I have been on African Safari as well and that point instantly resonated with me. The 100s of 1000s of miles were theirs to freely roam around and do what they wanted - and the humans who came to see them are the ones in the cages (except that the cages moved around - in the form of a jeep with a guide).

I also used to wonder what is going on in the Lion's mind - some 10 jeeps surrounding it while it is resting in the shade and some oohs-and-aahs (and even though it is 1 pm, some idiot always has the flash-on by mistake).