A hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering a unique perspective of one of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves.

Our Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari encompasses a range of services and amenities that contribute to an unforgettable adventure. Typically the Mara Balloon Safari experience includes the following components:

Balloon Ride: The core of the experience, the hot air balloon ride, is the highlight of the safari. The price covers the equipment, fuel, and the expertise of skilled pilots who navigate the balloon, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey.
Champagne Breakfast: A hallmark of the Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari is the post-flight champagne breakfast. Laid out amidst the untamed wilderness, this gourmet breakfast is a luxurious touch to the overall experience, providing an opportunity for participants to relish the adventure with fellow travelers.
Transportation: The safari package often includes transportation to and from the launch site. This ensures a seamless experience for participants, eliminating logistical concerns and allowing them to focus solely on the thrill of the upcoming adventure.
Game Drive: Some packages include a game drive following the balloon ride, extending the wildlife exploration and increasing the overall value of the safari. This allows participants to witness the incredible biodiversity of the Masai Mara up close and personal.

Enjoy your Balloon Adventure in Masai Mara !

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Day 1 :

Balloon Safari Program

Pre-Departure
Night Before: The tour operator will typically provide a briefing on the next day’s activities. Get a good night’s rest as the adventure begins early.
Day of the Safari
Early Morning Pickup (4:00 AM - 5:00 AM):

Guests are picked up from their respective lodges or camps in the Masai Mara and driven to the launch site.
Refreshments such as tea and coffee are usually served at the launch site.
Balloon Inflation (5:30 AM - 6:00 AM):

Watch as the balloon is inflated and prepared for the flight.
Receive a safety briefing from the pilot.
Takeoff (6:00 AM):

Take off just before dawn to catch the sunrise.
The flight lasts about 1 hour, offering panoramic views of the Masai Mara, including the savannah, wildlife, and possibly the Mara River.
In-Flight Experience:

Glide over the landscape and spot wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebras.
The pilot will point out interesting sights and provide information about the ecosystem and wildlife below.
Landing (7:00 AM - 7:30 AM):

Land at a pre-determined site.
Participate in a traditional ballooning ceremony, which may include a champagne toast to celebrate the flight.
Bush Breakfast (8:00 AM):

Enjoy a full English breakfast served in the bush, complete with a beautiful setting and wildlife views.
Time to relax and soak in the experience.
Return to Camp (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM):

After breakfast, guests are driven back to their lodges or camps.
Usually, you'll have time to freshen up before the day's other activities.
Post-Balloon Safari
Optional Morning Game Drive:
Some packages include a morning game drive after the balloon safari. This is an excellent opportunity to spot more wildlife and explore different areas of the reserve.
Rest and Relaxation:
The rest of the morning and afternoon can be spent relaxing at the camp, enjoying other activities, or going on additional game drives.
Tips for a Great Experience
Dress in Layers: Early mornings in the Mara can be chilly, but it warms up quickly. Wear layers to stay comfortable.
Bring a Camera: The views are stunning, and you'll want to capture the memories.
Binoculars: Handy for spotting wildlife from the balloon.
Sunscreen and Hat: Even in the early morning, the sun can be strong.

Masai Mara Balloon Safari FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here we answer the most frequently asked questions about ballooning in the Mara.

When is the balloon ride done?

The ride is normally done early in the mornings at approximately 0630am in time to enjoy the sunrise glow in the distant horizon. The good thing about the Mara weather is that it is conducive for balloon rides to be operated daily, throughout the year. Our company operations base and launch site is close to Talek River bordering Masai Mara Game Reserve, but during windy times we use a launch site INSIDE the park, approximately 7 Minutes-drive (4km) from Talek Gate, just off the main Talek-Keekorok road.

How long does the excursion last?

The flight usually lasts approximately one hour, and covers anything between 5 and 20 km from launch to landing. The total distance covered is always dependent on the wind conditions on any given day. The entire excursion from pick up at the camp/lodge to drop off back at the camp or lodge varies from a 4.00am departure to a 6.00am departure, depending on the close proximity/location of said camp/lodge. There is plenty of photographic opportunities on board and also on the ground to & from the balloon excursion including game drive en-route back to your camp/lodge by around 1030am.

Is there a minimum age/mobility restrictions?

As a rule of thumb, we generally don’t fly children under the height of the basket or under age of 3 years. There is no upper age limit, provided passengers are reasonably fit and ready to enjoy the adventurous soaring across the majestic plains. For client’s own safety, ballooning is not suitable for pregnant ladies, persons with health conditions; heart matters, brittle bones, neck or back conditions. Any balloon flight requires a certain amount of physical strength to climb in/out of the basket, in case the basket is standing upright OR lying on its side. People with impaired mobility may be accommodated with prior notice to helps us plan for them.

What should I bring with me?

We encourage guests to carry binoculars, cameras and if so desirous, a “selfie stick’ to catch those very fine once-in -a-life-time moments!

Dressing in layers; warm Jacket/fleece is best for the transition from the cool, dark early morning to the relatively late morning sunrays. It is normally cool in the early mornings and as you watch and wait for the balloons to be inflated, the chilly morning breeze can be uncomfortable. Once on board, the heat from burners above makes all around you warm. Trousers, long sleeved shirts/tops and closed shoes come in handy in case we need to walk through some grass after landing.

How does the pilot control the balloon?

Hot air rises…..The balloon normally glides with the wind, but at different altitudes the wind often flows in different directions; by expertly navigating this vertical landscape the pilot finds some directional control. In order to gain or lose altitude, the pilot manipulates the temperature of the air inside the balloon envelope using burners fueled by butane gas. When heat is added, the balloon gently rises. In order to descend, the pilot allows the balloon to cool naturally. The cooler the air inside the balloon becomes the more quickly it descends. As the balloon descends and approaches for landing the pilot will adds some bursts of heat from the burners to slow down the rate of descent and ensure landing is safely done with the expertise of a Mara Pilot.

Are take-offs and landings rough?

Take-off is generally quite gentle, although it may be a bit fast in windy conditions. If the wind is above 15 knots at the take-off site, we will not fly due to safety concerns. While most of the landings are smooth, some landings are what we call a “tip over” landing, where the balloon basket drags along the ground for some meters before coming to a stop lying on its side. There may be a few bumpy landings though… all steered safely to a stop.

Do you ever cancel a flight? What happens if my flight is canceled?

We rarely cancel flights (~5 times per year), and only do so due to high winds, rain, or extremely poor visibility. If your flight is canceled you will receive a 100% refund. Or, if your safari schedule allows and there is available space in the balloons, we can attempt to fly you the following day.