clear customs. I will be staying at Afton's in July and will use www.riflepermits.com to have pre-approved firearms permits ready when I arrive.

I considered using Air2000 but their service is nearly twice the price and they could not give me a good reason why.

Having stayed at Afton House in the past as recently as 2005, that's my experience as well.

They are now handling rifle import permits as well, see their website. Truly a one-stop-shop.

a permit is a permit. Money is money. The service is the same from my experience. I use the good folks at Afton House for lodging, a meal or two, and permits. never disappointed.

nkonka do you or does anyone else have a web link to Afton?

I wonder why people use the services of a third party for their firearm permit.

Shouldn't they ask the PH they are going to be hunting with to do it?

Saeed

Getting the import permit in advance really involves going to the Central Firearms Register offices in Pretoria and an awful lot of hassle.

The specialist companies have someone there on a daily basis so it's easy for them. Then they mmet the client in the baggage hall and get everything done for them...... Most PHs don't have time to bugger around with the CFR and can't get into the baggage hall to meet the clients.

Having said that, it is possible to get tthe permit when you arrive but it's a lot more time consuming.

I am guessing that most of these guys are just passing through Jo-berg to other final destinations -- therefore a PH say in Harare would have difficulty handling that issue in Jo-berg.
The link for Afton house is http://www.aftonguesthouse.com/

Afton House does it all – there is no use in splitting out or having another service get involved.

It is my understanding (could be wrong) that riflepermits.com used to be part of Afton House but has been sold and is now a separate individual.
The easiest and most cost effective is to have Louis at Afton handle the whole deal -- simple and very straight forward -- one stop shopping.
G

Louis at Afton House ain't going anywhere. He isn't a minion (who may be working there one week, and not the next). He get's things done.

As to Saeed's question, Steve pretty well answered it. PH's aren't in Jo'burg everyday and certainly can't meet the passenger as he exits the plane "pre-customs". There is a great sense of relief when a guy is standing there at the jetway with a sign with your name on it.... worth bucks?... in my simple mind, YES!

Saying that, I've used other services, and had absolutely no problem, but if you're staying at Afton, why not one stop shop?

if I have the story straight, riflepermits.com is simply an add-on to Afton House. Louis 'sold" the permiting to a nephew, who still works at Afton House, or at least he did recently. Heck, he's the fellow who brought me there, Afton House, after the permit process was through.

riflepermits.com has a link direct to Afton House, and I'm betting it works in reverse, too.

He, being Edo, by the way. A very cordial young fellow. It was also he, edo, who pulled a bottle of scotch out of afton's supply and poured me my first toddy of my last safari. A generous pour, too, and one he thought "I desperately needed." Cordial and wise.

Guests /

Edo obviously or possibly (saw an opportunity) and started or got involved with the new company RiflePermits.com ...

Louis previously did assist with the permit process upon arrival whenever someone was staying at his Guest House/BUT he never actually got the permits in advance ...

Louis proberly now has more than enough to do himself running his Guest House so congratulations to both of them, capitalism and entreprenuership is alive a well as it should be. The service and peace of mind IMHO is more than worth what they charge

Cheers, Peter

I used rifle permit.com and Afton house on our last trip in August, no problems and no worries.

Thanks for the responses! My fiance and I are going to Zim through RSA. I'll get in touch with Afton House.