HOT AIR BALLOONING
Experience the Skies
HOT AIR BALLOONING
There is nothing more rewarding than floating above the game-rich plains viewing the exquisite scenery around you. The adrenalin starts from your early morning wake up call, feeling butterflies of anticipation as you travel to the launch site. After a safety debriefing by your handling team, you climb into the basket and the silence is punctuated by the blast of the burners raising you off the ground; rising up as the sun begins to awaken. The quiet stillness and floating sensation is like nothing ever experienced, looking over the vast expanses of land below teeming with wildlife going about their daily life with an occasional call of a bird. The hour-long experience ends with an incredible champagne breakfast, before heading back to your lodge, with memories of this unique experience forever etched in your memory.
‘The balloon seems to stand still in the air while the earth flies past underneath.’
- Alberto Santos Dumont
Where Will You Fly
HOT AIR BALLOONING COUNTRIES
Masai Mara, Kenya
The Masai Mara offers an incredible balloon safari over the vast open plains. It’s available year-round, however you may wish to view the migration from this unique vantage spot, in which case consider travel in July, August or September.
Serengeti, Tanzania
The Serengeti has a few launch spots, depending on the time of year and we’ll manage the best one for you, depending on where you’re staying. To witness the migration in the western and northern Serengeti, consider travel in June and July.
Serengeti, Tanzania
The Serengeti has a few launch spots, depending on the time of year and we’ll manage the best one for you, depending on where you’re staying. To witness the migration in the western and northern Serengeti, consider travel in June and July.
Sossusvlei Dunes, Namibia
The true beauty of Namibia can felt at sunrise, so hot air ballooning is arguably the best way to soak in the striking landscapes of red-sand desert, stark mountains, mysterious fairy rings and enormous welwitschias. Best experienced during the dry winter season from June to November.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Only a handful of properties offer this incredible experience in the Okavango Delta, where you’ll be floating over landscape flooded with water, winding channels, forests and islands, all teeming with wildlife. Best time to experience this activity if from May to August.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Only a handful of properties offer this incredible experience in the Okavango Delta, where you’ll be floating over landscape flooded with water, winding channels, forests and islands, all teeming with wildlife. Best time to experience this activity if from May to August.
Kafue, Zambia
Hot Air Ballooning in Kafue is done in ideal circumstances over the Busanga Plains, considered one of Zambia’s most important wetlands and a wildlife paradise. This hot air ballooning experience is only offered from August to October each year.
Tarangire, Tanzania
The Tarangire National Park is a hidden gem and well known for its fantastic elephant population. You’ll float over the Tarangire River and gaze down at the millennial old baobab trees that tower up to 30 metres high! Ballooning is year-round.
Tarangire, Tanzania
The Tarangire National Park is a hidden gem and well known for its fantastic elephant population. You’ll float over the Tarangire River and gaze down at the millennial old baobab trees that tower up to 30 metres high! Ballooning is year-round.
What You Need To Know
things to note
This incredible experience can be seamlessly sewn into the tapestry of your holiday journey, as a morning activity in lieu of a game drive. Should not all travelers in your party wish to partake, that’s absolutely fine and we’ll ensure they are well taken care of in your absence.
Wherever you choose to experience a hot air balloon safari, this activity must be pre-booked, well in advance as space is limited. Passenger baskets differ from destination to destination with some having a holding capacity of just 4 persons, whilst others can accommodate 16 or more.
Hot Air Ballooning is always an early morning activity, and mornings are generally chilly, so our suggestion is to dress warmly in layers so that you can remove clothing as the day starts to warm up. Long pants, comfortable shoes, a hat and sunblock are important, as is your camera!
Whilst every activity has it’s risks, and you will be required to sign an indemnity, hot air ballooning is considered to be one of the safest methods of flying and passenger safety is of the utmost importance.
Guests will be required to advise of any medical conditions, should be fit and mobile enough to climb into and out of the basket, must be able to stand for the duration of the flight and bend their knees for landing. This activity is not suitable for pregnant women.
Depending on where you choose to partake in your ballooning experience, the age restriction may differ from company to company, but the general rule is children under 7 years of age are not permitted on a balloon safari.
Depending on your destination of choice, you’re likely to see herds of wildlife grazing on the plains, birds roosting in the treetops and pods of hippos in the lakes. The weather plays a vital role on the day of your hot air balloon safari, so should your flight need to be cancelled, you will be advised the day prior and an alternate flight date advised. For this reason, it’s always best to book the experience at the beginning of your stay in that area.