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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.
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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.
Masai Mara Balloon safari price: US $380 per person
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