Flying high

I have always wanted to fly in a hot air balloon and when I got the opportunity about a month ago, I of course jumped at the chance.

One early mid-winter morning at Entabeni I was woken up by a phone call from the balloon pilot, to be informed that there was a spot available, if I could get there within half an hour! Urgently I phoned the general manager to get a ride to the take-off spot at the lodge Hanglip, on the other side of the reserve. I was told I didn't wake him up, but I'm pretty sure I did...

 

It was still pitch black outside with a temperature of around zero degrees. As we were driving through the reserve I questioned the sense of doing this in winter. It took us a bit more than half an hour from the phone call until arrival, but fortunately they had waited for me. I climbed into the basket and got the very short version of the safety brief.

Soon we were taking off and I was surprised to find that it was rather warm and cosy as the warm air doesn't only fill up the balloon... so, hot air ballooning on a cold morning is actually a good idea!

Sunrise in the bush is always stunning and from the air even more so. The mountains looked like they were on fire and the mist was rising from the dams... how can you ever want to be anywhere else?!

The wind had changed direction, so we weren't going east as planned. Slowly we travelled west and even though that wasn't according to schedule, we saw elephants drinking in the distance. For me, it couldn't have been planned better!

 

Unfortunately they did look up at the funny huge object and decided they didn't like what they were seeing and hence took off into the bush. The matriarch stopped for a while, stood tall and shook her head at us, before following the others. It's hard to spot them in the photo, but I promise, they're there, along the river.

A lot of impalas, waterbuck and kudus were also spotted, as well as something that we finally agreed on must have been a duiker. We also came across a game viewer with some of my guests in it and from the excessive waving and shouting that was going on, I gathered that it could only be my core group - the crazy A-team!

We eventually landed in a field just outside the game reserve. The cows that were grazing there weren't as alert as the wild animals and they didn't really notice us until we were about ten metres above them, but then they got a bit of a fright and quickly moved away.

We were also welcomed by two farm workers that came running, grinning and chatting away in Afrikaans. Even though only one person in the group knew the language, I think we all understood exactly what they were saying... they were amazed by the balloon and excited to finally seeing one up close! I don't think that any trespassers have ever received a warmer welcome.

After the flight, we naturally had some sparkling wine and got diplomas. We were all happy (and some of us also starving!) as we made our chilly journey back to Hanglip for breakfast.

 

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Too close for comfort?

Normally you try to avoid driving up too close to the animals, as not to disturb their natural behaviour, but that of course doesn't stop them from approaching you to investigate. When these gigantic creatures stop just a metre or two from your vehicle usually one can hear the entire group of guests taking a deep breath... and hold it.

This female elephant has no problem at all closing in on you to have a good look. This time around she stood there contemplating us for a while, until she finally was convinced by our ranger, to walk away. Speaking calmly to elephants may have the effect that they realize that you're not of any threat to them and then go about their own business again.

Another day we had the fortune of bumping into a female rhino with her calf walking along the road. As they went into the bush we continued on the road ahead. Of course, the huge lady changed her mind and decided that the road was the best mode of travelling after all. As she has no road sense, she just cut in front of us... not even signalling before doing so! A close encounter that probably even startled her.

I was amazed by her climbing skills, as she came up the dam wall onto the road again! Standing three metres above a rhino, on a steep bank, is apparently not a safe spot! Her calf struggled a bit before also making it and then quickly running in front of her, true white rhino style.

Crocodiles ususally head for water as soon as you get close enough for decent photos. But this fellow was probably soaking up the last warmth of the afternoon from the sandy track and so had no intention to budge, not even a little.

This caused a bit of a traffic jam with three vehicles getting stuck on the dam wall, enjoying his company for a while, before having to turn around the same way as we came.

 

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