2024 African Safari Plus: Maasai Mara Hot Air Balloon (6/28/2024)

Friday, June 28, 2024

The young couple who shared game drives with us contemplated going on the hot air balloon ride, until they heard we had to leave at 4:30am!

We had requested to go to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, but were sent to a camp in a private concession, the Naboisho Conservancy. We are every glad we did, except that the hot air balloons were in the reserve, and it took us two hours to get there (and two hours back).

Tractors pulled trailers with all the equipment; however,
the company with whom we were booked, had a
problem with their crew refusing to work

Another company was taking off on time (KSS)

 We did not experience a sunrise hot air balloon ride ...

Eventually the crew began to set up the balloons, and
we received a safety briefing from the pilot, Spencer

Initially strong fans were used to quickly blow air in the balloon

Even our Maasai driver helped to spread out the balloon

Next the propane burners were used to inflate the balloon

The balloon's lift righted the basket,
which could hold 16 passengers

It was not easy to climb over the side of the basket to get into the compartment. We had to sit for take-off, but could stand once we were a meter off the ground. There was no sensation of leaving the ground.

But what is this? The reserve uses controlled burning to
improve grazing conditions for the Great Migration of
wildebeests and zebras that are to arrive in the next few months

The wind not only directs the hot air balloon,
but the smoke as well; and not an animal to be seen

There are four propane burners

Video from the hot air balloon

We skimmed the tree tops ...

... and went as high as 300 m/1,000'

We were in a group of five balloons

The shadow of our hot air balloon

Oops, the basket tipped over, which actually
made it easier to climb out

Heading to the included champagne breakfast,
we passed a female Panthera leo/Lion on a dirt pile (KSS)

She was part of a pride watching over a
herd of Syncerus caffer/Cape Buffalos,
where we saw a lion dash toward the buffalo,
 then run back, and a buffalo begin to charge
the lions, then back off

The lions and buffalo were being watched by a line of perhaps 30 safari vehicles. The Naboisho Conservancy limits observers to three vehicles.

Phacochoerus africanus/Warthogs run with their
skinny tails straight up in the air (KSS)

Look at this service: eggs cooked to order!

Bush breakfast

Papio anubis/Olive Baboons guard the border between
the reserve and the private concession (KSS)

Instead of controlled burning, Naboisho Conservancy allows the Maasai to graze their
cattle on the land, which keeps the grasses from growing too tall and encourages new growth

This safari vehicle had a roof that
could be raised for wildlife viewing

Next: Basecamp Wilderness Game Drives B.