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Gents: After a three-year absence I'm off to Zim for elephant in July. Some questions I have that may have changed over the years. Accommodations to stay. I've stayed at Afton in the past. The rooms are OK and price is reasonable but the steak dinner was trash--tough meat, soggy salad and cold garlic bread. I don't know much about Africa Sky but at $295pp it seems over priced. Any info on the hotel at the airport? This seems simple and quick with no shuttle. All I need is a bed. Second is the pre approved permit. I have had this done in years past but while the permit may be filled out I still had to wait 1-2 hours for the official to get to me so it seemed a waste of money. It used to be 50$ and now has escalated to $120. I would pay it if I could get in and out quickly but that has never been the case. Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated. I depart Anchorage AK on July 7 and fly from Atlanta on the 8th on Delta, up to Zim on the 10th and hunt the 11-20th. Then, a week to vacation in Zim and visit old friends. Traveling with my trusty .600 (of course). Cheers and thanks all. Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | ||
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Check out the City Lodge. A quick walk from International Arrivals and you are there. I am showered and into my first scotch before most arrive at off site lodging. Lots of threads on it here. But I stay there 6 to 10 times a year. The rooms are clean and inexpensive, food is good and the convenience cannot be beat. ___________________ Just Remember, We ALL Told You So. | |||
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What Opus said. I always recommend City Lodge at O.R. Tembo. Why would your leave the airport if you don't have to? Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Always use City Lodge (connected to the airport) and whatever meet and greet service that Steve Turner recommends. Worthy every penny. "Never, ever, book a hunt with Jeri Booth or Detail Company Adventures" | |||
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City Lodge  (As said, in connection with a meet and greet to take care of you coming and leaving)  Can't be beat. | |||
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Thanks, men. City Lodge will be the place to stay. I still seek recommendation on the pre approved gun permit. My experience is a waste of time and money as I had to wait in a long line anyway. Do any of you know if the permit is done in advance it I can get out quickly? Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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Usually you're one of the first to get out, as long as you get in to SAPS with the meet and greet fairly quickly. That's been my experience. | |||
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I will stay at the Africa Sky Guest House every chance I get!! The accommodation is great, the food [to order] is way better than anything available in the food court. The experience of staying there makes the overnight stay part of the adventure. Cal, the $295 price INCLUDES your pre arranged rifle permit, the accommodation, Breakfast and dinner, open bar, free wifi and transport to and from the airport. The room, alone, @990 rand is something less that $70 per night for a single. Stay at the City Lodge if you are worried about time or something else but missing the Africa Sky if you have a chance is a mistake! | |||
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I'll second everything L Howell said. I've used City Lodge and Africa Sky, and I'll take Africa Sky every time. Also included in the $295 is cold beer...all you want! How do you beat that? | |||
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African Sky was excellent. Wonderful place in 2012. | |||
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I have stayed at Afton House and City Lodge, both good. Next trip I am going to try Africa Sky, sounds like fun. | |||
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I used Riflepermits.com in 2011 and the fee at that time was $100. I just checked their website and couldn't find anything regarding their current prices. When I used them I was in and out of the SAPS office in about 15 minutes. They had my permits in hand and the SAPS folks just checked my guns to make sure they matched what was on the permit and I was on my way. I was in RSA again this past Sept. and didn't use a permit service. You can read about the hassle we received from the SAPS people in my post in the thread two below yours asking if pre approved permits are necessary. If you're not meeting your PH in the Joberg airport I would strongly recommend using a permit service. Tom Z NRA Life Member | |||
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Cal, Here is my experience of one from my RSA trips in 2009 and 2013. I used Air 2000 (Hunter's Support Services) meet-n-greet service which included the pre-approved import permit. A rep met me at the plane, jumped me to the front of the line at immigration, helped with baggage, and then hand you to the rep at SAPS who has your permit in hand. That rep helped get the guns cleared and I was out the door in less than 15 minutes. I was one of the first ones in line both times. Granted, it may have helped that my PH was also there, but don't think so. I think it was worth the extra $$ and would use them again, as the last thing I want to do after that long of a trip is spend any more time in the airport than I have to. Only bad part is you'll spend almost as much shipping (UPS, etc.) the required documents ahead of time as you will the meet-n-greet fee (at least I did). I would think the biggest decision you'd have is which of your many fine doubles you're taking on this trip.  | |||
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Did City Lodge this year and last trip. Did Afton House X2. Definite City Lodge. Convenient, best quality. Gun clearance: Used Gracy Myers. Very fast and no problems. Larry Rogers | |||
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Um.....it's not an open bar, it's an honor bar.....there is a sheet there on the counter where you are supposed to sign for your drinks so they can be charged to your room..... Their Filet is just outstanding! . | |||
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That brings up an interesting and confusing point. Some of the SAPS service providers like Air2000 told me I had to mail the documents to them in order for them to get the pre-approved permit, while others said scan and email was fine. Since I was booked at Africa Sky (they were one of the scan and email providers), I let them handle it and it was seamless. Not sure why some say you have to ship, others say scan and email? | |||
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Heeler: Thanks for the info and I will Google Air 2000 (HSS). As to doubles, my .600 Wilkes will be with me on my 5th safari--this time for elephant, but it has taken a dozen buffalo and hippo. Cheers, Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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Cal: Go to the Ocean Basket in the domestic terminal of OR Tambo. They have some serious prawns there. | |||
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"...open Bar..." Well, yes, I suppose I overstated a bit, it appears to be soft drinks and beers are included with the Hunters Package | |||
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IHMSA BC Provincial Champion and Perfect 40 Score, Unlimited Category, AAA Class. | |||
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I agree with supporting small business.This is the only regret I had from my last trip-that I did not overnight with one of these outfits. | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Travel Forum Overnight in Jo'burg--questions
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