Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast

On the day of your balloon flight, one of our custom safari vehicles will collect you from your camp or lodge at around 5 am to drive you to the launch site. You will arrive at the launch site by 6 am, and can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you watch the balloons being prepared for take-off. You will then meet your pilot, who will give you a safety briefing as well as explain what you can expect during your flight. There are basic toilet facilities available at the launch site.

You will then be loaded into your balloon basket for take-off just before sunrise, at about 6:30 am. The flight will last approximately one hour, depending on wind conditions, and the balloon will land between 7:30 am and 7:45 am. You can learn more about what you will see here.

Upon landing, you can observe the complete deflation of the balloon envelope. Breakfast is set up on the picturesque Savannah plains of the Mara, typically under the shade of a single acacia tree. You will sit down to a full bush breakfast in the Kenyan style, complete with eggs-to-order, fresh juices, waiters in traditional Swahili attire, and, of course, champagne.

During breakfast, you can also peruse the photos your pilot has taken during the flight, and decide whether you would like to purchase the photos, or any of the other Hot Air Safaris merchandise on display.

After breakfast, at about 9 am, you will have a game drive back to your camp or lodge. Depending on what you find along the way, the game drive usually takes about one and a half hours. Our drivers are all experienced safari guides who have attained their “bronze” level guiding certificate from the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. Our drivers have also undertaken strict in-house training to ensure the safety and enjoyment of your game drive.

By 10:30 am you should be back at your camp or lodge, already reliving the memories of the morning’s flight.