Our second full day in Kenya kicked off in the middle of the night, which is not a time I typically like to see. I’m not a morning person, and I’m definitely not a middle-of-the-night person. But on this day, I made an exception—because what we had planned was so worth it. Imagine this: waking up before the sun, bundling up against the chilly morning air, and hopping in a safari jeep for a 45-minute ride through the dark, all to chase one of the most magical experiences of my life—a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara.
The whole idea of floating hundreds of feet above wild animals in a basket held up by nothing but hot air sounded just a teensy bit intimidating, but by the time we got there, my excitement had wiped out any nerves. And if I had been feeling nervous, meeting our pilot, Captain Rizz (yes, that’s his real name!), immediately put me at ease. The man had an infectious sense of humor and confidence that made me feel like we were about to go on a really cool ride—and not at all like we were about to drift off into the sky on what is essentially a giant balloon.
Up, Up, and Away: Chasing the Sun
As the balloon inflated before us, glowing against the still-dark sky, we climbed into the basket. Captain Rizz gave us a quick rundown of how the ride would go (and reassured us that we probably wouldn’t need the emergency landing instructions he mentioned), and before we knew it, we were up in the air!
Let me tell you, the feeling of silently lifting off the ground and gliding upward is like nothing else. You know that peaceful calm you get when you're at the top of a Ferris wheel, just gently swaying? Multiply that by a thousand, throw in some stunning scenery, and that’s the magic of hot air ballooning over the Mara.
As we rose higher, the sun began to creep over the horizon, spilling golden light over the plains. Seeing the Maasai Mara at sunrise from the sky is like watching a National Geographic special in real time—but way better. The vast landscape stretched out beneath us, with rolling hills, winding rivers, and animals stirring awake. Below, we spotted a pride of lions lazily stretching and yawning, herds of zebras trotting through the grasslands, and elephants lumbering along like gentle giants.
I tried to take pictures, but honestly, nothing can capture that feeling of floating above the world in complete serenity. It was like the animals were completely unaware of our presence—just going about their morning routines as if a giant balloon wasn’t hovering overhead.
Captain Rizz and the Perfect Landing
After an hour of gliding over this incredible scene, it was time to land. I’ll admit, I was a bit curious (read: mildly terrified) about how exactly one lands a hot air balloon in the middle of the savanna. Turns out, Captain Rizz had it all under control. He found a perfect spot, and we touched down with just a few gentle bumps. Not bad for a landing in the wild!
Once we were safely on the ground, we hopped out of the basket and were greeted with an amazing surprise—breakfast in the middle of the Mara. And I’m not talking granola bars and juice boxes. I’m talking made-to-order omelets, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, pastries, sausage, and, of course, chapati (which had quickly become our new favorite treat). Eating breakfast while surrounded by nothing but wild savanna is, hands down, one of the coolest dining experiences of my life.
Onward to Safari: Lions, Elephants, and a Cheeky Cheetah
Fueled by omelets and coffee, we hopped back in the jeep, ready for the next part of the adventure: a morning safari drive. Within minutes, we stumbled upon a mother lion with her two adorable cubs. And when I say adorable, I mean ADORABLE—think big paws, little roars, and fluffy tails. They were rolling around in the grass, playfully swatting at each other while Mama kept a watchful eye on us. It was like watching the lion version of a family playdate.
Next up, we found a small herd of elephants. Now, I’m not sure there’s anything more humbling than watching these massive creatures up close. They move with such grace for their size, and you can’t help but feel a little in awe of them.
And then, we got to witness one of my favorite safari moments: a cheetah, basking in the sun. I don’t know what it is about cheetahs, but they always seem like they’re having the best time lounging around, soaking up the rays. We parked nearby, hoping it might get up and hunt for lunch, but this particular cheetah was in full-on sunbathing mode. Spoiler alert: we did see a cheetah hunt later on in the trip, but this one was enjoying a lazy day in the sun—just like the rest of us wish we could!
A Lunch Stop (with Fancy Toilets!)
Now, you wouldn’t think a toilet stop in the middle of the Maasai Mara would be a highlight of the day, but let me tell you—when you find the only working toilets for miles, it becomes something of a celebration. Our guides were so proud of the newly built restroom facilities, and honestly, after hours in a jeep, we were too!
But it wasn’t just about the toilets. We also enjoyed a delicious picnic lunch right there in the savanna. Picture this: roasted chicken legs cooked over an open fire, bags of chips, fresh fruit, yogurt, bread and cheese, and the freshest orange juice. It was simple, it was rustic, and it was perfect. We sat around chatting, sharing stories from the morning, and just soaking in the beauty of where we were.
Giraffes, Hippos, and a Little Tanzanian Adventure
After lunch, we set off again, this time with giraffes and hippos on our wish list. And we hit the jackpot! We found giraffes grazing high up in the trees, looking like something out of a dream with their long necks gracefully swaying as they ate. These animals have a way of making the landscape feel even more magical. They’re so elegant, and it’s hard to believe something that big can move so smoothly.
Our next stop was a river, where we spotted hippos bobbing just beneath the surface. Now, hippos are tricky—they look all cute and harmless when they’re chilling in the water, but these guys are no joke. They’re actually some of the most dangerous animals in Africa. We stayed at a safe distance, watching as they popped their heads up for air before disappearing under the water again.
And then, just when we thought we’d seen it all, our guide casually mentioned we were crossing into Tanzania. I’m not sure if we were technically supposed to cross the border (okay, we weren’t), but our guides acted like it was no big deal, so we rolled with it. Hey, when in Africa, right? It felt like the ultimate off-the-grid adventure, crossing into another country without even realizing it.
In two countries at the same time! (totally legally!)
The Elusive Rhino and a Full Heart
As the day started to wind down, we had one more goal: find a rhino. Rhinos are notoriously difficult to spot, and our guide was determined to track one down for us. But despite his best efforts, the rhinos were playing hard to get that day. And you know what? That was okay. Part of the magic of safari is that you never know what you’re going to see. Even though we didn’t spot a rhino, the day had been packed with so many incredible moments that we couldn’t be disappointed.
We returned to camp as the sun began to set, our hearts full from a day that felt like a dream. Covered in dust and still buzzing from the adventure, we showered off the Mara (seriously, you end up with so much dust after a day out there) and settled in for dinner. The night was quiet, except for the distant sounds of wildlife, and we spent our last evening on the Mara talking about the highlights of the day and what tomorrow might bring.
Dreaming Under Mosquito Nets
That night, as I tucked myself under the mosquito net and listened to the distant roar of a lion, I couldn’t help but smile. It had been one of those perfect days where everything aligns—an early start that was so worth it, unforgettable animal encounters, great food, and a whole lot of laughter. We drifted off to sleep, dreaming of lions, cheetahs, and the endless plains of the Maasai Mara, knowing that our adventure in Kenya was far from over.
Next up: one more game drive in the Mara before we head back to Nairobi. Stay tuned for more stories of wildlife, city life, and everything in between!
Comments