Bundubasher, I think we both say the same things but in different ways. While in some parks such as Amboseli, its compulsory to follow the main road, in Masai Mara everyone is allowed to drive off the main road, which indeed means following the pre-existing wild trails.
As for taking a guide... I do believe it's a good thing to do to be able to spot wildlife, and an abolute requirement for someone who's not living in Africa. I do not believe newcomers would be spontaneously able to find their way in the Mara, or to know how to properly react when facing an angry elephant, which does happen. Now after a while, it's also nice to drive on your own in absolute freedom. And not everyone is dumb to the point of driving over three cheetahs.
