That's a really awesome trip you had there. I like the fact that you actually thought of bringing supplies and toys for the children. I am from Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe and I can relate much to those children. The 1st twelve years of my life, I attended schools like the one pictured and nobody brought anything nice haha. It's true that by planning your own trip you can save a lot on the costs. The other idea is to travel in groups in which cases travel companies often do not pass down the discounts they get for traveling groups. It's my hope that, through a platform like Steemit, we collaborate and find ways to make travel cheaper and the experience even more enriching. I have observed tourists go on a 'village tour' for 30mins! This village is usually a commercialised and fabricated copy of the real village life were you meet people more or less programmed to say and act in a certain way to please tourists attractions. Travel companies are limited by a number of things including maximising their profit whilst providing the basic minimum experience to please the tourist. There are also many good alternatives for accommodation if one is on a tight budget.

I wish tourists could spend more time with random locals, visit a real homestead and have a normal meal that the family eats. Through this type of experience more connections are established, more information is shared and the ordinary people(not imposters!) are rewarded.

Your experience traveling in Africa is invaluable, if you dont mind please share more of the stories that go along with the places and the people. Great pictures you took there and I hope that wounded lion recovered quickly! Above all, thank you for caring!