Headed to Botswana in July with my son, dad, brother-in-law, and nephew and am exploring flight options. I've never used Delta or Emirates on prior trips but those seem to be our best options.

I'm trying my best to balance cost, comfort, and travel time. Business class is not an option for the group just due to cost considerations. Delta economy is more expensive but overall shorter travel time by 9 hours. Both options overnight in JoBurg and I was planning a stay at Afton since this will be the first trip to Africa for most of the group and I think it would be a nice experience.

I will be traveling with a gun but have no first hand experience with either Delta or Emirates when traveling with firearms.

Ultimately, I will arrange everything through PWP travel but I wanted to ask for any experience and advice from AR members who have done these options.

Brian,

If Delta is 9 hours shorter boook it. I think Emirates might be nicer but 9 hours is a big differnece.

City Lodge is a far better option than Afton. You don't have to leave the O.R. Tembo proper. Their rooms are ver comfortable, the food is good and the breakfast buffet is killer.

Mark

I fly both. I like them both . It is far easier to travel with guns on Delta than it is on Emirates.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Brian,

If Delta is 9 hours shorter boook it. I think Emirates might be nicer but 9 hours is a big differnece.

City Lodge is a far better option than Afton. You don't have to leave the O.R. Tembo proper. Their rooms are ver comfortable, the food is good and the breakfast buffet is killer.

Mark

Thanks Mark! I was thinking the same about the shorter travel time.

I had heard that Afton was a nice experience for a first time safari but I will definitely check out City Lodge. This is my first go at traveling with a group so I'm really looking to make the travel as "convenient" as possible. Does City Lodge offer a meet/greet service with gun permit assistance?

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
I fly both. I like them both . It is far easier to travel with guns on Delta than it is on Emirates.

Thank you Larry! Admittedly, it's been a while since I've traveled with my own rifle (used camp guns on the past 4 safaris) so I am a bit rusty in this department. It's good to know that Delta offers an easier time traveling with guns.

I’ve flown both several times and the direct flight from Atlanta is the best way to go unless there is a significant savings on Emirates.

Also Delta started charging $100 for your second checked bag so factor that into the cost.

If you want to stay at a guest house I recommend Africa Sky guest house.

Also Delta and Emirates are both pretty easy to travel with guns. Emirates does require a few more pieces of paper but not difficult.

We like staying at City Lodge as well, very convenient. I see you are using PWP for bookings, they handle all of the paperwork for firearms carriage on Emirates and, with Emirates there is no doubt your firearm will arrive, as your boarding pass is scanned to board the screen has a marker (red box) that lets them know you are traveling with a firearm and verifies the firearm is on hoard. I like that. I’d recommend a meet and greet if you stay at City Lodge and get them to arrange in transit permits (Rifle Permits or Air 2000). Plus, if you fly Airlink, they seem to frequently have issues with the need for permits and the meet and greet people are helpful with that as well. Airlink has firearms carriage fees, too.

(1) Not really a fan of Eco on Delta. However, 9 hours is 9 hours particularly if both require spending the night at JNB.

(2) I know you said you were using PWP, but I would suggest that you call Nicole (X234) at Gracy. They include arranging the gun permits and the meet and greet in their fee, their guy will walk you to City Lodge.