Travel Questions

[Turner12971]

Our trip is exactly a year out we’ll be flying out of Houston, staying a night in Joberg then onto Port Elizabeth
1. Who does everyone use for Travel Agency in the U.S. for their African Safaris.?
2. When to buy your airfare & do you pay it all up front.?
3. Preferred Airline for best price.?

 

[MLindsay]

Many of us here use Gracy Travel. They can help you with every aspect of your travels, airline ticket purchase, gun permits, meet and greet to get you through customs etc

 

[Doug3006]

I also use Gracy. I have always booked as soon as tickets are available. That’s usually 11 months out. Your travel agent can run a price comparison for you, so you can select the best deal,

 

[ActionBob]

I've tried contacting Gracy to no avail in the past. They must be too busy for commoners like me or just lazy. Used Travel With Guns and Travel Express. I recommend both.

Yes pay up front. Didn't know there was another option.

Airline depends. A good travel agent will give you multiple options. Let them do their jobs and ask lots of questions.

You didn't ask but I recommend staying at Afton House overnight in Joburg and hiring them to do your rifle permits if you are taking your own guns, which i also recommend. Mr. X or as the workers in the airport refer to him, The Famous Mr. X will get your rifles cleared and get you transported efficiently. If you feel you need help getting through the airport, Afton can also arrange VIP meet and greet at the gate for you when you get off the plane. It's not nessasary but is really nice as you go right around the lines to the front. If it is just you, probably no need. If traveling with impatient family members it is a great investment

Africa Sky will do a good job taking care of you as well although when I had rifle paperwork stolen they were not able to simply get copies sent to me via email. I'm confident today's Afton would. Back then Rifle Permits came to my rescue.

If staying at the hotel in the airport I'd hire Rifle Permits. That combo will be the lowest cost and works great also.

This all assumes your PH or Outfitter is not meeting you in Joburg as you are continuing to Port Elizabeth. Many of the good experienced PH's and Outfitters can help with your rifle permits and save you the small fee. If they are picking you up.

 

[JimP]

I used Travel With Guns the last trip, should of used Jennifer at Travel Express.

If I go back it will be with Jennifer, at Travel Express

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I use Jennifer at Travel Express last six trips. When first started back in 2018.
Yes you pay for it all upfront. Out of Houston I have flown United, Qatar and Delta. I will stick with Delta from now on. May cost little more but way easier with guns. PM me if you want to chat.

I am down in El Campo. So close to you.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I book my own flights and do my own permits. But I'm extremely brilliant and adventurous. Require extra seating on jets ... for my fat head.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I book my own flights but I did my rifle permits for South Africa through Gracy travel, they also had someone meet me and take me through customs clearance and check in the next day, it was well worth the cost and we glided through the process at the airport.

 

[Greffdog]

Haven’t traveled with a rifle outside the U.S. but I always book travel and hotels myself.

I did expatriate with a dog and I did all of that paperwork myself so I would probably look at what’s required before determining if I paid someone a premium to do forms on my behalf.

Google flights makes it easy to compare prices and routes but I always book direct with the airline or hotel. Rarely use any third party sites unless it’s AmexTravel for hotel perks.

 

[slam8031]

1) huge fan of Jennifer at Travel Express
I have done if alone but if it’s more than me I utilize Jennifer
2). Pay upfront often with cc points for travel
3). If RSA is the destination I prefer Delta direct from Atlanta simply due to time and direct. I have flown United and had delays and mild issues. I have flown Ethiopian without guns to Namibia and that went smoothly. I think the stop in Doha or UAE is fantastic if I had more time in travel.

 

[SETH RINGER]

BOOK MY OWN FLIGHTS AND USE RIFLEPERMITS.COM TO MAKE GETTING OUT A LITTLE QUICKER. START LOOKING AT 11 MONTHS, THEY USUALLY DON'T GET CHEAPER.

 

[Mekaniks]

@TRAVEL EXPRESS is a site sponsor and great to work with. Highly recommend

 

[wesheltonj]

I either book my own or use Nicole at Gracy. The big Gracy advantage is it’s one stop shop. The will book your tickets, book your hotel usually City Lodge, get your permit and meet you at the airport all for one fee. Versus having multiple folks do each separately.

From Houston you have many airlines to choose from.

 

[Jared640]

You don't need a travel agent. Book the flights yourself. Contact afton house and Mr. X for the rest. Extremely easy process

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I have used @TRAVEL EXPRESS for several trips and always been pleased.

As far as flights from IAH, use Delta via ATL to JNB.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Our trip is exactly a year out we’ll be flying out of Houston, staying a night in Joberg then onto Port Elizabeth
1. Who does everyone use for Travel Agency in the U.S. for their African Safaris.?
2. When to buy your airfare & do you pay it all up front.?
3. Preferred Airline for best price.?

Questions 1. and 2. I can absolutely recommend Jennifer at Travel Express. She will help you through the ins and outs of your travel. As far as 3. goes Jennifer will help you with.thst, but there may be more to.consider than just the price.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

@TRAVEL EXPRESS /Jennifer
@riflepermits.com

Effortless.

 

[Andrew62]

I tend to buy my tickets 6-9 months out, if flying from the US to South Africa I buy my own tickets. If flying to another African country I use Gracy Travel. For my trip this fall I’m using Rifle Permits to clear my gun.

 

[JimP]

I've always figured that being your own TA is great until something happens like a missed flight, flight schedule change or something along those lines. That is where a TA will be worth the price that you pay them.

Rifle Permits is just plain and simple well worth the money after a long flight, especially their VIP service where you walk right past most of the others that were on your flight to go through customs.

 

[TnKen]

Definitely not as experienced as many on this site. I went to SA last year and booked my own flight and stayed at city lodge at the airport. I booked my flight about eight months prior. I am going again ext summer and will book my flight as soon as available to ensure the seats I want. I will also be bringing my own rifle this time and will use one of the permit services.