tl;dr – A list of compelling travel deal(s) that you might want to consider.
Welcome back to another edition of “Deals I’m Booking That You Should Book Too”, a weekly series where I walk you through three curated (possibly more) random travel deals – points & miles, cash, otherwise (?) – that I find compelling for one reason or another. I’ll try to keep this coming to you every Friday (hopefully 😉). You can find the past installments here. Ok, let’s dive into it.
The Deal
172,000 Bonvoy Points for Five Nights at the Turaco Ngorongoro Valley, a Tribute Portfolio Lodge
Nowadays, when it comes to safaris, travelers have more options at a variety of price points and luxury levels than ever. The influx of safari options on points has only added to the intrigue here. I maintain a list of (possibly?) all the African safaris you can book on points. Now you’re able to book some interesting off-the-beaten-track safari camps, entirely on points.
It’s no secret that Marriott has been investing in the space, both through homegrown brands (JW), acquired brands (Ritz-Carlton), and soft-branded hotels (Autograph Collection).
Keeping with the ‘M’, I present to you the Turaco Ngorongoro Valley (TNV), a Tribute Portfolio Lodge in Karatu, Tanzania.
Here are the point rates for a five-night stay, virtually any day of the year.
I’d like to remind you that (as referenced in last’s week edition), Marriott is currently running a points sales (through December 7th) where you can purchase Bonvoy points with a 40% bonus.
If you were starting from zero, you can purchase all 172,000 points for $1562.50, which is quite a steal to see some of the most magnificent animals in the world.
Opened in November 2024 in Karutu, Tanzania, 38 minutes away from the Lodare gate entrance to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, this hotel features a simple yet inviting lodge design, perfect for a few days of relaxation after venturing out to the nearby national park.
If you’re unfamiliar, the Ngorongoro Crater is one of the most underrated places in Africa for seeing wildlife. Ngorongoro offers prime-spotting opportunities for the Big Five and Great Migration. It is said to have the highest density of large mammals on the planet, and your chances of spotting lions on a Ngorongoro Crater safari are the highest in the world.
While TNV isn’t all-inclusive, guests have lauded the property in early reviews – citing the quality of the food, the grounds, the rooms, the service, and the game drives. It’s also worth noting that the property’s location puts you within striking distance of Tarangire National Park, a prime day trip to see dramatic baobab-heavy scenery and elephants.
The look of TNV is giving me flashbacks to my time at Leopard Sands, an Autograph Collection Hotel, my 2024 safari stay that I booked on points. Just outside of Kruger National Park’s gates, I’d describe the property as upscale, convenient, comfortable, and brimming with potential. It’s far away from Singita, but that’s obviously not what they’re going for. Five nights at Leopard Sands will run you about 360,000 Bonvoy Points at its cheapest, but it does include full board for two.
Oftentimes, I get messages from folks asking for ‘bucket-list’ opportunities to deploy the points they’ve accumulated after days/months/years of traveling for work. Both of these properties, in my opinion, are great candidates, particularly if you’re traveling with a plus on your family.
I’ll see you next week, and if you found this helpful/interesting/enjoyable…please hit the subscribe button!
