There is nothing to beat the experience of slowly floating above an African landscape in a hot-air balloon. Hot air ballooning is a somewhat magical way of viewing the world -- . Take note all late sleepers; balloon flights are made early morning -- you will be expected at the launch site about 30 minutes before sunrise itself! You will be informed of the meeting time when you make your booking.
Once airborne, hot air balloons are blown by the prevailing winds across the African landscape. Apart from the occasional hiss of the burners, the flight is magically silent. The pilot controls the height of the craft by regulating the flow of hot air into the balloon. Sometimes the balloon will descend over the plains for a close up view of the wildlife; on other occasions it rises to clear a tree canopy and over a ridge or forest.
You meet up before sunrise and coffee is served while you watch your eight-storey high hot air balloon being inflated and prepared for flight. After a safety briefing you should be airborne in time to witness the sunrise. Then a change in altitude to search for a favourable wind that will allow you to drift gently over the landscape on your hot air balloon safari. Sooner or later you have to come down again from your ballooning experience.
After about an hour's hot air balloon safari flight, the pilot will select a suitable landing site where the retrieve crew should be in attendance. Passengers don't have to be physically fit, but landings can sometimes be bumpy, so if anyone's pregnancy is approaching term, it would be best to book their flight at a later date.
To enter the basket, passengers have to be able climb over the 1.2m high rim of the basket. Be prepared to stand on your hot air balloon safari for at least an hour. Youngsters are welcome but should be at least 1.2m (4 foot ) tall, so they can see over the rim of the basket.
There are two excellent operations in the Magaliesberg and Crocodile River Valley areas near Johannesburg, where you can escape the city before dawn and watch the sun rise from the vantage point of your improbable craft as you greet the new day with a sip of bubbly.
Nottingham Road, Howick, Underberg, Winterton and the Kamberg Valley in the KwaZulu Natal provice of South Africa // Muldersdrift and the Magaliesberg in Gauteng, Hazyview and Dullstroom in Mpumulanga, a game-viewing baloon safari in the Pilanesberg National Park, near Sun City in the North West Province or a scenic flight at Hazyview in Mpumalanga. In summer, you could fly over the beautiful Paarl vineyards, near Cape Town.
Experience the magic of lighter-than-air flight over the Lowveld game areas adjoining the Kruger National Park. Our pilots and guides will ensure a safe, enjoyable and informative adventure that will be one of the highlights of your visit to Big Game Country...
We are located near Hoedspruit, and we offer hot air balloon safari flights over Kapama Game Reserve and other lodges and game reserves that have suitable terrain within the Greater Kruger Park area.
Though winter dawns can be nippy, once you're up in the basket, it will be surprisingly warm. That's because there's no apparent wind and because there's a 180 000 cubic foot sac of warm air over our heads. Warm clothes will be useful during pre-flight. Small cameras in protective pouches can be brought along on the hot air balloon safari (in the event of a bumpy landing we don't want loose equipment flying around.
We usually recommend about two weeks notice if you wish to book a specific date. It can be less if you are not restricted to weekends. Please telephone us to check availability.
We prefer winds of less than 10 knots at the surface and no rain.
South Africa. All flights cost R1950 per person and include a champagne breakfast afterwards. Launchsites in Kwa Zulu Natal, Mpumulanga and Gauteng. |
