High flying

After a long trip out from Nairobi to the Masai Mara and the rather pleasant surprise of permanent tents being available at the campsite I signed up to a hot air balloon trip over the Great Rift Valley.

I hardly slept the night before, concerned at my fear of heights and whether I would be able to stay looking out of the basket as we climbed into the sky. An early start the following morning at 4am took us out to the take-off point and we lifted gently up into the air just before dawn. The experience was amazing and is the way to see the vastness of the plains and allowed the first spot of lions just five minutes after taking off.

The champagne breakfast on landing was equally amazing and by 8:30 a full bottle had been consumed as well as a full cooked breakfast as we were watched over by a solitary lioness and a herd of elephants.

If you get the chance, do this despite the cost, you won't regret it!