Joburg airport

[bucksakemmer]

I.ve got a trip planned for this June and have to connect thru Joburg over to Windhoek. We arrive at 5:50 pm and connect the next day at 6:30 am with SAA. Im thinking we just stay in the airport and not try a hotel for such a short time.
Ive heard horror stories about luggage being lost and or stolen.
Any comments would be appreciated.

[coaster500]

My flight was very much the same with an overnight in Joburg....

I was picked up and delivered to the airport next day. Here is my email with all the information and the place I stayed. They were spot on with pick up and drop off.

Good hunting

Kip

I hope it's ok to post this info here???

-----------------------------------------------

Good day
 
We are situated about 6km from the airport. The rate is R880.00 including a full English Breakfast.
 In order to book a room you need to pay a 50% deposit to confirm. We will collect and drop you off according to your
 Flight schedule.
 

Yours Sincerely
 
Anine Goosen
 
Tel: (011) 918-8001
 Fax: (011) 918-8002
 Fax to email: 086 624 1119
 Email: [email protected]
 Web:  www.abhotels.co.za
 
Cancellation Policies
 ◦Less than 7 days, 100% deposit
 ◦From 7 to 14 days, 75% of deposit
 ◦From 14 to 21 days, 50% of deposit
 ◦From 21 to 28 days, 25% of deposit
 ◦29 days or more, 10% of deposit
  GO Green - Please consider the environment before printing this email.
 

-----Original Message-----
 
 Sent: 06 March 2012 10:27 AM
 To: [email protected]
 Subject: Booking and airport transfer
 
Dear Administrator
 
The following message was sent from the website:
 
Name: Mr. Kip Newton
 Contact Number: My Phone    
 How I Found This Site:
 
Subject: Booking and airport transfer
 Message: Dear Sirs,
 I am travelling from California to South Africa in May. My flight EK0765 arrives at O.R.Tambo May 17 at 8.50 PM. I have to spend the night in Johansburg and  fly out next morning (7.55 AM, by South African Express Airways(XZ)) 18th to Richards Bay.   I noticed that you offer free airport pick up and drop off. I was wondering how I can book a room for May 17 and arrange airport service to pick me up at the airport May 17 and and drop me off at the airport next morning. Please advise.
 Thank you.
 Sincerely,
 Me  

[Exit Felix]

Luckily we only had a few hour layover at Tambo in July '11.  YMMV, but many (not all) of the airport/SAA employees we dealt with were incompetent.  If you get a hotel for the night, I highly suggest getting back to the airport extra early the following morning.  But airports everywhere are a pain...

That being said, our 10 day hunt in South Africa was AMAZING.  I honestly did not want the trip to end.

[Exit Felix]

...And on Saturday at Houston Safari Club, we booked another hunt and will be back in July!!!

[PZee]

PM sent....

Hey guys I am a local here in SA, I am willing to try help out in these situations. PM me and we can see what I can do.....

Hoping for a great 2013

God Bless

[mj seratt]

It was in 1998, but we took a shuttle to a Holiday Inn, had a very nice meal, and were taken back in plenty of time the next morning.  
My two brothers and I were walking across the lobby, talking, and a very pretty lady ran up and said "I'm so happy to hear somebody speaking Southern!"  She and her husband were from Stuttgart, Ark., and had been on an extended safari.

[Benny Nganabbarru]

Afton House will take perfect care of you, and they're not far from the airport. They cater specifically for hunters.

[Mitch H]

Originally posted by Ben Kleinig:
Afton House will take perfect care of you, and they're not far from the airport. They cater specifically for hunters.

This is where I stay upon arrival at Jo-Burg. Very nice, and secure. You never walk outside the airport, they meet you as you exit customs and escort you to the underground parking lot to load your luggage and make the short drive to the Afton House.

[John Havard]

Both of our checked bags were opened and completely searched with a couple of thing stolen when we passed through Johannesburg airport.  Now we know why so many travelers use the "saran wrap" service to have their bags wrapped up before checking them in Africa.  If your bags are not securely locked and impenetrable you should EXPECT to lose things from checked bags when traveling through Joburg.

[pruiter]

Sad to see what South africa has become.

[Bowwild]

Hmmm. I wondered what the Saran Wrap was for.  I've only been through JNB once (last summer). None of the three of us had anything trouble at all except for everyone who touched your bag wanted a tip.

Looks like I'm headed there again in late July. Now I'm worried.

[SilentT]

You will be fine.  However, I would NOT try and stay the  night in the airport.  You will be exhausted after that long mother of a flight and the last thing you will want to do is sleep in a crappy chair of an airport terminal.  Spend the little extra and go to Afton House or Africa Sky.  Skip a few dinners or cable tv for a month to afford it....you will be glad you did.

[Benjamin Wang]

将被罚款

[Goke]

Afton house was great for us. Close. To airport and great food.

[Greg Szalewski]

Yes, Afton House!!!

[2wfstlhunting]

This is not exactly on point to the initial post, but as there is so much negativity about Johannesburg airport, I thought that I would offer the following:
At the end of July, I flew JFK/NYC to JHN and then on to Windhoek Namibia all on SAA.  I had my luggage checked through from NYC to Namibia so that I did not see it until the end of the trip.  I had a few hour layover in JHNSBG while I waited to take the flight to Namibia.  I found the airport, neat, clean, professional,organized, friendly and not one hassle occurred at any point within the secured areas.  I moved in the airport within the security area by a corridor to the terminal waiting area for Namibia and it was a reasonable walk and the waiting area was also neat and clean and had reasonable places to get food and drink as needed.   Not a single hassle or complaint on my part.  My luggage arrived without a hitch in Namibia.  I find Windhoek airport to be a calm  and hassle free place and even complimented the attendants at check in on my return flight as being the friendliest that I have ever met.  Sure there are bad actors and situations, but I have now been to Africa four times and it has never gone badly, and this particular time went very well both coming and going...and BTW I have flown every time with a long tubular bowcase and strapped on arrow case for one piece longbows, and this has also never been an issue

Steve

[ermont]

I've stayed at Afton House as well. They are top notch. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The steak dinner they offer is well worth the $20 they charge. It is optional. Breakfast is free.

[BostonBowman]

Joburg airport seemed cleaner and safer than many US airports, such as Newark/O'hara/LaGuardia. Foodand drink much cheaper. I hear Afton house is great. But we just kept it simple, City Lodge right at the airport, simple, nice and ok price

[featherhorn]

Yes I agree with the Afton house great food an a very nice place to lay down an relax after that long flight I will be staying there agin in OCT this year

[razorsharptokill]

Heard great things about the Afton House. Will be staying there the night we arrive in August.