Stephen’s sky-high safari

Jun 7 2009 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

ACTOR Stephen Tompkinson has found the perfect way to get close to the African animals he has fallen in love with.

His favourite method of transport is a hot air balloon, giving him perfect views of the continent’s vast collection of wildlife.

Teesside-born Stephen is best known these days as vet Danny in Wild at Heart.

And it’s a case of real-life drama as he put his life in the hands of expert balloonist Robin Batchelor for a three-part journey in the skies.

Stephen explained why he agreed to take part in the series.

He said: “I’ve fallen in love with Africa and it seemed too good an opportunity to turn down.

“Had I not done it, I would always have wondered what it would have been like.

“I will always carry the memories of seeing the unique African vistas from the basket of the balloon.”

He said one highlight was followed by another, and another, as the series progressed.

But the best experience was a close view of a group of elephants on the march.

He said: “The sight of a herd of 30 or so wild elephants making their own pathway through a forest, with the matriarch trumpeting loudly to lead the way, was one of the most naturally beautiful and exciting things I’ve ever seen or heard. I was also privileged enough to see the Rwandan mountain gorillas and to be very close to a large wild male leopard.”

Stephen left the piloting to expert Robin but there were two unavoidable crash landings.

He said: “Robin has an amazingly calming influence, even when we had two slightly hairy crash landings. He always helped us to see the funny side. He encapsulates the spirit of a true adventurer.”

The series was inspired by the Jules Verne novel Five Weeks in a Balloon.

It follows Stephen and Robin as they travel coast to coast, visiting Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.

Stephen’s route takes him and his hot air balloon through the Serengeti, past Victoria Falls, and over the Okavango Delta, before finishing his journey on Namibia’s Skeleton Coast.

But sometimes their planned route had to be abandoned because the wind took them elsewhere leading to unexpected confrontations including one with crocodiles.

STEPHEN TOMPKINSON’S AFRICAN BALLOON ADVENTURE ITV1, Today, 8pm.