Originally Posted by
number_6
Depending on the exact travel dates, you may have most trouble with HKG-JNB-LHR; BA in particular has been known to have entire months with 0 award seat availability (but you can also try IB JNB-MAD).
I take a couple of award trips to Africa each year and I check availability almost every day. The last year or so I've found that HKG-JNB on CX in J has been harder that the JNB-LHR route. Big change from a few years ago. Forget about SYD-JNB. JNB-MAD is almost always available. HRE-LHR and LUN-LHR on BA are usually open in J.