@Ghost of LL @conVINCEd @52-80 @Orale fuck yeah, thats what im talking about. The insights you all have provided definitely confirmed somethings but also gave a different (but extremely helpful) perspective.
Here is where things are at right now. We are a pretty heavy lean on doing Kenya this trip (maybe SA in 10ish years when the kids are old enough to appreciate something like this). Right now it would likely be a combination of Maasai Mara, Samburu (with a side trip to Reteti elephant sanctuary) and Amboseli. Still in the August/September time-frame.
As far as games drives go, I am aware there will be thousands there at the same time with the same objective (especially at the river crossings), so the first hand experiences from @Ghost of LL and @52-80 were excellent. It is just the two of us going, and given that I never expected her to even consider going to Africa, we are mostly looking at the high end places. That is subject to change when dollar values start being brought up, but I am mentally preparing myself to likely pay more than I "want" to but that it will 100% be worth it for the experience and someone else taking care of every detail of the logistics of the trip.
Got a meeting with the Angama trip planners next week. I'll continue to chronicle this and ask more questions along the way I'm sure.