Kenya - Masai Mara Safari by Hot Air Balloon

Good way to see wildlife and experience the expanse of the reserve

Mar 18, 2007

See Africa's wild animals up close as you drift quietly over the African savanna. Good opportunites for photographing herds of elephants, wildebeast and many others.

It’s a great way to see wildlife and it beats bumping along in a land rover any day. For one thing it’s peaceful - apart from the occasional blasts of hot air - and for another you have a fantastic panoramic view of the Masai Mara unfolding beneath you.

Kenya - The Balloon Takes Off

You have to rise early, around 4 a.m, in order to meet up with your very own Phileas Fogg. You’ll probably find your hot air balloon being held down by a half a dozen Masai. You climb into the basket, Phileas turns knobs, and twiddles with other bits and pieces; and a blast of hot air shoots up and swells the balloon into a brilliant colourful canopy over your head. A few more blasts and the letting go of guy ropes and the balloon rises softly and swiftly over the heads of the startled animals below.

The situation of the Masai people in relation to the Masai Mara arouses controversy. There is no doubt that their traditional way of life has been forever changed by the onset of tourism, but the Mara is owned by the Masai tribe and is run by the Narok County Council which is mainly Masai elected counsellors and they share in the financial benefits from tourism income.

This is the most popular of Kenya’s game parks. Almost every species of animal that exists in East Africa lives on this great grassy savannah in one of the most remote parts of the country. The place is teeming with herbivores, about 2.5 million of them, as well as a large number of lion, leopard, cheetah and the ubiquitous jackal.

The maximum height for a balloon safari is about two thousand feet which is great for all round views of the landscape. For closer inspection of the animals it can descend as low as one foot, near enough to zebras, giraffes and a small herd of elephants for excellent photo opportunities.

Drifting silently above this unspoilt, natural kingdom is somewhat surreal. A hot air balloon gets you to places other means of transport cannot reach and often a balloon safari is included as part of a broader safari trip. Many companies who offer all-in safari trips will organise trips to suit individual requirements. Whatever you choose - don’t miss out on the balloon trip.

The copyright of the article Kenya - Masai Mara Safari by Hot Air Balloon in Safaris/Jungle Travel is owned by Cathy Smith. Permission to republish Kenya - Masai Mara Safari by Hot Air Balloon in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.