Flying to Africa

[wildfowler.250]

Folks, I read a recent thread where a member on here had to cancel their trip due to airline issues.

It got me thinking, how much time do you tend to give to arrive before your hunt?


I’ve got my first trip coming next year which is exciting and a bit daunting - it almost makes you want to fast forward everything else.. anyway.

I was looking to fly out direct from the uk on an overnight flight. Arrive in the morning of the day before hunt 1. Several hours drive and then hopefully should be at the venue for the afternoon - maybe some range time. Should be reasonable if all flies to plan or even if a couple of hours delay. Cancelled flights obviously not considered. It’s for an 8 day hunt and will be on the same time difference.

Would you all say that’s a reasonable plan? Or would many of you leave a full days gap before the hunt starts to hang around / factor for delays? It’s another days holiday and costs but thought it was worth asking ahead of time!


Cheers!

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

This is std sir
I have hosted a number of clients from europe and uk
They usually fly overnight
Collect them at the airport in the morn in the hunting area around lunch or late afternoon
Check guns and relax or do some sundowners
Ready to go the next morning

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

1 Day usually. My most recent trip I came 2 Days early because the flight and seats I wanted required 1 day earlier commitmen. I flew Emirates vs Delta, so because I was using unfamiliar (to me) routes and traveling with rifles I embraced the extra day as I may have needed it. I didn’t on that end. It also worked out well because I used the extra days to hunt, and visit Bullseye taxidermists to go over details for trophy mount selection and use of hippo hide… I book 3-6 months out, but have booked within 2 months of departure. I’ve booked most of my trips myself, but have also used 2 different agencies popular to AH. I also have a personal travel agent that books Mexico and Canada hunting trips for me…She also found my Emirates flights and seats to SA for me and I’m really pleased with that effort and pricing. It pays to shop and price flights -if you have time.

Trip/flight insurance seems like a reasonable idea these days…

 

[Philip Glass]

Folks, I read a recent thread where a member on here had to cancel their trip due to airline issues.

It got me thinking, how much time do you tend to give to arrive before your hunt?


I’ve got my first trip coming next year which is exciting and a bit daunting - it almost makes you want to fast forward everything else.. anyway.

I was looking to fly out direct from the uk on an overnight flight. Arrive in the morning of the day before hunt 1. Several hours drive and then hopefully should be at the venue for the afternoon - maybe some range time. Should be reasonable if all flies to plan or even if a couple of hours delay. Cancelled flights obviously not considered. It’s for an 8 day hunt and will be on the same time difference.

Would you all say that’s a reasonable plan? Or would many of you leave a full days gap before the hunt starts to hang around / factor for delays? It’s another days holiday and costs but thought it was worth asking ahead of time!


Cheers!

I would stick with your plan. Delays can happen but you can't worry about that. Have a great trip and watch my safari planning videos to help get ready.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Cheers folks, sounds like I’ve made a reasonable plan then!

Philip , will have a look at the videos, thanks!

 

[HookMeUpII]

A lot of it is determined by when you can actually get a flight. This differs for everyone. Some folks have to take 1 flight, some take 3-4 connecting flights. We flew direct from Newark to Jo-Burg. Outfitter picked us up that night in Jo-Burg, drove us to camp. Next morning we woke up and were sitting by a waterhole hunting by noon.

I guess the general rule of thumb is to plan to not hunt the same day you fly in. It's possible to do so I guess but don't plan on it.

All of us in our party unanimously agreed to pay for the first night in camp (just the overnight rate) and one extra non-hunting day when we flew out. A 1 day cushion on arrival and a 1 day cushion on departure is helpful.

Sounds like you are in good shape.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

In six trips I have always just planned the day of arrival and PH has picked up and off to camp.
My next trip will be to Zim and I plan on arriving 1-2 days early to get over jet lag and in the groove. This last trip it took me 3 days to get over after landing and then straight in to hunting.

 

[sgt_zim]

We took 2 days in Jo'burg at Africa Sky between Houston and heading up to Limpopo. The missus likes to get be at our destination, she just doesn't do well between Houston and our destination and takes a couple days to sort herself out.

Even if I trusted United or Delta and our travel had been abbreviated by 8 or 10 hours, we'd have still taken 2 days in Jo'burg. Our very best case is 18 or 19 hours of airtime to get to Jo'burg from Houston. I'm glad I did it that way my first time over, because I was ready to rock by the time I got to camp. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I'll always take 2 days in Jo'burg before I head out to where ever.

 

[wesheltonj]

Folks, I read a recent thread where a member on here had to cancel their trip due to airline issues.

It got me thinking, how much time do you tend to give to arrive before your hunt?


I’ve got my first trip coming next year which is exciting and a bit daunting - it almost makes you want to fast forward everything else.. anyway.

I was looking to fly out direct from the uk on an overnight flight. Arrive in the morning of the day before hunt 1. Several hours drive and then hopefully should be at the venue for the afternoon - maybe some range time. Should be reasonable if all flies to plan or even if a couple of hours delay. Cancelled flights obviously not considered. It’s for an 8 day hunt and will be on the same time difference.

Would you all say that’s a reasonable plan? Or would many of you leave a full days gap before the hunt starts to hang around / factor for delays? It’s another days holiday and costs but thought it was worth asking ahead of time!


Cheers!

As long as your flight is on BA or Virgin direct from Heathrow your plan is good. I would not add a day.

 

[Moe324]

I like to do tourist thing before the hunt. Then if my flight gets cancelled I still have a chance to get another flight in a couple days. I don't worry so much about my return flight. I really enjoy flying up to Victoria falls for 2-3 days and then flying back to Johannesburg to get picked up for the hunt. By then I'm used to the time difference and weather. If you haven't been to Victoria falls and Chobe National Park I highly recommend it.