I am thinking about a buff hunt in Tanzania for 2005 and was wondering about the best flight to get there. What is the best route? Thru Germany? Is there a flight from Jo'burg? etc. Just wondering how everybody is getting there. I suspect I will be flying out of Atlanta as I am in NC. Thanks
Doug

Why not drop Kathi an e-mail at kathi@wildtravel.com She will be able to give you all the different options.

Mag,

When we went in 2002, we went from CLT to ALT. to J'Burg and stayed at the Afton house. Then we flew from J'Burg to Dar and took a charter to the main camp.

I hate to by pass the Afton House but I feel that with the new Air Bus situation, I would go through Germany or Amsterdam. They are still using the big planes. The amount of time that you spend in the plane per leg, is less also.

We have used Gracy Travel and they do a wonderful job that is beyond just getting you a flight booked. Consider them for your travel agent. (800) 299-8558 I have been talking to Shawn lately about our next trip and know that they are out of the office for a few days due to the holiday.

All the best with your planning. You can't start too soon as far as I'm concerned. BTW, I'm just down the 'hill' from you. It appears that we are collecting an increasing number of members from N.C.

Cheers,

Sam
eclemmons@hotmail.com
(W) (828) 757-5594

I believe the most direct route is on KLM via Amsterdam.

We flew to Joburg, overnighted and then on to Dar as Salaam, but were flying around the first anniversary of 9/11 and wanted to avoid Europe.

Regards,

Terry

I'll be flying SAA on 18 Sept...in fact, I already have my tickets in hand! I'll fly from Greensboro to Atlanta and then on to Johannesburg, arriving on the 19th. Then I catch an afternoon flight that same date to Dar es Salaam. My return flight goes through New York instead of Atlanta. I'm only flying on SAA this time because I finally collected enough airmiles to fly business class instead of in the cattle-car section.

However, as you may have read here, SAA has received a lot of complaints about their seating arrangements in economy. They have "asked" for customer input and have assured passengers that changes are on the horizon...but when is anyones guess.

I booked my flights directly through Delta because I was using award miles. I also contacted SAA directly and booked my tickets from Joburg to Dar. Again, the SAA representative told me the planes seating arrangement were being re-fitted as each of the seven Airbus 340-600's came in for regular service. Take that for what it is worth.

You might opt to fly Northwest/KLM. Although I have never flown with either airline, many on this forum have and I'm sure you will get some input.

If this is your first long trip, you're in for a treat. And if this is your first safari/buffalo hunt, your life is getting ready to change. After this, most of your waking minutes will be filled with thoughts on how you are gonna make it back there again!


Like Big Sam in Lenoir, I'm just down the hill from you...only a few miles further. For me, planning a trip like this is half the fun.

Bull1