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Airfare to South Africa

I will be taking family to SA in August 2019. Can anyone recommend a travel agent /booking agent that specializes in monitoring and securing lowest fare to SA. I will be monitoring fares as well. Thanks for your help in advance. Happy holidays to all.

I'll be monitoring.... heading there in Aug also.

Greg, contact Bea at Tatum. She handles almost all of our clients. I’ll contact you offline as well. I hope you’re getting ready for that buffalo :)

Lori with Travel Express will take care of you.

You as well Donnie.

[email protected] I have used Kina twice, she has found great deals for me, last May I spent $804 each from Denver to Joburg! Yes, she is that good! Tell Her Keith Told ya she was the best!

I have a larger group going over there in July (10 people). Cheapest I have found is with Delta group travel. I will be contacting Kina per Keith recommendation as that price is much lower than what I have with Delta currently.

I’ve used Bea at Tatum. Great service without a hitch...

Lori with Travel Express is nice but failed us bad this past September going to Zim. She booked us on an airline from Vic Falls to Harrare that didn't allow weapons of any kind...even bows. Luckily, my buddy was coming in a different route and Carrier and he was generous enough to bring my bow bag with him. She was great communicating but I'm not sure we will use her in 2020 when we go back. I feel bad typing this but it is the truth and I consider you guys friends and fellow brothers in arms.

Rich

Used Travel Express five times - first rate. No complaints.

I found the cheapest flights doing it myself. Monitor Delta everyday and you will find a good rate.

I would suggest that you NOT use South Africa Air. The service was terrible.

TMBB

Agree with Bob on SA

googleflights.com Looking at Sept, from Houston to Windhoek $1180 right now, could go cheaper, but don't want the extra layovers. Best day to buy tickets from US to Africa, 252 days out from departure date

Has anyone ever flown with Qatar Airlines to South Africa ?

$1180. One way or round trip?

Low fares at flights.com/expedia showing approx. 980.00 RT, however you are on british airways thru London. I remember many posts in past warning not to travel thru London/Europe,etc. I prefer tp gp direct from JFK or Atlanta. Anyone have any experience traveling thru London,etc. Thanks

Greg, your best flight and option is JFK to Joburg direct through South Africa Air.

You might find cheaper flights going through Europe but beware of the issues that can happen on these flights. The SAA flight is direct, no hassle, food and beverage good, and really easy. Especially since you are from NJ.

I AGREE IT- ITS A MATTER OF FINDING LOWEST FARE

Very smooth experience going through London on Virgin Atlantic and great pricie point.

I've not flown through Europe, but I've never heard of issues in London? Amsterdam is usually the country that is not recommended for bowhunters. Also, I wasn't aware that SAA had a direct flight from the U.S. to JNB. Thanks for the information. On a side note, SAA is bankrupt, if that's any concern to you.

I would not recommend flying on a bankrupt airline but that’s just my opinion :) Flying thru London with firearms is a no go if you’re changing airports; Heathrow to Gatwick. You will be required to pay for an armed escort for your firearms from one to the other and that is expensive. Also, the more flight changes you have the greater chance of having luggage lost enroute especially thru Europe where there is a large anti hunting sentiment. Sometimes your luggage is purposely “lost” and this occurs more frequently than it should. Delta direct from Atlanta is the most hassle free service. You board in Atlanta and arrive in Johannesburg. Pretty simple. It’s a pain for all concerned when luggage doesn’t arrive as the safari company must then stay on the phone to get your lost luggage delivered which may take two days or longer, and the client is forced to wear his travel clothes or borrowed duds plus the added discomfort of having to use a borrowed rifle or bow. If you are determined to fly thru Europe I would highly suggest an inconspicuous rolling type duffel for your bow and to put a few extra clothes in with your bow aside from your main clothes check in. It’s also not a bad idea to throw some socks, underwear, etc in a carry on.

I'd have to echo Ken's advice. Short version Air France lost our luggage and my bow in Paris. Four days later they arrived due mainly to our PH calling them everyday. Trip was saved to having all our camera/Binos /range finder as well as a take on bag that had extra set of clothes / medicine . Also it was a true blessing that they had a pro shop available too me so I had a bow to hunt with.

Another plus of booking thru a travel agency, if any issues arise they will go to work on your behalf! Had that issue on a hotel once, one email to the agent and 5 minutes later it was worked out with the hotel!

I used a travel agent just shows ya crap happens.

I'm flying to Namibia From ORD through London and JoBurg this May. My round trip ticket, booked directly with British Airlines is $982 all in.

Flights to South Africa - thru Europe-usually London or Amsterdam can be had for 900-1000 rt. I would search issues regarding hunters traveling thru said locations before purchasing.

It really depends on what month you are looking to go. The prices fluctuate a lot from year to year and especially by which month you travel. Most years, I've not seen prices anywhere near that low in the peak bowhunting times of July and August, but they are available during other months at that price some years.

Prices in that range usually involve layovers that turn a long flight into a very long ordeal. Hopefully you will miss the British Airways bedbug fiasco. Good luck.

I went three times. Flew Delta out of Atlanta direct to JoBurg. It’s about 15 hours, which is a pain, but I like that better than stop overs in Europe where there is more chance of baggage (bows) getting lost. I flew comfort plus, I think it was called. That got more leg room, unlimited booze ( I had one drink) and some other small stuff. Believe that cost a couple hundred. And I booked my own flights. Have fun.

Sign-up for the Delta AMEX and build up the points to fly for free! I've received a few free flights to Africa with it. They aren't like many airlines that only have a few seats available on each plane for award tickets, every seat on every plane is available with no standby or risk. You but a ticket with points and it's just like any ticket purchased by anyone else with cash.

For those of you with a business, and want more flexibility to use any airline, or use the points for hotels and other travel, the Chase Ink business card is running an awesome promotion right now where you can receive $850 in cash or more than $1,000 worth of airline tickets or other travel (85,000 points-80K+5K) if you prefer, after spending $5,000 in the first three months . I have both this and two Delta AMEX cards, and LOTS of miles!

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