After staying at the Afton House a couple of times on layover in South Africa, I decided I wanted to try something different. Steve Turner (Travel with Guns) recommended Africa Sky Guest House. All inquiries were promptly answered and reservations set for my group.
They had our gun permits ready upon arrival at the airport and everything went smoothly. I requested if possible for the Guest House to provide us a meal upon arrival instead of "going out". They emailed me a full dinner menu for us to pick whatever we wanted. Four course meal, wine, etc. The food was outstanding and very reasonable. Rooms were spacious and clean. A large courtyard made the area feel more spacious. Plenty of hot water, temperature controlled rooms and a good bed, don't need much else after a long plane ride.
My overall rating is 10 for Africa Sky Guest House. We all agreed this is the place of choice.
The next day we flew to Bulawayo. We decided to spend the night at the Bulawayo Club to do some shopping, relax and just try to get over the jet lag, etc. Rooms were clean, food was great and the "men's only" bar a huge success. Gave us guys some time to cuss and discuss the important things in life like hunting. The ladies enjoyed their drinks in another club room so everyone was happy.
The Club has been restored by the new owners, Phil and Sharon Stead and is like stepping back in time 100 years. The staff was very friendly and eager to please. The stay set the mood for what turned out to be a great safari. I would highly recommend the stay.
Both Africa Sky Guest House and Bulawayo Club have websites if interested.

Thanks for sharing, I will probably spend a night at both places next month !

I stayed at Africa Sky last year and will be there again this September on my way to Harare.

My experience was much the same as sevenmagltd.

The only dissapointment was no other hunters were there.

Thanks Carl... I have been waiting on your report on African Sky. I have 2 trips through Joburg next year, and I am going to stay there the next time for sure. It looks super nice, and with what you have said, it has to be a step or three above what I have experienced at Afton.

Booked in African sky for Monday night.
Will let you guys know.
Zambia here I come!

What I really liked was it was not like a bed and breakfast, more private. I walked outside the next morning after arriving the the doves were cooing, birds everywhere, really set the tone for the africa bush. I had kingklip for the evening meal and it was oustanding and like I said, very reasonable. They had an open bar on the honor system which could be a problem(ha ha), The didn't rush us out the door the next morning to usher in another group, very relaxed and personal.
No, there were not other hunters there at the time, but with ten in my group, didn't need anyone else. I really suspect it will be a big hit with other AR members.

sevenmagltd.

Where's the hunt report? And photos too! Can't wait to hear ALL the details.

Regards, D. Nelson

Sorry, but I have never filed a detailed hunt report for privacy reasons. My son took 29" waterbuck, 15" bushbuck, 61 1/2" kudu and I shot a eland with my double but the lions pulled him down before I could find him. We pushed the lions off the kill and I did salvage the head. Also shot hyena, zebra and porc and some of the best fishing I have had anywhere. Money well spent!

Privacy reasons? Sure glad others do not feel that way since the hunt reports are a great way to share information and insights that others can benefit from.

quote:

Originally posted by sevenmagltd.:
Sorry, but I have never filed a detailed hunt report for privacy reasons. My son took 29" waterbuck, 15" bushbuck, 61 1/2" kudu and I shot a eland with my double but the lions pulled him down before I could find him. We pushed the lions off the kill and I did salvage the head. Also shot hyena, zebra and porc and some of the best fishing I have had anywhere. Money well spent!

Wow 61 1/2" Kudu; Thanks for sharing

MJ, you are correct and I apologize for withholding this information and private photographs on the internet. I would be more than happy to share the information with any AR member if they PM or call me with a request. Hope you understand?

You guys have to understand. Sevenmag is wanted by two ex-wives, three card sharks and a bookie! Since he spends most of his time in Africa, he can't afford to let them know where or when. Seriously, take his advice on African Sky and the Bulawayo Club. I was in camp and you should see that KUDU!

quote:

Originally posted by sevenmagltd.:
MJ, you are correct and I apologize for withholding this information and private photographs on the internet. I would be more than happy to share the information with any AR member if they PM or call me with a request. Hope you understand?

Thanks for the clarification.

Gazi, I thought we agreed, "What happens in Africa, stays in Africa" and besides, it's only 2 card sharks!!!

Sounds like a good place.. I'll be there in less than 2 months.

For those of you preparing for a trip to Bulawayo and a stay at "The Bulawayo Club", I hope you enjoy every minute of it.

Take a little time to learn the history of the Club and be honoured to know which fine colonial gentlemen also enjoyed the ambience of the establishment.

How far from the airport is "the Club"??
We are flying into Bulawayo and I wouldn't mind seeing it either the day we fly in, or the day we leave..
Do they mind having folks come by to have a drink or two and NOT stay there?

My stay at Africa Sky was great as well this March. One of the best steaks I ever can remember having. Will stay there again.

Mac

Scotty - reg The Bulawayo Club, maybe 15-20 minutes, easy drive. Absolutely stop in if you get an opportunity. They did ask us to leave the main (formal?) bar area though as we were in shorts and t-shirts...dispite having drinks with one of the long time members (and extremely interesting and pleasant gentleman) Peter Johnstone. Pretty dumb as there was nobody else in the bar...some action but fairly quiet actually both Friday nights that I was there. Also bumped into Clive Hallamore and his client, here and the other place we stayed at also owned by the family (Camp Amalinda outside Bulawayo in Matoba Hills which is really cool). The people who you meet - all over Zim really - are all very friendly, and I got the feeling that the regulars were happy to see guests.

OK! I shouldn't bring this up BUT.... awhile back I mentioned African Sky and described some of the advantages offered there and that Gracy was promoting them over Afton House. You would have thought I had taken out a contract on someone's Mother. NOW a litte while later it is an Africa Sky lovefest. What have I missed?

Mark

Scotty,
The Club is located right in the downtown area. There is a great place to shop two blocks from the Club. Bought a new pair of hippo Courtneys, shirts, bush jacket, etc, all very reasonable. There were several people having drinks that were NOT staying at the Club, apparently it's somewhat of a watering hole.
In regards to Africa Sky, my son and wife also had a steak for the evening meal and remarked it was the best steak they ever had. Coming from Texas, that's pretty big words.
As far as my report on Africa Sky, that was simply my opinion of the place. Those of you who like Afton, I encourage you to continue the tradition. As stated earlier, nothing wrong with Afton, I just like to try something different and A.S. filled the bill.

I am going to make it a point to stop by for an hour or so just to have a good drink and see the place. We land in Bulawayo on the 9th of Oct.. coming up on me pretty soon.

Thanks for the input, guys.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill C:
They did ask us to leave the main (formal?) bar area though as we were in shorts and t-shirts...dispite having drinks with one of the long time members (and extremely interesting and pleasant gentleman) Peter Johnstone. Pretty dumb as there was nobody else in the bar....

I can understand the inconvenience, however a dress code in a private club is standard practice. If you allow it to lapse just once, then the ambience and standards of the club immediately degenerate. Making an effort to fit into their clubs rules is a small price to pay for a wonderful experience.

In Africa long trousers, collared shirt and tie and correct footwear should be carried at all times.

Being an ex-serviceman I always used to be able to get into the MOTH club in Bulawayo but I suppose it is long gone ?

I believe that there are parts of the old Victoria Falls Hotel, among others, that also still require certain dress standards. Why not? It gives you some ambiance you're not going to find in other parts of the world. A small price to pay indeed.

The bar in the Bulawayo Club reminds me of the "gentleman's club" in the movie "Out of Africa", only guys permitted. May not be politically correct in our day but what the hell! We wore long pants and the best safari shirts we owned and no issues in the bar. Sharon set us up in the wine cellar for a private dinner under the rhino horns. The old paintings of the previous directors, etc was something from a age gone by that will never happen again. If you've ever read some of the old african books and wish to experience that era again in a small way, I highly recommend you stop by for a drink and toast the great hunters of days gone by. Cheers!!

What a great idea (eating in the cellar). If Sharon continues touches of class like that, the Bulawayo Club will be a "must visit" if in the area. BTW, I thought the food quality, presentation and entire diner experience quite good in the regular dining room... and at a great price, too.

quote:

Originally posted by sevenmagltd.:
Sharon set us up in the wine cellar for a private dinner under the rhino horns. The old paintings of the previous directors, etc was something from a age gone by that will never happen again.