DAY 37: Christmas comes early!

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Yep, Christmas came early this year, at least in the Serengeti! It's the 25th of February and Ji and I were spoiled and spoiled ourselves rotten today!

First we went on the ultimate Serengeti safari, in a hot-air balloon! And then we booked into Serengeti Migration Camp - one of the most exclusive lodges in the park, all thanks to Elewana Africa (and of course Shaun and Elcke of Tarangire Treetops).

Ready for take-off!

The second balloon takes to the air

Up, up and away!

We got up at 04:45 and departed to the balloon launch site at 05:15. We both felt a bit jittery, not knowing exactly what to expect. The balloons were filled with air before sunrise and before we knew it we were in the air. Apart from the odd burst of flames every now and then the flight is completely silent. More flames - more height. Less flames - less height. For the first time in my life I had an idea how of how an eagle must feel when is soars over the plains in search of prey. I didn't want it to stop.

Pure Serengeti magic!

The duration of the trip depends on the wind speed, because there's nothing allowing you to make the balloon go faster or slower. On a windy day you might be up in the air for 45 minutes only before you run out of landing space and on a good day it may take 90 minutes. We were up for approximately an hour. 

The spectacular view from the balloon

Two little boys on early Christmas Day

Game viewing from the air was not as good as it could be, but sightings included bat-eared foxes, a spotted hyena, elephant, buffalo and the first porcupine seen from the air by our pilot, Jason Adams. Jason has been a pilot in the Serengeti for a year now and intends to stay for another. We enjoyed his dry sense of humour immensely, not only during the flight, but also afterwards during the bush breakfast, when he sat next to Ji.

Before breakfast, however, we enjoyed a traditional glass of champagne (or two) on the Serengeti plains. Our neighbours from Nguchiro had too much! From the landing site we were transported to a spot along a small river where we enjoyed a full English breakfast. What a morning! What a place! What an experience! Was it worth the $499US/person? That's a topic for another day... :)

Cheers!

Bush breakfast

After the balloon safari, which ended at 10:15, we quickly packed up camp and headed for the northern part of the park where we'll be staying for the next two nights. Shaun and Elcke of Tarangire Treetops arranged for us to stay at Serengeti Migration Camp - a luxury camp on the bank of the Grumeti River - one of the two major rivers that the wildebeest migration must cross at certain times of the year. The herds might not be here now, but the lodge and surroundings are spectacular! Here's a sneak peak at the main area, but you'll have to wait for the next post to see more fantastic lodge photos, together with some animal photos we hope to take in the Lobo game viewing area.

Our home for the next two nights

Thanks again to Elewana Africa for making this visit possible!

And now to answer a question a few of you asked: What is our trip theme song? It's "Sonrotse" by Die Heuwels Fantasties. Yep - local is lekker!!! Do yourself a favour and go listen to it. It has evokes incredible emotion.

Have a great Friday!

Villiers

PS:  After reading a few of my previous posts a bit earlier I realised just how many spelling error I'm making! Sorry about those - you'll just have to take them as you get them :) The lodge has free Wi-Fi, which is a huge bonus! Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) we don't have cellphone signal here.

Highlight of the day:

Villiers and Ji: The Balloon safari

Lowlight of the day:

Villiers: ...that it had to come to an end!

Ji: Having to do the balloon safari with Villiers instead of Talita