OK I see this question gets asked a lot but cmon veterans remember your first time and give some good advice. I'm 10 pages into the Africa forum and 6 pages in to the search word "tours" and even more confused.

I'm guessing I have 16-17 days avail.
for planning purposes lets choose June 30-July16

JUne 30- Friday can take off or leave after work
1-2LAX-Dubai- stay one day for sure just to sightsee.
3-12 Dubai-?? (Victoria falls, chobe????)
not looking for luxury accomodations, Moderate to tent camps are fine with us inside the parks to optimize time and experience
I definitely wan to see the penguisn and cage dive with the great whites. wife will want to do half day or full day wine tour.
definite Safari to see Big 5, especially Lions
14-16 SA- HK 2 days Disney
July 16 Monday morning back to work