On the morning of July 21, 2023, at 6:15 AM sharp, my family and I, along with a few other small groups of travelers, gathered in an open field behind our hotel to set out to see a special sunrise —soaring above Kenya’s vast wildlife in hot air balloons.

As we huddled together, wrapped in our jackets to fend off the morning chill, a skilled team of men quickly began preparing the balloons. At the break of dawn, the gradually inflating, slowly stabilizing balloons, lit ablaze with vibrant colors, creating a breathtaking, animated display of light.