Stuck in Johannesburg

[45bthompson]

BA, Qatar, Emirates, Qantas, etc all flying currently according to Flight radar 24. Are you just waiting on UA?
I’d buy a ticket and go home.

There is nothing even available for purchase. I've spent 6 hours on the phone today dealing with this. Europe flights are still running but you cannot get tickets.

 

[45bthompson]

Until 5 may in JHB...no way!

Hire yourself a car, I would suggest a road trip, which can include a hunt.

My suggestions:

1) Hire a car and drive to Kruger National Park - it is out of school holiday, you will easily get accommodation. you can book on https://www.sanparks.org/ as well. DO the south of the park (enter at Malelane 2/3 days) exit at Hoedspruit. From there drive to Hoedpsruit, Ohrigstad, but just before Ohrigstad (20km) turn left and do the Blyderiver canyon route (3rd biggest canyon in the world, biggest green canyon. Biggest being Grand and 2nd the Fish), from their Graskop, Sabie, Lydenburg Dullstroom and back to JHB.

2) Since you have time, I can also suggest still doing the KNP, but enter at most Northern Gate and travelling the entire KNP North to South, 5/6 days. Then you exit at Malelane and from their you drive Nellspruit, Sabie and do the Blyde. On your way North there are a million hunting farms/lodges.

3) Fly to Cape Town and do the wine routes.

I don't understand "hire a car" does that come with a driver? I'm a great driver but these people all drive like shit and it's on the left side of the road.

 

[CAustin]

Hey guys, I just finished my first South African hunt and it was amazing. My father and I were supposed to fly out today but due to a fuel shortage we are going to hang out in joburg till the 6th of May. We have 10 extra days. What should we do? We booked a trip to the cradle of life and the caves for Thursday but I'm looking for suggestions.

Luckily it seems to only have affected yesterdays flight into JNB, and the return back from JNB. @Vanguard2279 - glad we didn't have to rebook!

This just posted by Travel Express.

 

[saswart]

I don't understand "hire a car" does that come with a driver? I'm a great driver but these people all drive like shit and it's on the left side of the road.

Yes, Hire a car from Avis etc., no you are the driver. When we go to Europe and USA you all are driving on the right....

 

[Philip Glass]

There is nothing even available for purchase. I've spent 6 hours on the phone today dealing with this. Europe flights are still running but you cannot get tickets.

How many days out are they booked? So sorry to hear this.
Another reason, especially after last year with Deltas cancellations, to fly Qatar it seems.

 

[JimP]

Big question for me is did you use a travel agent or book your flights on your own?

It appears that Jennifer at Travel Express is getting hunters out

 

[sestoppelman]

If you had the time, this place is awesome.

Mapungubwe National Park View Rates & Prices

Mapungubwe National Park is a river camp, situated on the banks of the fast flowing Sabie River, and is only 11km away from the Mozambican border.

mapungubwenationalpark.co.za

 

[Jimbo12]

Giraffe & Zebra Cull Hunt With HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS US$3,375

Here with is our offer for a Giraffe and zebra Cull hunt from our Buffalo bush camp in the Thabazimbi area of south Africa. This package can be booked for 2022/23 seasons from Feb-Nov Hunt details; This package is for 5 full hunting days and 1 travel day, accommodation will be provided...

www.africahunting.com

 

[45bthompson]

How many days out are they booked? So sorry to hear this.
Another reason, especially after last year with Deltas cancellations, to fly Qatar it seems.

I got 2 of the last four tickets for May 6th. I tried Europe flights. They were booked out even further. I wasn't flying Delta it was United. I don't think United was at fault. I'm trying to make the best out of this. I've just had one of the best experiences ever with my Dad. I'm not going to dwell on this stuff that is out of my control.

 

[R.M.C.]

Wow that's crazy!! I going Newark to Johannesburg in July on United so I'm definitely concerned lol. Sorry to hear about your troubles, best not to get wound up, go have some more fun in Africa while you're there.

 

[Tanks]

10 days? Just enough time to fly to Zimbabwe for a 7 day buffalo hunt.

Make a lemonade out of a lemon.

 

[45bthompson]

Wow that's crazy!! I going Newark to Johannesburg in July on United so I'm definitely concerned lol. Sorry to hear about your troubles, best not to get wound up, go have some more fun in Africa while you're there.

That's our plan but now I'm going to bed. Shit happens. It's just an extension of an already awesome trip. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

 

[R.M.C.]

That's our plan but now I'm going to bed. Shit happens. It's just an extension of an already awesome trip. I'll figure it out tomorrow.

That's the right attitude for the situation. Shit happens indeed

 

[CJW]

10 days? Just enough time to fly to Zimbabwe for a 7 day buffalo hunt.

Make a lemonade out of a lemon.

That's what I was thinking. 10 days? Go see another country.

But seriously, I would try to get to Kruger and some other parks. Maybe your outfitter there on the ground can be of some help? Maybe they could get you put up some place out of the city?

 

[JimP]

Check with the hotel as far as sightseeing is concerned.

On my first trip we did a couple of weeks worth of touring all over the southern portion of South Africa and you couldn't pay me enough to drive myself unless it was all country driving.

Also be aware of where you store your rifles, I believe that the permit dates that are on your SAP's form are pretty strict.

 

[buck wild]

When those chaps say "hire a car" they mean "rent a car"

Kruger is a fabulous idea and can be a low cost excursion.

If you are looking for trinkets etc Cambanos is a good place and safe.
https://www.cambanos.com/ They have decent priced zebra rugs- cheaper than the airport. It is definitely cheaper to buy one than shoot one, D&P, tan and rug in the States.

 

[shark_za]

Lots to do in JHB if you want to stay local.
Some of the best resturants in the world, do day trips out to Hartbeespoort Dam, out to Sun City, etc
Safari and Outdoor is like a mini Cabelas, you can find some nice things there but nothing like in the USA.
Do a cheesy bus tour, goto Rosebank Curio market, drink lots of beer.

 

[Rare Breed]

You're already there . . do another hunt! . . . why "buy" a zebra rug when you can quite reasonably hunt your own? . . . there will be at least a few operators nearby that would love to fit you in on short notice . . . especially since it is still "low season" . . .

Agree. I have a great Zebra rug but there are always cull hunts for around $350

 

[Buffalo1]

+1 for Cambanos. A really neat store. You can buy a whole safari there and never go to the bush !!

 

[WAB]

Get out of JoBurg! Call your PH and have him arrange a cull hunt. Or, If you like wine, get to Stellenbosch. The Coopmanhaus is a great place to stay. It is one of
Our favorite wine countries and we’ve been to most of them.