Hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara

For a balloon ride over the Masai Mara you have to get out of bed early. We stayed at Zebra Plains Mara Camp And our alarm went off around 4:45 AM. Not much later, we were standing outside, ready to depart in the jeep towards the take-off site. In the dark, it was about a 45-minute drive from our accommodation. Along the way, you hardly see anything of the surroundings. Occasionally, the headlights shine on an animal along the road, but otherwise, it is mostly quiet in the savannah in the early morning.

Upon arrival, the crew of Balloon Safaris Kenya was already ready. Two balloons were to take to the skies this morning, and the people were divided up. While large fans slowly filled the balloons with air, we received a briefing from our pilot, Rodrigo.

Boarding went differently than I was used to from my previous balloon flights. We had to get in while the basket was still lying on its side. This made for a comical scene that made us laugh out loud.

Unfortunately, we were unlucky with the weather. A heavy rain shower hung in the distance, making the sunrise less colorful than hoped. At the same time, however, the dark clouds over the savannah created a special atmosphere.

The balloon rises slowly. Within a few minutes, the people and jeeps on the ground become smaller and smaller, and only then do you truly see how vast the Masai Mara actually is. From the air, the savannah seems to stretch on endlessly. Occasionally, you see animals darting through the landscape like tiny dots. Otherwise, it is mostly quiet above the savannah, and you only hear the balloon's burner every now and then.

That feeling is totally different from, for example, Cappadocia. There, especially at the beginning of the flight, you look at the dozens of other balloons in the sky. That is also very spectacular, but here in the Masai Mara, it is all about nature. During our flight, only two balloons went up at the same time, so it never felt crowded or touristy. You are much more focused on the landscape and the animals than on other balloons.

Quite soon, we see giraffes walking among the bushes. Not much later, buffaloes, hippos, and a few hyenas follow. Perhaps the most surprising sight was the cheetah we see lying from the air. We hadn't expected that at all. The cheetah was lying in the tall grass right next to the dirt road. There is a good chance you would completely overlook the animal from a jeep.

A huge group of impalas or gazelles, in particular, made an impression. From the air, we saw the entire herd suddenly start running away through the landscape. Rodrigo occasionally lowered the balloon a little, allowing us to see the animals even better.

On a regular game drive, you often look at animals at eye level. From the balloon, you get a completely different view of the surroundings and see much better how animals move through the landscape.

After flying for about an hour, the balloon began to slowly descend towards the savannah. We even spotted a secretary bird in the bushes just before landing. The balloon touched the ground three times and then came to a gentle stop.

Not much later, the crew is already ready to pick us up. First, photos are taken of the group with the balloon in the background. Then we drive to an open clearing in the middle of the savannah where breakfast is waiting for us. Tables are set in the middle of the bush, and we are served a glass of champagne. There is even a toilet set up with a view over the savannah.

The breakfast is quite extensive. There are rolls, fresh fruit, and fresh omelets are being made. Meanwhile, the first photos are being looked at and stories from the flight are being exchanged. We also received an official flight certificate with our names on it to take home.

A hot air balloon ride in the Masai Mara is not cheap. Still, I found this to be one of the most beautiful activities of our trip through Kenya.

Perhaps it helps that I have something to compare it to. I previously took a balloon ride in Jordan where there was hardly any wind. As a result, we barely moved forward and kept hovering in the same spot. Cappadocia is beautiful, especially when many other balloons take off. The many balloons in the sky create a magical atmosphere, and as soon as the sun is up, you can enjoy the unique landscape.

The balloon ride over the Masai Mara feels completely different. Here, it is much more about the landscape and the wildlife below you. From the air, we saw quite a bit of wildlife. Sometimes it almost felt like we were flying over the landscape of The Lion King like birds.

A hot air balloon ride is a significant expense, but I would absolutely want to do it again.

Balloon flights over the Masai Mara have existed for decades. The first commercial balloon flight took place here in 1976. Wildlife filmmaker Alan Root played a key role in the development of balloon flights over the African savannah.

We took our flight with Balloon Safaris Kenya, One of the best-known providers in the region. Our Portuguese pilot, Rodrigo, did a very good job. He knew how to descend at the right moments so that we could see the animals better. You could tell he had a lot of experience, as he mentioned that he had also flown in other parts of the world.

I visited Nairobi National Park during a tour of Kenya with Kipanga Adventures. In two weeks, we traveled through various national parks, lakes, and coastal areas in Kenya. We visited, among others, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Naivasha, Hell's Gate National Park, the Masai Mara, and Diani Beach.

The trip consisted of a combination of safaris, nature, local culture, and special encounters. From rhinos in Nairobi National Park to cycling among zebras in Hell's Gate and a hot air balloon ride over the Masai Mara.