Getting in a selfie as the balloons fill up at the balloon takeoff field for our hot air balloon ride with Serengeti Balloon Safari. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Enjoying a morning balloon cookie snack and some hot cocoa at the balloon takeoff field for our hot air balloon ride with Serengeti Balloon Safari. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Enjoying a morning balloon cookie snack and some hot cocoa at the balloon takeoff field for our hot air balloon ride with Serengeti Balloon Safari. (Oct. 9, 2024)

An elephant walking along the plains in the rain of the Serengeti. (Oct. 8, 2024)

A close-up of a rather withered-looking elephant walking along the Serengeti plains. (Oct. 8, 2024)

A handsome male lion roaming alone in the plains of the Serengeti. (Oct. 8, 2024)

A handsome male lion roaming alone in the plains of the Serengeti. (Oct. 8, 2024)

Svenja and me at the balloon takeoff field for our hot air balloon ride with Serengeti Balloon Safari. The balloon company picked us up at 5:00 am at our Nigiri Public Campsite. Svenja is a part of my Intrepid group. She and I were the only ones who signed up from our group for today.

I made the arrangements through Intrepid and paid the $740 USD in advance. My allergies had kicked and I wasn’t sure I would make it but I’m so glad I did. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Hands free in the basket as we now have lift-off. Our balloon pilot Barry, with Serengeti Balloon Safaris, having gotten us off the ground upright and in the air for a smooth take off. He instructed us all the way and we listened. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Me in the basket of my hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti. When it rained last night, I wasn’t sure what the flying conditions would be like, but it turned out to be a beautiful morning, quite chilly but still wonderful. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. (Oct. 9, 2024)

Flying over the Serengeti in a hot air balloon. (Oct. 9, 2024)