When the Desert Takes Flight

A dawn balloon safari above Namibia’s dunes—and later Tanzania’s plains—rekindles the wonder that first lured me to Africa.

They say, “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.”

Nine years ago, I dared to take that adventure.

I left behind the familiar, the comfortable, the expected - and moved to Namibia.

Africa. A continent of raw beauty, powerful landscapes and vibrant cultures. A place where time sometimes slows down, and life is felt in every sunrise and every dust-filled breeze. Namibia became the canvas for my dream.

The culture of sundowners and safaris, of quiet nights under endless skies and the freedom of wide-open spaces - it captivated me from the very first moment. Safari—a Swahili word meaning journey.

And that’s what it truly is: an expedition not only through nature but often through your own soul.

Even after all these years, I still go on safari. Regularly. And I still feel that same spark of excitement each time we set off. No two safaris are ever the same. One day you might see a pride of lions dozing in the golden light; the next day, it’s a lone elephant gently brushing past your vehicle, or a giraffe curiously watching from a distance. The magic lies in the unknown.

But if there is one experience that deeply moved me - one that brought me to tears with its beauty - it was my very first balloon safari.

It was in Namibia, with Namib Sky Balloon Safaris, in the heart of the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. We woke at 4 a.m., drove through the cold morning darkness, still half asleep and wrapped in blankets. The desert was quiet, mysterious, and fresh. A few stars still twinkled above us as the crew prepared the balloon.

Then, as the horizon began to glow, we climbed into the basket. A soft whoosh of fire, a gentle lift, and suddenly, we were floating.

Silence. Stillness. Peace.

Below us: rippling sand dunes, glowing orange in the morning light. Oryx leaving their tracks across the dunes. The shadow of our balloon following us like a silent companion.

Up there, in the silence of the sky, I felt entirely present. Entirely alive. It was as if time had stopped to let me take it all in.

That feeling stayed with me, and I found myself chasing it again, this time in a different corner of Africa. My second balloon safari took me to Tanzania. With Miracle Experience, I floated above the Serengeti.

This time, I watched Africa awaken from above - hyenas running through golden grass, elephants slowly making their way to a waterhole, giraffes nibbling on treetops for breakfast. I even spotted a rare bat-eared fox.

It’s a completely different way to witness the wild. It gives you a bird’s-eye view not only of the landscape but of life. And when we landed, I felt something in me had shifted.

My heart was full, and my soul deeply, deeply grateful.

So, dear Diary, let me say this:

If you ever get the chance to go on a balloon safari, don’t think twice. Do it. Let yourself float. Let your soul breathe. Let your heart remember what wonder feels like. And if you’ve had a balloon safari of your own, write to me!

deardiary@myeishanamibia.com

Until next time,

From Sandra’s pen, Namibia