Sabi Sands to Mauritius Same Day??
Nov 3rd, 2010, 07:57 AM
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Sabi Sands to Mauritius Same Day??
Hi there,
I"m trying to figure out a way to get from Sabi Sands to Mauritius in the same day. I'm likely staying at either Leadwood or Lion Sands. The travel agents I've spoken to all said I have to overnight in Joburg, but I'm trying to figure out if there's a more creative way to accomplish this and avoid the forced overnight.
What I've figured out so far is that SA Airlink flies from Kruger Airport MQP ->JNB at 10:45AM, arrives at 11:50, then I can switch over to a 13:35 flight to MRU. I just need to figure out a way to get from the lodge to MQP by 10:45AM which seems pretty reasonable to me. According to the &beyond website, the lodge is a 25 minute flight or 2 hour drive from MQP. I found a Bateleur flight which arrives in MQP at 10:05, which seems like it's cutting things too close. I'm not sure how much a road transfer would cost, but that seems like a viable option. Anyone have any experience here?
Thanks for all your help.
Mike
I"m trying to figure out a way to get from Sabi Sands to Mauritius in the same day. I'm likely staying at either Leadwood or Lion Sands. The travel agents I've spoken to all said I have to overnight in Joburg, but I'm trying to figure out if there's a more creative way to accomplish this and avoid the forced overnight.
What I've figured out so far is that SA Airlink flies from Kruger Airport MQP ->JNB at 10:45AM, arrives at 11:50, then I can switch over to a 13:35 flight to MRU. I just need to figure out a way to get from the lodge to MQP by 10:45AM which seems pretty reasonable to me. According to the &beyond website, the lodge is a 25 minute flight or 2 hour drive from MQP. I found a Bateleur flight which arrives in MQP at 10:05, which seems like it's cutting things too close. I'm not sure how much a road transfer would cost, but that seems like a viable option. Anyone have any experience here?
Thanks for all your help.
Mike
Nov 3rd, 2010, 09:14 AM
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Trying to arrange 3 flights on the same day in Africa is a recipe for disappointment. The agents aren't stupid.
Stay the night in Jo'burg and RELA
you are,presumably, on holiday). Try the Saxon...
Mauritius will still be there the next day.
Stay the night in Jo'burg and RELA
you are,presumably, on holiday). Try the Saxon...Mauritius will still be there the next day.
Nov 3rd, 2010, 11:36 AM
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Get an early ground transfer to MQP, and take the latest flight you can find to MRU - 1.5 hours may not be enough if the first flight is delayed (remember you need to collect bags, check in again, and pass customs).
Nov 3rd, 2010, 02:00 PM
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13:35 is the latest flight I can find, so the trick is getting to JNB in time. If both flights are booked together as connecting flights through SAA, I wonder if they'd just pass along the luggage so I wouldn't have to collect. That's a good point I'll look into, thanks. I didn't realize I'd have to pass customs in JNB, I thought customs is only when coming from a different country?
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Nov 3rd, 2010, 04:39 PM
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Mike,
Why do you want to go to Mauritius? Given your concern for time I recommend you go to the Benguerra island chain off Mozambique instead. Nothing against Maurtius and I send people to both places all the time. There is a charter flight three times per week from Nelspruit-Kruger/MQP to Vilanculos. It leaves in the afternoon so you can enjoy your full morning game drive and then take a 20 minute charter from the Sabi Sands to MQP to board the flight to Mozambique. BTW - I highly recommend Lion Sands. I send honeymooners there all the time.
From Vilanculos you can go to many beach lodges. For a honeymoon I recommend Azura the most.
http://www.benguerra.co.za/
http://www.azura-retreats.com/index.asp
http://www.marlinlodge.co.za/
http://www.indigobayresort.com/
When you leave the beach it is a direct daily flight to Jo'burg. Sometimes during hurricane season they trim back the schedule a bit.
Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond
Why do you want to go to Mauritius? Given your concern for time I recommend you go to the Benguerra island chain off Mozambique instead. Nothing against Maurtius and I send people to both places all the time. There is a charter flight three times per week from Nelspruit-Kruger/MQP to Vilanculos. It leaves in the afternoon so you can enjoy your full morning game drive and then take a 20 minute charter from the Sabi Sands to MQP to board the flight to Mozambique. BTW - I highly recommend Lion Sands. I send honeymooners there all the time.
From Vilanculos you can go to many beach lodges. For a honeymoon I recommend Azura the most.
http://www.benguerra.co.za/
http://www.azura-retreats.com/index.asp
http://www.marlinlodge.co.za/
http://www.indigobayresort.com/
When you leave the beach it is a direct daily flight to Jo'burg. Sometimes during hurricane season they trim back the schedule a bit.
Craig Beal - owner - Travel Beyond
Nov 4th, 2010, 05:03 AM
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Hi Mike
I have not done what you are trying to do, but I regularly go from Nelspruit (Kruger Airport) to Johannesburg after driving from MalaMala in the Sabi Sands. On a few occasions, the plane from Kruger has been cancelled or delayed nearly an hour, so that would really put a spanner in the works. My international flight leaves at 1.30pm and I catch a way earlier flight than 10.45am as I also have to get luggage from domestic then go to international and a few times I have made it by minutes, not exactly restful I can assure you and this is so I don't have to spend a night in Johannesburg! Sometimes if the connecting flight is too fine, they don't let agents book.
If this is the way for you, I would be booking an earlier flight from Kruger and getting a road transfer from Sabi Sands. I have tried charter flights and I think my success rate in them flying is around 20%, not high enough for me to even try anymore and the weather is the problem.
Good luck,
Kind regards
Kaye
I have not done what you are trying to do, but I regularly go from Nelspruit (Kruger Airport) to Johannesburg after driving from MalaMala in the Sabi Sands. On a few occasions, the plane from Kruger has been cancelled or delayed nearly an hour, so that would really put a spanner in the works. My international flight leaves at 1.30pm and I catch a way earlier flight than 10.45am as I also have to get luggage from domestic then go to international and a few times I have made it by minutes, not exactly restful I can assure you and this is so I don't have to spend a night in Johannesburg! Sometimes if the connecting flight is too fine, they don't let agents book.
If this is the way for you, I would be booking an earlier flight from Kruger and getting a road transfer from Sabi Sands. I have tried charter flights and I think my success rate in them flying is around 20%, not high enough for me to even try anymore and the weather is the problem.
Good luck,
Kind regards
Kaye
Nov 4th, 2010, 08:21 AM
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If you do fly from MQP-JNB-Mauritius you need to book the flights on SAA and DO NOT book separate tickets. That way, if an SAA delay from MQP causes you to miss the flight from JNB they will be responsible for getting you on the plane the next day.
Craig Beal
Craig Beal
