Africa had been on our family’s (okay, really just my) “maybe someday” list for years. I was 10 years old when The Lion King was released, and it sparked a lifelong fascination with Africa. I memorized the songs, quoted the movie endlessly, and imagined what it would be like to see those landscapes in real life.

For a long time, Africa felt like a dream I’d never actually touch — until points and miles made it possible to turn that childhood obsession into a real, shared experience with our kids.

A safari. Seeing wildlife up close. Experiencing a completely different part of the world as a family. It sounded incredible… and also wildly unrealistic. The flights are long. The logistics are intimidating. And the cost can be shocking — literally comparable to one of our yearly teacher salaries for a single trip.

What finally made it possible wasn’t a perfect strategy or a luxury budget. It was points and miles, used patiently and intentionally, and a willingness to piece things together over time.

This post is a big-picture look at how we booked a multi-country Africa trip using points — including flights, hotels, safari lodging, and ground logistics. I’ll link out to detailed posts for each part of the journey so you can dive deeper where it matters most.

If Africa feels like a dream that’s “too complicated” or “only for luxury travelers,” I hope this shows you what’s actually possible.

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Our Route at a Glance

Here’s what our trip looked like, start to finish:

• Kansas City → LaGuardia
• LaGuardia → JFK (overnight airport hotel)
• JFK → Cairo → Nairobi (long layover in Cairo)
• Nairobi → Masai Mara (safari)
• Nairobi → Zanzibar
• Zanzibar → Nairobi → JFK → Kansas City

Yes — it’s a lot. And no — we did not book this all in one simple click.

But taken piece by piece, it became manageable.

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Why We Built the Trip This Way

There were a few intentional decisions that shaped everything:

• We traveled over Christmas break (peak pricing, limited availability)
• We needed multiple seats on every flight
• We needed two hotel rooms almost everywhere
• We were okay flying economy, but wanted comfort where we could add it
• We wanted one unforgettable safari experience paired with a more relaxing beach destination

Points and miles work best when you plan around reality rather than fight it.

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Flights: Flexibility Over Perfection

Flights to Africa are often the biggest mental hurdle — and honestly, the hardest part of the entire trip.

Instead of chasing one specific airline or routing, we focused on flexible points programs that could be transferred to multiple partners. This gave us options when availability was tight.

Positioning Flights

We started in Kansas City and used points to get to New York. From there, we positioned ourselves near JFK with an overnight stay so we could start the long international journey rested.

That positioning night made a huge difference and kept the trip from feeling chaotic right from the start.

International Flights to Africa

Our long-haul flights were booked using points through airline partners rather than directly with the operating airline. This allowed us to take advantage of lower award pricing and transfer bonuses.

We flew economy the entire way, but paid cash to select bulkhead and extra-legroom seats on long flights — a small upgrade that made a big difference for comfort.

I break down every flight segment, program used, and transfer strategy in detail here: How We Booked Our Africa Flights With Points

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Cairo Layover: Turning a Long Stop Into a Highlight

Our routing included a long layover in Cairo, which initially felt exhausting — until we realized it could become part of the trip.

Instead of sitting in the airport for hours, we left the airport and did a guided layover tour that included the pyramids, a camel ride, and a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum.

It ended up being one of the most memorable days of the entire journey.

I wrote a full step-by-step guide here: How to Do a Cairo Layover Tour (Visas, Cash, Timing, and Tips)

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Safari Lodging: The Trip-Defining Experience

The heart of this trip was our safari in the Masai Mara.

This was the portion of the trip we planned around, saved points for, and prioritized above everything else.

We stayed at the JW Marriott Masai Mara and booked entirely with points — without holding any Marriott credit cards. Transfer bonuses played a massive role here, especially since we needed multiple nights and accommodations for our family.

The safari experience itself was beyond anything we imagined: private game drives, incredible wildlife sightings, and a level of care and personalization that made us feel completely taken care of.

I go deep into how we booked this stay, the points math, and whether it’s worth it here: How We Stayed at JW Marriott Masai Mara With Points (Without a Marriott Card).

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Zanzibar: Adding a Beach Destination After Safari

After several intense travel days and early-morning game drives, we wanted a place to slow down.

Zanzibar gave us that — with warm water, snorkeling, and a completely different pace from safari life.

We stayed at a Hyatt property using points, which helped balance the overall cost of the trip. That said, this part of the trip also taught me some important lessons about location, crowds, and choosing the right beach experience.

I’ll share exactly what I’d repeat — and what I’d change — in a dedicated Zanzibar post.

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Ground Logistics: The Part No One Talks About (But Matters Most)

Flights and hotels get all the attention, but logistics are what make or break a family trip like this.

Some things we handled in advance:

• Airport transfers arranged through hotels or private drivers
• Visas completed ahead of time (and a few lessons learned the hard way)
• Required travel insurance for specific destinations
• Cash planning, including knowing where pristine bills were required

In Cairo, our guide handled all payments during the day and we settled up at the end, which helped us feel more comfortable. In Kenya and Zanzibar, pre-arranged transportation made everything feel smooth and safe.

I’m putting all of this into one detailed logistics post because families need real, practical information — not just theory.

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Was This Trip Fast-Paced? Yes.

This was not a slow, relaxing vacation.

It was a big trip, over a short window, with a lot of moving parts. Our kids are experienced travelers and handled it well, but this is something to be honest about when planning a similar trip.

That said — the payoff was enormous.

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Was It Worth It?

Absolutely.

Seeing our kids watch wildlife just feet away. Hearing our 13-year-old say, more than once, “Thank you for bringing us here.” Experiencing something together that none of us will ever forget.

This trip reminded me why we started using points and miles in the first place — not for luxury, but for access to experiences that would otherwise feel out of reach.

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What’s Next in This Africa Series

If you’re planning a big Africa trip (or even just dreaming about one), these posts will help you take it step by step:

• How We Booked Our Africa Flights With Points
• How to Do a Cairo Layover Tour
• How We Stayed at JW Marriott Masai Mara With Points
• Africa Travel Logistics With Kids: Visas, Transfers, and Safety
• Is an African Safari With Kids Worth It? Our Honest Experience

You don’t need to do everything at once. Most of this trip came together slowly, over time, with intention.

And if a two-teacher family can figure this out, you can too.

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