Hi. Getting ready for our trip on 8/21. Am trying to decide whether to do the balloon ride or not. We are traveling in Kenya and Tanzania. Someone suggested doing the ride in the Mara but we are visiting this park very early in our trip. I thought it might be better to schedule the balloon drive later in the itinerary so as to break up the game drives a bit. Any thoughts? Will there be enough to see in the Serengeti to make it interesting or should we just go ahead in the Mara for the migration? Any other of the parks offer this option? Our itinerary is: Thanks!!!

Day 1) Arrive Nairobi PM, Overnight InterContinental Hotel

Day 2) 1/2 Day Tour of Nairobi (Blixen Musuem, Giraffe Manor and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust) Overnight InterContinental

Day 3) Morning transfer to Wilson Airport for 10h00 SafariLink flight to Masai Mara, arriving approximately 10h45. Meet upon arrival in camp vehicle, game drive enroute to camp and after lunch within the conservancy, overnight Porini Camp (B/L/D)

Day 4)Full day game drive (with picnic lunch) in Masai Mara, game drive on shared vehicle basis with other camp guests, overnight Porini Camp (B/L/D)

Day 5) Full day game drive (with picnic lunch) in Masai Mara, game drive on shared vehicle basis with other camp guests, overnight Porini Camp (B/L/D)

Day 6) Transfer to airstrip for 11h00 SafariLink flight to Wilson Airport, arriving approximately 12h15. Lunch in Nairobi before departing for Amboseli National Park, game drive on exclusive use basis, overnight Amboseli Serena Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 7)Full day Amboseli National Park, morning and afternoon game drives on exclusive use basis, overnight Amboseli Serena Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 8) Depart Amboseli for Namanga, border transfer into Tanzania. Proceed to Arusha, overnight Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge (chalet) (B&B basis)

Day 9) Morning pick-up from Ngurdoto, Nigresi Village Visit and proceed to tour operator's office for pre-safari briefing. After briefing, depart for Tarangire National Park, late morning and afternoon game drives, overnight Kikoti Camp (B/L/D)

Day 10) Full day Tarangire, morning and aftenoon and game drives, overnight Kikoti Camp (B/L/D) (night game drive)

Day 11)Game drive through Tarangire before departing for Ngorongoro Crater, afternoon game drive on Crater floor, overnight Ngorongoro Serena Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 12) Morning game drive on Crater floor, then via Olduvai Gorge, proceed to Serengeti National Park, game drive, overnight Serengeti Serena Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 13) Full day Serengeti, morning and afternoon game drives, overnight Serengeti Serena Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 14) Full day Serengeti, morning and afternoon game drives, overnight Serengeti Serena Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 15)Game drive through Serengeti before proceeding to Lake Manyara National Park, afternoon game drive, overnight Kirurumu Tented Lodge (B/L/D)

Day 16) Morning game drive in Manyara before returning to Arusha and transfer to KIA Lodge for dayroom use. Evening transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for outbound international

We did the balloon ride near the end of our 12 day safari and welcomed the change of vantage point. We were in the Serengeti, and while the wildlife viewing from above was very tame, we enjoyed the peacefulness and quiet of being in the air. The sunrise from up in the balloon was breathtaking, as well. The champagne breakfast in the bush is a delightful experience, the company lovely, something about all that fresh air and spirits high from being in the balloon. It's up to you, if all that is worth the money. Here's a link to some of our photos:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-a8fna1

In the Serengeti, only 2 balloons are allowed to fly once a day. At this late date, you may find that they are already booked. I believe more balloons are allowed in the Mara. In any event, you should have your safari operator check with the balloon companies and see if there is still space available.

We did a very similar trip last December - stayed at the a lot of the same lodges in a slightly different order. We didn't visit the Masai Mara but we're returning this December after our gorilla trek.

You can see our pictures here.
www.whywework.com/travel/safari2005/

We did the ballooning in the Serengeti - on our very last day. We didn't see herds and herds of animals, but seeing the vast open Serengeti at sunrise, and elephants from above, is a once in a lifetime experience and something that we will never forget.

Thanks guys! The photos were great. I think my friend will do the ride and I may pass. I saw something today in one of the threads about 2 people dying on a balloon ride! Thanks for the help!

Here are two threads where the merits of ballooning were discussed.


http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34566261

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34832767