First safari travel has been interesting...

[buddy48]

Well, we made it to Johannesburg. Like @Red Leg said the stop was no issue without the vaccine. However, we do have one small issue.....when we stopped they off loaded our bags and guns in Accra. We weren't the only one's who had that issue. Another group of 6 hunters had the same issue and another couples stuff never left atlanta.

They say maybe tomorrow or worst case Sunday. Either way another hurdle to jump.

Oh well. It'll work one way or the other!! Hopefully to the positive side!

 

[Nyati]

That´s the spirit !

Wish you the best of luck from now on.

 

[Red Leg]

Well, we made it to Johannesburg. Like @Red Leg said the stop was no issue without the vaccine. However, we do have one small issue.....when we stopped they off loaded our bags and guns in Accra. We weren't the only one's who had that issue. Another group of 6 hunters had the same issue and another couples stuff never left atlanta.

They say maybe tomorrow or worst case Sunday. Either way another hurdle to jump.

Oh well. It'll work one way or the other!! Hopefully to the positive side!

Unbelievable. I have never heard of that happening. I wonder if something was screwed up in the baggage routing due to the flight change? I would be a bit grumpy at this point. Hopefully a change of clothing in your carry-on? Did you use a meet and greet? They may be willing to stay after the airline for you.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Did you use a meet and greet? They may be willing to stay after the airline for you.

I was thinking the same on that. If not, perhaps Henry @riflepermits.com could get involved to help this first timer and his son?

 

[Royal27]

Geez.... I swear at really isn't this hard Buddy!!!

Ricus will have a rifle. You and the boy can still hunt.

I'm back at airport and at gate again. Funny but it took a couple of extra minutes to get bags rechecked because they had been checked two days ago??? Who knows??? Point being, nothing surprises me right now.

 

[buddy48]

Well I'm awake early this morning. I wonder what new adventures today will hold for us!

We did use a meet and greet service. Gracy Travels helped us through the issues last night. Hopefully they will continue to help us get it straightened out. I can assure you that had I not used them in would be in a much more difficult spot than I am. They helped us get the baggage claim going. We had to go to two different offices in two totally different areas of the airport. It would have been difficult to figure it out on my own. We have a claim set up with South Africa Air let's just hope it works out this morning. At this point, based upon what I saw out the window of the airplane in Accra, I'll be happy to ever get my rifles back. As we taxied down the run way there were abandoned airplanes and helicopters. Kind of like watch you see in war zones. I know I shouldn't "judge a book by its cover" but it's all I saw in Accra so it definitely doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling that everything will ever show up.

As the day goes on I'll let everyone know what happens so that YOU TOO can be prepared for things like this if they happen to you. Most important lessons so far that have been in my control is to 1. Pay for a meet and greet and rifle permit services. It made it a little easier to maneuver and 2. Stay positive!!

 

[Clayton]

Glad to hear you're making headway. Looking forward to the first trophy report. Good luck buddy.

 

[Red Leg]

The Gracy team is first rate.

 

[BRICKBURN]

You are going to kill the biggest damn Kudu on the planet man.

Good luck, shoot straight.

 

[wapiti]

Glad to hear that about Gracy. We are using them too.

 

[buck wild]

Hell- you are there- REJOICE. As stated the PH will have a boom stick to use- go get'em. Royal is surely wheels up by now.

 

[buddy48]

Glad to hear that about Gracy. We are using them too.

They have been excellent. When the original flight that we were on was turned around due to a medical emergency I called their after hours number. A gentlemen named Chris answered the phone then had Debbie Gracy call me. I was on the phone with Debbie at 1 a.m. and she was working feverishly to get my flight rebooked. Before I got to the front of the line to talk to a Delta representative, which took an hour or more, she already had me rebooked. It was excellent service for the owner herself to be up at that time and rebook my flights for me. Bruce and Lucky have both been great so far here in Johannesburg as well. I would highly recommend them to amyone.

 

[buddy48]

Good news guys! Bags and rifles are in Jo'burg. Should be in Bloemfontein tomorrow and I'll get them Tuesday at the latest!! AND, my son got his first animal, a nice impala. Report and pictures will follow next week!

 

[Red Leg]

Excellent! Really look forward to reading all about your hunt.

 

[Pheroze]

Fantastic! Have a great time and congratulations to your son!

 

[CAustin]

Shoot straight buddy.

 

[cpr0312]

Congrats to your son, look forward to the report!

 

[Clayton]

All good to hear.