NamibSky Balloon Safaris
- Hot air balloon rides aren’t cheap – but they’re always one of the most popular travel items on the bucket list.
- But you also don’t have to travel to Cappadocia, Turkey to experience an incredible flight.
- There are balloon rides all over South Africa and several on the continent that are still within reach.
- Here are the hot air balloon flights and destinations that continue to receive great reviews online.
- For more stories see www.BusinessInsider.co.za.
For many, hot air balloon rides are the definition of a bucket list item. They are generally expensive and exclusive, and their romance and nostalgia, with a touch of serenity, only add to their desirability.
Some cities and regions around the world, such as Cappadocia, Albuquerque, and Bagan, have built the tourism industry almost entirely around this activity – and given the global shortage of skilled pilots, most travel to these epicentres to ensure regular flight times.
But for South Africans – especially those who cannot travel further than the African continent during the Covid-19 pandemic – there is no need to travel to such exotic destinations. There are several balloon operators within the country’s borders, and several African countries are also making a name for themselves as hot air balloon epicentres.
Aside from experienced pilots, predictable wind patterns and dramatic landscapes are central to the success of the industry – two things that are not in short supply on the continent. Here are some of the most memorable – and highest rated – balloon sightseeing tours available to South Africans right now.
Magaliesberg, South Africa
Bill Harrop, the pioneer of hot air balloon tourism in South Africa, recently died of complications from Covid-19, but his company of the same name lives on. The avid pilot cemented the Magaliesberg Mountains as South Africa’s premium balloon travel destination and his legacy translates into thousands of positive reviews for. away Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris. The company recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and offers flights over the Magalies River and Mabula Game Lodge.
Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris
Cradle of mankind, South Africa
AirVentures Hot Air Ballooning also offers hot air balloon rides north of Johannesburg, including a popular one Safari flight This includes several game reserves in the cradle of mankind. The launch site is 30 minutes north of Johannesburg and offers the chance to see four of the Big 5.
Air Ventures
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Hot air allows flights across the country, including a half-day flight over Stellenbosch, which has received 10 five-star ratings on TripAdvisor. The natural amphitheater in Stellenbosch offers ideal conditions for ballooning, and if the weather cooperates, you can enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains and vineyards on flights.
Drakensberg, South Africa
Drakensberg balloon ride offers scenic balloon flights over KwaZulu-Natal, which – if the weather cooperates – offer views of famous natural attractions such as Giants Castle in the southern Drakensberg and the amphitheater in the northern Drakensberg. Scenic flights depart from Drakensberg Bush Lodge and Backpackers and require a minimum of four passengers from one or more groups to confirm a flight.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
The Serengeti is Africa’s best known balloon safaris destination, and most of the lodges on the reserve offer scenic flights in their respective regions. In these cases, you may not have a choice of carrier and are likely to fly to your camp using the most conveniently located ones instead. Serengeti balloon safaris is one of the most established operators on the reserve – they have been flying there since the late 1980s, flying year round in the central Serengeti and seasonally in other parts. Adventures Aloft balloon safaris is highly rated and serves multiple lodges with unique flights – including over the Ngorongoro Crater and the Mara River. Flights in the Serengeti are expensive, but are repeatedly rated with superlatives such as “Bucket List” and “Once-in-a-Lifetime”.
Sayari hot air balloon ride
Masai Mara, Kenya
Hot air balloon flights in Kenya’s Masai Mara have also become a staple on bucket lists around the world, and most camps on the reserve now offer them as an extra activity during a stay. In most cases, the balloon party you fly with will be chosen by the camp you are staying at, however at least six balloon companies work throughout the reserve, all with excellent reviews.
NambiRand, Namibia
Namibia’s NamibRand region offers some of the best flight conditions and panoramic views of the desolate surroundings. Namibia Sky Balloon Safaris operates several lodges in the NamibRand and Sossusvlei region and can fly over the dunes almost all year round in predictable weather conditions.
NamibSky Balloon Safaris
