In the last nine years as overland crew member, I have done and I have seen some amazing things. I have trekked the mountain gorillas in Uganda, seen 5 kills in the ‘Top’ National Parks both in Southern and Eastern Africa, been to Zanzibar, seen the great wildebeest migration in the Serengeti/Masai Mara, viewed magnificent sunrises over the dunes in the Namib Desert, embarked on scenic flights over the Victoria Falls and Okavango Delta: you name it… I have done it! BUT nothing compared to the experience I had a few weeks ago………
![Mara1]](https://acacia-africa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Mara1.jpg)
I was lucky enough to have had the chance to do a hot air Balloon Safari in the Masai Mara. What a mind blowing experience…WOW! Being a very nervous flyer by nature, I was a little worried on how the balloon would take off, but the reassurance of the ground crew quickly put me at ease. Here is how my amazing day unfolded:
It was a really early morning start with a pick up at 5am so that we could take off just before sunrise. The atmosphere on arrival was tense with all the other people waiting, like us, for their once in a lifetime experience. The 7 balloons with their baskets connected were laid out on the ground at the launch site, massive fans blowing air into each. Then the early morning silence was shattered by the hot air burners blowing hot into the balloons to inflate them. Quickly everyone was ushered into their baskets, all of us gripping on tightly to the edges in fear of the unknown.
As the burners filled the balloons, we had lift off, and a surprisingly smooth one at that. As we rose up above the African plains teeming with wildlife and views over the prolific wilderness, we were all in awe at the amount of game that could be seen. And, to make this even more exciting, we were in the middle of the wildebeest migration! With tens of thousands of wildebeest migrating between the Mara and the Serengeti on their quest for lush pastures we knew we would be in for a real treat but I must say it was better than I could have ever imagined!
As we glided about 50m above the ground with only a few spurts of hot air blown to keep us afloat, we were able to experience the Masai Mara, the herds of Wildebeest migrating for what it really was… A true spectacle! In the midst of the migrating animals, a herd of elephants drifted by, majestically a male lion guarded over his breakfast (a zebra). A serval cat, hyenas, porcupine, topi’s, and eland just to name a few walked below the shadows of our balloon without batting an eyelid as we silently hovered over their territories.
After enjoying the scenery, fresh air and the numerous game species spotted, it was time to head back. As we approached our landing spot, I had forgotten my original fear and before I knew it, with a few little bumps and a bit of a skid, we had landed.
Still shaking from the adrenalin rush and in silent awe of our shared experience, we were whisked away by 4×4 vehicles to the breakfast spot. The 5 star service team, hot towels to wash away the dust, an ice cold glass of champagne and a full breakfast all served under the shade of an ACACIA tree in the middle of the Mara was the icing of the cake. What more can you ask for?
It is by far the best experience I have ever had!! Yes it comes at a price, $500, but by far the best $500 you can ever spend in your life!!!!! But be warned, booking it in advance is essential. First in first serve as they say and flights sell quickly.
So, I asked the question again, WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING FOR THE 1ST TIME?
Visit the Masai Mara on our tours:
Kenya & Tanzania Adventure – KTA13
Mountain Gorillas to the Mara – MGM18
Written and images by: Tjaart (TJ) Le Roux – Acacia Operations