Originally Posted by sweetsleep

I just re read your initial post.
Namibia proved very challenging for me to find an in depth tour with just about all tour companies as it has not sold well in the past. Several excellent lodges underwent extensive renovations and were closed when I tried to visit in February 2020. &Beyond has some great luxury properties in Namibia as well as all over South Africa. The properties in Namibia should be open again by now and most definitely in 2022.
I tell all of my friends who are considering a journey to Africa to at least visit the " Big 3"- Cape Town-at least 4 days/nights, a 3-4 night safari in a lodge bordering Kruger National Park, and 2 nights in Victoria Falls which lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Botswana is fantastic as it is elephant country but many lodges there are small and are pretty expensive. They take eco tourism very seriously and wish to have limited impact on the environment which is good!
Namibia could be hard to really visit in less than 5 days as there is a lot of driving required over less than good desert roads. I originally had planned about 11 days there! Even if you book a company to fly you in between Windhoek, Soussesvlei, Fish River, Swakopmund/Walvis Bay and the Etosha Park there is still a lot of driving you have to do to visit some really amazing remote areas. They had an epic amount of rain this winter which caused flooding.
Do remember that seasons are reversed below the equator so our winter is their summer and rain, temperatures and vegetation can impact your game viewing.
It has been my privilege to visit South Africa in January/February and weather was wonderful and warm and the Victoria Falls were raging in 2014. Several years of drought in South Africa and other countries adversely impacted both water at the falls AND the number of animals. Many people wish to visit during our summer/their winter as they believe it is easier to spot animals when the grass is low and few leaves are on trees but I have seen zero difference. What did concern me in June/July 2016 was how the amount of animals was much less than my first trip in 2014 and that was a drought issue for sure. Regardless, I have been very lucky to have seen leopards on every trip to Africa-just call me lucky leopard lady?- as well as black rhino and pangolins.
Early morning game drives in our summer months are pretty cold so gloves, warm hat and down jackets are a must. Rain shower are much more common in our winter months though so make of that what you will regarding your comfort levels.