Jo-burg Hotels

I have stayed at Afton eight times over the years and number nine will be this August.
As has been noted by others, having Mr. X on your side is priceless. During covid, he worked
his charm several times for me and just having him to help with check-in for an Airlink flight
with a rifle makes things work very smooth.
 
This is a fantastic thread. I thought everyone just did Africa Sky. If there is an overnight, seems like Afton with the VIP rifle service is sweet. Not gonna lie, as I make a little more money, the VIP type treatments are pretty cool. Can’t wait to be fully independent, and have time to add those extra transit days.
If you stay at City Lodge, do you carry your guns with you and keep them in your room? I assume there is no sketchy walk to get there?
 
thinchliff said:
This is a fantastic thread. I thought everyone just did Africa Sky. If there is an overnight, seems like Afton with the VIP rifle service is sweet. Not gonna lie, as I make a little more money, the VIP type treatments are pretty cool. Can’t wait to be fully independent, and have time to add those extra transit days.
If you stay at City Lodge, do you carry your guns with you and keep them in your room? I assume there is no sketchy walk to get there?
Click to expand...
You can stay inside the entire time to walk over to the City Lodge. When you come out to the arrival area of the airport, you are at ground level. You can keep the luggage trolly (IIRC) and take an elevator up one level. From there, take the sky bridge walkway towards the parking garage. The City Lodge essentially sits on top of the parking garage. You walk all the way to the end of the walkway and there is an elevator up to the hotel lobby. There are barriers by the elevator that force you to leave the trolleys. You take your gun case with you and leave it in your room. As others have said, the restaurant is good. The City Lodge is convenient and good value.
 
I have done City Lodge once, it was ok and nice I had a 1 night before leaving next morning early. This last trip I used Africa Sky, Gilbert and meet greet get it done quick. Food and service was great, I had 2 full days to relax before departure hunting. Africa Sky did laundry for me, 3 meals and great room and bed. Will definitely stay there from now on.
Guns are locked in vault when you arrive till you leave.
 
thinchliff said:
This is a fantastic thread. I thought everyone just did Africa Sky. If there is an overnight, seems like Afton with the VIP rifle service is sweet. Not gonna lie, as I make a little more money, the VIP type treatments are pretty cool. Can’t wait to be fully independent, and have time to add those extra transit days.
If you stay at City Lodge, do you carry your guns with you and keep them in your room? I assume there is no sketchy walk to get there?
Click to expand...
The walk over is simple. During during Covid there were some people causing issues but I haven’t noticed it the last few years. If you book with a travel service like Gracey who utilizes City Lodge you’ll get an escort.

As for the guns, many people do take them to the room but it depends if they’re checked all the way through or not. My last 3 trips Zambia (2025), Zimbabwe (2026), and Mozambique (2026) all of my luggage, guns included were checked straight through and I had nothing I needed to bring to the hotel aside from my carry-on. The Mozambique trip, I did have to verify my gun’s serial numbers with SAPs on the transit permit but they kept custody of them the entire time.

Zim and Moz (this year) on my return flight both required me to pick-up my firearms in Johannesburg and reclear SAPs. Someone like Bruce is great for this because he normally has everything already secured. Sounds like it’s AirLink that won’t check them straight through any longer on the return BUT your US Carrier might and AirLink will receive them. On the States to your destination, you’ll typically have to pay the firearms permit fee to AirLink in the morning but not need to handle them if your guns/luggage was checked straight through. Additionally they haven’t made me take the ammo out of my bag when checked straight through.
 
MacJenkins said:
Just have to ask. I’ve done Afton once. Have you done Africa Sky?
Click to expand...
No sir.

I only know that Afton and Mr X saved my bacon this trip. My PH got me to the airport with an hour and 20 minutes to check bags and rifles to Namibia. I missed my flight… the bags then had to be pulled from the plane and all of it got hung up with the rifles and checked ammo. Mr X saw the police were holding me up and intervened without even me asking. He booked me a room and they then held my rifles while I travelled to Namibia. They gave me very excellent service and I am extremely grateful.

Ed Z
 
Zinz said:
No sir.

I only know that Afton and Mr X saved my bacon this trip. My PH got me to the airport with an hour and 20 minutes to check bags and rifles to Namibia. I missed my flight… the bags then had to be pulled from the plane and all of it got hung up with the rifles and checked ammo. Mr X saw the police were holding me up and intervened without even me asking. He booked me a room and they then held my rifles while I travelled to Namibia. They gave me very excellent service and I am extremely grateful.

Ed Z
Click to expand...
Sounds good, was just wondering as I did them once and much prefer Africa Sky and been with them at 10+ times. One trip I stayed there 3 different times as I would coming and going on separate safaris. Africa Sky is 7-10 minutes from the airport and Gilbert works miracles at the airport when needed. The Filet with peppercorn sauce is very good. Would suggest trying them.

Cheers!
 
Africa Sky! A bit pricey but very nice. Very nice Meals are included in your stay. Hope to stay there again soon
 

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Some keep saying Africa Sky is pricey
Compared to US hotels it’s cheap to me.
Room, 3 meals per day, I had laundry done 2 times, all the other amenities . Under $200/ day I was charged. I think that’s a bargain compared to local hotels here at home.
 
Mark Biggerstaff said:
Some keep saying Africa Sky is pricey
Compared to US hotels it’s cheap to me.
Room, 3 meals per day, I had laundry done 2 times, all the other amenities . Under $200/ day I was charged. I think that’s a bargain compared to local hotels here at home.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure I’d call it cheap but I definitely think it’s worth the cost. City Lodge and Afton you’ll pay extra for dinner, so Africa Sky is very comparable dinner included. I’ve stayed at all 3, but I much prefer Africa Sky. I like the hotel and grounds best, but I also think the service is best.
 
375Fox said:
I’m not sure I’d call it cheap but I definitely think it’s worth the cost. City Lodge and Afton you’ll pay extra for dinner, so Africa Sky is very comparable dinner included. I’ve stayed at all 3, but I much prefer Africa Sky. I like the hotel and grounds best, but I also think the service is best.
Click to expand...

Agreed, I far prefer Africa Sky.
 
Mtn_Infantry said:
The walk over is simple. During during Covid there were some people causing issues but I haven’t noticed it the last few years. If you book with a travel service like Gracey who utilizes City Lodge you’ll get an escort.

As for the guns, many people do take them to the room but it depends if they’re checked all the way through or not. My last 3 trips Zambia (2025), Zimbabwe (2026), and Mozambique (2026) all of my luggage, guns included were checked straight through and I had nothing I needed to bring to the hotel aside from my carry-on. The Mozambique trip, I did have to verify my gun’s serial numbers with SAPs on the transit permit but they kept custody of them the entire time.

Zim and Moz (this year) on my return flight both required me to pick-up my firearms in Johannesburg and reclear SAPs. Someone like Bruce is great for this because he normally has everything already secured. Sounds like it’s AirLink that won’t check them straight through any longer on the return BUT your US Carrier might and AirLink will receive them. On the States to your destination, you’ll typically have to pay the firearms permit fee to AirLink in the morning but not need to handle them if your guns/luggage was checked straight through. Additionally they haven’t made me take the ammo out of my bag when checked straight through.
Click to expand...
You had an overnight in Johannesburg and the rifles were still checked through? Is that a change or layover was relatively short and under a certain amount of hours?
 
In BVC r
375Fox said:
You had an overnight in Johannesburg and the rifles were still checked through? Is that a change or layover was relatively short and under a certain amount of hours?
Click to expand...
In BVC right now
I flew New Orleans,Atlanta Joburg
Tried to get Delta to check bags just to Joburg No Way I was told.
Gun permit, ammo, over nighting in Joburg no reason they would accept
 
Another for city lodge, especially if you have early flights. Needed a 4am check in for my flight to Windhoek, trusted myself to be able to walk through the airport more than I did to have a driver deposit me on time.

Only cost me $140 out of my capital one travel credit to boot.
 
Mark Biggerstaff said:
Some keep saying Africa Sky is pricey
Compared to US hotels it’s cheap to me.
Room, 3 meals per day, I had laundry done 2 times, all the other amenities . Under $200/ day I was charged. I think that’s a bargain compared to local hotels here at home.
Click to expand...
375Fox said:
I’m not sure I’d call it cheap but I definitely think it’s worth the cost. City Lodge and Afton you’ll pay extra for dinner, so Africa Sky is very comparable dinner included. I’ve stayed at all 3, but I much prefer Africa Sky. I like the hotel and grounds best, but I also think the service is best.
Click to expand...

I kind of felt the same way reading all the comments about it being expensive.

How much does City Lodge cost per night?
 
Africa Sky for me. Great food, top quality rooms, and a nice boma for a cigar. Gilbert worked airport miracles with a rifle issue I had. Literally saved my trip single handedly.

Happy hunting, all!
 
375Fox said:
You had an overnight in Johannesburg and the rifles were still checked through? Is that a change or layover was relatively short and under a certain amount of hours?
Click to expand...
Yes sir, once with United (in 2025 from DFW), and twice with Delta (in 2026 one from IAH the other from DFW). Both flights arrived in the evening, United one was like 6 hours late and the morning departures were on Airlink all prior 8:30am to 10:30am.

All 3 times I asked at the Priority Check-in Desk if they were able to check my bags completely through to my destination and they’ve obliged. I get off, clear customs, wait at baggage claim 15 min or so until the priority bags are all removed to ensure there wasn’t a mistake (also check AirTags) then head over to SAPs, meet Bruce or Michael from Gracy with a copy of my SAPs and baggage tags. Only this last time (June 2026 going to Beira, Mozambique) did the police ask to even open the case and verify serial numbers. The female officer feigned looking at the serials and said close the case 30sec after unzipping the soft cases, and told me to relock it and put it in the corner they’d have it on the plane in the morning.
 
I’m booked their the night of 8/7 before my flight the next day to Windhoek
 
I think I will go Africa Sky in 2027 and see how that goes. Then I will have stayed at all 3. Afton, City Lodge, Africa Sky.
 
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