Safari Adventure | Ray and Shelley's Retirement Adventures

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.

Lions laying on the road along the way to the balloon launch area.

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.

Balloon crew preparing the balloon for take off. They use a large fan to fill the balloon with air then add hot air to raise it up.

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.

Captain Rosa explaining the balloon and how we were to enter into it.

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.

Our positions in the balloon for takeoff and landing.

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.

Our group in the balloon as we drifted across the Serengeti.

The view of the balloon as we drifted through the air of the Serengeti

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.

Ray and Shelley enjoying the coffee and views.

Ray with his cup of coffee floating over the Serengeti.

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

Pride of lions looking up at us as we drift overhead.

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.

A small monkey walking through the tent area at our breakfast.

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.

Shelley in front of the rock portrait in the Lion King movie.

It was another fabulous day with amazing experiences.

“Kuishi kwingi kuona mengi”

Today was our first day on safari and our driver and safari guide Omare picked us up at the hotel early.

Shelley and Ray on day one getting picked up by safari guide..

Our safari began in Tarangire National Park which is considered one of the most interesting places in Tanzania. From there we would drive further and further into the depths of Tanzania and the Serengeti.

Ray and Shelley at the entrance to Tarangire National Park.

The Tarangire river flows through the park, many animals like Elephants, zebras, buffaloes and antelopes come to drink.

Tarangire River in the Tarangire National Park

In the dry season, the Tarangire River becomes the only source of drinking water for many kilometers around. Because of this, large herds of elephants come to Tarangire, making Tarangire the home to the largest population of elephants in Northern Tanzania for most of the year.

A small herd of zebras in Tarangire National Park

This of course also attracts predators, which is why there are a lot of lions in the Tarangire park.

Tarangire National Park is also known for its ancient baobab trees. These massive trees are larger and older than any other park in continental Africa. The scenery of the park along with these unique and majestic looking trees is simply stunning.

Two of the many Baobab trees in Tarangire National Park.

The Baobab tree is quite fascinating, it has been carbon dated and is believed that it may live up to 3000 years old. The trunk of the tree can be very large. The largest circumference on record is 47 meters.

A single Boabab Tree in the Tarangire National Park

We came across many Baobab trees throughout our time on the safari. The trunk of the tree stores large amounts of water. Elephants chew the bark during the dry season for the water.

A herd of elephants slowing walking through the Tarangire

Elephants are not at all intimidated by the safari vehicles and they often come quite close to the cars. Since elephants have no enemies in their natural habitat they are curious and unafraid.

Entrance to Safariland in the Tarangire National Park.

As we were driving through the park towards the Ngorongoro Crater. We stopped part way along the way at a gift store called Safariland.

Ray at the base of the giant elephant near the entrance of safariland.

They had pieces of art and wood carvings for sale made from local Ebony.

There was a local carver doing work while we were there.

After driving in the Tarangire Park for most of the day we reached our first stop for the night. The Ngorongoro Marera Mountain view Lodge was a surprise to us. We didnt expect it to be as nice as it was.