Hot-air balloon safari in Maasai mara national reserve : The pinnacle of a Kenya wildlife safari is taking to the air above the Masai Mara National reserve. The scenery below is an endlessly thrilling combination of riverine forests, vast savannahs, towering escarpments, and rough rivers. Hot air balloon rides over the Masai Mara provide an unparalleled view of the diverse species that live there, all against the backdrop of magnificent sunrises. There simply isn’t anything quite like it; the vista is unmatched and the experience is priceless.
FLYING HIGH
Flying high over the African plains gives you a sense of freedom and elation that is truly unmatched. Yes, it may not sound appealing to get up at the crack of dawn while you’re on vacation. Nevertheless, the benefits of starting this thrilling trip far outweigh the difficulty of waking up between 4:00 and 5:00 AM. You’ll start to feel more eager as your guide leads you to the balloon launch pad. The balloon crew will prepare your balloon for takeoff and inflate it while you sip on a nice cup of coffee or tea. Your pilot will give you a briefing when the balloon is filled and after you’ve climbed into the basket underneath it before launching the balloon. Your balloon will gradually ascend to the skies as the sun begins to rise in a beautiful display of blazing reds and golds.
HOT AIR BALLOONING AND THE GREAT MIGRATION
A chance to see the “Great wildebeest Migration“ while flying over the African plains exists if you choose to visit the Masai Mara between the months of October and November. This phenomenon of migratory herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles is unmatched. One of the best ways to appreciate the scale of what is happening is to ride in a hot air balloon above the migratory herds. Other thrilling things to view include observing leopards sitting high in trees, and predators such as lions chasing their food. Every hot-air balloon ride offers the chance to discover intriguing new sights below. Your pilot will take care to occasionally fly at a lower altitude to enable the taking of the best possible images.
MASAI MARA HOT-AIR BALLOON FLIGHT PRICE
Flights with hot air balloons can be rather expensive, especially in far-off places like the Masai Mara. Prices for hot air balloon rides begin at US$450 per person. The fact that balloons have a certain lifespan before needing to be replaced is one the reason why this experience is expensive. To ensure the safety of passengers who board a balloon, balloons are decommissioned after roughly 850 flying hours, and a new balloon must be purchased.
Also, the cost of fuel and hiring a crew to operate the hot air balloon contributes to the high cost of hot air balloon rides. Six crew members and a certified balloon pilot make up each team. Each hot air balloon is launched by an additional ten people working behind the scenes (per balloon). This adds up to a sizable number of individuals whose lives are dependent on the revenue from hot air balloon trips. Each hot air balloon voyage also needs backup operations, transfer vehicles, and recovery vehicles. To top it all off, a significant portion of the hot air balloon flight costs are dedicated to environmental protection.
Included in the price for a balloon safari are:
- Approximately one-hour hot air balloon flight
- Transfer from your safari camp or lodge
- Champagne-style bush breakfast
- Transfer back to camp after breakfast.
- Conservancy or national reserve landing fees
PLANNING A MASAI MARA BALLOON SAFARI
From the majority of hotels and camps in the Greater Mara region, we can arrange departures for a Masai Mara balloon safari. We strongly advise making a balloon safari reservation in advance because it is a very popular activity that fills up quickly (especially during peak season). Please don’t forget to pack some warm clothing and a bag for your camera, binoculars, and other personal belongings.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER IS POOR?
So what happens if bad weather forces the hot-air balloon voyage to be canceled? Naturally, the hot air ballooning team prioritizes safety above all else; therefore, in the event of unfavorable weather, your flight may be canceled. If this happens, you will ideally be put on a later flight. Your money will be reimbursed if this is not an option.
