If you are going to see animals you should go in the SA winter (June-August). The vegetation is thinner and you can see the animals, in the Summer the bush is often too think. It is also much cooler. The climate in the North is much different from Cape Town. Cape Town is more like San Diego and Jo-berg is more like Dallas's climate.

I don't know your specific lodge, but most are in the same area. Most have the same animals and the primary difference is accomodations. Often several lodges share one reserve.