Balloon Safari
So far I had gone on various game drives in the Serengeti Park. I had spotted a lot of animals and had a great time driving through these fabulous natural surroundings.
Today I experienced a completely new perspective on the National Park. Instead of driving around, I watched things from above – sailing in a balloon high above the wide plains.
The history
A balloon safari is actually a great thing to do. It’s not only that you see things from a different angle – the balloon ride itself is also a happening. As balloons were the first flying machines, balloon flights have a long history. One of our pilots told us the whole story beginning with the French King Louis XVI. This king was definitely interested in the balloon-flying project by the Montgolfier brothers. He wanted to put two criminals into the first manned balloon – well, just in case something happened. But on the other hand – what if the flight were successful? Criminals as national heroes? So it was decided that Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier (some claim that the word “pilot” had its origins in his name) and François Laurent d’Arlandes took this first flight and they mastered it successfully.
Balloon flight
My flight with our pilot Mohamed Masudi, of Serengeti Balloon Safaris, was obviously also successful. And not only that – it was fantastic! After an exciting start I enjoyed a very pleasant flight. It is so relaxing gliding through the fresh air, watching the sunrise over the Serengeti.
Actually I was once again on the track of some well-known people! Besides staff from National Geographic, the BBC and the Discovery Channel, Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake had enjoyed a flight with our pilot.
Champagne
After our landing we had the glass of champagne that has accompanied balloon flying from the very first days. It was a tradition to bring a bottle with you from your local winery on your journey to present to the local landowners. The landowners often had no idea what a balloon was and, to prevent them attacking these “monsters”, it was a good idea to share a glass or two of champagne with them - “and now it’s just an excuse to drink champagne at eight o’clock in the morning”, concluded our pilot.
Breakfast in the wild
So after having experienced a new perspective on the Serengeti, we experienced a new perspective on breakfast. It was right in the middle of the Park as well. They arranged a long table and chairs under a huge acacia tree in the middle of nowhere. We had a tasty meal there and we all agreed that this was a memorable day full of fabulous new experiences!
Special
The letter for today is:
01
Serengeti National Park before sunrise
02
Filling the balloon with hot air
03
Serengeti from above
04
Giraffes are looking at the balloon shadow
05
Breakfast in the Serengeti National Park
