How we Book an African Safari with Points: A 2-Person Redemption Adventure
Fly to Africa in business class, sleep in $2,000-a-night safari lodges, and sip sundowners while lions prowl nearby—all booked with points. This is the ultimate guide to turning your loyalty stash into a once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure without spending like it.
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You don’t need $20,000 to go on safari—just the right loyalty currencies and a smart strategy. Start by redeeming American AAdvantage miles for Qatar Airways Qsuites or United miles for Ethiopian Airlines to get to East Africa in business class. Fly into Nairobi, Kilimanjaro, or Johannesburg, then use Hyatt or Marriott points to book luxury safari camps like AndBeyond or JW Marriott Masai Mara, which include game drives, meals, and more. Even the little bush flights into the savanna can be offset using Capital One or Chase points as travel credits.
Timing is everything. Aim for the shoulder season (April–May or November) to score lower point redemptions and avoid competition for award seats and camp availability. Dry season means better wildlife visibility, but it’s also peak season with higher rates. Use tools like the United Excursionist Perk to add intra-Africa legs for free, or tack on bonus destinations like Cape Town or Victoria Falls using Avios or Flying Blue miles. Don’t forget Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program for perks like room upgrades and $100 credits when staying in gateway cities.
The real magic is in stacking redemptions: fly flat with miles, sleep under the stars with points, erase bush plane charges with flexible rewards, and use travel perks at every step. This isn't just about saving money—it’s about unlocking a luxury, once-in-a-lifetime adventure that most travelers think is out of reach. You’ve got the points. Use them like a predator, not prey.
Everything else you need to know is just below 👇🏻
Safari dreams don’t have to devour your savings account. With the right stash of miles and points, two people from the U.S. East Coast can fly in lie-flat bliss, sleep under canvas palaces, and watch lions prowl at dawn—while your bank balance purrs contentedly. This is your 2,000+ word redemption roadmap, written in pure points-speak and built for wild luxury.
Step 1: Jet to the Continent in Business Class, Obviously
Your safari saga starts in the sky. You want fully flat seats, good food, and minimal hassle. From the East Coast—NYC, BOS, D.C., Philly, ATL, MIA—you’ve got solid options.
Option A — Qatar Airways "Qsuites" via Doha
- Route: JFK/PHL/BOS/IAD ➜ DOH ➜ JNB or NBO
- Points: 75,000–85,000 AAdvantage miles one-way
- Fees: ~$100
- Why it’s elite: Privacy doors, dine-on-demand, pajamas, and mint tea midair.
Option B — Ethiopian Airlines using United Airlines Miles
- Route: EWR/IAD ➜ ADD ➜ JRO/NBO/LUN
- Points: 80,000–88,000 United miles
- Perk: Wide availability, decent lounges, low taxes
- Caveat: The hard product is fine, not fabulous—but functional.
Option C — Using Flying Blue Miles via Air France/KLM
- Route: JFK/BOS/IAD ➜ CDG/AMS ➜ Africa
- Miles: 55,000–95,000 Flying Blue (dynamic)
- Fees: Can be $250–$400
- Sweet spot: Promo Rewards can slash business class redemptions by 25–50%.
Step 2: Pick the Right Gateway
Africa is big. Like, really big. “Safari” isn’t a destination—it’s a region. So where should you fly?
Nairobi (NBO), Kenya
- Launch point for the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Samburu
- Giraffes at breakfast, big cats by sundown
- Plenty of premium hotel options for points nights
Kilimanjaro (JRO) or Dar es Salaam (DAR), Tanzania
- For Serengeti, Ngorongoro, and Tarangire
- Better bush-to-beach transitions
- Fewer nonstop options, so more planning needed
Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa
- Kruger National Park & Sabi Sands
- Easy connections to Botswana, Zambia, and Cape Town
- Best if you want to tack on wine country or Victoria Falls
Step 3: Book the Safari Itself (Yes, with Points Too)
Luxury safari camps can run $1,000–$3,000 per night. But some of them hide inside major hotel chains’ loyalty programs.
Hyatt — AndBeyond, Great Plains, Lemala
- Example: AndBeyond Kichwa Tembo (Kenya)
- Category: 7–8, costs 25,000–40,000 Hyatt points per night per person
- Inclusions: Game drives, all meals, drinks, transfers
Marriott Bonvoy
- Example: JW Marriott Masai Mara
- Points: 70,000–100,000 per night
- Perks: Bonvoy elite benefits can kick in, like upgrades and late checkouts
Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts
- Safari lodges booked via FHR offer $100 credits, breakfast, upgrades, and can be paid with points at 1 cent per point
- Use Membership Rewards from Amex Platinum, Gold, or Business Platinum
Statement Credit Style Redemptions
- Capital One Venture X: Use “Purchase Eraser” to offset $1,000 of safari spend with 100,000 points
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Use “Pay Yourself Back” if the safari operator codes as travel
Step 4: The Bush Plane Ballet
You don’t drive to the Serengeti. You fly—on little 10- to 20-seaters.
| Route | Cost | Can use points? |
|---|---|---|
| NBO ➜ Maasai Mara | $225–$300 | Yes, with Capital One/Chase as travel |
| JRO ➜ Serengeti | $250–$350 | Yes |
| JNB ➜ Hoedspruit | $200–$250 | Yes |
Step 5: Sample Itinerary - The Redemption Safari
🎯 Goal: Maximize luxury, minimize out-of-pocket
✈️ Route: NYC ➜ Maasai Mara ➜ Diani Beach ➜ NYC
📅 Length: 10 days
Day 1–2: JFK ➜ NBO via DOH (Qatar Qsuites)
- Points: 75,000 AA miles + $100
- Experience: Sleep horizontal, arrive vertical
Day 2–3: Nairobi
- Hotel: Villa Rosa Kempinski via Amex FHR
- Perks: $100 credit, late checkout
- Points: 35,000 Amex = $350 off
Day 3–8: Maasai Mara Safari
- Camp: AndBeyond Kichwa Tembo
- Points: 200,000 Hyatt (5 nights x 2 people)
- All-inclusive: Game drives, meals, transfers
Day 8–10: Diani Beach
- Flight: SafariLink (use Capital One to erase $200 fare)
- Hotel: Hemingways Watamu
- Points: 40,000 Amex (via Pay With Points)
Day 10–11: NBO ➜ JFK via DOH
- Points: 75,000 AA miles + $100
- Victory: Toast with onboard Champagne
🧾 Total Redemption Breakdown (Per Person)
- 150,000 AAdvantage miles
- 100,000 Hyatt points
- 20,000–40,000 Amex/Capital One
- ~$200 in taxes
Retail value: ~$17,000
Your cost: Mostly points + $200. You win.
Step 6: Add Detours and Upgrades
🍷 Cape Town & Wine Country
- JNB ➜ CPT: United Excursionist or 12.5k Avios
- Hotels: Book Hyatt or Marriott with points
- Must do: Franschhoek wine tram
🌊 Victoria Falls
- JNB ➜ VFA or LVI: 11k Avios or 8k United miles
- Stay: Protea Hotels by Marriott or wilderness lodges
🦍 Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda
- JFK ➜ KGL: Flying Blue often drops to 42,750 biz class miles
- Permits: Not bookable with points—but your flight and hotel can be
Bonus: When to Go for Maximum Redemption Value
Africa runs on water. Here’s how to time your safari around rains, migrations, and award space.
Dry Season (June–Oct)
- Best animal visibility
- Peak Great Migration time
- High demand = fewer points deals
Green Season (Nov–Mar)
- Lush scenery, baby animals, birding
- Off-peak = easier redemptions
- Afternoon rains, but dramatic skies
Shoulder Season (April–May)
- Low crowds, low cash prices
- Excellent value with points
- Some lodges close for maintenance
Award Calendar Strategy
| Month | Where to Go | Redemption Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Southern Serengeti | Calving season + Flying Blue promos |
| Apr–May | Zambia/Botswana | Hyatt/Marriott rates drop |
| Jun–Jul | Kruger, Maasai Mara | Book biz flights 10–11 months out |
| Aug–Sep | Peak Migration | Use AA miles before dynamic pricing strikes |
| Oct–Nov | Lush & quiet | Best for photography and Amex hotel value |
| Dec | Rwanda, Kenya coast | Great combo trip with gorilla permits |
Final Thoughts: Travel Like a Predator, Not Prey
Most people assume safari = impossible on points. You now know better. With this guide, you’ve learned to:
- Fly there in lie-flat comfort
- Book $2,000/night safari camps with transferable points
- Erase bush flights and luxury hotels with credit card perks
- Stack redemptions to build a 5-star, 5-continent-level trip for pennies
Africa’s calling. Your points are roaring. The savanna is waiting.
