Thank you very much for the feedback! I did look at award hacker. I did see united business @160k w low fees. I also saw KE business @120k w HUGE FEES (~$1800.00 per).
I figured if there are any people on this planet with the knowledge or inside information on how to get to Southern Africa for a safari in the most "point efficient manner", it'd be the folks on this forum. So thank you again for the feedback!
Here's my thinking on getting there.... (again, please speak up if u've done this trip b4 or have a strong recommendation one way or the other) 3 options I feel are doable.
1. Lufthansa prem ecom purchased w UR @ 1.5 points/$ ($1900 or 128k UR booked w CSR). I've heard lift prem Econ is quite spacious and comfortable. 39" pitch, 19" width
2. United partners @ 160k each w low fees $50-$100 per. Some shorter connections have the lousy buz class which is coach row w blocked out middle seat. 31" pitch, 17" width. I feel luft prem ecom would be far superior than those seats. The advantage w this option is the longer segment flights would be superior to luft prem Econ.
3. This is least likely choice for us. KE at 120 UR & $1800 per. Fees r too high, I prob wouldn't use this method.
Decisions....Decisions...