Day four of our safari began with another incredible adventure. We bought tickets to a hot air balloon ride with a company called Miracle Experience. It was an amazing adventure that started our day very early with a pick up at 4:30 am at our tent. It was still dark outside and we could hear lions in the distances. The driver then drove us to the launching area of the hot air balloon ride. Along the trail not very far from our camp in fact, we came across lions laying down in the middle of the trail. We had to stop and wait for them to slowly move out of our way. 

We arrived at the launch area  and we were able to watch the crew set up the balloon for the launch. It was quite interesting to see how they work together to do it.

Our Pilot was Captain Rosa Parera a Spanish women who also flew hot air balloons in Calgary, Alberta for several years. She was very energetic with a pleasant personality and full of passion for the job. She explained to us  how the basket worked and how we would enter it. She did an overall briefing explaining the landing process and other facts about the balloon.

The basket holds sixteen passengers and the pilot.  As the balloon was almost ready to raise up we entered the balloon and took our positions for takeoff. 

The Balloon was filled with hot air and we were airborne and gently drifted upwards with only the sounds of the basket creaking and the roar of the flame when needed to raise us up higher.

We could see the sun rising on the horizon as we quietly floated upwards and gained a larger view of just how magnificent the Serengeti truly is. The pictures do not give justice to the amazing views and sensations of floating slowly and quietly over the landscape of the Serengeti.

At one point Captain Rosa took us up to around 300 meters or 1000 feet to give us a 360 degree view of the Serengeti landscape.

After our spectacular 360º view Rosa provided us with a cup of coffee or tea. We relaxed enjoying a cup as we drifted quietly overhead of the different animals below. 

We drifted over a pride of lions which were watching us in curiosity. 

After an hour in the air we slowly drifted downwards until we landed in a flat clear area in the Serengeti. The landing was very smooth and the basket softly flipped onto the side as intended.

Once we landed the support crew arrived a few minutes later. We celebrated the landing with our Captain by having a toast with champaign. 

After everyone had champaign, we headed back to the camp area for a full english style breakfast. We arrived and were greeted with a welcome song and dance by the staff.

It was a very warming gesture and the custom here. It made us smile and feel welcomed.  The food was amazing and everything was done perfectly. We even had a local visitor, a small monkey come to checkout all the fuss.

They presented everyone with a certificate of the flight.  The breakfast lasted about an hour and everyone was able to chat and talk about their experience. There were people who were celebrating special occasions in the group. Miracle Experience even had several cakes made for them. It was so well organized and planned out.  

 When the breakfast was done and we were heading out we got a picture with our pilot, Captain Rosa Parera

It was such a spectacular adventure and something that we will cherish and remember for years to come.

Our driver picked us up after our breakfast feast and we did a safari drive. We were fairly close to the Serengeti Visitor Centre, so we stopped there to check it out. 

Serengeti was the inspiration for Disney’s “Lion King” feature film. There is one scene where the baby lion is held up on a large rock.

The rock represented in the movie is believed to be the rock at the Serengeti Visitor centre.

It was another fabulous day with amazing experiences. 

“Kuishi kwingi kuona mengi”