My Mozambique trip seems to have hit a fatal hitch. My flights as far as Johanesberg are booked by myself and the final legs were to be booked by the outfitter. I was recently notified that the last legs had been changed and I would be notified of what they would be. well, the time to leave is tomorrow, there is no notification of ticket or time for the last leg,no returns on emails (he's in the bush I suppose)can't get through on the sat phone and my plane leaves tomorrow.

Is it time to cut my losses and just stay home, or do I fly to Johannesberg on spec? the last email I got was that the tickets would be sorted and to bring two pairs of boots. Not enormously helpful.

Any ideas? I don't know what or how to check more.

Go what have u got to lose. Book your own flight

Sounds like the start of a grand adventure

I think I would pass on that one. It is too hard for me to get out of the office to potentially waste vacation time stuck in Joberg.

I'd like to. It is further complicated by the probability of nobody meeting my flight with a gun licence on the first Moz leg if nobody knows which one I'm on, and nobody to take me hunting after the second for the same reason.

quote:

Originally posted by kestrel:
Sounds like the start of a grand adventure

Perhaps not the adventure I'd pick. I am beginning to think adventure is over-rated.

Who is the outfitter/PH?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Who is the outfitter/PH?

Infinito Safaris, Charl van Rooyen

And some folks ask about or question the value of using a travel agent. Go figure.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Who is the outfitter/PH?

Infinito Safaris, Charl van Rooyen

Maybe Vaughn "UEG" can help with a ph# to Charl's RSA home and she may be in the know???

Good luck

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Who is the outfitter/PH?

Infinito Safaris, Charl van Rooyen

Maybe Vaughn "UEG" can help with a ph# to Charl's RSA home and she may be in the know???

Good luck

Who is Vaughn "UEG"

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:

quote:

Originally posted by Late-Bloomer:

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Who is the outfitter/PH?

Infinito Safaris, Charl van Rooyen

Maybe Vaughn "UEG" can help with a ph# to Charl's RSA home and she may be in the know???

Good luck

Who is Vaughn "UEG"

He's a AR member and posts here often
Use the MENU BAR > FIND > "enter" UEG

Very strange the outfiter did not inform you about final leg.
If you are flying to Beira airport from Joburg without the proper papers , i mean rifle permit taken care in advance , you will have a problem !
Anyway if you need any assistance while there PM me as i have a good friend that will sort you out for sure.
Good luck.

He did inform me of the final leg, then again when it was changed to what I assume was something unworkable. After that nothing except they were working on it.

get on the flight and figure it out when you get there. Necessity is the mother of invention.

That's sort of what I'm thinking.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Who is the outfitter/PH?

Infinito Safaris, Charl van Rooyen

I'd go.

There is a cell phone number for Charl on his website at the "Contact" button: www.infinito-safaris.com .

I'll bet if you call him, either when you get to Africa or now, you'll get the information you need.

Another thought. Make sure you have a sims card that'll work in South Africa and send him your cell phone number so he can try to get you.

Charl is a good operator....go and make it work.

Log off AR, pack your shit, get a good nights sleep, go to the airport tomorrow and get on your flight to Johanesberg. You will sort it out. I look forward to reading your report when you return.

Have a good trip.

George

I've got the +27 788 444 7661 Number. It goes to an answering machine that says not to leave a message.

I'd go and trust it works out, but take the contact info for a guest house (Africa Sky, Afton House) and a few SA AR friends as a Plan B. Maybe also have somebody continue to try to reach him while you are in the air. Good luck!

I did book with Africa Sky as a precaution, so do hope to have at least one friendly face at that end.

Anyone want to volunteer to be a SA AR friend?

I'm going to view this as part of the adventure, and see how it goes.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
I did book with Africa Sky as a precaution, so do hope to have at least one friendly face at that end.

Anyone want to volunteer to be a SA AR friend?

I'm going to view this as part of the adventure, and see how it goes.

Good Luck and hope you have a great safari with Charl

I think you are hunting the area next to Mahimba if I am not mistaken.

If that is the case Charl will probably pick you up in Quelimane. So your flights from Joburg will probably be Beira then Quelimane. The other possibility is to charter in from Beira as they do going into Mahimba.

Don't know if this helps or not.

Originally it was Maputo then Quelimane. Maputa is/was where I would receive my gun permit and assistance in clearing my rifles.

I can go as far as Johanesberg on spec, especially since the tickets are bought anyway. Moving on from there without word on the gun permit is a show stopper.

This will be interesting.

I think you should go, have faith that Charl will have it set for you once you land in Jo-berg. Ps what are you hunting?

It is supposed to be buffalo with hippo and croc options.

I'm packed and I'm getting on the plane tomorrow. What will happen after that waits to be seen.

Bottom-line; I can only do my part which is show up in Jo-Berg at the time we arranged. The rest is out of my hands.

You might try to contact Aaron Neilson. He probably has a sat phone contact for Charl.

These type of things can be disconcerting but they have a way of working out. Just adds a little adventure to the trip. Plus, after the hunt it makes for more interesting stories. All the best.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
And some folks ask about or question the value of using a travel agent. Go figure.

+1

Get on the plane, but take the contact information!

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
My Mozambique trip seems to have hit a fatal hitch. My flights as far as Johanesberg are booked by myself and the final legs were to be booked by the outfitter. I was recently notified that the last legs had been changed and I would be notified of what they would be. well, the time to leave is tomorrow, there is no notification of ticket or time for the last leg,no returns on emails (he's in the bush I suppose)can't get through on the sat phone and my plane leaves tomorrow.

Is it time to cut my losses and just stay home, or do I fly to Johannesberg on spec? the last email I got was that the tickets would be sorted and to bring two pairs of boots. Not enormously helpful.

Any ideas? I don't know what or how to check more.

This is the sort of thing which can create a nightmare. Last minutes changes are things I don't want to see on my hunt.

I hope everything works out for you.

I've thrown "Hail Marys" toward EUG and Aaron.

BTW, I did use a travel agent for the first legs, Charl suggested I let him handle the last parts.

I just sent Dogleg all of the information that I had on Charl's Satellite Phone and when he can reach him while he is in Mozambique. If I were Mike (Dogleg), I think that I would go ahead with my trip as planned. I am going to try and reach Charl myself on my Sat Phone from here in the States. For anyone else, that may be able to help Mike, either here or in Africa, here is the information that Charl left me:


Kindly take note that we are in Mozambique hunting from 12/09/2013 to 12/10/2013. We will not be able to reply to our emails or phone messages!

I can be reached on my satellite phone at 20:000 GMT every night in cases of emergency.

The number is : 870776403293

With many thanks from the sunny south!

Charl van Rooyen
Owner
Infinito Safaris
www.infinito-safaris.com
+27 78 444 7661

"Visit us for your INFINITE hunting adventure"

quote:

Originally posted by kestrel:
Sounds like the start of a grand adventure

+1 Good Luck

Well, this is a BIG learning curve for me as I am booked for my first African trip next Sept.

My plan is to fly to Victoria Falls for a couple of days, see a National Park for a couple of days & then drive to the Omay.

I realise that using a reliable / reputed outfitter (& I have booked with one) makes a BIG difference in terms of having confidence, peace of mind etc. In such countries things do not work like in Switzerland but they do work with the good operators ......

Wish you all the best on your trip. I am sure it will turn out very well.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
I've thrown "Hail Marys" toward EUG and Aaron.

BTW, I did use a travel agent for the first legs, Charl suggested I let him handle the last parts.

You had your travel agent book your travel to Joberg, then from Joberg to Mozambique the outfitter said he will arrange?

I wonder why?

Normally, outfitters only get involved in booking the charter flights to camp.

Any international flights are better arranged well before hand with the original bookings.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
My Mozambique trip seems to have hit a fatal hitch. My flights as far as Johanesberg are booked by myself and the final legs were to be booked by the outfitter. I was recently notified that the last legs had been changed and I would be notified of what they would be. well, the time to leave is tomorrow, there is no notification of ticket or time for the last leg,no returns on emails (he's in the bush I suppose)can't get through on the sat phone and my plane leaves tomorrow.

Is it time to cut my losses and just stay home, or do I fly to Johannesberg on spec? the last email I got was that the tickets would be sorted and to bring two pairs of boots. Not enormously helpful.

Any ideas? I don't know what or how to check more.

This is the sort of thing which can create a nightmare. Last minutes changes are things I don't want to see on my hunt.

I hope everything works out for you.

I hope that you don't take this wrong but I am saying it for your benefit: If you cut your losses and stay home you are an ass.

When Africa is at its best it is a crapshoot. Don't let a little adventure scare you off. If you PH doesn't get your ticket sorted out he will not make a dime: my bet is that it WILL BE sorted out.

I will tell you that you need to "grow a pair" but I will also put my money where my mouth is: If it falls through I will put $100 in the mail to help you recoup your loss.

I hope yo have a great safari.

Don't forget the two pairs of boots.

Good hunting,

Chris

quote:

Originally posted by JBrown:

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Dogleg:
My Mozambique trip seems to have hit a fatal hitch. My flights as far as Johanesberg are booked by myself and the final legs were to be booked by the outfitter. I was recently notified that the last legs had been changed and I would be notified of what they would be. well, the time to leave is tomorrow, there is no notification of ticket or time for the last leg,no returns on emails (he's in the bush I suppose)can't get through on the sat phone and my plane leaves tomorrow.

Is it time to cut my losses and just stay home, or do I fly to Johannesberg on spec? the last email I got was that the tickets would be sorted and to bring two pairs of boots. Not enormously helpful.

Any ideas? I don't know what or how to check more.

This is the sort of thing which can create a nightmare. Last minutes changes are things I don't want to see on my hunt.

I hope everything works out for you.

I hope that you don't take this wrong but I am saying it for your benefit: If you cut your losses and stay home you are an ass.

When Africa is at its best it is a crapshoot. Don't let a little adventure scare you off. If you PH doesn't get your ticket sorted out he will not make a dime: my bet is that it WILL BE sorted out.

I will tell you that you need to "grow a pair" but I will also put my money where my mouth is: If it falls through I will put $100 in the mail to help you recoup your loss.

Jason,

Sort of agree, however being a professional operator/PH then logistics and communication should be sorted out prior to the hunter's departure and is an important segment of the safari structure.

Stress and indecisions are unnecessary and I know many who would cancel under this sort of shoddy arrangement.