Travel Questions

[358 Norma]

I used Gracy Travel, money well spent! I will use them again in 2026!

 

[Fatback]

I’ve used Gracy Travel on all of my trips to Africa and will be using them again for my trip in August this year. One stop shop and they have done a fantastic job for me.

 

[375Fox]

I used Gracy for 3 trips. Their people on ground in Johannesburg are great but there were small problems with every booking. I wasn’t impressed. I’ve used travel express the last 5 or 6 trips and have been really happy with their service. Travel express combined with Africa Sky, Afton, or Rifle Permits on the ground offer the same service as Gracy.

 

[Rare Breed]

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.?

Travel Express with Jennifer. As soon as the airlines let me

 

[Rare Breed]

I used Gracy for 3 trips. Their people on ground in Johannesburg are great but there were small problems with every booking. I wasn’t impressed. I’ve used travel express the last 5 or 6 trips and have been really happy with their service. Travel express combined with Africa Sky, Afton, or Rifle Permits on the ground offer the same service as Gracy.

Completely agree with @375Fox only I like staying at airport for ease so I use City Lodge. Jennifer at Travel Express books both my air and City Lodge for me. I book direct with Henry at Rifle Permits. Never on 8 safaris have I had any problems

 

[Philip Glass]

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.?

I personally use Patrick Wright for these flights but please use a TA to book whoever it may be. I begin looking with his assistance 10 months out. We have been flying Delta and Qatar exclusively. Emirates never has a schedule I can work with but maybe someday. At this time I would not consider any others. Price is only one of many factors.
With my safari groups we typically stay at City Lodge at JNB for convenience. TA makes those reservations as well.

 

[Philip Glass]

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

It's his first time. What if he uses Google Flights and winds up on an airline that does not carry guns? Bad advice for a first timer IMO.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have used Shawn at Gracy travel 7 times since 2013. They are a one stop shop. The small price paid for a travel agency's service is worth every penny. You can book you own flights but when something goes sideways their services are worth it. Have a couple friends that have used Jennifer at travel express and also say great things about their service.

 

[Trogon]

I have made four trips to South Africa (without bringing guns) and have used Travel Express with Jennifer twice, and for my trip this past March to Angola and South Africa, I used Shawn at Gracy Travel. I realize not alot of data points, but I have been very satisfied with both travel agencies. As many on this thread have mentioned, certainly worth the money spent, and insignificant (to me) in the total cost of each trip.

 

[fourfive8]

Travel agents have no say when airlines change/cancel flights. They help sort things out when regulations and third parties cause disruptions. I’ve noticed that trend is more the rule than the exception the last few years. My guess is the bureaucrats and airlines do it, many times, for no reason other than they can. I’ve used Gracy Travel for all manner of international travel for years and will continue to do so. I will using them for non-hunting trip to SE Asia in a few weeks.

Seems a no brainer to simplify and de-stress your life for first safari to RSA. Use a travel agent like Gracy Travel. For overnight, stay at City Lodge at OR Tambo………. or do whatever you think is best

 

[MT Griz]

I have used Travel Express for both of my trips to Africa. Very good service and easy to work with.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

Jennifer at @TRAVEL EXPRESS is the one and only TA to use

 

[Rumrunner]

On our trip last August a friend was meeting us in Johannesburg and we were headed for Limpopo. To his benefit he flew in a couple days early. He had booked with Mr. X for rifle assistance, completed all of the paper work, emailed everything and confirmed with Mr. X the week before he was to arrive. Mr. X was a no show and couldn’t be contacted. Fortunately my friend had copies of all of the information and emails, the driver from Africa Sky hotel was able to work with the police and he got his rifle through after some delay. The driver received a very healthy tip.
Just a data point but when we return in 2027 I expect we will use rifle permits.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

On your JNB to PE flight, you want to make sure you use an airline that carries guns, assuming you are traveling with your own rifles. Airlink is a good regional carrier and they allow guns. When checking in, it’s a bit of a hassle. Start at the check in counter and then go to the customer service desk to pay and back to the check in counter. Give yourself plenty of time.

 

[375Fox]

On your JNB to PE flight, you want to make sure you use an airline that carries guns, assuming you are traveling with your own rifles. Airlink is a good regional carrier and they allow guns. When checking in, it’s a bit of a hassle. Start at the check in counter and then go to the customer service desk to pay and back to the check in counter. Give yourself plenty of time.

Also pay firearm fee for both flights (that one and return) when you go to the service desk. Makes it easier. Johannesburg is more organized and easier to pay than some other airports.

 

[Rare Breed]

On our trip last August a friend was meeting us in Johannesburg and we were headed for Limpopo. To his benefit he flew in a couple days early. He had booked with Mr. X for rifle assistance, completed all of the paper work, emailed everything and confirmed with Mr. X the week before he was to arrive. Mr. X was a no show and couldn’t be contacted. Fortunately my friend had copies of all of the information and emails, the driver from Africa Sky hotel was able to work with the police and he got his rifle through after some delay. The driver received a very healthy tip.
Just a data point but when we return in 2027 I expect we will use rifle permits.

Rifle Permits is the only company I will use…8 trips zero problems

 

[Rare Breed]

On your JNB to PE flight, you want to make sure you use an airline that carries guns, assuming you are traveling with your own rifles. Airlink is a good regional carrier and they allow guns. When checking in, it’s a bit of a hassle. Start at the check in counter and then go to the customer service desk to pay and back to the check in counter. Give yourself plenty of time.

Also using a travel agent like @travelexpress insures they tell air link in advance you are traveling with guns. Otherwise you may encounter problems. Experience speaks volumes for first time africa hunters

 

[Javaman]

I work directly with Debbie Gracy and she’s found us great flights from DC on United, BA and Ethiopia. We start from 9-10 mos to a year out, it just depends on where you are going, how much you want to spend and what routing works best for you. Her man Bruce (aka Uncle Brucy) is the Mayor of JNB and has both made our transits smooth and gotten us out of a couple of security jams and shakedowns. Well worth the Gracy fee ($350?) and Uncle Brucy’s $50 tip (pp, ea way).

 

[Hyde Hunter]

On our trip last August a friend was meeting us in Johannesburg and we were headed for Limpopo. To his benefit he flew in a couple days early. He had booked with Mr. X for rifle assistance, completed all of the paper work, emailed everything and confirmed with Mr. X the week before he was to arrive. Mr. X was a no show and couldn’t be contacted. Fortunately my friend had copies of all of the information and emails, the driver from Africa Sky hotel was able to work with the police and he got his rifle through after some delay. The driver received a very healthy tip.
Just a data point but when we return in 2027 I expect we will use rifle permits.

by any chance did you get ahold of Mr X and see what happened?

 

[wesheltonj]

Also using a travel agent like @travelexpress insures they tell air link in advance you are traveling with guns. Otherwise you may encounter problems. Experience speaks volumes for first time africa hunters

Sometimes. My firearm was entered into the Airlink system and when I arrived at JNB they said they had no record. Then I showed them the email with their logo showing approval, problem went away. Make sure you carry the approval email you receive agent or no agent.

My current trip problem with Qatar, I had the email from Qatar showing approval, but Qatar was not going to let the gun fly as they said I need an Import Permit, thankfully I had lots of time that that was sorted and the gun flew. I did not need the import permit for the gun to fly. Thankfully they were able to get hold of someone at JRO who told them no problem, even though my import permit was issued in Dar. I’ve about had enough of the firearm hassle and hustle.