Hi, Brenda! I've been on one luxury safari and plan to do another next month (if recurrent doesn't mess it up--otherwise we wait until next June)
First, take a look at tripadvisor.com--there are 2 major contributors, jasher and bwanadave who can really give you direction. It may take a lot of reading thru posts, but great source of info.
I wouldn't consider taking such young children on an expensive trip. The flights alone are staggeringly long. Our ATL/DKR/JNB is20 hours in a tube. (a few ont the ground in DKR)
There are malaria free zones in South Africa, but I would not go anywhere in most of Africa without yellow fever shots and they are expensive (kids have any allergic reactions to eggs?). Of course, tentanus, hep A and B are advised in most areas, too. Then there's malaria risk in other countries.
Kruger is not a MF zone but is considered safe in certain seasons.
Go to your local library first--they should have videos and plenty of guides--Eyewitness, Lonely Planet, Frommers and Fodors. Buy a book when you're really ready to start plans.
FYI--if you connect thru DKR, the total fees and taxes for our flights were nearly $150/pax.
Most safari pkgs are for 3-4 nights, with 2 game drives/day, all meals and lodging (which varies from tents to luxury "huts") A lux safari pkg for 2 will cost $500-1000/day in a private reserve. Kruger has private sections (I almost said "parts"!) but the main park requires you stay you on roads so you're out there with everybody and their uncles.
I was fortunate enough to find a great buy on
Luxury Hotels, Luxury Travel Auctions, Resorts - LuxuryLink.com and went to Madikwe Game Reserve. We stayed at Tuningi Lodge and will go to Mateya Lodge on the next one. Our pkgs were less than $1200/2 and we were treated like royalty--private villa, sunken tub, fireplace, wraparound deck--outdoor stone shower--animals walk right by while you try to nap in a kingsize bed draped with mosquito nets--romantic, too!!There is every price level out there. The only additional costs while there are alcohol bevs and tips for guides/drivers/scouts. Add your hotels before and after and side trips?
I guess it depends on where you go. I understand the game viewing is Botswana is great but the charge nearly twice what SA costs. I don't know about Kenya prices--I do know there are some major problems politically and now with recent animal poisonings from pesticides, it could be a bit tricky.
I recommend the SA option because you can rely on the only US carrier, Delta. I will admit, I did not have to sit in coach on any of our trips. I've been to Joburg and recently to Cape Town (fabulous!!) so you could combine the two and see a really interesting country. We rented a car and drove on the wrong side of the roads just fine! The drive from Joburg to Madikwe is about 4 hrs. I really hope you decide to go--it's an amazing trip of a lifetime!
Please ask away--I'm sure Ive only scratched the surface of your questions.
Mateya Safari Lodge, Madikwe, South Africa Mount Kenya Safari Club, The, Nanyuki, Kenya Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Gansbaai, South Africa