Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari Tours - Packages, Cost and More.
Our Masai Mara hot air balloon rides are exhilarating and unique experiences that are truly unforgettable. The activity starts at dawn with hotel pick up and transfer to the launch site. The crew then inflates the balloon, you board and the balloon takes off. The flight lasts one to two hours; two hours that gives you an entirely different perspective of the Mara.
The balloon safari takes you to a unique vantage point, high enough to give you a bird’s eye view of the park, but close enough to get a very clear view of the Masai Mara plains, the Mara River, and the wildlife below. Masai Mara hot air ballooning is a luxury experience that starts from £475 per person. We recommend it to honeymooners, families, sole travellers, and couples.
The minimum age for a hot air balloon flight in Kenya is 3 years and above. At KenyaLuxurySafari.co.uk, we organize babysitting services for families traveling with toddlers during the 1-2 hours of the balloon flight. Your child will be following the balloon aboard our luxurious safari land cruiser, and when the balloon lands, we will be there.
In this article, James Gatheru, our senior safari consultant, will share all the information you need to plan a successful Masai Mara safari including a balloon ride. But before then, let us share our contact details and our most booked Masai Mara Safari Packages.
Contact Us to Start Planning Your Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Flight & Safari
The time to plan your Masai Mara Safari is now! We invite you to contact us via WhatsApp or phone at +254-704-532-105. We are also available through email at safarioffers@kenyaluxurysafari.co.uk or safarioffers@ajkenyasafaris.com. If you prefer, you can leave us your details by filling our “Book a Safari Form” and we will get back within 12 hours.
Our Most Booked Masai Mara Balloon Safari Packages & Other Kenya Tours
Expert Guide on Balloon Trips in Masai Mara
Balloon trips in the Maasai Mara typically take place in the early morning, when the winds are calm and the air currents are cooler.
Before the flight, you will receive a briefing on safety procedures and the details of the trip. The balloon will then be inflated, and you will board the basket together with your fellow passengers and the pilot.
The flight itself typically lasts about an hour, during which you will have the opportunity to see the Maasai Mara’s stunning landscapes and wildlife from a unique perspective.
After the flight, you will typically enjoy a champagne breakfast or other refreshments before being transported back to your accommodation. In most cases, the champagne bush breakfast is prepared and served hot inside the park.
It’s important to keep in mind that hot air balloon flights are weather dependent, and may be cancelled or postponed due to inclement conditions. For this reason, we plan to have our guests do a Masai Mara hot air balloon on the first full day in Masai Mara.
Ideally, plan to spend at least 3 nights in Masai Mara so that you get free time for this and other safari activities such as game drives, bush walk, village tours, and many more. In addition, we recommend booking a Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon safaris in advance to guarantee availability. A balloon only hosts a limited number of 16 persons in a balloon. These balloons are available for both adults & children with restrictions.
Your Balloon Safari
Upon arrival, the crew wait for the planes to land before they leave the runway. The smoke from the burner illuminates the darkness and slowly envelops the balloons. As the sun rises and begins to ascend, prepare yourself for this journey. View wildlife from another perspective and enjoy tranquillity while floating over plains, forests, and rivers. Keep an eye on the elephant herd. Make sure you keep them handy. It lasts approximately a day and there is ample opportunity for photographing and capturing from a bird’s eye view.
Masai Mara hot-air balloon flight price
Hot-air balloons are quite expensive, particularly in remote locations like Masai Mara. The balloon rides are available for GBP 512. Once 850 flight hours are completed, a new balloon needs to be bought to guarantee safe operation for passengers. The fuel cost and crew costs are also major factors in hot air balloons’ costing. The crew consists of six crew members along with a licensed balloon pilot.
Hot air ballooning & the Great Migration
If you decide to go to the Masai Mara from July to October, you can watch the Great Migration in the air over the African plains. Nothing could possibly compare to these migrating zebras and gazelles. Flying above herds with hot air balloons can be a good way to capture the enormity of this event. Amongst other exciting sightings are spotting leopards on high trees or seeing active Hyenas nesting in the forests. Hot balloon flights offer the chance to visit the exciting sights below.
Hot air balloon safari
Imagine standing over the plains and vistas of Kruger and Serengeti while enjoying the golden glow of sunrise. Then you’ll find giraffes grazing in acacia forest, and enormous animals flit across the magnificent landscape. On a hot air balloon adventure in Africa, the dreams are reality and it’s one that you never forget.
Flying high
There are few things more thrilling than flying over African plains. It sounds strange and naive to wake in the early hours during an extended holiday. However, the reward of a high flying trip far outweighs the inconvenience of setting your alarm at 4:30. As your guide leads you on an inflatable landing pad, you begin seeing excitement. Throughout the afternoon your team will inflate your balloon and prepare everything before landing.
Planning a Masai Mara balloon safari?
We can arrange departure for the Masai Mara balloon safari to most lodge/campsites within the Greater Mara area. We strongly suggest booking the balloon tour early because this activity is incredibly popular and is often booked very early (especially in peak seasons). Please keep warm clothes and bring a safe box where you can store your camera binoculars.
Your Hot Air Balloon Safari Questions, Answers
Is a hot air balloon in Masai Mara worth it?
Hot air balloon rides can be a memorable and breathtaking experience, and many people enjoy taking hot air balloon rides in Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The reserve is known for its vast plains dotted with wildlife, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife. A hot air balloon ride gives you a bird’s eye view of the Mara with ample opportunities to spot hard-to-spot animals such as leopards, African wild dogs, cheetahs, and others.
Is a hot air balloon in Masai Mara worth it?
Hot air balloon rides can be a memorable and breathtaking experience, and many people enjoy taking hot air balloon rides in Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The reserve is known for its vast plains dotted with wildlife, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife. A hot air balloon ride gives you a bird’s eye view of the Mara with ample opportunities to spot hard-to-spot animals such as leopards, African wild dogs, cheetahs, and others.
Hot air ballooning & the Great Migration
If you decide to go to the Masai Mara from July to October and do a hot air balloon ride, you can watch the Great Migration from the air. Flying above herds in hot air balloons is a good way to capture the enormity of the wildebeest migration. The hot air balloon flight complements the game drive, often allowing you to spot rarities we might have missed such as leopards on high trees or Hyenas nesting in the forests.
Masai Mara hot-air balloon flight price
Hot-air balloons are quite expensive, particularly in remote locations like Masai Mara and Serengeti National Park. A balloon safari in Masai Mara costs £475 per person. However, balloon trips in Masai Mara are worth the price tag. They are unique experiences that are truly unforgettable.