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Up, Up, and Away

10/18/18 | Africa, African Safari, Kenya, Masai Mara, Travel

Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Balloon Lit Up

Up, up, and away was the first title that came to mind when writing this post and I don’t really anything could be more apt.  When looking over the itinerary for my Kenya and Tanzania trip this Summer then number one things that popped out at me was the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the Masai Mara. 

Advertised as, “Ballooning over the plains of the Masai Mara” it really was a moment I will never forget even if we did have to wake up at 4am to get there in time.  Sitting tipped at a 90 degree angled wednged in next to my brother awaiting takeoff reminded me so much of our childhood car rides, though we get along much better now.  Seeing the balloons light up in the pre-dawn and the animals scatter as we took off was beautiful.  We skimmed the trees for almost an hour before touching down for a champagne breakfast in the bush.  

Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Group in the BasketMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Pre Dawn TakeoffMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Balloon Taking OffMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Early MorningMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - FlamesMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Group Shot

And then it when it was time to land the balloon sadly had to deflate and it was a bit sad watching it go down but we did manage to get a few photos, including a nice family one, before it did so! 

Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Kelly at the EndMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Family ShotMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - KellyMasai Mara Hot Air Balloon Ride - Deflating the Balloon

Have you ever been in a hot air balloon? 

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Comments

  1. Lucy says

    October 28, 2018 at 6:46 pm

    This looks like such a cool experience – so neat you got to share it with your family!

  2. Erwin Keren says

    October 20, 2018 at 1:18 pm

    It must be a fun adventure, I know that you enjoy it so much. But I’m afraid of heights. Anyway, the pictures are very good, I like your photos.

  3. Liz says

    October 19, 2018 at 7:14 am

    I don’t really like heights but would love to do one of these. Do you think it’s worth it for me to try?It looks like an unbelievable experience. Did you feel really safe?

  4. Sally says

    October 18, 2018 at 7:17 pm

    I have been toying with the idea of surprising my boyfriend with a hot air balloon ride to celebrate our 3rd first date anniversary.

    He will be so excited if we have half as good a time as you did. Thanks for the nudge.

  5. Courtney says

    October 18, 2018 at 5:50 pm

    I never realized how large those hot air balloons are. They looked enormous in your pictures. I also can’t believe it can carry that many people. Make like the trip of a lifetime.

  6. Aimee says

    October 18, 2018 at 9:33 am

    I have never been on a hot air balloon ride and this just popped it to the top of my list. The colors in your photos are fantastic and I am glad that you got up early to experience a once in a lifetime event.

    Fantastic photos and made me feel like I was right there with you.

Hi, I am Kelly and welcome to Sparkles and Shoes, a fashion, travel, and lifestyle blog.  I am a New York City girl at heart but I moved to London in the Spring of 2018!

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