Anybody else hearing of trouble in Jo'berg? A friend of mine told me of being accosted AT THE AIRPORT by some thugs looking for $$$$ and another friend just told me a friend of his had some problems. Headed over with my son in June....not encouraging news.
This isn't my first time thru Jo'berg by any means, but my son is with me this time.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Was through Johannesburg 4/15 and 4/23. More police present and Airport in better shape than in 2007 same month. Only asked for "Coke" money once this time. In 2007 it was rampant. All in all I'd say the change has been very positive.

Good news!

It had gotten really bad but it seems to be getting better. Regardless, I encourage my clients to use a Meet and Greet service if not met by one of our PH's.
LDK

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
It had gotten really bad but it seems to be getting better. Regardless, I encourage my clients to use a Meet and Greet service if not met by one of our PH's.
LDK

Very good advice

Gary

Use a meet/greet service as LDK recommended. I've never been asked for anything or had anything remotely resembling a hassle in OR Tembo when using a service. If you use Gracy Travel they have a meet/greet that is included in their service so the additional cost reason for not using a service is irrelevant.

Mark

Thanks to all. I am using Riflepermits for my firearms paperwork (recommended by friends) and my PH will be there as well. I've flown thru Jo'berg quite a few times, and never had an issue....but never had my son with me either...precious cargo.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

Used a service. Cost me $80--- $40 each way. Outfitter lined me out with them.
Treated like a king at Joberg. No hassles of any kind. Front of the line, every time. Just shut up and smile and it will go very well.
Using them again this trip in July.

Trophyman

Used Bruce with Gracy, I was with my wife and son, he was great no one even came up to us.

is it just me or is it ridiculous to have to pay $80 to get into and out of an airport safely? i realize that it is probably worth it but where are the police to stop this sort of extortion? would you pay $80 to enter and exit Heathrow? RSA like to think of itself as a cut above other southern African countries but i never paid that kind of bribery to get in and out of Bots., Moz., or even Zim. when the World Cup comes there next year, they are in for some SERIOUSLY bad press coverage!!!

I remember when that was the only airport in Africa where somebody didn't have their hands out. Looks like a successfull cultural transition is well underway.

quote:

would you pay $80 to enter and exit Heathrow?

I'd pay twice that not to fly through Heathrow period ...

Tman - What service did you use and some details for contacting them if you don't mind? Thanks, will be going through there in Aug.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Trophyman:
Used a service. Cost me $80--- $40 each way. Outfitter lined me out with them.
Treated like a king at Joberg. No hassles of any kind. Front of the line, every time. Just shut up and smile and it will go very well.
Using them again this trip in July.

Trophyman

quote:

Used Bruce with Gracy, I was with my wife and son, he was great no one even came up toUsed Bruce with Gracy, I was with my wife and son, he was great no one even came up to us. us.

Bruce is A-1 IMHO. He's helped me several times with incidental issues and I highly recommend requesting him.

jdollar: is it just me or is it ridiculous to have to pay $80 to get into and out of an airport safely? i realize that it is probably worth it but where are the police to stop this sort of extortion? would you pay $80 to enter and exit Heathrow? RSA like to think of itself as a cut above other southern African countries but i never paid that kind of bribery to get in and out of Bots., Moz., or even Zim. when the World Cup comes there next year, they are in for some SERIOUSLY bad press coverage!!!

jd, it's not just the SAPS permit, they keep the "flies" off you, take you up front past the long lines of DIY guys, and don't take any crap off the goons standing around waiting to fleece you. Where are the Police? Hell, they're 7/8th of the problem. They are the very ones that will hit you up for $200 each. I have plenty of personal stories, including the time Bruce took me to the Police Captain's office because I told him a guy asked me for coke money. I agree, it's a shame at Jo'burg but I advise all of my fellow hunter's and photographers to either use a "meet and greet" or have a small amount of ones $$ in their pocket. Of course anyone meeting our PH's have no problem.
Regards,
David

We were shipped caps to wear and instructed not to talk to anyone except the meet and greet personnel or our PH. Pieter met us as soon as we exited the customs area. He recognized us by the caps and we recognized him by photos we had seen of him. He also escorted us to the check-in line at the airport and waited until we were checked in before leaving us.

We went out on 23 May and came back on 5 June. Used Afton House's Meet and Greet going over.

KLM had left my ammo in Amsterdam and the Afton House folks were critical in arranging the air shipment of the ammo to Phalabrowra the following day.

Lots of security at the airport. No problems. Just remember it is Africa and lots of folks want to help for a "tip." Having a little Rand in your pocket never hurts.

We also flew into Jo'burg on May 23rd and back home on June 5th. Only now do I realize that the couple I met at Tambo the evening of June 5th while waiting for our rifles was Mr. M. Starling and his wife! We were both waiting for our rifles to be delivered after flying in from Phalaborwa.

I too used Afton Guest House's Meet and Assist service going over, and it was worth every penny of the cost. Jacques was very prompt and helpful. On the way back, Afton was tied up with other hunters, but arranged for two trusted porters to assist us, so at least I knew I was being assisted by someone they trusted. The two fellows did a super job.

We never left the airport in Jo'burg, but saw no evidence of any problems inside the airport whatsoever.

I have travelled through OT twice now. never a problem and never been approached for money. I didn't dress like a hunter though.

I too beleive paying US$80 to US$120 for a meet and greet service is too much. Bit of a scam run by white faces.

I paid $90.00 to the Afton House for meet & greet service and it was well worth the money. They had my permit taken care of before I arrived. All I had to do was have them verify the serial number on my rifle and we left. On the way back I was on own. Didn't have any problems. Next time I want to try another service.

quote:

Originally posted by 338zmag:
Next time I want to try another service.

Having had no problems why would you try another service? Price? Personel?

I am seriously curious as we have contracted with them for our July hunt!

Les

LHowell,
I knew I should have clarified that more. Afton provides a great service and they are great people. Their prices are also more than fair. However, there is another meet and greet service which some have posted about here, so I would like to try something different. I would also try a local hotel just to have something to compare with. I have never been a big fan of B&Bs, but Afton is exceptional and many here are satisfied customers. You won't have any problems if you used them for your meet and greet. They will also be at the airport waiting for you when you arrive, so rest assured you will be taken car of.

I have used Air 2000 on my two previous trips to SA. They were flawless, and worth every penny both times. On my first trip over, my rifle did not arrive with my other bag in Joberg. Air 2000 found it IN DALLAS when everyone else was coming up empty. They had it delivered to me in Port Elizabeth the next day.

I plan to go back in 2010, and will certainly use Air 2000 again. If it ain't broke, I'm certainly not going to try to fix it. That concept aside, they have certainly earned my business by their record with me.

quote:

Originally posted by sharpsguy:
I have used Air 2000 on my two previous trips to SA. They were flawless, and worth every penny both times. On my first trip over, my rifle did not arrive with my other bag in Joberg. Air 2000 found it IN DALLAS when everyone else was coming up empty. They had it delivered to me in Port Elizabeth the next day.

I plan to go back in 2010, and will certainly use Air 2000 again. If it ain't broke, I'm certainly not going to try to fix it. That concept aside, they have certainly earned my business by their record with me.

I am also an Air-2000 fan. I've used them the past several years, and it is the only way to go for me.

Absolutely Air 2000 all the way. Anne is a treasure.

When leaving Joberg last July 2008 we got to the airport a bit late. Pressed for time some guy helping passengers with where to go on the lines said he would help us out. Took us right up to the counter passing what seemed like a couple hundred people in front of us. After we checked in he put his hand out and said show your appreciation. At that point I gave what I thought was enough and he gave me a bad look so I gave him a couple rand more. Not even sure how much. Well than he said follow him where he took us to the SAP and they went through all our carry on in some little room. When they were done they also stuck their hands out to get some more rand. At this point I gave them the rest I had and hoped for the best. They walked us to the gate and we boarded.

That whole ordeal scared the crap out of me so when i got on board I hit the vodka up real quick, took a valuim and slept for a good six hours and forgot about the whole ordeal.

Ahhh yes, when in Rome.

This is the way it is, us westerners often forget how things happen in other parts of the world. Now I am not condoning it, I am just saying, it is what it is.

SO, when one of the guys tries to shake you down after you tip him a fair amount...say 10 to 20 ...and he tries to hold you up, be firm and say , you should not be so greedy my friend, you are now being insulting and walk away! Of course you do this with a smile.

It is my opinion, they are banking on you being afraid and in an unknown land.... the truth is these guys are just trying to make a living. The mount of that living depends on you not being shaken. This is simply my opinion and not a condemnation of anyone.

We also used Air 2000 3 weeks ago. Great service! The kid walked us to front of every line. He got my gun first out of the security check point. They give you the vip treatment!

Also while your in the airport let the porters do everything for you. Bring lots of $1.00 bills. Tip them $2.00 each. A 2 dollar tip will get you lots of service.

The airport web site recommends using only uniformed porters and tipping R5 [$.63] per bag. [They are not payed by the airport.] So anything over that would be good, you'd think.

Also, have your tip money separate and easily accessable. [out of your wallet] I was paying a JNB porter $5 [R40] after pushing my 2 bags from International to Domestic and barging into line there, and when he saw me pull out my wallet he suggested $20 [R160] would be more better!

Les

Just back from Zim via Joburg. Used Afton House thru Gracy Travel. Neither my rifles or bag made the trip. Filed the required lost baggage crap along with the twenty others (flight out of Dulles was a major problem due to weather). Afton House personnel were very helpful in this endeavor and having fully paid airport personnel at their service seemed to help a lot. Also the steak I had at Afton while attempting to "unwind" from the baggage fiasco really helped. The piece of New York strip was as good or better than any I had state side. Also some great hunters coming off and beginning their safari's were great to visit with as was PH Ivan Carter who was overnighting.

Their airport personnel were to follow up on my baggage as it made its way thru in the days to follow but do not know what they did as when my bags arrived four days later the clothing filson duffle had the latches broken off but nothing stolen.

Recommend them highly.

I'm also a fan of Air 2000 and Afton House. Anything to make your life easier when you are trying to enjoy your Safari and not become bogged down by problems. In the end, the money that you pay them will be well worth it, especially when you see other hunters experiencing difficulty and problems as you pass them by or listen to them later on.

quote:

Originally posted by SWD:
We also used Air 2000 3 weeks ago. Great service! The kid walked us to front of every line. He got my gun first out of the security check point. They give you the vip treatment!

Amen, me too. They did a great job for us.