With an early start today woke up at 4AM to embark on a once in lifetime kind of experience in a hot air balloon ride over the Mara plains. I was picked up by the ride operators “Ballon Safaris” at 5AM. The site was a about 30 mins from my resort and I enjoyed a VIP treatment through a open jeep sent to pick just me. On arrival at the site it was still pitch dark and they were filling the balloons with hot air. Soon after registration the captain Mr Spencer met us and briefed us on the flight norms, what to expect, how to climb in the basket and grouped the 10 people in the 4 chambers of the basket. I was paired up in the front seat with a sweet British lady traveling with her friends who were in the next cubicle.
The ride started quite smoothly and as the balloon rose up the ground I had an awesome view over the plains for miles to see. Soon the sun was rising and with the beautiful red and golden skies the wind took us in the westerly direction.
The pilot who is a Britisher is retired from his main job, does this pass time 4 months every year. Dream Job.. 😃. Pilot told us the history of the balloon rides over, how they started about 30 years ago and a lot of the things about the animals of Mara. He even did a 360 deg turn of the balloon so that everyone could get the sunrise pictures and see all around.
Flying low at about 50 ft and high about 1200 ft above the ground we saw a lot of Zebras, Antelopes, Topi, heard of elephants, and a few Hyenas running across the Mara.
The total flight time was 70 minutes and we landed near the Ashnil Camp. All along the flight the vehicles from the safari company kept following us to the landing site.
Took some group pictures after landing called locally as “Survivors Of Mara Balloon Ride”. The vehicles took us then to the breakfast site for a hot “Breakfast in the Bush”.
We were greeted by the people on the ground with Champagne and hot breakfast. I had a hearty breakfast with the rest of travelers and made some good new friends. Later we were presented with a certificate for the ride. It was an exhilarating experience of the balloon ride.
My safari driver was waiting for me at the breakfast site so I said bye to the group and headed with my morning safari in search for some more animals.
Just as we started I came across a Topi which given birth to a baby a minute ago. The baby still with its umbilical cord hanging was trying to stand up and walk. They get about 5 minutes to learn to walk as predators are in search always for new born. The baby was greeted by the mom and the baby finally got hold of the ground and suckled on the mom to gain energy. after witnessing all the killings by the big cats in past few days, to witness a new life born in mara was seeing the life make it’s full turn.It was a breathtaking experience.
We went again to the Mara river but no animal crossings. I was told that most Wildebeest had crossed back and headed back to the Serengeti. Saw some crocodiles and hippos lazing around in the river and then headed towards the grasslands. Soon I sighted the same female lion from previous days who had made a fresh kill of a Zebra today earlier.
Going towards the southern side of the park came across a heard of elephants with a very small baby. It was thrilling to see up close how the mom protects the baby keeping it close and in the shadows.
I decided to head back to the resort for hot lunch but on the way close to my camp I got to see the four Cheetah cubs and the mom. They also had made a kill today of a Warthog and were now resting and playing in the bushed with a full belly.
After lunch I rested and then started again for an last game drive at 4pm making it the evening sunset ride… All along I was unsuccessfully hunting the famous black maned male lion of the Mara but today in this last ride it was the time…
There they were.. a mating couple resting under some bushes. I was about 20 feet from the lion and what an thrill it was to see the majestic king of the forest so close. I can now relate why it is feared by all the animals. After some pictures I left them in peace and headed back to camp.
As the sun set over the Mara plains, with the golden hues in the sky I said goodbye to the Mara for thrilling experience of a lifetime and long due wish come true.
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Experience the complete Day 5 of my safari on my YouTube videos below. The videos are divided in two parts covering the Balloon safari and the late morning to evening safari.
Part 1
Part 2
Roads That We Crave For 
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