Kenyan Adventure – Day 10

A few days earlier a special opportunity presented itself to the group. We had the chance to sign up for a hot air balloon ride across the Mara. For years Cathy has been trying to convince me to take a hot air balloon ride. However, due to the fact that I am terrified by heights I have always politely declined. Now, declining to take a ride over Napa Valley is one thing, but drifting across the African savannah is another. The opportunity was too good to pass up and we signed up immediately.

The bad news was that the take off point was quite a ways from the Mara Intrepids where we were staying. We were forced to get up at 4 am for the drive to the launch site. It was pitch dark outside as the two gentlemen from the balloon company picked us up. We drove for an hour over the roughest roads that I have ever been on, in complete darkness. I have no idea how they found their way, but they did.

We arrived and found two 12 passenger hot air balloons ready to be inflated. However, first we had to go through security!!! Apparently the launch site is close to the border of Tanzania and the Tanzanian government is terrified of being attacked by camera toting tourists in hot air balloons. After the security personnel had wanded us, and verified that we were not carrying any air to surface missiles, we were allowed to approach the balloons. Our group of 8 along with 4 others boarded one balloon while another group of 12 took the other. Before I knew it we were floating. For the next 90 minutes we drifted over the savannah. Our altitude varied from 100 ft to over 1000 ft. It was unbelievably quiet (except when the burners were ignited) and peaceful. Thankfully the height did not bother me at all except when I looked straight down. I only did that once.

 

While it was a bit hazy that morning we saw a beautiful sunrise and a fair amount of wildlife. But mostly we just drifted along and enjoyed the view. Landing was very smooth and we disembarked for a champagne breakfast on the Mara. It was certainly an amazing experience.

It was still early, barely 8 am, so we were off in search of more animals. We passed another herd of elephants and continued on. Up in a tree we spotted a pair of very unique birds, saddle billed storks. These were large, colorful birds with a unique yellow “saddle” on the bridge of the beak. Beautiful!

Saddlebilled Stork

As we continued on we once again came across a group of lions. This time there were 5 females and 3 cubs. The cubs were so cute we had to stay and watch them for awhile. It is amazing how many of their behaviors are similar to those of our own house cats.

 

We also spied the largest herd of cape buffalo that we had seen yet. The herd covered most of a hillside. One thing that is common with almost all of the grazing animals (buffalo, zebra, rhinos, giraffe, etc.) is that they are often accompanied by small birds that eat insects and ticks off the animals. In this case you can see a red and yellow billed oxpecker on the back of the cape buffalo. We also came across a herd of our old friend the Topi.

Cape Buffalo Herd

Cape Buffalo with Red and Yellow Billed Oxpecker

Topi

 By now it was late in the morning and we headed back to camp. However, on the way we came across one more unique and colorful bird, the Southern Ground Hornbill.

Southern Ground Hornbill

After lunch, our guide Henry, gave us a talk about the Maasai people and their culture. It was very interesting. The Maasai are polygamous, the men taking up to 3 wives. Henry also talked about the importance of circumcision. Circumcision is a rite of passage from boys when they reach puberty. They are expected to endure circumcision with no anesthetic and without showing the slightest grimace of pain. To do so will result in great dishonor.

Unfortunately for Henry, those of us who had been up since 4 am were having trouble staying awake. It was time for a nap before the second game drive.

Once again we headed out looking for a leopard. It was the only animal that had so far eluded us. And it would continue to do so. However, we visited a small marshy area where a crowned crane had just hatched three chicks the day before. Not only did we get to see the crane but the chicks as well. This was indeed something special.

Crowned Crane with Chicks

We never found our leopard. In yesterday’s post I showed a photo of a tree full of weaver nests. We found an even better example on this afternoon. Here you can see the tree full of nests along with masked weavers and village weavers.

Tree with weaver nests, Masked Weavers and Village Weavers

Thus ended a very long day and we could not wait to get to bed. Tomorrow would be our last day at Masai Mara and it was going to be a very exciting day.