Helena’s Points Challenge – The Safari Edition
- Helena
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
If you’re going to gallop across Africa, you might as well earn a mountain of points while doing it. That, at least, is my logic as I prepare for one of the most exciting trips of my life: a riding safari in Botswana from 14th–21st March with Horizon Horseback Safaris.
This isn’t just a dream holiday fuelled by horses, wildlife and wide open spaces. It’s also a full-blown personal experiment in spending as little as possible on the kit I need while earning as many points as humanly achievable.
Welcome to Helena’s Points Challenge – The Safari Edition.
The Safari Dream: Horses, Wilderness and Botswana
Let’s start with the headline event.
In March, I’ll be heading to Botswana with Horizon Horseback Safaris, a name that has long been synonymous with exceptional riding safaris and unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Think long canters across open plains, riding alongside giraffe and zebra, and falling asleep to the sounds of the bush. It’s bucket-list stuff. I am getting to experience this with three of my closest chums, Laura, Emily and Zoe who booked on earlier in 2025. I literally booked on three weeks ago, and surprised all three of them with the fact I was now also going! To confirm, this is a fully "paid for by me" trip. This is not an ad, nor is this gifted.
But while the romance of a riding safari is undeniable, the practical side of things can add up quickly. Safari costs, specialist riding kit, luggage that can survive international travel and light aircraft transfers – it’s not exactly a budget weekend away. Which brings me neatly to the challenge.
The Safari Points Challenge: Maximum Rewards, Minimal Pain
The goal is simple: every possible pound spent must earn something back.
I’m treating this trip as a masterclass in points earning. Safari costs, riding kit, luggage – if it can go on a points-earning credit card, or be bought via the Avios store, it will be. No debit cards. No missed opportunities. Just carefully planned spending designed to squeeze maximum value from every transaction.
The safari itself will be paid for on the Barclaycard Avios Plus, turning a significant expense into a healthy points boost. Every £1 spend accrues 1.5 Avios, so I will earn a healthy chunk from this alone. It’s a satisfying feeling knowing that while I’m riding through Botswana, my future self is quietly earning rewards for another adventure down the line. Work smarter, not harder!
We have managed to influence many of our friends into the ways of Avios, and Laura who I am travelling with has totally go on board that journey. She has booked our airport hotel at OR Tambo, Johannesburg via Avios Hotels and earned Avios in the process. I will be doing a review of that airport hotel in March or April, so keep an eye out.
One area I will not be earning points on though is flights. We have a load of Avios I want to spend, as well as an upgrade voucher which is about to run out. The kind people of Instagram voted for me to fly and review the Premium Economy product on the British Airways A380 that I will be flying on, therefore we shall give the people what they want.
Avios Store: The Secret Weapon
Where this challenge really gets fun is with the Avios Store.
Rather than buying my kit directly from retailers and calling it a day, I will be shopping through the Avios Store wherever possible. That means clicking through to retailers via the Avios portal and earning Avios on top of the points from my credit card. Double dipping at its finest.
It requires a bit of planning and patience, but the payoff is worth it. Bonus Avios offers pop up regularly, and those extra points can make a serious difference over multiple purchases.
Here is the thing though, there aren't many equine brands on the Avios store, so points earning credit cards are going to be the main way to earn points here!
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The Kit List: What I Need for a Riding Safari
A riding safari isn’t the place for worn-out kit or last-minute panic buys. Brand new riding boots will never be comfortable enough for a 2 hour ride, let alone a 5 hour one. Everything needs to be comfortable, practical and capable of handling long hours in the saddle.
My shopping list includes:
A new riding hat. My old one is not only not up to industry standard any more, but it's also so old that it has gone pretty gross on the inside. So safety first, new hat will be purchased.
Breeches – multiple pairs, because comfort matters when you’re riding day after day. They also need to be in the right colours to blend in with the bush, think greens, browns and black.
Riding tops – These need to be lightweight, practical and suitable for the heat. As well as also matching the surroundings.
A holdall – Due to the teeny tiny aircraft we get from South Africa to Botswana I need to get a 60x40x30cm soft-sided holdall. Sam is very excited that I am actually going to have to learn to pack light for this trip!
A carry-on bag – sturdy enough for international travel and small aircraft, plus being big enough to fit my riding hat! Challenge accepted!
Toiletries - All the usual bits and bobs along with some seriously good insect repellent and bite relief! Oh, and of course suncream!
The other things - these are the other bits and bobs I need to grab such as a battery pack with a torch on it (always useful), bum bag for riding and various other things.
A new camera - let's face it, I want to get as much of this on film and photo as possible. The memories will last a lifetime, but I also want to have the photos to remember it by!
Each item is being carefully sourced with points in mind. If a retailer is available through the Avios Store, that’s where I’m shopping. If there’s a bonus Avios promotion running, even better. It turns necessary spending into a strategic game, and I am fully committed to winning.
Why This Challenge?
I know, I could totally just ignore the whole points thing here and just enjoy the process. It’s easy to dismiss points earning as something that only works for frequent flyers or business travellers. But trips like this prove that big, meaningful expenses can generate serious rewards if you’re intentional and have a clear plan in place.
I am exceptionally lucky that this safari is happening regardless. I need the kit. I need to pay for the experience. So why not make those purchases work harder for me!
By stacking credit card points with Avios Store earnings, I’m effectively lowering the long-term cost of this trip. Those points might become flights, upgrades or hotel stays in the future. The safari becomes not just an unforgettable experience, but a stepping stone to the next adventure.
The Fun of the Chase
There’s something oddly satisfying about turning travel planning into a points puzzle. Which card earns the most? Which retailer offers the best Avios return? Is it worth waiting for a bonus promotion before buying those breeches?
This is where the challenge becomes genuinely fun. It’s not about deprivation or cutting corners. It’s about smart spending, planning ahead and enjoying the process as much as the outcome.
And to hold myself accountable, I will be sharing with you the full kit list that I buy, what I paid and what points I earnt. My aim is at least 10,000 Avios which I think is doable, but let's wait and see.
Counting Down to Botswana
As I write this, we are just over 2 months aways from March and what is going to be a total trip of a lifetime and you know the excitement is building. Soon I’ll be trading spreadsheets and shopping carts for horses and horizons, knowing that I’ve squeezed every possible point out of the journey.
Helena’s Points Challenge – The Safari Edition is officially underway. Botswana awaits, Horizon Horseback Safaris are calling my name, and my Avios balance is about to enjoy the ride almost as much as I am.
Helena
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