Hot air ballooning
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Hot air ballooning?
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A low risk, low impact and environmentally friendly way of seeing Africa’s plains from the sky
Not many activities in Africa give travellers an aerial perspective at a slow pace, without making a lot of noise. That's why a hot air balloon ride across the far-reaching plains is such a wonderful way to spend a morning.
Planes and helicopters are intrusive and noisy and it's difficult for them to get low enough to the ground for a quiet and serene view of the world below. Hot air balloon safaris glide low over the African savannah -sometimes even as low as treetop level - for a very peaceful view of the world below.
Experience Hot air ballooning on these popular safaris
Itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates
The Complete East Africa Experience (13 days)
Enjoy East Africa's most celebrated highlights, from a snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, to sailing above the Serengeti in a hot-air balloon and meeting mountain gorillas
Price on Request
per person
13 days
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HerdTracker and Kicheche Camps Safari (7 days)
The best of Mara North and Olare Orok Conservancies with Kicheche
$ 4,760
£ 3,624
R 69,601
€ 4,304
per person
7 days
Best of Africa Safari (16 days)
Experience the best of Africa, from the Okavango Delta – one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders – to the endangered mountain gorillas and East Africa's Great Migration
$ 18,705
£ 14,240
R 273,506
€ 16,914
per person
16 days
More on Hot air ballooning
The best balloon safari by far glides over the Serengeti migration. But there are many other amazing places to experience this wonderful mode of travel. The Masai Mara, Amboseli National Park and Lake Manyara National Park, for example, might not have an annual migration, but the views are equally impressive.
In South Africa, the ballooning operators are absolutely excellent and flights usually go up just before sunrise when the weather is still calm and predictable. A very memorable sunrise from the balloon is usually followed by a festive champagne breakfast back on the ground.
The balloon's lift comes from hot air which is slightly lighter than the surrounding cold atmosphere. The hotter the balloon, the faster it rises. As the balloon cools it slowly descends. The pilot can control the balloon to brush the treetops or even the grass, yet could go as high as 15 000 feet.
These rides are entirely secure. In the very unlikely event of loss of power, the balloon will enter a stable cold descent back to the ground. This feature of the balloon makes it one of the safest forms of flight.