AKR1

I would like your opinions on where to do our balloon trip on our safari this summer. The choices are:
1. Mara at the end of June (distance from camp to launch site 1.5 hours)
2. Amboseli - early July (30 mins)
3. Western Serengeti- early July. (1 hour)

thanks

twaffle

Sounds like an early morning to me!

sandi

It's a 6am lift-off, about 1/hr aloft, then breakfast on the plains.

For early July, I'd do it in the Serengeti where you can see the large herds below.

Realize though that hot-air balloon safaris are more expensive in the Serengeti than if in the Mara.

spassvogel

I would also go for the Serengeti balloonning despite it's more expensive as the experiences cannot be topped on the Mara side let alone in Amboseli.

My advise:
Rather pay 550US$ and have a once in a lifetime experience than pay 450US$ for an average one.

Just make sure it's a very SAFE company! Fiddling around the gas mixture isn't care free!

Happy landings!

SV

AKR1

Thanks for the responses. I am still tempted by Amboseli- the thought of floating above the clouds with a clear view of Kilimanjaro is amazing. I did not even know that Amboseli had ballooning till I saw this:
http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=5034

Percy

Well then you have to choose between the Serengeti with all those animals below or

10 minutes above the clouds in Amboseli to see Kilimajaro.!

You might get extra lucky and see all of Kilimanjaro from the ground at Amboseli.

Good Luck

sandi

Serengeti, is the answer in June/July.
Not the Mara, nor Amboseli.
Simple as that!

Besides, there's no guarantee, you'll be flying above the clouds... they don't go that high! Or that Kili will be clear of clouds that you can even see it.

Winesta

Serengeti will be great in July...you can choose to go Amboseli for a short safari and see the Kili..its about making wise decisions

Percy

AKR1

Are those pictures above the clouds taken from a Hot Air Balloon !

I know the clouds hoover quite low at times ,... but a Hot Air Balloon above the clouds (?).

I have never seen a Hot Air Balloon above the clouds.

It would be nice if someone who took the Hot Air Balloon ride at Amboseli could enlighten me as to how high up he went.!!!

I took a few pictures of Mount Kilimanjaro above the clouds BUT I was in an airplane.!!

sandi

Percy - That's where I got my pics of Kili (right into the crater)... flying over on return from ZNZ to NBO.

Percy

sandi- good for you that you were able to take picture right into the crater.

My pictures were right beside the mountain but not over Kilimanjaro....I was happy with that because I did not even think we would be close enough for pictures until the pilot

stated that in about 5-10 minutes on the left side of the plane we will be passing very close to Kilimanjaro!

Boy right into the crater is terrific! nice going .

twaffle

Percy, as far as I know the photos were taken by Riz Jiwa who is a balloon pilot in that area and the photos were taken from the balloon. Pretty amazing I'd have to agree … and cold.

Percy

Thank for the info twaffle

Yes pretty amazing that the pilot raised the balloon that high.

The clouds can be very low at Amboseli but you still have to go through the clouds and above the clouds !!!

Yep amazing!

And it is a nice picture.

aclearerview

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4oUTELFXGY

To clear up any doubts about the ability to fly above the clouds at Amboselli follow the link above where you find video footage of the Pilot Vipul Kumar who set up Killimanjaro Balloon Safaris....he was the FIRST pilot to gain licences to fly in Amboselli and yes he certainly did fly above the clouds. He was an extraordianry man and a magnificent Pilot , who brought a great deal of enjoyment and excitement to his passengers (as this video shows).... sadly Vipul died in 2007 ...but the pictures you see on the websites pertaining to Kilimanjaro Balloonin / Amboselli Balloon Safaris were taken by him. Hope you get to go and enjoy the majic of Kilimanjaro. Best wishes to all x

aclearerview

nb small but significsnt correction , Vipul Kumar died in 2008; (but it seems like longer to those who remember him )