Jack
The first thing I'd suggest is choose your traveling companion wisely. Sounds like that one's taken care of. When I was in Zimbabwe, I was with a good friend who had lived there for the better part of a decade. It was great spending a month there with someone who knew the country so well.
If you have opportunities to do some foot safaris, take em. Seeing game from a vehicle is enjoyable but not the same as face to face. Along with that, see if you can opt for a night or two of "real camping"
. I spent a few nights sleeping with a ground mat/sleeping bag under the African sky in Hwange National Park. You'll never see a more amazing sky or hear more things go bump in the middle of the night. Hwange is a "park" in name only. You are required to be accompanied by a PH while you're camping there. My PH Dennis Paul had a Win Mdl 70 .375 H&H with us at all times.
Try as much game meat as you can while there. My favorites were warthog and eland.
I can't speak for the part of Africa you'll be in, but the people I came in contact with were very friendly. If you reciprocate that friendliness, I think it will make your trip all the more enjoyable.
You won't regret going Jack. I hope I may return someday.
All the best
Marcus
__________________
"Nowadays, when one is forced to cross the country in a few hours and drink three-day-old beer, ain't it a pleasure to know, as I'm sure you do, that good friends, good bourbon, and good tobacco are slowly made."
Gene Hill
www.cure.org