Howdy all.

Just wondering, how far in advance do you all generally buy your tickets to Africa from the US; Atlanta to Jo'burg for example? Thanks,

Not sure you save anything by buying in far advance unless you are using FF miles in which case you need to book WELL in advance. At the same time, if you try to book a week in advance you will get hosed. As a practical matter, once you have booked the hunt, you should book the airline travel to avoid getting blacked out, particularly during the busy months of July and Aug.

The way to save is to go in the second half of Sept, or Oct. The fares come down by 40% then. These offers are usually announced in August.

I bought my July trip tickets back in January, with FF miles.
I tend to want to get things locked down and would have bought them plenty early even without the FF miles.

For my summer hunt, I booked in February. My travel agent recommended early booking in order to get the sweet seats in Economy Comfort.

Paul:

I've tried several options . . . 330 days before, 180 days before, 60 days before and 30 days before and the net results were basically the same.

Within the last four years, 6 R/T tickets to Zim have all cost about the same amount, regardless of when purchased.

Thanks guys, that's great information.

In 2006 and 2008 I used Delta Skymiles so I got the tickets as far in advance as possible. For this next hunt I have to pay cash so I'm in new territory.

I have played virtual 'book a hunt' a few times.

Last minute hunt? Pay air fare premium.
Book flight months in advance along with hunt? Pay 'sticker' price for the hunt.

I am sure there is a sweet spot, but I havent been able to find it. Personally, the advantage of a last min deal on a hunt seems to outweigh the 'penalty' you pay for the last min flight. Thats my plan for my next hunt.

YMMV.

I always shop for tickets as far in advance as possible (330 days of using FF miles) then book the hunt according to when I can get the best(or cheapest) tickets.

With FF miles I shop for the Business/first sales and book the trip according to that.

I've purchased airline tickets as few as 30 days out and as early as 6 months out. Seems to be about the same, as Will stated.

The wife and I are heading to Zim for a December hunt. I just purchased our tickets last Friday. The fare was within $100 of what I paid last year, but I purchased those tickets 6 months from departure.

Hell, I buy when I can scrape up the money

PSmith,
This past May my wife and I took this same route--Atlanta, Johannesburg, Windhoek.
I booked my safari in the middle of August 2012 and purchased my tickets on Delta a few days later. I wanted to make sure I got "Coach Comfort" on the bulk head (Seats 31A &B) I know this was far out, but it was my first safari and I wanted all my "Ducks in a row." I think I saved maybe $200.

MauserK98

I'd say, last minute cancelation hunt, you"ll save enough money for next three flights there.
But then again, most of us are rather meticulous planners when it comes to travel far and paying lotsa money

Well, some of you might laugh at this.

Emirates has daily flights to Dar from Dubai, and they apparently are practically fully booked on all flights.

3 years ago we tried booking in June for our flight in late September.

We were put on a waiting list! As the flight was fully booked.

Since then we have been booking our flights from January for dates in September.

damn, Saeed, if you can't get a "short" notice ticket, the rest of us are in BIG trouble