Another very nice Guest Lodge with meet greet accommodation short tours/safaris and rifle permits, close 9km from OT airport ..

Journey's Inn Africa

Cheers, Peter

Can it compare with Afton House?
It takes many years to acquire that degree of ambiance.

You will have to have the SAPS 520 paperwork done a couple weeks ahead, and your PH should be there to run you thru the process.

The important thing; how many yankee dollars a night?

Rich
DRSS

From the web site:

RatesR395.00 per person sharing
R550.00 per person single

Both rates include full English breakfast

Looks very nice Peter. I am sorry, when I stayed at Afton, I did not find it anything special. It was very plain, small room, the food was just OK, and it was not cheap. The wine was not good at all (I think maybe from a box), and people were courteous, but no one was overly friendly. I would say service was mediocre at best. I just don;t see the huge draw. A fire in a courtyard and two young guys smoking cigarettes while they grilled what I felt was an overpriced steak- that was no special ambience to me. I will try somewhere different next year, maybe Africa Sky or this place even.

I guess I am the odd man out, I just don't see what all the lavish praise is about for Afton??? I think a lot of folks think it is "THE" place to go, but I haven't figured out why...

Tim,

interesting that two people could have such disparity in their experience. I had a large very nice room, TV with cable, refrigerator, laundry, and the courtyard to go enjoy a last Cuban and Amarula the evening before I flew home.
That was April 22nd this year. Swimming pool, and they did not ask if I wanted to share a room with somebody. Full hot breakfast and a chance to visit with Anneliese (sp?).

They keep pretty full, and I found the stay marvelous.

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Tim,

interesting that two people could have such disparity in their experience. I had a large very nice room, TV with cable, refrigerator, laundry, and the courtyard to go enjoy a last Cuban and Amarula the evening before I flew home.
That was April 22nd this year. Swimming pool, and they did not ask if I wanted to share a room with somebody. Full hot breakfast and a chance to visit with Anneliese (sp?).

They keep pretty full, and I found the stay marvelous.

Rich
DRSS

Rich, I had much the same exp. as Tim execept they did not pick me up on time.
I am staying somewhere else as well.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Herald:
Looks very nice Peter. I am sorry, when I stayed at Afton, I did not find it anything special. It was very plain, small room, the food was just OK, and it was not cheap. The wine was not good at all (I think maybe from a box), and people were courteous, but no one was overly friendly. I would say service was mediocre at best. I just don;t see the huge draw. A fire in a courtyard and two young guys smoking cigarettes while they grilled what I felt was an overpriced steak- that was no special ambience to me. I will try somewhere different next year, maybe Africa Sky or this place even.

I guess I am the odd man out, I just don't see what all the lavish praise is about for Afton??? I think a lot of folks think it is "THE" place to go, but I haven't figured out why...

Tim,

Couldn't have said it better. Remember when the steak was 10 bucks, now 25. Bottle of not very good wine 35.

Plus the waiting for other passengers- we felt just part of the cargo. I too am looking for options. Keep 'em coming.

Rich,

Glad you had a better experience than me. Wish I had had yours.

Like Jack...ready to hear other options. I really like the looks of African Sky at this point...

I agree with Tim. Afton has some nice people running it, but nothing else is special about the place. The steak was over priced in my opinion also. I will stay somewhere else next on my next trip.

I'll let you guys know in a couple of weeks about African Sky. I know I am treading on thin ice here but I feel the same as Tim. The place is okay but I just wanted to try something different.
The dealings I have had setting up reservations and gun permits with Africa Sky has been above board. I asked them if they could prepare a meal for my crew, didn't want to "go out" after the long trip. They sent me a full menu for us to pick exactly what we wanted, everything from beef fillets to kingklip(my favorite), salads, soups and deserts!! and the price is RIGHT. I'll report back in a couple of weeks.

Here is ANOTHER very nice place close to OT international ..

ELAND Guest House

Have a wonderful trip to SA & beyond
-----------------------------------------

And if per chance you guys are traveling by vehicle north along the N1 to Beitbridge we have a comfortable (basic self cater) as well that might be handy for rest and recoup before the Zimbabwe trip

WE (Balla-Balla Conservancy) are located just 2 km (north of the Hendrik Verwoerd tunnels) YOU CANT MISS our SIGNAGE along the NI route

We can look after you for some game viewing as well, or even maybe a shot for the pot !!

Cheers, Peter (consultant and webmaster)
Balla-Balla Safaris / Sable-Sands Safaris

When I stayed there (Afton House) the steak was $20 and not very good. I had an early flight and there was no one around to prepare breakfast so I just muddled around in the kitchen and found some juice and had a bowl of flakes. I was not impressed and thus only one stay. The last time my PH recommended The Safari Club, it was very nice and Frank and Joyce and I are staying there in Sept. It is also closer to the airport. I stayed at the Afton House based on all the reviews I had seen here on AR, glad some have stayed elsewhere to provide some first hand experiences.

I have also stayed at Trevor Shaw's Zulu Nyala Countryside Inn which is much further from the airport is more expensive but it very very nice. They have a minnie zoo and their restraunt has a menue vs buffet or single item dinner i e steak. If you have time it is a good choice.

I will be staying at the African sky Aug 7
Will let you guys know how it works out.

I have to say that my experience at Afton House was very much akin to Tim's. If I have to overnight in Jo'burg again, I will certainly be looking into other options.

Said it on here before (and caught a rash of crap for doing so), the Afton is C- at best.. Been there and done that twice..Once was enough but Gracy put us back there again in '08.. ALL the points Tim hit on, plus they tried to get their money twice over from my buddy..good thing he printed each and every email transaction he had between him and them.. I saw several blushed faces that morning.. I'll never stay there again or recomend them to anyone I know going.. too many better options out there these days.

African Sky for us in Oct before we head to Zim.. I plan on letting you guys know how it is.. it comes highly recomended.

As many here know, I am a fan of Afton House and the whole Bekker family.

Louis died this year after a long, long fight against cancer, a fight that took most of his wife's time in caring for him.

I'm sure that some folks didn't have the best stay, but Annelise (the daughter, not the mom) just wrote me that they are, and I quote,

"...(S)he has improved the transfers and she has stopped the braai at night. (That means they'll transport you to the great ol' Italian or seafood restaurants!) She is painting and making a ton of renovations. She has employed two additional persons to help with the transfers. She is trying hard to make Afton a happy place again. She needs her friends now more than ever, she is trying so hard to make things better. warm regards, Annelise".


I couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm looking forward to my 20th or so stay there on September 8th. I've never missed a breakfast, been late for a flight, not been met at the airport, I've have successfully used their gun permit service, etc., even when Louis was at his most ill.

I hope to see some AR folks there in September. I'm confident that, especially with the improvements and new hires, it will continue to be a joy for me.

Just my opinion, of course.

Ernest, I am sure you have built a great relationship with the people at Afton. I think the rest of us are commenting on our experience in say the last five years or so. Hopefully they will be able to turn the corner and rebuild the business to the level you first experienced and with the close relationship were able to maintain. Sorry our paths won't cross until Dallas, have a great hunt, well a sucessful one, as I know you will have a great hunt sucessful or not.

Think of Frank, Joyce and I while enjoying a sundowner and we will think of you while enjoying a cool one as the African sun sets on the Zambeze.

Cheers

We stayed at the Southern Sun last September, a short shuttle ride (just across the street from the terminal, but I wouldn't try to walk it). They have a shuttle bus with a trailer behind to stash your gear in. and drop you at the door (like all the rest of them). Just tell the porter you are going to the Southern Sun and he will take you and your stuff right to the bus at the line.
Our room was neat and clean. Meals in the restaurant were buffet style and verry good. The room was around $140.00 for double occupancy. I forget what the meals were.

You can find them at southernsun.com

My wife and I have booked our first stays at the Afton House for this September. We are staying two non consecutive nights with them. Not having stayed there before we will have an unbiased view of the place. I will let you all know what we think of the place. One reason I picked the Afton House is because of Annelise (the daughter) She was terrific to work with on our trip plans to Namibia in 08.

quote:

Originally posted by 458Lottfan:
Not having stayed there before we will have an unbiased view of the place.

And the rest of us have biased views?

Three weeks ago it was good, not great. Steak was ok. Accomodations, bed, shower, transports were all good, but I was expecting something more based on the reports from several posters here. Would I stay there again? Sure. Is Afton now a must for me? No.

I have to say that my stay with Afton last year was pretty average too. Had to share a room (was promised that I would have my own) pricey steak that was nothing special and was made to feel put out when I asked to send a quick e-mail letting my wife know that I was okay.

Mjines Perhaps unbiased was the wrong term but don't feel like you are being questioned or attacked, you have been here long enough to have a thicker skin than that.
We have not stayed any where in South Africa before. We do not know what it was like before or after we will just know what it is today. Simple enough??

I stayed at Afton on one occasion- I remember several children being fed in the kitchen by my "greeter/check in lady" when I arrived. I also had an early roll out and like the other poster, no breakfast for me either.

I passed on the dinner, I went out with a local friend to a great steak place instead for about the same price.

Their meet and greet and delivery to a connecting flight the next morning were excellent.

I too would not stay there again, rather may try another place.

I will be there on subsequent visits to RSA. My PH met me at the airport, about 3pm, and we simply drove to Steenbokpan and to the Lodge we stayed at from OR Tambo.
I stayed at Afton House the night before I flew back home. I had all the comforts of home, a very good Kudu steak grilled to my liking and some Amarula (okay, a bottle) to go with a Cohiba after dinner. They asked me what time I needed to be at the airport, and George drove me there about forty-five minutes early. He unloaded my bags, and had a gentleman take me thru the grind.
My opinion is that the cancer took not only Luis, but perhaps some of the quality service for some of you.

I cannot ask more, since my tastes do not include fancy...

Rich
DRSS

quote:

Originally posted by 458Lottfan:
Mjines Perhaps unbiased was the wrong term but don't feel like you are being questioned or attacked, you have been here long enough to have a thicker skin than that.
We have not stayed any where in South Africa before. We do not know what it was like before or after we will just know what it is today. Simple enough??

Your right, my bad. Sometimes I let out the clutch on my mouth or my fingers before I have put my brain in gear.

Folks: I am staying, even as we speak, at Afton House with my wife. Annelise has been absolutely wonderful as usual, the food great, and the accomodations excellent. She has, in my opinion, gone the extra mile with clients, and in spite of the death of Louis on April 3rd of this year, has managed to carry on and make Afton House still a great place to stay. Like Judge G, I have stayed here many times and have never had a problem. I am sorry to see or hear that some of you have not had the same great experience that I have had. By the way, I shot a great cape buffalo in Zim this trip. Will post pics when I return.

I stayed at Afton House this past June coming and going from Zim. It was during the World Cup and everywhere in Joburg was busy if not hectic. Jacques from Afton House picked me up at the airport without any problems. I must say I was amazed that out of several hundred people waving name placards I was picked out of the crowd before I even saw my name. My room at Afton was clean and comfortable. I enjoyed some quiet time in the den,asked for some coffee and it was brought to me with cream and sugar on the side. I enjoyed a hearty breakfast and when time to leave for the airport was promptly delivered and escorted to check in. On my return trip from Zim I was again picked up without a hitch, delivered to Afton House. It was a Saturday and that evening Afton was quite lively with a number of folks in house. Everyone was quite cordial, visiting and having a few drinks. Some went to dinner others enjoyed the Braii. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience visiting with everyone sharing hunting stories or listening to world cup experiences. Would I stay at Afton House again, absolutely.