July 23, 2025
Balloon Tour
When setting up our tour we had the option of choosing to go on a balloon safari over the Maasai Mara. I didn’t hesitate in signing up. I may have had a little question about my decision when I found we had to leave the hotel at 5 a.m., but after getting up in the air, all questions were removed. This was definitely a good decision. The weather was perfect and the views were spectacular.
After being in the air for about an hour we landed and were then taken by Land Rover to a champagne breakfast on the savannah. It was a great end to a great morning.
Early morning get-together.
Inflating the balloon
Sunrise, as we take off.
One of the other balloons
The Mara River
The Mara River
Hippos in the Mara River
Zebras from above.
Hippos performing a synchronized swimming routine (not really).
Trees filled with egrets (?)
A lone Cape Buffalo
A carcass of some kind.
Giraffes from the air.
Elephants
A lone hippo
Gathering up the balloon after we landed.
An upset elephant on the way to breakfast.
Do you see the lions? This is why one stays in the vehicles.
This is what was in the grass.
Mom and the three cubs started strolling down the road.
Champagne breakfast on the savannah.
Our pilot with certificates for each of us.
The Land Rovers ready to take us back to our lodges.
Maasai Village
After lunch and a short break we were off to visit a Maasai Village. These farmers still live in traditional villages and follow many of their traditional ways. We were first welcomed and given some background information. We were treated to a fire-starting exhibition, followed by the Maasai men welcoming us. We were then taken in and shown a couple houses after which we were welcomed by the Maasai women. Our visit ended with a visit to their souvenir market. I was a little disappointed as I was hoping to find more original souvenirs other than the same things we had seen in roadside shops along the way.
Maasai Mara Game Drive
On the way to and then on the way back from the Maasai Village, we did a game drive. We spent quite some time watching a herd of elephants.
The view from my room.
We're pretty sure this one is pregnant.
More impalas
Southern ground hornbill
Southern ground hornbill (female)
Hyena
Hyena
Zebras and Gazelles watching the Hyena carefully.