The place we stayed at was fairly full (maybe 15 couples)

But I don't think there was another place nearby and when we went out for the game drive we never saw the others. But that's the problem with the Mara - there are hundreds of tourist vehicles and it's crap when they're queueing up to see a bunch of lions munching on a wildebeest arse.

Experience Africa? Well, not really because you're largely coccooned from it. I believe there are places owned by local villagers that are more down to earth; but you'll end up with a load of t**ttish backpackers on daddy's credit card... Suppose you could do it yourself and hire a guide; but you'll probably get eaten by a hippo. Talking of which, years ago a mate went on a trip down the Zambezi river - two canoes; kipping on the river side under just a mosquito net. She said it was incredible until one night when they were all asleep, a lion wandered in and damn near killed a S. African bloke...

Posted By: BerlinCanary, Oct 25, 17:52:16