I got a shock yesterday when Gracy informed me the economy airfare to Windhoek via JNB is almost $2000 for late August. Anyone got a better deal, and if so where? Is the Frankfurt route cheaper? We don't want to spend a night at JNB.

Actually it was only the airfare that was $2K, the $335 in taxes was additional!

Delta to Joburg is going to be around $3k according to the lady I spoke to at Delta tonight.

I booked in Jan. for an Aug 26 flight to Windhoek via JNB thru Gracy (Shawn) roundtrip total with taxes was $1835 and NO night in JNB using SAA.

Russ,

As you know, I booked early for Natal and Namibia and got a fare very similar to Chugach's. Barb Wolbrink at Int'l Journeys warned me that prices would rise in the spring.
Regards, Tim

Russ, I just had the same experience buying a ticket for June into Buluwayo. I think the late date is killing us. I ended up paying 2,350 through Discovery Africa (888) 330 4880. I have always used Gracy too, but the price from Discover was about 300 less. You might try them. By the way I was looking at earlier dates, and as long as I was leaving before the first of June the price was almost 500 less. It is travel in the high season that drives the price through the roof.

I know that all airfares (especially taxes) increased as of April 1. Travel anytime after June 5th I believe is considered high shoulder season and thus rates are increased to reflect that.

I paid $2364 on a combo Delta/SAA. The biggest shock was Joburg to Windhoek - $489RT of which 34% ($166) is tax!
Dave

The price you were quoted was pretty much what I paid last year when I left at the end of the SAA strike in August for Windhoek. We booked way in advance and still had the same outcome.