Can you change countries? I don't think South Africa is good for a first time safari. I did not like the landscape - the bushveld isn't what is in your imagination of Africa. I wouldn't safari in Kruger again, regardless of the type of accommodation. It's been suggested already, can you go to Botswana? The Okavango Delta is fantastic. Or ideally, Tanzania, but this would probably require to much reworking of your flight itinerary.