flight prices

[the nikster]

I am looking into an African hunt in 2013. Just wanna get all my ducks in a row. Could somebody ballpark a roundtrip ticket from SLC to J-burg? I'm seeing about $2000 at the online discounters. I am not interested in DANGEROUS GAME, mostly a Kudu and some smaller animals-mostly Kudu. I have a couple of buds who are also considering doing the hunt with me. We are EARLY in the process, very few hard plans so far.

 

[Bambistew]

I'd go in September or April/May... Shoulder season, tickets are cheaper. Usually by about 25%. Hunting is still the same. Actually maybe better. May is the "rut", and September is late fall dry and no leaves.

Not sure on prices, its been a few years since I last went. I think I paid $1400 from Baltimore.

 

[MTGunner]

RSA airfares...

April/May you should be able to book for $1700 or less in coach. Add $2000 for business class. Book at least 360 days in advance to get the best prices and pick your seats in coach. We flew coach 1st trip and business class 2nd trip. We will fly business class on our next trip to J-Burg or Capetown, RSA. I/we hunted with Huntersgame Safaris, Nihan Engelbrecht owner/PH/outfitter, near Barkley West, RSA. We will book our next hunt with him again. His accomodations, animals availabilty, quality of animals is unrivaled in my opinion. PM me if you need more specifics. MTG

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Last week, South African Airways was offering deep discounts on tics from DC or NYC BUT you never know what additional "fees" will apply....for planning purposes I would suggest using at least $2000, maybe more from SLC.

 

[nube]

I am not sure how credit cards are in the U.S but here in Canada I have a credit card that I get %2 back in travel rewards. I can buy any flight ,rent any car or hotel and book it myself. Then I call my credit card company and with the points earned they take off that money from the card after the flight is booked. Like I said it equates to about %2 of the money I spend on my card. If you have a business then it adds up quick. I put everything on my card and even my monthly household bills if I can and it adds up quick and once the hunt comes around you can either get a free flight or a good chunk off. Just an idea for those like me that are cheap and always looking for a way to shave off a few $$

 

[wswat]

We booked our tickets this spring from Bismarck ND to Jo-berg through Atlanta. For $1465 each flying in August. We then upgraded to the economy comfort upgrade which is like the old 1st class for $160 per ticket each way.

 

[MTGunner]

Economy Comfort?

Never heard of economy comfort. What does this entail and which airline? MTG

 

[the nikster]

I planned a moose hunt a couple of years back. I spent most of a year planning and it nearly killed me. I'm a long way out to start planning if I wish to survive. Looks like planning $2000 will get me in the ballpark. I don't want to break the bank but I do want to be realistic about prices.

 

[Godspeed]

I went over in June of this year, cost round trip to Johanasburg, then to Port Eliz. was $2300. So yes plan on spending around the 2k mark. good luck on the Kudu ! you'll love it over there, best value for us hunters for sure.

 

[elkrchr]

BambiStew and MTGunner are right on. I've been to South Africa three times (2007, 2009, 2011), twice in May and once during the last two weeks of June. If you go earlier in the season (April/May) make sure that your return date is prior to June 1st as that date seems to trigger much higher fares. Same with going later in the year (September), make sure you leave on or after September 1st.

Our two trips in May cost us $1730 and $1750 respectively from Portland, OR to Port Elizabeth, SA and Durban, SA respectively. Our trip in June cost $2700, so figure on paying somewhere between 25-50% more if you go during their peak hunting season (June 1st-Aug. 31st). All three of our trips were on United/South African Airways thru Washington Dulles. If it is an option, Washington Dulles is a much easier/quicker airport to clear Customs on your return than is Atlanta.

I personally like going in May as the weather is very nice and the wind doesn't blow near as hard. If you're an archery hunter, I would highly suggest early September. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me as I'd be glad to share everything I have learned during our three trips.

 

[devon deer]

So now you know the flight cost here is a guy i can recommend http://www.ghaapsafaris.co.za/contact.php
Cheers
Richard

 

[Muley Crazy]

I hope it gos better then your 3 bou hunts

 

[mixedbag]

Going last week of May this year and paid $1650 a ticket for non-stop JFK to Sa then a little flight to Namibia.Prices went crazy if I would have left a week later;June

 

[TOM IN TENNESSEE]

Economy Comfort is something apparently Delta invented---for $160 more each way to Joburg and back to ATL, you get 4-inches more leg room and seat reclines a little more.

 

[Dana]

I fly out May 1st, Springfield, MO thru Atlanta to Jo'burg...returning two weeks later. Paid $1530, also flying Delta.

 

[Jwill]

I like to shop flights on kayak.com, but I've never flown to Africa.

 

[jlmatthew]

The boss is paying $2000 for round trip Colorado Springs to Port Elizabeth next month

Dang he gets to hunt Africa and my big trip is hogs in Texas

 

[Marshian]

I am going to SA this July for a Safari hunt and got tickets on kayak for $1650 from chicago to joberg. Even during peak season, a little internet searching, especially kayak, can yield solid bargains.

 

[mixedbag]

Thats a real good price for July