Serengeti Plain - the Balloon Ride
Seeing the Serengeti from above is an entirely different experience.
We got ourselves out of bed at 4 AM and took about an hour drive over dirt roads to the launch site.
There were 16 people to a balloon and four balloons were in play - total of 64 warriors.
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We had a small delay en route. Some Lions had spent the night sleeping on and near the road. They took their time moving away.  |
The crew was busy inflating the balloon and we were aware in good order.   |
 Our pilot for the day was Captain Shawn Glover, from Canada. He gave us a great tour with maximum elevation of about 1,200 feet.  |
What you see below are the many animal paths that criss-cross the plain.  |
To the bottom left is just one of many herds of Wildebeests.  |
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As you can see, the plains and the herds of Wildebeests and Zebras are massive. Wish we had aerial shots of the buffalo herds on the Great Plains of America.  |
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And, way in the distance, we spotted a Lion pride crossing the plain - 12 lions.  |
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We made it back, safe and sound. The crew got right to work packing up.  |
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Of course any proper balloon ride ends with a champagne toast......  |
.....Wildebeests n the background included!  |
The toast was nearly in the middle of the herd. |
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And just to wrap up the morning, we had a champagne breakfast in the bush....   |
....wonderful outing!  |
Oh yes - we passed! |
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