City Lodge or Africa Sky

[BWB]

Arriving on Delta flight to Johannesburg. Which motel would you choose , and is one safer than the other ? Will be picked up the next morning by outfitter .

 

[Surgeon1]

Africa sky

 

[375Fox]

They are both equally safe but one is a walk from the terminal still at the airport and one requires a short drive to a location off airport. I like Africa Sky better.

 

[ActionBob]

They are both equally safe and provide the same assistance at airport if needed. I like Africa Sky better.

I didn't know City Lodge provided and service beyond normal hotel stuff.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Arriving on Delta flight to Johannesburg. Which motel would you choose , and is one safer than the other ? Will be picked up the next morning by outfitter .

I've never stayed at Africa Sky, but all the reports Ive ever read are very positive. I have stayed at City Lodge after arriving on the Delta flight, just this past July. The advantage I'd say it has is that you don't leave the airport. It is a fairly good walk to get in there, but as I say you stay inside. The restaurant is very reasonably priced. The breakfast buffet in the morning is very good and I think wss $10.

EDIT: As I was writing my reply I missed you're being picked up by your outfitter the next morning. That may make staying off airport a little easier in the morning. You won't have to find your way back out of the airport and through a parking lot. The outfitters vehicle will be basically at your door if you stay at Africa Sky or as also suggest below Aston House.

 

[375Fox]

I didn't know City Lodge provided and service beyond normal hotel stuff.

I read the title wrong. I’ll edit my post. Not sure how I did that.

 

[ActionBob]

Arriving on Delta flight to Johannesburg. Which motel would you choose , and is one safer than the other ? Will be picked up the next morning by outfitter .

Not comparable. City Lodge is a hotel right at the airport.

Africa Sky is a full service guest house that picks you up and takes you away from the airport. They will bring you back if you are continuing on another flight or you can be picked up thecnrxt morning. They will also provide additional services such as gun clearing.

Afton House competes as another Guest House with even more services related to hunting and a nice curio shop.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I book Citi-Lodge through Gracy and breakfast is included. Other food is very reasonable. They stored luggage until I returned from a side trip, no charge. My longtime PH told me never leave the airport. One of the two commonly used off airport venues had criminals on site while hunters were there. First trip, one of those, we were packed in a van like sardines with a trailer hauling our guns. Thanks but no thanks. YMMV.

 

[Wiley64]

City is so easy. Have heard good things about all of them

 

[MarkB]

As others have stated, African Sky is beautiful, an African treat to stay, City Lodge is a hotel, with good food, and a walk over the walkway from airport. Only downside is African sky was 2 times the cost. Up to you to decide, if your outfitter is picking you up am next day no issue with either. Or you could stay at Sun Rock Guest house. Pick up at airport, about same cost as City Lodge but far better, if you want quick shopping walking to markets, awesome trophy room, food, compound so fully safe and hunter friendly. Hell if like me could be what I called lucky and get to have a beer at bar with "famous international TV hunters".

Many choices, none are bad, you pick what fits what you desire.

MB

 

[markm]

Arriving on Delta flight to Johannesburg. Which motel would you choose , and is one safer than the other ? Will be picked up the next morning by outfitter .

City lodge is so much easier and it’s very nice

 

[RichD]

Our group of 4 hunters stayed at City Lodge in 2023, overnight on way to Maun. Was easy to get to, clean rooms, reasonable prices, and the breakfast buffet was very good for $10. I'll stay there again in September, overnight to Port Elizabeth.

 

[RichD]

Depending on your travel dates, a room at City Lodge will run about $100, Africa Sky is close to $300, Afton Lodge about $250. The last 2 are "boutique" places, City is like Holiday Inn, Ramada, etc.

 

[MacJenkins]

Africa Sky for sure. I’ll be staying there 3 times this summer.

 

[jpr9954]

I have stayed at City Lodge, the City Lodge on Barbara Rd, and the Holiday Inn Airport. I only stayed at the latter two because the City Lodge at the Airport was full. I was happy with City Lodge Airport. The food was good, loved the breakfast, location was perfect, and the room was very decent. I do hear great things about Africa Sky and Afton.

 

[KuduKiller]

I’ve stayed at city lodge which was good, clean rooms and the food was pretty decent also. I’ve never stayed at Africa Sky. I have stayed at Afton several times as well. Afton was nice but dinner was a tad pricey and I was “solicited” to use a hunting outfitter they sponsor on my next hunt.

Last trip we had to stay at city lodge due to a very delayed flight and they actually “reopened” the kitchen for us. The full menu was available.

The last time I stayed at Afton we got in late on KLM due to a Delta mess up. We did get dinner but it was really sh!77y fish sticks but atleast I got a few cold adult beverages.

City lodge is for sure cheaper for the room and honestly the dinner and drinks were pretty cheap too. The room was spacey with a big bathroom.

Afton is more expensive and they had a community bathroom. I’m not sure if there are rooms with a bathroom but everytime I have stayed I had to use the community bathroom. Rooms were quite small also.

 

[Trogon]

My trip flying home end of March this year, I had a long layover at OR Tambo, while a great hunting bud was traveling on. Bruce looked at me after Dale's guns were taken care of and asked if I wanted a "day room" at Citilodge. I said hell yes!, he called them to make arrangements, and I got to spend the morning and all afternoon to catch some sleep, take a shower, before the grueling flight home to Newark. Was around $60-$70. I have stayed at Citilodge previously, Afton House once, but can't answer to Africa Sky. The time I got to Afton House was later, last one in, dinner was pretty good. Ensuite bathroom in my room. Room was comfortable. Left early the next morning so really didn't have time to absorb the ambience, unfortunately. Citilodge has been clean, food for breakfast and dinner more than satisfactory and good price point. I didn't think the walking distance between the airport and Citilodge to be unmanageable.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

In my very limited experience in Africa (2 trips) I have been very happy with City Lodge. Combined with Rifle Permits VIP service from arrival at Jo Berg. Rifle Permits held us by the hand from the United flight all the way to City Lodge, til we were checked in. I have heard nothing but good said about them. We took a side trip afterwards and paid an outfit $50 per gun to hold our rifles for a week.

If another company could help us get our rifles through customs, including lodging and the rest, plus get our rifles through customs and hold them for a while for less money it may be worth considering. Our outfitter said most of his customers go to Africa Sky. They are about 3X as expensive per night than City Lodge. They may be worth it, I have never stayed there.

I would want the service that Rifle Permits provides wherever I stay.

I can tell you this. If you stay at City Lodge you won't be slumming it or disappointed with their food or drink options. Not saying they are the best, but they're good. I would gladly stay at Africa Sky, but City Lodge has served us well.

 

[375Fox]

Depending on your travel dates, a room at City Lodge will run about $100, Africa Sky is close to $300, Afton Lodge about $250. The last 2 are "boutique" places, City is like Holiday Inn, Ramada, etc.

Africa Sky is about $185 for 1 person and $300 for 2 persons, but does include breakfast and a great dinner.

 

[MLindsay]

I have used City Lodge numerous times, very simple. Gracy's people meet us at the plane, breeze through customs and gun permits with Bruce's help and walk to City Lodge. SIMPLE