Hot Air Balloon Safari Destination
Bespoke Hot Air Balloon Experience
Welcome to Hot Air Balloon Safari Destination
Hot air balloon safari experience is one of the most unforgettable experiences that one can enjoy while of Kenya safari holiday. With this experience, you get to soar high above the plain fields of savannah and witness variety of habitats first hand in Masai Mara and Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
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Our Top Bespoke Hot Air Balloon Safaris
Imagine floating silently above the sky watching the golden savannah from birds view while the first rays of sunlight is washing over the animals below. Having hot air balloon safari experience is in fact what distinguishes your experience from another traveler’s experience. Whether you are on your first Kenya safari or you are just in Masai Mara for weekend gateway, you should not miss the hot air balloon safari. In this guide, I will take you through everything that you need to know about hot air balloon in Masai Mara and Amboseli National Parks in Kenya, what you should expect, best time to go, general costs involved and also how to book Kenya hot air balloon safari.
I remember the first day I was on hot air balloon in Masai Mara. From the start to finish, it was pure magic experience and personally with my family, we will carry it for the rest of our lives. We were 16 and our pilot was quite exceptional and skilled. Floating over the Maasai Mara plains and savannah at sunrise is thrilling. And just when I thought that we had had enough, we were welcomed with Champaigne as we touched down!
Why Hot Air Balloon is the Ultimate Experience!
When I first experienced the hot air balloon safari, I felt like no other game drive could match that experience. It was silent, panoramic flight which spew over the wilderness when everything in the ground is just about to stir.
Best time to go for Hot Air Balloon Safari
Whereas the hot air balloon safari normally happens all year round, being selective on the date that you will experience it also makes the difference. This mainly because weather the movement of wildlife and also its visibility determines how best you will experience the hot air balloon safari in Kenya.
For the months of July to October, the great migration normally happens during this time of the year thus making it be the most popular time to go on balloon safari. This is because the great migration brings with it hundreds of thousands of wild animals into Masai Mara ecosystem from Serengeti, through the Mara river. This is by itself a mind-blowing experience. From far above in the air, you will witness large group of wildebeests stretching across hundreds of kilometers creating an amazing pattern. If lucky, you might even witness them making the crossing over the crocodile infested Mara River. During these months, the weather is generally clear thus making it the best time for hot air balloon safari experience.
If you opt to go on hot air balloon safari between January and February, you will most likely witness clearer skies and also fewer crowds inside the park.January and February is normally dry months in Masai Mara thus you will have clarity during your air balloon safari.Besides, the lodges during this time are cheaper than the peak months of the year,so it is quite economical while having the best experience.In addition, it is the best time for photography in the vast plain of Masai Mara.
For best experience, you might reconsider booking for hot air balloon safari between April and May as those are the wettest month in Masai Mara.Chances are that there might be flight cancellations because of bad weather making the viscibility to be poor.If you really would need to have a hot air balloon safari experience without any hinderance, then avoid the long rain season in Masai Mara.
Pick Up & Transfers Time:0400hrs-0500hrs
In the night of hot air balloon safari, our guide normally visits the lodges for a briefing with those who are going for hot air balloon safari the following morning. Among other briefings, we will get to agree on the time that you will be picked up. The departure point is normally your lodge and you will be picked by our guides on safari jeep between 0400hrs and 0500hrs.
Briefing and Inflation of Balloon
As it is always the norm and in line with the standard operating procedures, you will have a pre-security check just before attending where launching will be done. Here, smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited and, in the event, you have one, it will be taken and then returned to you after landing. This is paramount to your safety and for others too.Your pilon will brief you all regarding your safety and precautions whether while inside the balloon basket or when just about to board it.
Carefully, he will take you through all the safety measures and also landing measures just to ensure your safety is taken care of, according to standard operating procedures internationally. With that in mind, its also important to note that most of the pilots are multilingual so your language will not be much of deterrence.
Take Off and Flight
After all the passengers have settled, buckled and buckled up, just ready for take-off, the pilot will inflate the balloon. The balloon at this time will be in vertical position and after inflating and now in upright position, he will let you stand up. Your safari adventure begins here!
If you are sharp eyed, you will see animals immediately you set off and you will never stop enjoying the beauty of Masai Mara savanna landscape camouflaged by wild animals from above. The silence, beauty and the views which get from here is mind-blowing! It will make you feel like coming back again and again for similar experiences.
Celebration and Breakfast
After the hot air balloon safari landing, the pilot will ask you to stay put inside the basket until the balloon is fully deflated and ground crew arrived. In most of the instances, the crew will just be standby waiting for you!
Your hot air balloon safari will end with glamor! This is a celebrated norm being practiced globally. Here, you will have a toast for your return to earth with complete bush breakfast. Afterwards, your guide will be standby waiting to pick you off to your lodge with en route game drive.
Hot Air Balloon Safari Cost in Kenya
Normally, the cost of hot air balloon varies from lodge to lodge due to the location of pickup, the operator and also the time of the year. During the peak season, that is between July and October, the cost are quite high because of high demand, and they get filled pretty fast. So, if you are planning to book for hot air balloon during this time, you should do it in advance.
Common Inclusions in the Hot Air Balloon Safari
Pick up and drop off from your lodge to the balloon launch site
Approximately 1 hour balloon ride in Masai Mara
Bush breakfast with Champaigne upon landing
Landing fees where applicable-Mostly on private conservancies.
Common Hot Air Ballons Safaris Pick Up Points in Masai Mara– Updated Pick-up Times
Lodge / Camp | Pickup Time | Lodge / Camp | Pickup Time |
Amani Mara | 0430HRS | African-Asian Lodge | 0500HRS |
Aruba | 0530HRS | Dallago Camp | 0415HRS |
Ashnil | 0430HRS | Fig Tree | 0530HRS |
Base Camp | 0530HRS | Fisi Camp | 0415HRS |
Dominion Lodge | 0430HRS | Game Trackers | 0530HRS |
Dorobo | 0430HRS | Kananga | 0530HRS |
Eagle View | 0430HRS | Kichakani | 0530HRS |
Elewana Camp | 0430HRS | Kicheche Bush | 0500HRS |
Encounter Mara | 0430HRS | Kicheche Olareorok | 0400HRS |
Naibor | 0445HRS | Lenchada Camp | 0430HRS |
Enkewa Camp | 0400HRS | Loyk | 0430HRS |
Entim Camp | 0445HRS | Mahali Mzuri | 0445HRS |
Ilkeliani | 0530HRS | Manyatta | 0430HRS |
JK Camp | 0530HRS | Mara Eden | 0530HRS |
Keekorok | 0500HRS | Mara Ngenche | 0430HRS |
Ker and Downey | 0430HRS | Mara Plains | 0500HRS |
Kicheche Naboisho / Valley | 0430HRS | Mara Sarova | 0500HRS |
Leleshwa | 0400HRS | Mara Simba | 0500HRS |
Malaika Camp | 0445HRS | Naibor | 0445HRS |
Mara Bush | 0500HRS | Nalepo / Acacia | 0430HRS |
Malaika Camp | 0445HRS | Nyumbu Camp | 0430HRS |
Mara BushTops | 0430HRS | Olare / Kempinski | 0430HRS |
Asilia Africa Naibosho | 0400HRS | OlMoran Camp | 0430HRS |
Mara Eden Bush | 0430HRS | Oloshaiki | 0530HRS |
Mara Explorer | 0500HRS | Olumara / Oltome Camps | 0430HRS |
Mara Hippo / Miti Mingi | 0430HRS | Oluwaru | 0530HRS |
Mara Chui Camp | 0430HRS | Osero Camp | 0445HRS |
Mara Intrepids | 0500HRS | Porini Bush | 0400HRS |
Mara Leisure | 0530HRS | Porini Mara | 0430HRS |
Mara Sopa | 0430HRS | Porini Olkinyei | 0400HRS |
Mara Toto Camp | 0500HRS | Porini Olkinyei (Mobile) | 0430HRS |
Miti Mingi Camp | 0430HRS | Rekero | 0430HRS |
Olerai Camp | 0400HRS | Riverside | 0530HRS |
Olkuperia Camp | 0430HRS | Sala’s Camp / Siana Springs | 0430HRS |
Olseki Camp | 0430HRS | Sand River Area | 0430HRS |
Oltome Camp | 0500HRS | Sekenani Camp | 0500HRS |
Oldarpoi Camp | 0500HRS | Sentrim Camp | 0500HRS |
Oryx Camp | 0420HRS | Spirit Of Mara Lodge | 0445HRS |
Porini Lion Camp | 0430HRS | Tipilikwani Camp | 0530HRS |
How to Book for Hot Air Ballon Safari in 2026
- Tell us you preferred balloon safari date.
- Tell us the number of people who will be travelling with you i.e No of Kids & Adults.
- Tell us if you have booked your accommodation and let us know the lodge you will be staying.
- Any other detail that you may add to make the experience special for you.
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Send Your Inquiry to info@ravinatoursandtravels.com or Whatsapp +254722103340
