Serengeti National Park - Northern Serengeti - Day 3 - August 21

We had to meet at the main lodge at 4:40 in the morning for the balloon ride. So, we grabbed a quick lite bite before we left in the dark to the balloon launch site. We came across Wildebeest in the road and later a hippo. It had rained pretty much all night and the road was muddy. We managed to cross a dip just fine after our driver got out and sized it up with a flashlight. One of the cars got stuck and they had to get out and join us and the other vehicle.

Scott, I’m sure you remember the early mornings to go ballooning. I think the balloon ride started a bit late since once car was lost for a while and the pilot was the one stuck in the mud and rode in with us.

We had met a group of people from Australia at dinner and they were also on the balloon ride. One lady canceled as she was too afraid. One of the other ladies went, but was what we called a “white knuckle rider”. She was next to me and was freaked out most of the ride and hugged the pole so she was really squeezing into my space. (hence, some of the looks on my face in the viedos/stills.,,,lol, I wasn't bored just feeling squeezed)

 

There was a Go Pro camera attached to the balloon filming most of the ride. It was very serene looking out over the Serengeti and watching the animals from the air. The pilot kept the balloon low so it was really a nice ride. We lucked out with the winds and they allowed us to fly down and along the Mara River. (no sunrise as it was too cloudy).

 Titanic pose.....

 Mara River

 flying low over Mara River

 chase vehicles

 

 where'd the pilot go???

 

The landing was a bit rough. We bounced hard several times and we landed on our backs looking up. Makes for some interesting photos.

 you are seated for the landing

 you can see the bounce and drag marks

 we're on our backs looking up

 me crawling out

 now Greg climbs out

 whoo hoo, I survived

 the group of 15 that went up in the balloon

 

We were then taken to a breakfast spot next to hippos in the Mara River for a traditional champagne breakfast. Yum! They had an Indian Chef and he made the best samosas. After breakfast our guide Wilson met us to continue on with a game drive. First we had to pay for the balloon ride and were driven to the “hot spot” where the girl could run the credit card. Too funny! Then, we made a stop to pick up the thumb drive with the video and stills of the balloon ride.

 the breakfast site

 Goliath Heron

If you point it towards Kenya, your credit card goes through.....

We drove nearly back to the entrance of the park as that’s where the most Wildebeest were reported and perhaps they would cross. We did see a lot of them and we also came across some lions. However, no crossing!

 Wildebeest

 Nile Crocodile

 Lilac-breasted Roller

 Baboon with baby

 Banded Mongoose

 Wilson spots a Lion in there....

 she came out to lay on the rock

 2 other lions there as well....one is a male cub

 

We decided to go back to the lodge for lunch which was a buffet and we were seated outside. We walked around the grounds to get some photos and just relax for a while. Then, Wilson picked us up to game drive the rest of the afternoon.

 buffet was set up in the library

 library on the left and gift shop on the right

 the main lodge

 outside dining area

 male Agama Lizard

 male & female Agama Lizard

 pool area

 Rock Hyrax.... could we BE more cute?

 why yes we can!

 I'm pretty sure you can't see me....

 the main lodge from the pool

 Greg walking on the path to our tent

 we passed by these tents to get to ours

 

 while waiting for a possible crossing we took advantage of a photo op

 Lilac-breasted Roller

 Hippos

 Southern Ground-hornbill

 we found another pair of young sisters

 I think they need to learn to relax.....

 the other safari vehicle shows how close we were to them



 

We came back to the lodge and had a cold drink while watching the Wildebeest and Zebras there.

 

That night since it wasn’t raining we had dinner outside. Food and service again were very good.

Here are some photos of the main lodge taken at night.

 interesting bug in our tent that night

 

This was also our last night here. With our turndown service we received a nice gift from the management. It’s really a pretty piece of fabric….possibly a table cloth. Though nothing specific here, I wouldn’t recommend staying there. It just didn’t seem comfortable. It was a bit like staying at someone’s house and not feeling that welcome. It seemed they just tried too hard….if that makes any sense. Perhaps the crew just needs to gel a bit better here.

We have a 6:00 in the morning game drive tomorrow to make the most of our half day here before flying to Rwanda in the afternoon.