AfricanSky vs Afton Safari Lodge

[Brian]

We, my family, have stayed at Africa Sky about 12 times. It a very fine place, well operated with excellent staff. Brian

 

[Wiley64]

City lodge is just so easy.

 

[Warren Knudsen]

I have stayed at both in the last two years both are great but for me I recommend African sky. Gilbert is awesome, he gets things done. Leoni is a pleasure to deal with.

 

[samson7x]

What’s the easiest way to book a night at Africa Sky for those who frequent it?

 

[Warren Knudsen]

What’s the easiest way to book a night at Africa Sky for those who frequent it?

Just give Lioni an email off the website address

 

[Green Chile]

Another way to book with Africa Sky is to have your PH set it up. Leoni will then reach out to confirm dates and specifics.

Has anyone gotten one of the massages at Africa Sky? I think about doing that after a long flight but I just end up eating, showering and going to sleep that late in the evening.

 

[HBartley]

New member here... Ive booked my first safari with Avula Safaris (May 7-16/2025). Im traveling with my wife and it will be our first time traveling to Africa. I have heard some pretty bad things about Joberg. Avula has us staying with Africa Sky overnight before leaving for East London the next day. Im concerned about landing in Joberg in the evening, leaving the airport, and making the commute to Africa Sky for the overnight. Is it questionable or am I overthinking it?

 

[Warren Knudsen]

New member here... Ive booked my first safari with Avula Safaris (May 7-16/2025). Im traveling with my wife and it will be our first time traveling to Africa. I have heard some pretty bad things about Joberg. Avula has us staying with Africa Sky overnight before leaving for East London the next day. Im concerned about landing in Joberg in the evening, leaving the airport, and making the commute to Africa Sky for the overnight. Is it questionable or am I overthinking it?

Get Gilbert to met you at the luggage area and he will have you through and to African sky before you know it, you are in safe hands with him.

 

[Green Chile]

Get their VIP service and they will meet you almost as you come off the plane. Gilbert will escort you through every step. He literally makes every hassle go away.

 

[HBartley]

Thats a great service for sure! But, how sketchy is the transport to the lodging?

 

[WAB]

Thats a great service for sure! But, how sketchy is the transport to the lodging?

Not at all. Gilbert will drive you in a well appointed van directly to their secure compound. If the safety of an overnight at Africa Sky is an issue, Africa is not the best destination for you.

 

[HBartley]

not an issue at all, I just want to be well informed beforehand. As I said, Ive never traveled to Africa.

 

[Hank2211]

It's not that far from the airport to Africa Sky and you're on busy roads until the end. And you're accompanied the entire way. Nothing to worry about.

Having said that - and I hesitate to say this because I find Gilbert the best when it comes to clearing firearms - but nowadays, I tend to stay in one of the hotels which are actually in O R Tambo airport when I'm overnighting in JNB. The Intercontinental and one of the Protea are right there, no need to go outside, and you're a short walk indoors to your gate for your flight the next day.

AfricaSky is of course more relaxed, and you are better taken are of - it's a lodge more than a hotel and the service is very personal, unlike a hotel. But the hotels at Tambo are convenient.

 

[HBartley]

It's not that far from the airport to Africa Sky and you're on busy roads until the end. And you're accompanied the entire way. Nothing to worry about.

Having said that - and I hesitate to say this because I find Gilbert the best when it comes to clearing firearms - but nowadays, I tend to stay in one of the hotels which are actually in O R Tambo airport when I'm overnighting in JNB. The Intercontinental and one of the Protea are right there, no need to go outside, and you're a short walk indoors to your gate for your flight the next day.

AfricaSky is of course more relaxed, and you are better taken are of - it's a lodge more than a hotel and the service is very personal, unlike a hotel. But the hotels at Tambo are convenient.

Thank you for that. That’s the feedback im looking for

 

[Green Chile]

Even if you stay in the airport hotels, most of us would recommend using a service to help with your firearms permits. RiflePermits.com is a sponsor and very good at it. If I don't use Gilbert, I use them. I love the older couple...can't think of their names right now but they are great.

 

[BryceM]

I've stayed at Africa Sky, twice I think, and once at CitiLodge. Africa Sky was great. If I transfer through again with rifles, I'll do the VIP thing for sure.

 

[ActionBob]

I've used both successfully, as well as City Lodge.

Afton has been completely re-done since changing ownership and we used them during our 2024 trip and truly enjoyed our stay. Lots of cool stuff including a reasonably priced curio shop. Gina bought a couple leather purses and we got some other cool stuff as well.

They also have some alternative options available for taxidermy and shipping as another business. Nice to have options with straight up pricing to compare. Lots of taxidermy and other cool Africanna on display including my non-importable elephant tusks and Bontebok.

Mr. X came through for us when the airline messed up tagging a bag wrong. We also used the VIP service and it was notch. They went way beyond expectations.

 

[Tim Blackwell]

New member here... Ive booked my first safari with Avula Safaris (May 7-16/2025). Im traveling with my wife and it will be our first time traveling to Africa. I have heard some pretty bad things about Joberg. Avula has us staying with Africa Sky overnight before leaving for East London the next day. Im concerned about landing in Joberg in the evening, leaving the airport, and making the commute to Africa Sky for the overnight. Is it questionable or am I overthinking it?

Hi mate
I'll be travelling the exact same route as you through Joburg, two days later. I've done it half a dozen times now. You've nothing to worry about. Gilbert will be waiting for you in arrivals and make the whole process easy. Including getting back and checking in for EL the next morning.

I take a lot of first timers over in groups. Yes, you could easily stay in one of the airport hotels. I've done it and it was good. But you're just in another high rise hotel, that in reality could be in any major city in the world.

You'll only ever get one 'first night in Africa', and I'd much rather people feel like they've arrived in Africa after all that travel. Yes it might be just the romance of it, but everyone I've taken to Africa Sky has enjoyed it. It's well worth it in my opinion.

 

[HBartley]

Hi mate
I'll be travelling the exact same route as you through Joburg, two days later. I've done it half a dozen times now. You've nothing to worry about. Gilbert will be waiting for you in arrivals and make the whole process easy. Including getting back and checking in for EL the next morning.

I take a lot of first timers over in groups. Yes, you could easily stay in one of the airport hotels. I've done it and it was good. But you're just in another high rise hotel, that in reality could be in any major city in the world.

You'll only ever get one 'first night in Africa', and I'd much rather people feel like they've arrived in Africa after all that travel. Yes it might be just the romance of it, but everyone I've taken to Africa Sky has enjoyed it. It's well worth it in my opinion.

Thank you for that! Im looking forward to it. Ive heard nothing but good things about Gilbert and Africa Sky, the more research I do.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Thats a great service for sure! But, how sketchy is the transport to the lodging?

The drive is not that sketchy. They’ll help with taking your bags to the vehicle, make sure all the doors are locked while driving, and probably roll through every stop sign possible while driving to minimize any chances of anything happening. In all seriousness I’ve felt more uncomfortable driving through certain neighborhoods in Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, and Dallas than I have on the drive from the Airport to Afton or Africa Sky.

I’ve personally stayed at Afton x3, Africa Sky x1, Intercontinental x1, and City Lodge x2. Each has its positives and negatives.

Afton, nice and cozy. Steak dinner is great. Mr X on firearms is great to deal with and very helpful. Elize will coordinate and arrange transport for you if you want to do a side trip/tour, go shopping, go to the casino, or other restaurants. Afton requires leaving the airport area and I’d probably pick one of the hotel options if I had an early morning flight. Owner has some taxidermy for a bit of an African feel, and his office is a big safari tent. They might also ask about your trophy shipping and try to get you to use their services (never have, so I can’t comment).

Africa Sky is a little larger and nicer than Afton, and IMO there’s more of an African ambience. I did my own firearms permits on the one stay I had so can’t comment on that but I’m sure it is a great service. My stay was a little last minute and they were very accommodating despite being at capacity. Gilbert was super nice for pick-up and drop off. Required leaving the airport area and a short ride just like Afton. If you don’t have an early morning flight this is a great option and what I’ll likely do next trip depending on flight schedules. I’m sure they’d coordinate a driver for you like Afton. Africa Sky was a little more expensive than Afton but it’s not terribly more.

Intercontinental is nice and convenient. It’s right across from the airport. It’s a little nicer than City Lodge but also a bit more expensive.

City Lodge, very convenient. Short walk and a couple of elevators. Stayed here a few weeks ago with my parents and girlfriend. My parents were arriving on different flights and later in the day so I wanted the easiest possible choice given their age and some health stuff. We also had a morning flight with Airlink, so the proximity to the airport and check-in counter was nice. They have an awesome breakfast buffet in the morning. Rooms are a little smaller and not as nice as the Intercontinental.

Given my opinions above, I’d personally rank them in order of preference as
1) Africa Sky
2) Afton (very close 2nd)
3) City Lodge (1st choice for an early flight)
4) Intercontinental