Late March to early June is the long rainy season for Kenya and Tanzania so I won’t discuss those as options as many lodges shut down for those two months. The rains end in Southern Africa in March so April and May are NOT rainy. They are very pleasant months. I have been to South Africa 30 times and I have visited in every month of the year. April and May will deliver a good experience!

Most of the lodges in Zambia & Zimbabwe are just opening in May so I suggest you focus your efforts on Botswana or South Africa. My top recommendations for a 6-7 day safari in these places would be these:

Option 1
Begin Jo’burg/JNB.
Fly SAA to Polokwane.
Road transfer Polowkane to Mashatu main or tented camp for three nights.
Malutu express light air transfer from Mashatu to MalaMala. Spend three nights at MalaMala Main Camp.
Light air back to JNB.
Cost = $5,000 per person sharing

Begin JNB
Fly SAA to Sabi Sands. Spend three nights at Lion Sands or MalaMala or Singita
Fly to JNB and land at noon. Light air to Tswalu for four nights (stay-4 & fly–free)
Fly back to JNB
Cost = $6,500 (Lion Sands River, MalaMala Main) or $10,000 per person for Singita option.

Begin JNB
Fly SAA to Maun/MUB. Spend three nights each at Chitabe and Little Vumbura or Chitabe and Tubu Tree or Chitabe and Savuti or Chitabe & Duma Tau.
Cost = $4,500 with air from JNB if you can travel before Mar 31 when the seven country specials end.

Check out the properties I recommended above. I have been to all and you will love them!

Craig Beal – owner – Travel Beyond
2011 & 2012 Travel & Leisure A-List agent for Botswana & Zimbabwe