Booking national park jeep safaris directly vs through hotel - pros and cons?

You can book directly with jeep drivers or small agencies near the parks, but quality varies hugely. Good drivers know animal movements, have radio contact with other jeeps, and speak decent English. Hotels often have vetted drivers and can arrange everything (pickup, permits, timing). You might pay a bit more through a hotel but it removes risk. If you're confident and have time to research, direct booking can save money and give more choice. For first-timers or families, hotel arrangement is usually smoother.