AfricanSky vs Afton Safari Lodge

[Rare Breed]

I've stayed at the airport hotel, Africa Sky and Afton numerous times. All have positives to offer. Africa Sky and Afton will both help you clear guns and the food is good at both. Gilbert is one of the most helpful, polite, interesting people in the hospitality business I have met in Africa. I have spent the most time with Africa Sky because of Gilbert. He's a great guy and knows everyone at JNB.

To me after staying at both the decision comes down to the following for me:
1. Am I flying out in the morning?
2. if so, I do not want to leave the airport and want to stay at City Lodge if on a budget or Intercontinental if budget does not matter
3. If I am staying for two nights in JNB then traveling away from airport does not bother me…hands down Africa Sky…in my opinion Afton is operating on the past…I was very disappointed with them

 

[vlwtx348]

I've stayed at Africa Sky 3 different times and have no qualms recommending it, only the caveat that 2019 was the last time. Gilbert never fails to pick you up or get you back to the airport on time.
But I would not was to use it as a destination. 24 hours is enough.

 

[sgt_zim]

I've only been once, stayed at Africa Sky. It would be hard for me to give up the niceties they have there. Rooms are really nice, food is amazing, the "bar" is on the honor system.

 

[Arctic97]

Give a look at Sunrock Guesthouse. I have stayed at Afton many times but just gave this a try and it was great. Better food and about 2/3 cost of Afton, plus it is half as close to the airport. About 8-10 minutes.

https://www.sunrock.co.za/

 

[Green Chile]

For my part, even if the food were NOT better I would still want the services of Gilbert. That's the tipping point for me. Any of the various places work fine but Gilbert makes the difference for me. I say that having used at least 3 places so far. I coach leaders for a living and told Gilbert that with his work ethic and good attitude, he could be very successful in many roles. He's remarkable.

 

[Ku-winda]

Plus one on Gilbert - you can't put a price tag on what it is like having him in your corner at O.R. Tambo in Joberg! Gilbert will be prominently featured in my hunt report on Coutada 11 (once I get around to doing it). I wouldn't even think about going through Joberg without him!

 

[PARA45]

I've stayed at the airport hotel, Africa Sky and Afton numerous times. All have positives to offer. Africa Sky and Afton will both help you clear guns and the food is good at both. Gilbert is one of the most helpful, polite, interesting people in the hospitality business I have met in Africa. I have spent the most time with Africa Sky because of Gilbert. He's a great guy and knows everyone at JNB.

+1 to this comment. Gilbert is the bomb! The line to get through at the airport was long. Gilbert said to me, I’ll be right back. Next thing I know he is using his charm and sweet talking the ticket agent and before I knew it I had my boarding pass with me. He is great and I hope to see him next year.

 

[WAB]

We were trying to get through security and everything was
Plugged up. Gilbert took us to a secure hall I had never seen before for diplomats. There was no one in line, he worked his magic, and we were through!

 

[Philip Glass]

Has anyone stayed at both or either one. My wife and I are going in June and are thinking about flying in a couple days before our hunt. Just to get use to the time change and incase of flight delays. Thank you all for all of the information.

I have been to Africa Sky several times and enjoy it. I Usually do not have time for it but sometimes it works out. You will find good service, food, and many like minded hunters staying there.

 

[godwincp]

Always stay at the Sky. Gilbert is the man. I have him in my contacts and no matter the complexity of your travel plans or issues that come up he just takes care of it. Reassuring to have someone like that in your corner. The staff and rooms and food are great also

 

[Green Chile]

I regret not getting Gilbert's contact info. That's a good idea.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

Africa Sky gets my business also. Just booked again for May.

 

[Bandera]

We stayed at Aftons.
They handled the gun permits.
Met us at the airport.
Walked us through customs.
Had a pretty good dinner waiting when we got there.
The meals where good.
They also transported us around J'burg to the Safari Store, to the liquor store and a couple of other little errands.
They stored our guns for free.

The room my wife and I had was very nice. No complaints.
Some of the other rooms did not have heaters. None of the rooms have AC is my understanding.

Staff is generally friendly. One of the staff members in the office has a sour disposition at times.
I would stay there again and recommend it.

Aftons did save us a hassle at the airport on our return from Cape Town. The tour company failed to meet us at the airport. We were headed back to Astons for our last nights stay. As we are standing there I hear "Hey mister Greg you need a ride?" The driver from Aftons was dropping off a guest. So we loaded up and went back to Aftons for our last night.

On our return trip next year we will stay at Africa Sky as a comparison.

 

[coreydb]

Has anyone stayed at both or either one. My wife and I are going in June and are thinking about flying in a couple days before our hunt. Just to get use to the time change and incase of flight delays. Thank you all for all of the information.

African Sky is top notch. Great accommodations.

 

[1dirthawker]

i have only stayed at African Sky.

Gilbert is awesome and Leoni was so great to work with as well. If i have to stay in joberg, it WILL be at African Sky.

 

[Surgeon1]

AFRICA SKY my first experience with them was when there was virtually no travel
in or out of Africa during horrid lock down. Ethiopian Air was really the only operating
airline and Joberg airport was a ghost town! I was the only guest at Africa Sky and it went well over night. Gilbert is a champ of a human, he explained all the covid crap and arranged every thing!
There were only 2 other hunters on my flight from Addis (on a Airbus 350 23 people total).
The other 2 hunters were not using a broker to get thru customs which was closed except for the diplomatic hall, one of them I exchanged phone numbers with and about 6hr later he called me they were still stuck at the airport so Gilbert went over and helped them get their guns and arranged transport documents and a driver to take them to East Cape, without his help they would have been screwed!

 

[WAB]

When you are at Africa Sky go into the gym. You will see a number of Blue Bull and Bokkies jerseys & team photos. The owner is a rather large lad and the former wearer of those jerseys.

 

[Scanos]

Definitely would recommend Africa Sky. Gilbert is the absolute best. I wasn't staying there on the way through this past year. I met a couple of new hunters in Doha. They ended up getting all messed up in the SAPs office due to not completing their SAPS 520s. Gilbert was in the SAPS office helping another hunter. At my request, since we know each other, he stepped up and helped these poor guys out. He got them a room at Africa Sky and helped get their paperwork sorted so that they could leave the next day.

 

[Green Chile]

All their staff is great but since Gilbert is mentioned so often, here he is on the right of the photo. The man, the legend...

 

[pigsticker]

Has anyone stayed at both or either one. My wife and I are going in June and are thinking about flying in a couple days before our hunt. Just to get use to the time change and incase of flight delays. Thank you all for all of the information.

I have stayed at both a couple of times. I much prefer Africa Sky, there is more room to move about the property with a very relaxed ambiance. Gilbert, hands down, can navigate almost any hurdle and is a great connection to have when landing or leaving Joburg. He will do what he can to meet almost any accommodation you could conjure.