African Archery Safari - Part 2 - Mostly Archery with dustyvarmint

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By Jerry Long, September 6, 2010

In Part 2 of the African Archery Safari series I continue to share the day-by-day journal from my archery safari experience with Dries Visser Safaris in the Republic of South Africa. The entries will likely contain more detail than some desire, but in keeping with dv’s Mostly Archery mission, I want to help you be more successful and I think the extra details will.

August 14th, 2010 – Travel Day 2

Sometime during the night the date changed and we gained seven hours. Finally, though, we arrived at O R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The flight was long, but not grueling. Clearing immigration was very easy and quick. I finally had some stamps in my passport – all those trips overseas in the Navy and nary a need for a passport. Tim and I stood by the wrong luggage carousel for quite some time before he asked and learned the proper location. Both of us were stressed about our bows. I was additionally stressed about what I’d do if asked for a bribe to obtain my bow.

I found my case being loaded on a cart by an airport employee with lots of other gun and bow cases. He said that we must sign for bows and guns alike. I waited for my other bag and then followed him. He sorted bows from guns, verified luggage tags and then we were sent to sign for them in a room adjacent to the luggage carousels. That was pretty easy. Firearms had to go to the in-airport police station just after the arrivals hall.

Next was customs. I wasn’t sure what I needed to declare, but luckily they had signs that gave samples. If you had something to declare you went left. If nothing to declare you went right. I went right. I journeyed to the arrivals hall where there were many people holding signs, but none for me or Gracy Travel. The lime green Gracy Travel tag had come off my bow case, but there was still one on my roller board. However, I was quickly spotted by a Gracy Travel representative who whisked me aside.

Prearranged transportation was waiting and we headed to the Africa Sky Guest House. Since the roads in the direction of Thabazimbi aren’t always the best in the dark I had to stay overnight in Johannesburg where my Professional Hunter (PH) would pick me up and transport me to camp the following morning. We were quickly issued keys and escorted to our rooms. I tipped the driver/porter a couple of dollars as advised in the Gracy literature and settled in.

The facility was older, but serviceable. The toilet was separate from the sink/shower/tub. Although I had prearranged a dinner off the menu we were told it was too late for that and that a buffet would be ready at 7:00. I was worried about what the price would be (turns out it was about $20 US at the utilized exchange rate) based on warnings from prior travelers about such things and I honestly wasn’t hungry, but thought I’d better eat in the name of time adjustment.

The sleeping/sitting area in at Africa Sky Guest House.

The shower/sink/tub room.

The toilet.

The buffet was good. I headed back to my room for a much needed shower and some sleep. One common theme throughout my stay in South Africa emerged. They are in dire need of mixing valves for their showers. It always took so long to adjust things properly that I was afraid the hot water would run out.

I had a good night’s sleep and had the opportunity to make sure my electrical adapter worked well and I wouldn’t be sorry for not bringing a converter. It all worked well except for the 3-4 times we lost power with a heavy “clunk” in the early morning hours.

A South African switched electrical receptacle.