We got up very early (4 am) on 11/5/2021 for a one hour drive to the launch site of the hot air balloon with Serengeti Balloon Safaris. The sunrise was beautiful. When we signed up for this activity, I didn’t give any thought about how to get in and out of the basket. No ladders. Started with the basket on its side and we had to “slide” in on our backs. My right knee doesn’t really bend that way, but we made it. We were at least twice the age of anyone else on the ride. On the way off they said to use the holes in the side of the compartment to climb out. Lets just say we needed some help with that too.
Our pilot. He told a very long story about why they drink champagne at the end of every flight. The gist is were ballooning first started in France, they often landed in farmers fields and damaged crops. So they brought champagne along as a token for the farmer. I think the pilot wanted to let the crew finish dismantling the balloon.