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Our day began with an early start, waking up before dawn to head to the launch site. My cousin, under the impression that we were simply on a game drive, had no idea what awaited her. The surprise on her face was priceless when she saw the balloon being prepared for flight and finally realized we were going up in it.

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As we took off, the balloon floated at a low altitude, giving us a spectacular view of the sunrise over the park. The pilot expertly rotated the balloon, offering us a breathtaking 360-degree view of the landscape. We spotted a variety of wildlife, including elephants, wildebeest, and some impressive birds. At one point, the pilot ascended to over 500 meters, a height that was both exhilarating and slightly hair-raising when looking down.

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One of the most magical aspects of the balloon safari was the peacefulness when the flames were off. From 500 meters up, we could hear the symphony of frogs, insects, and animals below, a truly special moment that highlighted the serenity of the Masai Mara.

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After an hour-long flight, we had a soft landing, followed by a champagne breakfast. While we enjoyed the meal, the balloon pilot prepared a mini home video of our experience, which included photos available for purchase. Our ranger then met us for a short game drive back to the camp, rounding off an early morning adventure that was undoubtedly worth the early wake-up call.

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