Balloon Safari
Taking a balloon trip is an incredible experience, especially in the Mara! You are awakened before dawn in time to dress warmly before being served tea and coffee prior to transferring to the balloon take-off area. Here, as the sky slowly begins to show pale streaks of light, you watch as the balloon is slowly inflated. The balloon slowly billows and swells and gently rises from the ground until, fully inflated, it hovers over the passenger basket, which is securely tethered to the ground.
The basket is divided into compartments, each holding two to four passengers. Once everyone is on board and comfortable, the pilot opens the burners to their full strength, the guy ropes are released and with a roar of gas flame, the balloon slowly and majestically rises into the air.
At a certain altitude the burners are shut down and you float silently over the vast plains of the Mara. Spread out below you, amongst flat-topped acacia tortilis, rocky kopjes and wood fringed streams, herds of wildebeeste, zebra, eland and gazelle graze. Buffalo and giraffe stir in the early dawn and sometimes hyena, lion and even cheetah can be seen. Following the wind’s path, the balloon wends it way over the plains. After about forty-five minutes, the pilot begins to lower the balloon in preparation for landing. This is the exciting part of the adventure!! As you glide earthwards, the pilot releases air by means of vents, and the balloon begins to deflate. As you touch down in a flat open area, the basket slides along the ground behind the balloon finally halting as the last of the air leaves the balloon.
Support vehicles that follow the balloons’ progress, arrive at the scene carrying the makings for a scrumptious breakfast. Indulge in fresh tropical fruit, muesli and eggs, bacon, sausages, tomatoes and mushrooms, straight from the frying pan over the gas burner on the balloon, and washed down with champagne as you celebrate your flight!
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