Maasai Mara National Reserve is a world-renowned wildlife destination, home to an extensive population of animals and one of the world’s natural wonders: The Great Wildebeest Migration. Among the many reasons travelers visit, this park is for the opportunity to take hot air balloon safaris. They are popular as day trips from Nairobi and as part of longer itineraries combining Kenya’s capital with stays in Masai Mara. Many travelers plan trips to Kenya’s Masai Mara for over a year or include it in their travel wish list items.
Most tourists prefer the balloon safari over the other options because it allows them to see the Masai Mara from above, which is impossible by any other means of transportation. Of course, some people are afraid of heights, and some may have a bad case of vertigo, but this does not stop most vacationers from enjoying this once in a lifetime activity.
The balloon team will wake you early in the morning and have you drink tea or coffee. Soon after, you will begin to fill up the balloon. You will be briefed on where to sit safely and how to get into your seat. Then, once the balloon is filled with enough air and everyone is settled, we will take off! You may go as high as 20 ft., 50 ft., or 200 ft. in the air. From there, you’ll see a lot of scenery! Soon after we take off, you’ll be able to see the sunrise over the horizon behind us in a spectacular burst of color. This will make everything seem pink or orange around you! The winds will carry us along slowly as we search for animals on the ground below. At first, all you may see is grasslands or plains stretching out before us. But as time goes by and we travel farther away from our point of takeoff, more and more details of wildlife will become visible from our vantage point in the sky!
After the balloon is inflated, it is ready to be boarded by passengers. As you board, you will see the Masai Mara landscape changing below as it gets smaller and smaller. The river below looks like a thin black line. You can see animals such as zebras and giraffes roaming freely. The river looks smooth from above, with long grasses near the water’s edge. As the pilot takes the balloon up to much higher altitudes, you probably see the full extent of the Masai Mara plains that stretch from horizon to horizon around you. Kenya’s hot air balloon will end after an hour. It is a relaxing experience for most travelers as they will enjoy the flight, look around and take photos in all directions. After that, the safari tour guide will take you & the rest of your group for further game drive adventure.
Conclusion
A hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara is a transformative experience for most travelers in Kenya. Do you think Africa is stunning on the ground? It could be even more than that when you see its savannahs, rivers, and forests above the sky. Nothing compares to gazing down upon a vast herd of wildebeests moving across the plains & the delight of staying between the sky and wildlife! One hour up in the sky is enough to see all there. This is what it feels like gliding, floating, and sailing in a hot air balloon over the incomparable Masai Mara. Let Drunken Elephant Mara arrange a flight for you and your party to enjoy this incredible moment.
Authors Bio
This article is by Drunken Elephant Mara—the premier safari camp and operator offering exclusive hot air balloon safaris in Kenya’s Masai Mara.