A Balloon Ride in Kenya: See Maasai Mara’s Majesty
Most travel “bucket lists” lead with an African Safari. Or at least rank as a top three destination experience. The movie, “Out of Africa” and the works of Isak Dinesen were all I needed.
Meryl Streep’s rhapsodic soliloquy in the film’s opening scenes, “I had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills,”
inspired my Kenyan odyssey, a trip I completely under-estimated for sheer wonder. I enjoyed every single astonished moment in country. The animals, of course. Giraffe, zebra, hippos. Ostrich.
And The Big Five: the elephant, buffalo, leopard. lion and rhino, so-called because they were considered the most difficult animals to hunt on foot in the last 19th and early 20th century.
So what should you see if you want to approximate the wonder of the Out of Africa Experience? Start in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, and head southwest. To the Ngong Hills and the Maasai Mara. Then book a hot air balloon tour of the Mara.
Take a Balloon Ride
The perspective offered from the vantage point of a hot air balloon ride at sunrise is magical. To appreciate the scale of this landscape and the size of the herds of animals grazing in the Maasai Mara, nothing equals a hot-air balloon adventure.
I met our group in the pre-dawn chill of a September morning. The pictures below give you an idea of the experience.
We finished our trip with a wonderful catered champagne breakfast. Echoes of what I imagined Karen von Blixen’s hospitality might have been. Then we headed farther southwest to the Tanzanian border. For these views…
and a quick stop to introduce ourselves and show our appreciation for the Maasai welcome.
Many Kenyan companies offer hot air ballon rides over the Mara…they average about $450 per person and include a variety of amenities, such as the breakfast we enjoyed. Trips are weather dependent so be sure and check cancellation and refund policies. Also, not recommended for travelers with significant back issues as landings can be a bit rough.
Related Posts
Unraveling The Best and Biggest Mysteries of Machu Picchu
What is Machu Picchu? There is no reference to Machu Picchu in Inca literature or …
October 28, 2024
“Si!” to Peru’s Signature Delicacies, Ceviche and Pisco Sours
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country’s authentic cuisine with …
October 26, 2024
Dress up night!
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country`s authentic cuisine with seafood as a highlight.
High in the Andes Mountains of Peru live direct descendents of the ancient Inca people, invaded by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500`s. This indigenous group of people are called the Q`ueros.
#abroadtravelingabroad #incahistory #incatrail #peru #sacredvalley #seniortravel #shaman #soloseniortravel #solotravel #womentravelingsolo
Although the trail to the remarkable Inca engineering and cultural achievement called Machu Picchu is Peru`s most famous destination, Cañon del Colca, or Colca Canyon is a grand and extraordinary experience...one not to miss!
#abroadtravelingabroad #colcavalley #condors #peru #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel
We did it! #Machupicchu #incatrail #wiracocha #abroadtravelingabroad #hirambingham #sevenwonders
Sacred Valley of the Incas #ollyantaytambo #peru #wiraquocha #abroadtravelingabroad
Near Saqsayhuaman Inca site #shaman #shamanism #perushaman #healingrituals #abroadtravelingabroad
Island life #uros #urosfloatingislands #laketiticacaperu #Peru #abroadtravelingabroad
Colca Valley #condors #chivay #andes #andeancondor #abroadtravelingabroad #peru #inca #incatrail #colcacanyon
A day in Arequipa, La Ciudad Blanca #santacatalinamonastery #laiglesiadelacompañíadejesús #elmisti #ceviche #peru
Croatia`s Secret Genius: Sculptor, Artist, Designer...Meet my friend Ivan Midzic
#abroadtravelingabroad #croatia #ivanmidzic #jewelry #midzojewellry #midzoart #rovinj #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shopping #soloseniortravel #solotravel #steuphemia #statementjewelry #womentravelingsolo
Before landing in Tokyo I was perfectly content with a plastic tray of grocery store wannabe sushi.
Not any more.
#abroadtraveingabroad #bestsushiever #keioplazahotel #kuybeyrestaurant #nigiri #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #sushi #tokyo #travelsafetyabroad #womentravelingsolo
Thousands of vermilion Torii gates blazing in the August sun which straddle a network of trails behind its main shrines. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
#abroadtravelingabroad #FushimiInariTaisha #kyoto #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shinto #soloseniortravel #solotravel #toriigates #womentravelingsolo
A morning walk along the Miyagawa River finds farmers and craftspeople selling sansai (mountain vegetables), wasakana (river fish) along with selections of local pottery and vintage kimonos repurposed as ornate handbags and a subtle rainbow of silk jackets.
#abroadtravelingabroad #japan #japanesefestival #onsen #sake #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #takayama #womentravelingsolo
7th Annual Hawthorne Family Cooking Class #chefalyssas #thaifood #familytime
An afternoon at Tokyo`s Tsujiki Outer Market introduced me to the art of Japanese shopping. This is Japan’s “Food Town,” featuring every imaginable traditional Japanese food.
https://abroadtravelingabroad.com/japans-ultimate-shopping-experience-at-tsukiji-and-nishiki-markets/
Maiko Performance #Kyoto #maiko #geishamakeup #japan #abroadtravelingabroad
Kyoto #🈲 #abroadtravelingabroad #goldenpavilion #kimono
Bullet train to Kyoto station late afternoon. Massive complex with floors packed with luxury designer shops, restaurants and 10 floors of the Isetan department store! Kyoto Tower replicates a lighthouse design. Looking forward to its topmost view tomorrow. @abroadtravelingabroad
Hello Kyoto #kyoto #kyotostation #everythingyouneed #abroadtravelingabroad #japaneseculture #japanesefood #japanesefashion
Leave A Comment