I'm not fully aligned with Johan Rebel. There are locations/times when lodge has no advantage. In Kruger/Chobe, most National Parks, everyone is suppose to stay on the road. In Timbavati, Sabi sabi, thornybush, you'll be in private lodges. These guides will be able to leave the roadway and track the big 5. As a photographer, that makes all of the difference in the world.
The trick is finding reasonable price lodges. I have friends in SA that procure an entire (self cater) lodges for the week. This gets us great lodging in permanent buidlings, nice lodge, great guides. Yes, on a self cater, my SA friends must plan for meals, but we eat nice quality and the bottom line is pricing traveling this way makes it a smart choice to get into private reserves around Kruger.