Balloon Safaris in Kenya – The Ultimate Guide, Service Providers, and FAQs
Hot air balloon safaris in Kenya have become popular in Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park as they offer something different than the regular game drive. It’s a dream of every tourist visiting Kenya to experience a hot air balloon ride to get that unique 360 degrees view of the animals and vegetation in the park.
Read on to understand more about hot air balloon safaris in Kenya, the leading companies offering the services, charges, and how they operate.
How to Book Your Balloon Safari with Us
You can send an email at james@ajkenyasafaris.com or safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com to book your safari and get more information about Chale Island prices. You can also call or WhatsApp us at +254-748-258-880.
Our Most Booked Kenya Safari Packages and Tours
Our Top Tours for 2023/24 | Price Per Adult Sharing | The Detailed Itinerary |
3-DAY LUXURY 2024 MIGRATION TOUR | FROM USD 2845 | |
5-DAY MIGRATION SAFARI 2024 | FROM USD 1655 | |
4-Day Mombasa Valentine Getaway 2024 | From USD 2180 | |
3-Day Amboseli Safari | From USD 734 | |
1-Day Nairobi National Park & Giraffe Center Tour | From USD 119 | |
1-Day Nairobi National Park & Nairobi Animal Orphanage Tour | From USD 34 | |
From USD 4216 | ||
18-Day Kenya Family Safari | From USD 5849 | |
2-Day Hell’s Gate & Lake Nakuru Safari | From USD 507 | |
3-Day Huduma Day Safari to Masai Mara | From USD 950 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Camp Packages – 2024 | From USD 985 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Christmas Packages | From USD 1010 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Easter Packages – 2024 | From USD 1035 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Festive Packages | From USD 1315 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Lodge Safari | From USD 995 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Packages | From USD 955 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Packages from Nairobi – 2024 | From USD 990 | |
3-Day Masai Mara Safari | From USD 954 | |
3-Day Ol Pejeta Easter Safari | From USD 1175 | |
4-Day Africa Migration Masai Mara Packages | From USD 1360 | |
4-Day L. Naivasha & Masai Mara Easter Safari | From USD 1249 | |
5-Day Tsavo & Diani Safari | From USD 1606 | |
4-Day L. Naivasha & Masai Mara Safari | From USD 1174 | |
4-Day L. Nakuru & Masai Mara Safari | From USD 1162 | |
4-Day Masai Mara Camp Packages | From USD 1195 | |
4-Day Masai Mara Easter Packages – 2024 | From USD 1300 | |
4-Day Masai Mara Migration Packages – 2024 | From USD 2490 | |
4-Day Mombasa & Diani Safari | From USD 937 | |
4-Day Mombasa & Diani Valentine Safari – 2024 | At USD 1541 | |
5-Day Flying Safari to Masai Mara & Ol Pejeta Conservancy | From USD 3777 | |
6-Day Kenya Wildlife Safari from India | From USD 1730 | |
7-Day Kenya Christmas Safari | At USD 3093 | |
7-Day Kenya Wildlife Safari | From USD 1884 | |
8-Day Kenya Wildlife Safari | From USD 4413 | |
8-Day Wildlife & Beach Safari | From USD 1585 |
The Hot Air Balloon Ride Experience
Our tour guide will pick you up at your lodge around 0430 hours and take you to the launch site for the hot air balloon. You should be there by 0600 AM, and depending on the weather, you will enjoy a cup of hot coffee or tea as you watch the balloon being prepared.
After a short while, the balloon pilot will give you a safety briefing, instructions on how to behave once you board the balloon, and what to expect on your air safari. Once that is done, it will be time to clamber into your balloon. You will get assistance from the crew members, and by 6:30AM, you will be ready to go.
Above the Mara plains, you get a rare opportunity to witness the golden sunrise above the skies of Masai Mara, captivating scenes, and meandering savannah streams. The pilot will assist you in locating the wildlife below, and you will even get a chance to capture everything with your camera.
This 360 degrees view of the spectacular savannah will last about one hour, depending on the weather conditions. Upon landing at around 7.30AM, you will be able to observe the crew members as they deflate the balloon.
After this, you will get a short drive to our breakfast site, where you will enjoy a hearty morning meal in the bush with the picturesque savannah plains. After breakfast, you will enjoy a leisurely game drive back to your lodge, where you will arrive at around 10.00 AM, ready for the day’s activities.
Balloon Safaris in Kenya & Wildebeests Great Migration
What would be better than spicing your visit to Masai Mara by flying up in the skies of the world-famous reserve to get a different kind of experience? If you visit between July and October, you will have a chance to watch the great wildebeest migration above the African plains.
During this time, thousands of migrating herds of wildebeests, gazelles, and zebras cross the crocodiles-infested Mara River from Serengeti Plains to Masai Mara. The phenomenon of ensuing battles between crocodiles and wildebeests will leave you with an experience that will stick in your mind for years to come.
You also watch other predators such as lions and cheetahs chasing their prey and probably a leopard enjoying a catch on top of a tree branch. Your pilot will ensure the balloon flies low to enable you to take photos of these exciting sights.
The Cost of a Hot Air Balloon Safari in Kenya
Hot air balloon rides give you a game experience that you will not get from a standard game drive, and thus it’s a bit pricey. At Masai Mara, the hot air balloon ride cost starts from US$ 475 per person. The ride is a bit expensive because those balloons are only used for a limited number of hours.
Other factors that make it expensive include the fuel cost and the large number of crew members needed to make the ride successful. Those flights will also require recovery backup operations and transfer vehicles, requiring substantial capital.
Things to Know About Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Here are some things you need to know before booking your ultimate hot air balloon safari in Kenya.
Flight Control
It is known as a hot air balloon because it is usually lifted by the hot air inside, which will be slightly lighter than the surrounding one. The hotter the balloon gets, the faster it will rise, and it can reach up to 15,000 feet, depending on the nature and landscape of the area.
Although the wind dictates the balloon’s direction, it cannot fly at winds blowing more than 30 kph, as the pilot may be unable to control it. However, the pilot can choose the direction to fly the balloon by going to the appropriate altitude, as the wind varies movements at different heights.
Fuel
Hot air balloons are powered by ordinary cooking gas, Which heats the air inside the balloon to make it lighter. The fuel system is duplicated in every respect to avoid failure of the burner. However, if the burner fails, the ballon envelope acts as a parachute for a safe landing.
Pilot
Hot air balloon pilots must have a license issued after passing the necessary instructional hours and exams, just like airplane pilots. The balloon pilots also carry out pre-flight checks, keep log books, and must monitor the weather before a flight.
Top 4 Hot Air Balloon Ride Providers in Kenya
There are a number of top-rated hot air balloon providers in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Amboseli regions. Here are the five best hot air balloon companies operating in these areas:
1. AjKenyaSafaris.com Ltd
At AjKenyaSafaris.com Ltd, you can experience the breathtaking beauty of Kenya from above with their hot air balloon rides over Masai Mara and Amboseli. As one of Kenya’s best-known safari operators, they have extensive knowledge of the landscape which ensures you are taken to the very best locations for your flight.
Not only that, the friendly and experienced pilots are passionate about providing an unforgettable experience with a unique view of the African wildlife. And to make your hot air balloon adventure even more special, you can add exclusive champagne breakfast or dinner on board the balloon!
2. Hot Air Africa Eco Adventure LTD
Africa Eco Adventure LTD mainly offers hot air balloon services at Kenya’s famous Masai Mara National Reserve. It is one of the best-managed hot air balloon companies in Africa with a fleet of 6 balloons that will suit you on any occasion, whether honeymoon or just a group safari.
A hot air balloon ride allows you to experience life on the African savannah from above, giving you an entirely different perspective. The company is owned by people who boast over 50 years of collective experience in handling hot air balloons, thus guaranteeing you maximum safety.
3. Kilimanjaro Balloon Safari
Kilimanjaro Balloon Safaris is located in Amboseli National Park, just outside Kimana Gate in the southeast part of the park. The company offers a first-class and high-quality hot air balloon safari that will leave you longing for the next balloon ride with them.
Their balloon tours are offered at the foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro and areas surrounding Amboseli National Park. Kilimanjaro Balloon Safaris has a Balloon Safari Camp that makes them self-sufficient; hence, you get custom services from them.
4. Governor’s Balloon Safari
Governor’s Balloon Safaris offers hot air balloon services at Masai Mara, where you get an opportunity to see the Mara River, savannah forests, and plains from the sky. The safaris start before dawn, just as the sun is about to rise. Once your balloon hits the skies, you will enjoy a wildlife viewing adventure with a different perspective.
Governor’s Balloons flights begin at the company’s natural launch site near Little Governors Camp in the Mara. Upon landing from the exciting adventure, you are welcomed with a sumptuous breakfast accompanied by a bottle of champagne.
After breakfast, you will enjoy a game drive back to your camp or lodge courtesy of Governor’s Balloon Safaris. The company also has an aviation wing that provides luxury flying safaris for guests in and around Masai Mara.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya
Here are some frequently asked questions on hot air balloon safaris that will help you get more insight into hot air balloon flights in Kenya.
1. How much is a balloon safari in Kenya?
A Hot air balloon will cost you about $475. If you have children under 12, they will be charged around $350.
2. Is a balloon safari worth it?
A hot air balloon safari is worth it, as it gives you a different kind of game adventure that will keep edged in your memory for many years.
3. Are there hot air balloons in Kenya?
They are available in Kenya, where different companies offer the service, mainly in Masai Mara Game Reserve and Amboseli National Park.
4. How much is a hot air balloon ride in Africa?
At Serengeti, a hot air balloon flight costs 600 USD per individual, while at Masai Mara, you will part with 475 USD to enjoy a balloon ride.
5. Which national park has hot air balloon safari lunch?
Your hot air balloon ride in Serengeti, Amboseli, Masai Mara, and many parks has a breakfast meal, not lunch, after landing.
6. How do you prepare for a hot air balloon ride?
If you plan a hot air balloon ride, you need to wake up at around 0430 hrs; and have warm clothing and closed shoes since the weather is cold then.
7. What should you bring on a hot air balloon?
The hot air balloon ride is not an everyday experience; you will need to be prepared well, probably with binoculars and cameras, a hat with straps, and a pair of sunglasses.
8. How long do hot air balloons last?
The hot air balloon ride will take about an hour, and the distance covered will be dictated by the wind conditions. Most of the time, it will cover about 20 km.
9. What is the tradition after a hot air balloon ride?
After a hot air balloon safari, you will be offered breakfast and champagne at the landing site, and then you will get transferred to your camp or lodge.
10. Why is a Hot air Balloon Safari conducted in the morning?
The hot air balloon movement depends on the weather conditions. High temperatures and strong winds are risky for those safaris; hence morning is a perfect time.
11. When should I book my hot air balloon safari?
You need to book about three weeks before the intended date of your hot air balloon ride because of the limited capacity of a balloon.
12. Is the take-off or landing rough on the balloon ride?
Most take-offs are generally gentle, while landings are accompanied mainly by the balloon basket dragging for about 20 m before stopping.
13. What is the maximum body weight permitted?
Typically, a hot air balloon is expected to carry about 500kgs. However, it will depend on the basket’s size, weather, and capacity, among other factors.
14. What is the Acceptable age to engage in a balloon ride?
Anyone can enjoy a hot air balloon as long as one is four years and above. Although children above four are allowed, they must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.