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Lynda S. | profile | all galleries >> Africa 2006 >> Maasai Mara June 7, 2006 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Maasai Mara June 7, 2006

We were up REALLY early this morning at 4:45 AM - but there was a good reason! Today was the day that we could cross off number two on our list of 101 Things To Do Before We Die - a balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. It was spectacular, and definitely something we will do again someday. Gliding across the tree tops, viewing the wildlife, a gentle landing, and a fabulous breakfast by the river - it was incredible. This was followed by a really long game run, complete with a cheetah who posed for us. After a great BBQ lunch, Jim and I relaxed at the camp for the afternoon, well OK, we napped - it was an early morning after all!
Inflating the balloon
Inflating the balloon		 The pilot adjusts the gauges
The pilot adjusts the gauges		 Sunrise over the Maasai Mara
Sunrise over the Maasai Mara		 The Mara as seen from above the trees
The Mara as seen from above the trees
Hippos on the Mara River
Hippos on the Mara River		 The Mara River
The Mara River		 Giraffe
Giraffe		 The other balloon
The other balloon
That's us!
That's us!		 A classic shot
A classic shot		 Still some colour in the sky
Still some colour in the sky		 Olooloo Escarpment
Olooloo Escarpment
Another classic shot.
Another classic shot.		 Hot gases filling the balloon envelope
Hot gases filling the balloon envelope		 Flying free (both us & the bird!) by the escarpment
Flying free (both us & the bird!) by the escarpment		 Mara River
Mara River
Skimming the trees
Skimming the trees		 Crossing off #2 on our list (2006) - Priceless!
Crossing off #2 on our list (2006) - Priceless!		 Champagne after a successful flight, with the pilot of the other balloon
Champagne after a successful flight, with the pilot of the other balloon		 A fabulous breakfast
A fabulous breakfast
The 'loo'
The 'loo'		 Maribu stork copy
Maribu stork copy		 This mound will do
This mound will do		 Scanning for breakfast copy
Scanning for breakfast copy
Thompson's gazelle
Thompson's gazelle		 20. Masai Mara - Cheetah will sit on the mounds (or climb on the vehicles) to spot their prey
20. Masai Mara - Cheetah will sit on the mounds (or climb on the vehicles) to spot their prey		 Thompson's gazelle
Thompson's gazelle		 Topi
Topi
A herd of topi
A herd of topi		 Hitching a ride on a cape buffalo
Hitching a ride on a cape buffalo		 Crocodile in the Mara River
Crocodile in the Mara River		 Hippos in the river
Hippos in the river
Crocodile Rock (with apologies to EJ)
Crocodile Rock (with apologies to EJ)		 Vultures
Vultures		 Giraffe
Giraffe		 Giraffe
Giraffe
Kichwa Tembo dining hall
Kichwa Tembo dining hall		 Kichwa Tembo pool
Kichwa Tembo pool		 Jim and Spunky in front of our tent, H-05.
Jim and Spunky in front of our tent, H-05.		 Luxurious walk-in shower
Luxurious walk-in shower
Inside of our tent
Inside of our tent

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