I am looking for an online travel agency that I can use to check airfares from the midwestern USA to SA. Any help and advise would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Use Kathi Klimes of Wild Travel and pay attention to what she tells you. That will go a loooong ways to making your trip easier.

Save yourself some heartburn: use Kathi Klimes

Link, phone #?

Kathi's user name is "Kathi" on this board.

If you click on the following link, you can send her a private message.

link

Whatever you do, PLEASE book through someone who knows the safari business.

We normally use Kathi, and she has provided us with exceptional service for our friends who travel from the US.

There are others who have used Gracy and and other travel agents, and all recommend them.

You might save some money by booking through the Internet, but, you won't have any help if something does go wrong.

Booking through an agent who knows the safari business is going to help you avoid them in the first place.

Like the others I recommend Kathi, she is great.

Like the others have said give Kathi a call. You won't be disappointed.

At least look at the Gracy Travel website. Have had them book the airfare and travel portions of two trips Port Elizabeth. There service has been excellent for us. They respond very quickly to any questions, and provide accurate information.

All of my travel using Gracy has been glitch free. On Tanzania trip they provided all firearm information and made arrangements for my Visa.

Do yourself a big favor and do not book online. What would happen if a flight is late, you miss connections, or a flight is cancelled?

If you just want to fool around looking at what's available, go to www.kayak.com

Once your curiosity is satisfied, give Kathi a call to have her advise and book you. If for some reason she can't get the same tickets as cheap, she'll tell you.

I totally agree w/ the other guys/gals. Trying to book airfares to Africa on your own is asking for disaster. There are just too many things that can go wrong, things you will not know about traveling w/ rifles, etc. Book w/ Kathi or Gracy. I've used them both & have had no problems in 4 trips across the pond.

Another service they provide is detailed info about the health situation where you are going. Not so much RSA but ZIM. Zambia and Tanz. all have their own issues and they will tell you what to worry about and what not to worry about.
I know Gracy does so I assume all the other do the same.

+1 on Kathi.....she did my last trip to Zambia and will do my next.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Gracy did well by me. Yes, all of the info you need for Africa. I have not used Kathi, but you can't go wrong with either.

I have booked all my hunting/safari travel to more than 10 countries on my own and never had a problem. Spoke with Gracy once 10 years ago and when I questioned a charge, they lied to me before admitting I was correct. Haven't considered them since.

If you do your due diligence, the internet will answer all your questions about travel with firearms. Check the TSA and the airlines websites for transport info and paperwork. It has gotten more difficult from a paperwork standpoint over the past 4 years but can still be done assuming you have the time and inclination. If not, go with an experienced agent.

This is the trip of a lifetime, why take a chance? Kathi is a hunter and world traveler herself. The peace of mind she gave my wife and I traveling to South Africa for our first safari was worth many times what we paid.

'Nuff said.

I have not used Kathi as of yet, but I have used Shawn Kennedy of Gracy Travel for seven safaris and have never had a single problem. She has been excellent. I am sure that the same can be said for Kathi.