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Hotel Points Once in a Lifetime Experience Masai Mara, Kenya & Seychelles Trip with Family( Points & Miles)

sahilgulati5

TF Ace
VIP Lounge
Masai Mara & Seychelles Trip Using Points & Miles

This post is about our luxurious vacation to Masai Mara & Seychelles, it was made possible through use of credit card points and miles.

Total no of Person: 3(2 Adult & 1 Child)

Total No of Days = 14days (May 27- june10)

Masai Mara (28May – 1june) = 4 Days (Fairmont Mara Safari Club)

Nairobi (1june – 2 June) = 1 day (Fairmont Norfolk)

Mahe, Seychelles (3-6 June) = 3 days (Kempinski Resort)

Praslin (6-9 June) = 3 days ( Raffles)


Credit Cards Used:
I have used the following credit cards,
1. Axis Burgundy Magnus
2. HDFC Infinia (Just for Booking Kempinski Hotel using points)


Flights:
I'm from Chennai and an economy one-way ticket from Chennai – Nairobi (NBO) Via Mumbai (total 12hrs) on Indigo was Rs.13235 Booked it through Travel edge Platform in April 1st week (Total spend=39705 + Food (2* 400) = Rs.40505).

Our Second leg of flight was from Nairobi to Mahe, Seychelles via Addis Ababa 8hrs Ethiopian Airlines was booked through Air Canada Aeroplan Points for 3 people was 60000Points + 391.8CAD, but the account got debit only 40000Points. Luck was in favor and we saved 20000 points

Our Third leg of flight was from Praslin to Mahe, 20min Flight Air Seychelles Airlines was booked through Travel edge for Rs.33787. It was a last minute booking as we could not find any ferry from mahe to Praslin for Sunday afternoon. Could have avoid it if planned properly.

Our Fourth and Final leg of flight was from Mahe-Chennai, via AUH, Mumbai was (total 15hrs) through Etihad, Vistara Airlines was booked through Air Canada Aeroplan Points for 3 people was 75000Points + 302.8CAD

In our 3hr layover at AUH, used the M4B Priority Pass with 1+ 2 Guest option to access Peral Lounge.

Total Spend on Flight = 115000(Aeroplan Points) + Rs.42510(M4B) + Rs. 73492 (on Travel edge)

Amount Saved as per me on Flights was Approx. 2+Lakhs

Visa & Yellow Fever Vaccine:

Both Kenya, Seychelles are visa free for Indian as of now. But u will still need a ETA to be applied online before you land as it will help you in clearing the immigration without any problem. It will ask for Passport details, Photo, Stay, Flight Details of all the travelers.

Cost of ETA for Kenya – 30$/Person

Cost of ETA for Seychelles – 10$/Person

Yellow Fever Vaccine & Polio Drop-500rs (In Chennai – Kings Institute, Guindy)

Day 0: Chennai Airport Terminal T1

We used Ola to reach the airport and Phew Ola was expensive (approx. 600rs Peak time). The airport was full on Monday evening and we did not have much time to use the lounge as we reached on neck of the time. we booked our food in Indigo already.



Day 1: Reached Nairobi early Morning

Masai Mara (28May – 1june) = 4 Days (Fairmont Mara Safari Club)


Booked through Accor App, I am a silver member. For 4 Nights Full Board with 2 Game drives Daily the price was 2448$. Used 100000 Points to sent off 2170.4$ and balance 277.6$US paid through M4B at checkout.

Fairmont Mara is Located in North most side of Masai Mara. Its approx. 5hrs Road Trip from Nairobi Airport. (Which cost around 450$US one way) Took the road trip. It comes under Lemek Conservatory. Other way to reach Fairmont is through Flight which cost around 225$US per head one way. Which takes only 1hr. Daily Fee for staying inside the Mara is 130usd/Person, Child 65usd. It will be 200usd from August I think so.

We our greeted with Traditional Masai Song (Which we did not Understand) on arrival at the entrance of the reception. We were then taken to our room after a small briefing. We took a Riverfront Deluxe room which was Infront of a river. We could see Hippo from our room in the river. The room was good. The food was good and they do have veg options as we our vegetarians. Since we our only veg there we our asked daily what would we to have in all the 3 times we had food there. Drinks are not complimentary. Only Still water is free. Sparkling water cost around 2200kes. Since I was a silver member, they gave a coupon for 1 drink free only Mocktails & Cocktails.

Then after our lunch we went to our First Game Drive and wow we were able to see the Kill on our every first drive and my boy it was so good to see it, the way cheetah hunted the Baby Topi (Antelope). Such an amazing experience it was but after some time it started to feel that we our taking the privacy of the cheetah. So, we left and came back to our room and had our Dinner.



Day 2: Game Drive & Swimming



Got up early morning as our morning game drive was at 6.30am. They have arranged for Morning Tea, Coffee and Some Banana Cake at the Lobby for people going for morning drives. We saw Topi (Antelope), Giraffe, Wild beast, Zebra, Hippo as they are scattered everywhere near the entrance of the Fairmont and in all the area in the Lemek. U can easily Spot them in all your drives.

Came back around 8.30 for our breakfast. Then took some rest in our room and we went for swimming as my son is fond of swimming. Then have our lunch around 2pm. Since the rainy season just got over the road were to bumpy and muddy. We started for our Evening drive at around 3.30pm.

We saw the elephants, Cheetah, Zebra, Topi, and giraffe. We thought we would see a kill again and we did see the cheetah go for it but it missed it. We felt more than the cheetah the people were feeling the miss. You could easily see about 8 to 10 vehicles like us coming for the drives. We came back around 7 as it started raining and had our dinner.



Day 3: Game Drive & Swimming



Got up early morning as our morning game drive was at 6.30am. They have arranged for Morning Tea, Coffee and Some Banana Cake at the Lobby for people going for morning drives. We saw Topi (Antelope), Giraffe, Wild beast, Zebra, Hippo and we finally saw the Queen of the Jungle Lioness with 2 of it child. We Followed them for an hour. But they could not find the Right Animal to hunt. As only the Lioness would attack so it was looking for a Small Animal or a baby for the hunt.

Came back around 8.30 for our breakfast. Then took some rest in our room and we went for swimming again. Then have our lunch around 2pm. We started for our Evening drive at around 3.30pm.

We again saw the elephants, Cheetah, Zebra, Topi, and giraffe. We thought we would see a kill again and we did see the Same Lioness with the kids looking for the hunt but it missed it. We came back around 7.30 after seeing the evening Sun downer. Such a Serene calm beautiful place to see the nature and the sun together. and had our dinner.



Day 4: Morning Walk, Bush Breakfast, Masai Village Visit & Evening Game Drive



Got up Late today as our Morning walk in the wild was around 8 and after that breakfast in the Bush around 9.30am. It cost around 70usd/person. They had arranged for some Tea, Coffee and Some Banana Cake, Orange juice, Aloo Subzi, Bun, Baked Beans, Baked Potato, Jam, Butter, Omelets. We could see Topi (Antelope), Giraffe, Zebra just 10m away from us.

While coming back we went to Masai mara village and saw there culture, house, how they live what they do for living etc. It cost around 30$/person

Came back around 11.30am. Then took some rest in our room and we went for swimming again. Then have our lunch around 2pm. We started again for our Evening drive at around 3.30pm.

We saw the elephants, Cheetah, lion, Zebra, Topi, and giraffe. We lost the hope of seeing the kill again and but for our surprise we were able to see the mating of the lion. But when my son started asking what are they doing, it became awkward as I was not able to answer him. We came back after the drive and had our dinner.



Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Left for Nairobi through Road

After our morning game drive, we checkout of the hotel at around 10am.The cost of Transfer through road is 380$ at it took 6hrs because of Traffic to reach Fairmont Norfolk at around 4pm.

Booked through Accor App, 1 Nights with Half Board the price was Rs 30304.81. Used 10000 Points to set off and balance Rs.12212.79 paid through M4B at checkout.

Fairmont the Norfolk is a 100yr old Property. It’s in a Posh Locality opposite to University of Nairobi City Campus & Near to Central Police Station. As it was a Layover hotel for us, we could not do much and we just went around the hotel by walk and could see how neat the city is. The highways & the major roads are all 8 Lanes. The traffic discipline was good. The Food we felt was much better than Mara and they had lots of Veg options. Again, being a silver member, the Welcome Drink coupon was given and we used it while having our dinner.



Day 6: Enjoy the Swimming with my son and left for Mahe, Seychelles



Enjoyed the day swimming with my son & relaxing before we checkout and left for Airport to catch our Overnight flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Mahe.



Day 7,8,9: Kempinski Seychelles Resort


Landed at around 12.20pm at Mahe Airport. It’s a small neat and clean airport. The Immigration check was smooth as we had already taken the ETA.

We did not buy drinks at the Duty-free shop after the immigration. We regret that till now. As its very cheap than buying in island

Then took the prepaid taxi at the airport to Kempinski. Cost around 65$(Expensive).

Kempinski is located at one corner of the Baie Lazare Beach. It’s a GHA Discovery Hotel. I have booked this hotel using HDFC Infinia Points for 3 Nights with Breakfast (61621 Points + Rs.32400(infinia spend)).

The rooms are really good. But the Food prices in Seychelles are quite expensive. Would recommend to take half board if you are staying in Resort, Hotels there. We had Maggi for dinner. For lunch we have Pizza as my son wanted to eat(300SCR) at the hotel.

For next 3 days we did nothing just eat sleep swim both in the beach & Pool.



Also if you like to explore mahe it’s better to take a self-driving cars as it’s the right way to explore the island as u can stop anywhere to enjoy the beaches.



Day 9: Praslin

After checkout at Kempinski took a taxi to port (1000SCR). Cat Cocos Ferry from Mahe to Praslin is 1hr Approx. It costed us around (2150SCR). Took a Taxi to Raffles cost 40Euro. Its about 20min drive from the port.

Raffles is located at Anse Takamaka, Praslin. It has 87 Private Pool Villas Cascade down the hillsides. We took the Hill View King room with Breakfast. Paid thorough Points and Balance 500Euro through M4B. As a silver member again, we received welcome drink voucher to be used in the bar or restaurants.

Enjoyed the full day swimming with my son and relaxed with wonderful views of the beach.



Day 10: Vallee de Mai


Breakfast had very little spread and options. Felt disappointed with that was expecting much more from Raffles.

After breakfast took some rest and again plunged into the pool with my son. After lunch we went to Vallee De Mai to see the Coco de mer( Butt Shapped Coconut) Taxi was 40Euro. Entrance fee for 2 adults 300SCR. It was ok. Then came back to resort and had our dinner.

Day 11: LA digue island

After Breakfast, Booked a private Boat to La digue. It’s a 30min Boast Drive from Raffles. Booked through Travel edge. After reaching LA digue took a cycle on rent for 100SCR/Cycle. Roamed the beautiful LA digue in cycle for 4hrs had lunch there in of of the restaurants. Came back to Raffles at took rest for the day.



Day 12: Nothing Much

Nothing much Did some swimming had breakfast and left Raffles after checkout to catch our flight to Mahe. Cheapest way to reach Mahe was by ferry. But our time did not match being Sunday they had only 2 trips one in morning & one in Evening.

Then in Mahe took our flight back to Chennai Via AUH, Mumbai



Day 13: Back to Pavilion


Landed around 9.30am. The Trip Ends finally.




Final thoughts:
All in all, I saved around 6L+ INR through my points and miles. Not including the Return, I got on Spending through M4B which is a bonus, I Guess. I could have made my entire stay free through Accor points but I decided to save them up for our next trip.

I Know I Could have saved more with better planning and utilizing the Points & Miles More. But as I always say “Enjoy the journey & the process and not on saving more as we are already saying using the Points Game”


Finally : "Hats off for people whose to love writing these kind of stories" as now i understand how hard is it to write such long . Its almost after 15yrs i am back to writing such long writeups after my college exam😂🤣🤣😂🤣
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Last edited:
Nicely written.
Satisfaction on travelling with points is more 🤪
I did a 14 days trip to NZ on points. Considering Masai Mara for next round.
How old is your kid and was he allowed on Game drives? My son is 3 and wondering if they allow him or wait till he grows up
 
Nicely written.
Satisfaction on travelling with points is more 🤪
I did a 14 days trip to NZ on points. Considering Masai Mara for next round.
How old is your kid and was he allowed on Game drives? My son is 3 and wondering if they allow him or wait till he grows up
he is 5yrs. Yes children's are allowed.
 
Nicely written.
Satisfaction on travelling with points is more 🤪
I did a 14 days trip to NZ on points. Considering Masai Mara for next round.
How old is your kid and was he allowed on Game drives? My son is 3 and wondering if they allow him or wait till he grows up
Can you please share your itinerary and other details about point utilization
 
I have bookmarked this thread as both Masai Mara and Seychelles are on the bucket list. Great photos as well, how did you take them?
 
Our Second leg of flight was from Nairobi to Mahe, Seychelles via Addis Ababa 8hrs Ethiopian Airlines was booked through Air Canada Aeroplan Points for 3 people was 60000Points + 391.8CAD, but the account got debit only 40000Points. Luck was in favor and we saved 20000 points
Good One!

Just one question.

Why didn't you book the Nairobi to Mahe Direct Flight? Would have saved you that flight change + 5 Hours for the same amount of miles + taxes. Availability on that flight has never been a problem. Even 7-8 Economy seats are available on most days.
 
Last edited:
Good One!

Just one question.

Why didn't you book the Nairobi to Mahe Direct Flight? Would have saved you that flight change + 5 Hours for the same amount of miles + taxes. Availability on that flight has never been a problem. Even 7-8 Economy seats are available on most days.
Kenya airlines right missed it. As all my points were in air Canada aeroplan and they don’t have Kenya airlines. Also points wise Ethiopian airlines was cheap compared to direct revenue purchase.
 
Nicely written.
Satisfaction on travelling with points is more 🤪
I did a 14 days trip to NZ on points. Considering Masai Mara for next round.
How old is your kid and was he allowed on Game drives? My son is 3 and wondering if they allow him or wait till he grows up
Hi,

Can you share the NZ trip details?
 
Masai Mara & Seychelles Trip Using Points & Miles

This post is about our luxurious vacation to Masai Mara & Seychelles, it was made possible through use of credit card points and miles.

Total no of Person: 3(2 Adult & 1 Child)

Total No of Days = 14days (May 27- june10)

Masai Mara (28May – 1june) = 4 Days (Fairmont Mara Safari Club)

Nairobi (1june – 2 June) = 1 day (Fairmont Norfolk)

Mahe, Seychelles (3-6 June) = 3 days (Kempinski Resort)

Praslin (6-9 June) = 3 days ( Raffles)


Credit Cards Used:
I have used the following credit cards,
1. Axis Burgundy Magnus
2. HDFC Infinia (Just for Booking Kempinski Hotel using points)


Flights:
I'm from Chennai and an economy one-way ticket from Chennai – Nairobi (NBO) Via Mumbai (total 12hrs) on Indigo was Rs.13235 Booked it through Travel edge Platform in April 1st week (Total spend=39705 + Food (2* 400) = Rs.40505).

Our Second leg of flight was from Nairobi to Mahe, Seychelles via Addis Ababa 8hrs Ethiopian Airlines was booked through Air Canada Aeroplan Points for 3 people was 60000Points + 391.8CAD, but the account got debit only 40000Points. Luck was in favor and we saved 20000 points

Our Third leg of flight was from Praslin to Mahe, 20min Flight Air Seychelles Airlines was booked through Travel edge for Rs.33787. It was a last minute booking as we could not find any ferry from mahe to Praslin for Sunday afternoon. Could have avoid it if planned properly.

Our Fourth and Final leg of flight was from Mahe-Chennai, via AUH, Mumbai was (total 15hrs) through Etihad, Vistara Airlines was booked through Air Canada Aeroplan Points for 3 people was 75000Points + 302.8CAD

In our 3hr layover at AUH, used the M4B Priority Pass with 1+ 2 Guest option to access Peral Lounge.

Total Spend on Flight = 115000(Aeroplan Points) + Rs.42510(M4B) + Rs. 73492 (on Travel edge)

Amount Saved as per me on Flights was Approx. 2+Lakhs

Visa & Yellow Fever Vaccine:

Both Kenya, Seychelles are visa free for Indian as of now. But u will still need a ETA to be applied online before you land as it will help you in clearing the immigration without any problem. It will ask for Passport details, Photo, Stay, Flight Details of all the travelers.

Cost of ETA for Kenya – 30$/Person

Cost of ETA for Seychelles – 10$/Person

Yellow Fever Vaccine & Polio Drop-500rs (In Chennai – Kings Institute, Guindy)

Day 0: Chennai Airport Terminal T1

We used Ola to reach the airport and Phew Ola was expensive (approx. 600rs Peak time). The airport was full on Monday evening and we did not have much time to use the lounge as we reached on neck of the time. we booked our food in Indigo already.



Day 1: Reached Nairobi early Morning

Masai Mara (28May – 1june) = 4 Days (Fairmont Mara Safari Club)


Booked through Accor App, I am a silver member. For 4 Nights Full Board with 2 Game drives Daily the price was 2448$. Used 100000 Points to sent off 2170.4$ and balance 277.6$US paid through M4B at checkout.

Fairmont Mara is Located in North most side of Masai Mara. Its approx. 5hrs Road Trip from Nairobi Airport. (Which cost around 450$US one way) Took the road trip. It comes under Lemek Conservatory. Other way to reach Fairmont is through Flight which cost around 225$US per head one way. Which takes only 1hr. Daily Fee for staying inside the Mara is 130usd/Person, Child 65usd. It will be 200usd from August I think so.

We our greeted with Traditional Masai Song (Which we did not Understand) on arrival at the entrance of the reception. We were then taken to our room after a small briefing. We took a Riverfront Deluxe room which was Infront of a river. We could see Hippo from our room in the river. The room was good. The food was good and they do have veg options as we our vegetarians. Since we our only veg there we our asked daily what would we to have in all the 3 times we had food there. Drinks are not complimentary. Only Still water is free. Sparkling water cost around 2200kes. Since I was a silver member, they gave a coupon for 1 drink free only Mocktails & Cocktails.

Then after our lunch we went to our First Game Drive and wow we were able to see the Kill on our every first drive and my boy it was so good to see it, the way cheetah hunted the Baby Topi (Antelope). Such an amazing experience it was but after some time it started to feel that we our taking the privacy of the cheetah. So, we left and came back to our room and had our Dinner.



Day 2: Game Drive & Swimming



Got up early morning as our morning game drive was at 6.30am. They have arranged for Morning Tea, Coffee and Some Banana Cake at the Lobby for people going for morning drives. We saw Topi (Antelope), Giraffe, Wild beast, Zebra, Hippo as they are scattered everywhere near the entrance of the Fairmont and in all the area in the Lemek. U can easily Spot them in all your drives.

Came back around 8.30 for our breakfast. Then took some rest in our room and we went for swimming as my son is fond of swimming. Then have our lunch around 2pm. Since the rainy season just got over the road were to bumpy and muddy. We started for our Evening drive at around 3.30pm.

We saw the elephants, Cheetah, Zebra, Topi, and giraffe. We thought we would see a kill again and we did see the cheetah go for it but it missed it. We felt more than the cheetah the people were feeling the miss. You could easily see about 8 to 10 vehicles like us coming for the drives. We came back around 7 as it started raining and had our dinner.



Day 3: Game Drive & Swimming



Got up early morning as our morning game drive was at 6.30am. They have arranged for Morning Tea, Coffee and Some Banana Cake at the Lobby for people going for morning drives. We saw Topi (Antelope), Giraffe, Wild beast, Zebra, Hippo and we finally saw the Queen of the Jungle Lioness with 2 of it child. We Followed them for an hour. But they could not find the Right Animal to hunt. As only the Lioness would attack so it was looking for a Small Animal or a baby for the hunt.

Came back around 8.30 for our breakfast. Then took some rest in our room and we went for swimming again. Then have our lunch around 2pm. We started for our Evening drive at around 3.30pm.

We again saw the elephants, Cheetah, Zebra, Topi, and giraffe. We thought we would see a kill again and we did see the Same Lioness with the kids looking for the hunt but it missed it. We came back around 7.30 after seeing the evening Sun downer. Such a Serene calm beautiful place to see the nature and the sun together. and had our dinner.



Day 4: Morning Walk, Bush Breakfast, Masai Village Visit & Evening Game Drive



Got up Late today as our Morning walk in the wild was around 8 and after that breakfast in the Bush around 9.30am. It cost around 70usd/person. They had arranged for some Tea, Coffee and Some Banana Cake, Orange juice, Aloo Subzi, Bun, Baked Beans, Baked Potato, Jam, Butter, Omelets. We could see Topi (Antelope), Giraffe, Zebra just 10m away from us.

While coming back we went to Masai mara village and saw there culture, house, how they live what they do for living etc. It cost around 30$/person

Came back around 11.30am. Then took some rest in our room and we went for swimming again. Then have our lunch around 2pm. We started again for our Evening drive at around 3.30pm.

We saw the elephants, Cheetah, lion, Zebra, Topi, and giraffe. We lost the hope of seeing the kill again and but for our surprise we were able to see the mating of the lion. But when my son started asking what are they doing, it became awkward as I was not able to answer him. We came back after the drive and had our dinner.



Day 5: Morning Game Drive & Left for Nairobi through Road

After our morning game drive, we checkout of the hotel at around 10am.The cost of Transfer through road is 380$ at it took 6hrs because of Traffic to reach Fairmont Norfolk at around 4pm.

Booked through Accor App, 1 Nights with Half Board the price was Rs 30304.81. Used 10000 Points to set off and balance Rs.12212.79 paid through M4B at checkout.

Fairmont the Norfolk is a 100yr old Property. It’s in a Posh Locality opposite to University of Nairobi City Campus & Near to Central Police Station. As it was a Layover hotel for us, we could not do much and we just went around the hotel by walk and could see how neat the city is. The highways & the major roads are all 8 Lanes. The traffic discipline was good. The Food we felt was much better than Mara and they had lots of Veg options. Again, being a silver member, the Welcome Drink coupon was given and we used it while having our dinner.



Day 6: Enjoy the Swimming with my son and left for Mahe, Seychelles



Enjoyed the day swimming with my son & relaxing before we checkout and left for Airport to catch our Overnight flight with Ethiopian Airlines to Mahe.



Day 7,8,9: Kempinski Seychelles Resort


Landed at around 12.20pm at Mahe Airport. It’s a small neat and clean airport. The Immigration check was smooth as we had already taken the ETA.

We did not buy drinks at the Duty-free shop after the immigration. We regret that till now. As its very cheap than buying in island

Then took the prepaid taxi at the airport to Kempinski. Cost around 65$(Expensive).

Kempinski is located at one corner of the Baie Lazare Beach. It’s a GHA Discovery Hotel. I have booked this hotel using HDFC Infinia Points for 3 Nights with Breakfast (61621 Points + Rs.32400(infinia spend)).

The rooms are really good. But the Food prices in Seychelles are quite expensive. Would recommend to take half board if you are staying in Resort, Hotels there. We had Maggi for dinner. For lunch we have Pizza as my son wanted to eat(300SCR) at the hotel.

For next 3 days we did nothing just eat sleep swim both in the beach & Pool.



Also if you like to explore mahe it’s better to take a self-driving cars as it’s the right way to explore the island as u can stop anywhere to enjoy the beaches.



Day 9: Praslin

After checkout at Kempinski took a taxi to port (1000SCR). Cat Cocos Ferry from Mahe to Praslin is 1hr Approx. It costed us around (2150SCR). Took a Taxi to Raffles cost 40Euro. Its about 20min drive from the port.

Raffles is located at Anse Takamaka, Praslin. It has 87 Private Pool Villas Cascade down the hillsides. We took the Hill View King room with Breakfast. Paid thorough Points and Balance 500Euro through M4B. As a silver member again, we received welcome drink voucher to be used in the bar or restaurants.

Enjoyed the full day swimming with my son and relaxed with wonderful views of the beach.



Day 10: Vallee de Mai


Breakfast had very little spread and options. Felt disappointed with that was expecting much more from Raffles.

After breakfast took some rest and again plunged into the pool with my son. After lunch we went to Vallee De Mai to see the Coco de mer( Butt Shapped Coconut) Taxi was 40Euro. Entrance fee for 2 adults 300SCR. It was ok. Then came back to resort and had our dinner.

Day 11: LA digue island

After Breakfast, Booked a private Boat to La digue. It’s a 30min Boast Drive from Raffles. Booked through Travel edge. After reaching LA digue took a cycle on rent for 100SCR/Cycle. Roamed the beautiful LA digue in cycle for 4hrs had lunch there in of of the restaurants. Came back to Raffles at took rest for the day.



Day 12: Nothing Much

Nothing much Did some swimming had breakfast and left Raffles after checkout to catch our flight to Mahe. Cheapest way to reach Mahe was by ferry. But our time did not match being Sunday they had only 2 trips one in morning & one in Evening.

Then in Mahe took our flight back to Chennai Via AUH, Mumbai



Day 13: Back to Pavilion


Landed around 9.30am. The Trip Ends finally.




Final thoughts:
All in all, I saved around 6L+ INR through my points and miles. Not including the Return, I got on Spending through M4B which is a bonus, I Guess. I could have made my entire stay free through Accor points but I decided to save them up for our next trip.

I Know I Could have saved more with better planning and utilizing the Points & Miles More. But as I always say “Enjoy the journey & the process and not on saving more as we are already saying using the Points Game”


Finally : "Hats off for people whose to love writing these kind of stories" as now i understand how hard is it to write such long . Its almost after 15yrs i am back to writing such long writeups after my college exam😂🤣🤣😂🤣
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Hey, great trip and photos. Thanks for the detailed write up as well.
I had almost finalised Kenya (and more particularly Fairmont Masai Mara) but as you mentioned a friend told me about the compulsory reserve fee (around 130 USD/person). Just wanted to know if this is included in the Fairmont charge or we need to pay it separately and lastly in this a one time fee or per day?
 
Hey, great trip and photos. Thanks for the detailed write up as well.
I had almost finalised Kenya (and more particularly Fairmont Masai Mara) but as you mentioned a friend told me about the compulsory reserve fee (around 130 USD/person). Just wanted to know if this is included in the Fairmont charge or we need to pay it separately and lastly in this a one time fee or per day?
It’s per day per adult person and for children above 5 it’s 65usd. But I think from August or sept the fee has been increased to 200usd/person kindly check it before u book fair mint or any other resort which is inside the mara
 
It’s per day per adult person and for children above 5 it’s 65usd. But I think from August or sept the fee has been increased to 200usd/person kindly check it before u book fair mint or any other resort which is inside the mara
Thanks for the quick reply, appreciate it. Well if that's the case then I'll probably cross Kenya of my bucket list sometime later. Approx 500$/day (2 adults + 1 child) just as fee is atrocious even by luxury standards. Maldives suddenly feels like a bargain.

Sorry but you missed one question though, is the hotel rate inclusive of these charges park charges or we pay separately?
 
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