BALLOONING
OVER THE MASAI MARA
Visitors to the Masai Mara can experience the rare
excitement of game viewing from a hot air balloon.
In the crisp air of dawn, the passengers drink
coffee while the crew partially inflates the balloon
with enormous fans. The gas burners are then ignited
and the balloon fills with hot air slowly raising
the baskets. Before departing, finalized checks are
made, and the passengers then climb into the balloon
basket for a take off.
The balloons lift off just before sunrise when the
breeze on the plains is still cold. Once airborne,
the balloons are blown by the prevailing winds
across the broad landscape. Apart from the hiss of
the burners, the flight above the Masai Mara plains
is magically silent. The pilot controls the height
of the craft by regulating the flow of hot air into
the balloon. Sometimes the balloon will descend over
the plains for a close up view of the wildlife; on
other occasions, it rises to clear a tree canopy and
rise over the reverine forest.
At the end of the flight, the passengers are treated
to a champagne breakfast, complete with flowers.
China and crystal are set out on the table that is
placed under a convenient acacia tree. The finishing
touch to the flight is a game drive back to the
lodge or camp, and the possibility of seeing the
same pride of lions, or herd of elephants that had
been viewed while ballooning. Over a dozen balloons
depart from sites near six of the lodges and tented
camps. Our customers are often able to view four of
the 'Big Five' while ballooning. A flight
certificate is issued on completion of the balloon
safari.
Balloon safari price: US $395 - Us $ 425 per person
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