Balloon Adventure Aloft Hot Air Balloon Masai Mara Kenya Safari: Hot Air Balloon Rides in Masai Mara (Balloon flights) typically take off at 0600 Hours. Passengers arrive in time to watch the balloon inflation as the pilots torch the colored fabric to life.

The Balloon flight is for one hour, each one different path and following the days prevailing winds. A Balloon flight allows passengers to float over the world’s most spectacular Masai Mara Game Reserve, and offers a magical bird’s eye view of the annual wildebeest migration and the other wildlife the Mara is famous for.

On landing, the balloon crew set up a full champagne breakfast complete with “Bloody Marys” on the Mara plains. Each passenger then receives a certificate from their pilot as a special memoir of their flight. A game drive en route to the lodge or camp ends a special morning.

Balloon Transfers
Adventures Aloft Balloon is able to provide transfers from most of the camps and lodges in the Masai Mara. (e.g. Mara Intrepids, Mara Simba, Keekorok Lodge, Mara Sopa, Sekenani Camp, Explorer, and from the surrounding camp sites).

Information on pick up times for passengers not staying at Fig Tree Camp or Siana Springs can be received from the reception desk at Fig Tree Camp and Siana Springs or from African Spice Safaris office.

Balloon Basket Capacity
Adventures Aloft Balloon has a fleet of Cameron balloons, consisting of two A415 balloons with a flying capacity of 16 passengers each and one A315 balloon with a flying capacity of 12 passengers. Adventures Aloft Balloon is able to fly 44 passengers a day.

Balloon Pilots
All pilots with Adventures Aloft Balloon have over 1000 hours of flying experience and are all commercially rated on the large size balloons. In the fifteen years of operation in Balloon Safaris over the Masai Mara, Adventures Aloft has a perfect safety record.

Notes
* Don’t forget your camera or binoculars!
* Age and health restrictions: The minimum age for ballooning is 7 years
* Maximum group size: The balloon baskets can carry up to 12 passengers at a time
* Duration of excursion: Around three hours. The balloon flight lasts for roughly an hour, and is followed by a bush breakfast
* Start time/ location: You will be collected at around 0500 hours and driven to the launch site, ready for take-off just before sunrise (0600 hours)
* What should you wear: Mornings can be chilly in the Mara so we would recommend wearing long trousers, a warm jacket and a jumper. You may also want to wear a hat to protect your head from the heat of the burners – especially if you are tall.
* There is no maximum age, though passengers must be relatively fit and able to climb in and out of the basket, hold on to rope handles and bend their knees.

Ballooning is not recommended for anyone with health or mobility issues, or for pregnant women

1. Is ballooning dangerous?
Adventures Aloft balloon Safaris use a large modern passenger balloon which gives passengers added stability, security and comfort.

Despite being high in the air, you will be surprised how smooth the flight is, and how secure you feel as safety is our priority and Adventures Aloft ballooning Safaris only fly in perfect weather conditions.

You also feel reassured in the knowledge that ballooning is one of the safest of all the adventure activities. Add to that Our perfect safety record, and you are assured of peace of mind when you fly with Adventures Aloft ballooning Safaris.

2. What weather conditions do you fly in?
In order to fly Adventures Aloft balloon Safaris needs light winds and good visibility with no rain. The launch site is chosen with regard to the wind speed and direction.

If the weather does not cooperate the flight will be postpone and reschedule at the guests convenience, based on availability.

3. How high do we fly?
Adventures Aloft ballooning Safaris flights generally fly from treetop to 3000 feet above ground level.

4. What do we wear?
Dress comfortably based on the temperatures on the ground; remember that temperatures in the air are similar to those on the ground. It is advisable that passengers should wear clothing suitable for the time of year with flat-soled shoes not high heels.

Adventures Aloft balloon Safaris suggest hats, sun glasses and long trousers and sleeves, preferably made of natural fibers.

5. How long does it take and where do we land?
The entire safari takes 3 and a half hours. You will be picked up from your lodge in Masai Mara at around 5.30am and taken to the launch site, where you will begin your ascent a few minutes before sunrise.

The hot air balloon safari will take about an hour depending on conditions and the pilot will land the balloon in a safe place free from animals and trees.

6. What happens after we have landed?
Our crew who has been following the balloon will meet the balloon at the landing site. After a photo session to record your unique flight, we depart for Breakfast, where you will share in the 200 year-old tradition of a complimentary champagne toast.

7. How does the chase crew know where the balloon is going?
The chase crew is in contact with the pilot at all times and follows the balloon while you are in flight. The chase crew is well briefed and experienced.

8. Pilot Briefing?
The previous evening, the pilot will give you the exact time you will be collected at your lodge and all the information that you need to be ready. Keep in mind that ballooning is weather permitting and if the pilot feels it not safe, he will cancel the flight.

9. Where and when do we meet?
We meet approximately one hour before sunrise at your hotel. From there Adventures Aloft balloon Safaris transport balloon guests to one of the launch sites. The launch site is chosen by the pilot, based on wind direction. As passengers, the pilot will give you two briefings.

The first will be just after you have got into the basket prior to taking off. The second will be shortly before landing.

10. Can we bring cameras?
Guests are welcome to bring cameras and binoculars are especially recommended on the flight, however Adventures Aloft ballooning Safaris flights do not accept responsibility for personal belongings.

Hot Air Ballooning Governors Camp Masai Mara National Reserve; Take to the skies in a hot-air balloon safari with Governors balloon Safaris – Hot Air Balloon safari comapny that launches behind Little Governors’ Camp.

Governors Balloon Safaris provides transport to and from your hotel/ lodge/ camp. Upon your request we may take you on a game drive after the Champagne Breakfast.

Some of the pick up points for Governors hot Air Balloon ride include Mara West Camp, Mara Siria Camp, Governors Private Camp, Little Governors Camp, Governors Il Moran Camp, Andbeyond Kichwa Tembo, Angama Mara, Andbeyond Bateleur, Kilima Camp, Mpata Safari Club, Sanctaury Olonana etc.

You’ll be woken early to meet your driver, who will take you to the balloon launch side. This usually takes around 45–90 minutes, and due to the early hour is mostly driven in the dark. Keep your eyes open for nocturnal creatures as you wend your way through the bush.

You will arrive just as the balloon is warming up, the burner pumping hot air into the balloon so that it slowly inflates. When everything is ready, you climb into the basket whilst it is still safely tethered, securing yourself in with a safety harness.

After a safety briefing, the pilot will increase the output of the burners and very slowly the balloon will start to rise. Catching the wind, it starts to float, rising into the air and above the trees just in time for sunrise.

For the next hour or so your pilot will skilfully manoeuvre the balloon, mostly following the Mara River. He may take it up to incredible heights for seemingly endless views over the national park, then closer to ground level to spot hippos in the Mara River or herds of buffalo heading to the water for a morning drink.

Traverse the river, keeping your eyes open and trying to spot any predators loitering along the river bank, before coming in to land in a clearing on the other side of the confluence.

Landings do vary. When we did the flight the landing was perfect – the balloon barely dragged and the basket didn’t even tip over. If there is a stronger wind, however, the basket can drag a short way and tip over.

With all the passengers inside braced against the basket and hanging on to the handles it can make for an exciting finish! Once you are safely down, the balloon crew will offer you a glass of bubbles to celebrate.

Then it’s time to head off for a cooked breakfast in the bush – and more bubbles if you fancy it. Though there is of course tea, coffee and fruit juice served alongside the cereals, eggs, toast, sausages and bacon. On a practical note, there are toilet facilities at the breakfast site.

Notes
What is Included in the Cost?
* Balloon Flight
* Champagne Breakfast
* Transfers from nearby camps and lodges
* Game drive on way back to Little Governors Camp after breakfast

Maximum group size: The balloon baskets can carry up to 12 passengers at a time.

Duration of excursion: Around three hours. The balloon flight lasts for roughly an hour, and is followed by a bush breakfast.

Start time/ location: You will be collected at around 0500 hours and driven to the launch site behind Little Governors’ Camp, ready for take-off just before sunrise (around 0600 hours).

Age and health restrictions: For Safety Reasons children must be 7  years old and above and taller than 1.2 metres to participate in our hot air balloon safari

There is no maximum age, though passengers must be relatively fit and able to climb in and out of the basket, hold on to rope handles and bend their knees. Ballooning is not recommended for anyone with health or mobility issues, or for pregnant women.

What should you wear: Mornings can be chilly in Ruaha so we would recommend wearing long trousers, a warm jacket and a jumper. You may also want to wear a hat to protect your head from the heat of the burners – especially if you are tall. Lastly don’t forget your camera or binoculars!

Time: All balloon flights begin soon after dawn which means an early start. All flights take off from Little Governors’ Camp. If you are staying at another Governors’ Camp we will arrange your transfer to the take-off site.

We expect to be back at Little Governors Camp by 11 am, if you are departing the Masai Mara the same morning we will arrange to have you back earlier.

Breakfast: A Champagne Breakfast is served on landing and you will enjoy a game drive on the way back to camp.

Other Camps: Guests staying at other camps close to Little Governors Camp can also book the balloon safari. To confirm if you can balloon from the camp you are staying at please contact African Spice Safaris: Email: [email protected]

How to Book: Balloon Safaris should be booked in advance through African Spice Safaris: Email: [email protected]

Booking & Reservations for Hot Air Ballooning Governors Camp Masai Mara National Reserve Contacts;
Booking Office Tel: + 254 718-179-967
Mobile/ WhatsApp : + 254 721-242-711
Mobile : + 254 780-242-711
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.africanspicesafaris.com

Ruaha National Park Hot Air Balloon Safari Tanzania: One of the most tranquil game viewing experiences has to be going on a hot air balloon safari where you float over the flat landscape which teems with wildlife, notably giraffes and hippos, impalas and warthogs.

Hot air balloon rides are accessable as an activity if you are on a safari in the Ruaha National Park. Ruaha Hot Air Balloon flies above the majestic scenery and wildlife of Ruaha, mostly flying over the Ruaha River and its adjacent plains.

0500 Hours: You will be picked at around 0500 Hours and driven to the launch site near Msembe Airstrip, ready for take-off just before sunrise (around 0600 Hours). Our early morning balloon ride is launched east of Msembe, between junction R23 and the river Ruaha which provides the only permanent water source in the area.

Therefore, the wildlife congregates in the valley with many resident species. The open plains, acacia woodlands, the meandering river and its many hippo pools all produce a scenic vista seen from above.

Guests meet 20 minutes prior to sunrise at the launch site and enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee as the hot air balloon is prepared for it its early morning flight. A safety briefing on the do’s and don’ts of hot air balloon flying is giving to all passengers and then it’s up into the sky.

In the pre-dawn, your balloon safari adventure begins as you leave your lodge or camp. It is still dark and there’s the chance you might glimpse a leopard or another nocturnal hunter on your way to the launch site.

The anticipation and excitement builds as you meet your pilot and watch the balloon being inflated as the sky lightens.

After a thorough safety briefing and demonstration of boarding and landing position, you board your balloon. Rising as the sun rises, your balloon floats in whatever direction the winds of the day are heading, over this land of baobabs and granite kopjes.

Using varying altitudes and layers of air to navigate, your pilot will skilfully guide the balloon. Each day is different, some of the flights may be low and at other times your balloon may climb to 1,000 feet or more. Nobody can predict, no two flights are ever the same and your balloon safari will be unique.

Eventually, after around one hour, depending on conditions, we must land. Ruaha Balloon lands somewhere near the Ruaha /Mwagusi River confluence, after a variety of low and high flying.

We celebrate in the traditional manner with an excellent sparkling wine before sitting down to a full English breakfast prepared and served in the bush in “Out of Africa” style, complete with bone china, linen table cloth and Sheffield cutlery.

Replete with breakfast and enduring memories, Ruaha Balloon Safaris Certificate in hand, you’ll rejoin your safari guide to continue the day’s activities.

Duration of excursion: Around 3 hours. The balloon flight lasts for roughly an hour, and is followed by a bush breakfast.

Notes
* Maximum group size: The balloon baskets can carry up to 12 passengers at a time
* Children under the age of seven years old are not permitted. Passengers must be reasonably mobile and fit to fly
* There is no maximum age, though passengers must be relatively fit and able to climb in and out of the basket, hold on to rope handles and bend their knees. Ballooning is not recommended for anyone with health or mobility issues, or for pregnant women
* Pick-up points for passengers include: Ruaha River Lodge, Mdonya Old River Camp, Kwihala, Jabali Ridge, Ikuka Safari Camp, Kigelia Camp, Mwagusi Camp, TANAPA Bandas, Msembe Public Campsites, TANAPA Cottages, and the entrance gate for camps outside Ruaha National Park
* The balloons are Cameron & UltraMagic A340, A450, and N415, and are coloured acacia green and savannah gold. The burners are state-of-the-art ‘whisper & stealth'

0500 Hours: Wake up before dawn with a quick cup of tea or coffee and a snack before setting off on your balloon adventure. Wrap up warm and enjoy the drive to the launch site in the dark, as you may be lucky enough to encounter some nocturnal animals.

0630 Hours: On arrival at the launch site, meet your pilot and watch as your balloon is inflated ready for lift off. Launch as dawn is breaking, rise up in the sky as the sun rises. Witness the magnificent spectacle as darkness lifts, the sky is painted orange and the ground’s silhouette begins to take form.

Float along the vast plains, following the whims of the wind, watching the mighty herds below. The launch site is in a fixed location, however the landing site is always an added adventure, for everyone, as it is determined solely on the wind direction and speed.

Your pilot uses various altitudes and air layers to navigate the balloon across the rolling plains. Each flight is novel. Go from skimming the tall grass, to just missing the flat table tops of the acacias trees, to soaring high above the plains at 1000 feet in the land of eagles and vulture.

Fly over areas inaccessible to vehicles. Appreciate the awesome vistas as you float silently above the undisturbed game. No two flights are ever the same, making for a really magical experience. The flight usually lasts for about an hour, depending on conditions.

0730 Hours – 0745 Hours: Celebrate your landing in the traditional way, with some chilled champagne before heading off to a celebratory bush breakfast. Indulge in fresh fruit and a freshly cooked breakfast complete with crisp tablecloth, bone china and shiny silver ware, in the company of your fellow passengers.

0915 Hours: A fitting finale to the morning. After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the rendezvous point to meet your guide to continue on a game drive back to camp.

Congo Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari is a popular day excursion for trekking gorillas in Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park is located in Eastern side of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Situated in the center of the Albertine Rift, between Uganda and Rwanda, Virunga’s 7,800 square km (3,000 square miles) stretches from the Virunga Massif in the south, to the Rwenzori Mountains in the north.

Virunga National Park was founded in 1925 as Parc Albert. It was the first national park to be established on the continent of Africa. Virunga National Park is habitat to about 200 of gorillas that live mostly in the southern side of the park.

Gorilla trekking in Congo Virunga National Park is popular because the cost of gorilla permits is low. Rwanda gorilla permits cost about 1500 US Dollars per person whileUganda gorilla permits costs 600 US Dollars per person. The Democratic Republic of Congo gorilla permits costs only 400 US Dollars per person.

In addition to this Virunga National Park is less congested compared to other tracking places like Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda.

Virunga National Park activities include Mountain gorilla trekking, chimpanzees tracking safaris, nature walks, Nyiragongo active volcano hike, sightseeing and landscape viewing and birding watching.

Virunga’s most prominent animals include forest and savanna elephants, buffalos, duiker, hippos, okapis, lions, and Mountain Gorillas, Eastern Lowland Gorilla, and Eastern Chimpanzee. Bird species include Grey Crowned-Crane, African Fish Eagle, Shoebill and Great Blue Turaco etc.

0400 Hours: Our 1 day gorilla trekking safari adventure from in Kigali begins with an early pick up from your hotel by our safari driver guide followed by a transfer to Virunga National Park. Kindly note that we can also start from Kisoro town or Goma town.

The drive takes about 3 hours from Kigali city to the town of Gisenyi. Gisenyi sharing a common border with Goma, the city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Goma is about 30 miles/ 48 km (1 hour driving time) to the Virunga National Park Headquarters. 

0800 Hours: Upon arrival at the Virunga National Park Headquarters we register and get a briefing about the gorilla trekking adventure.  We then transfer to the gorilla trekking start point in the Park.

A game ranger accompanies you in the search for the gorillas. Only a maximum of 8 individuals per day are allowed to trek. The reason is to help to reduce the spreading of diseases from humans to the mountain gorillas.

Only children aged 15 years and above are allowed to go for the trek. Gorilla trekking takes place during day time and it’s between 0800 hours to 1900 hours and once you get to meet them you are given strictly 1 hour to spend with the mountain gorillas.

Your Gorilla trekking adventure can take as little as an hour or can even go on longer till 5 hours. On some days it can be a 20 to 40 minutes hike from the way into the forest.

Other days it can take more than an hour’s walk to get to the Mountain gorillas since they are always on the move in search for food.

After we trek back to the base of Virunga Volcanic Mountain range to meet up with our driver and begin our journey back to Kigali – Rwanda. Those who started the tour from Kisoro town or Goma town will also be dropped back to their respective places of their residence.

Notes
* Tour can be customized
* Tour Can Depart any day
* Age Limit: 15 years and above
* Solo travelers can join this tour
* This tour starts and ends in Kigali/ Rwanda
* You will need a nice amount of fitness to do the trek
* You’ll visit Virunga National Park in DR Congo and the main activity is gorilla tracking
* A yellow fever vaccination is a requirement because you wILL NOT BE ALLOWED into the country minus proof of the inoculation

Congo Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari Prices Include;
* Park Entrance Fees
* Relevant government taxes
* Bottle of water while on safari
* Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
* Services of a professional English speaking Driver/ Guide
* Round trip transportation from Kigali to DRCongo Virunga National Park
* 400 US Dollars Gorilla Permit for Virunga National Park per person per trek

Congo Gorilla Trekking Virunga National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari Prices Exclude;
* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of 1 person required
* Porters during the gorilla trekking
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* The Democratic Republic of Congo VISA (100 US Dollars) and Rwanda Visa fees, international airfares and airport taxes; meals
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

* Bottle water
* Sunscreen is essential
* A decent rain jacket that’s made of breathable material
* A daypack that can fit snacks, a water bottle, a camera, and warm clothes
* Long hiking pants and long socks (You should tuck your pants inside your socks top protect yourself from ants!)
* A non flash camera, although there’s no need to bring a zoom lens on this trek (you’ll always be within several meters of the gorillas!)
* Hiking boots that are comfortable and water-resistant. You may choose some you have worn before. This way, you will know these boots will not hurt you

Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Forest National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari begins and ends in Kigali Rwanda. The tour could also start from Kabale, Kihihi or Kisoro.

This is a budget friendly tour for guests in Rwanda with limited time to trek Gorillas. You visit Bwindi Forest National Park in South Western Uganda for the ultimate mountain gorilla trekking.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to a minimum of 400 gorillas out of the 880 that are known to be left in the world.  Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and DR Congo’s Virunga National Park – jointly share the home to the remaining 480 mountain gorillas.

Our 1 day gorilla tour in Uganda Bwindi Forest National Park from Kigali Rwanda offers a cheaper alternative to the 1 day gorilla trekking tour to the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda simply because Gorrilla permits are cheaper/ less expensive in Uganda than Rwanda.

To add on to this, the drive from Kigali in Rwanda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is a short four to five hours. The journey is approximately 177 km, almost 3 times shorter the distance from Entebbe Uganda to Bwindi.

Besides the main activity which is Mountain Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park, other activities include bird watching with over 350 species, hiking, forest walk to waterfall trail, mountain biking etc.

Other attractions include seeing the native Ugandan Ankole long-horned cows,  culture encounters – meet warm & friendly local people and enjoying the spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes etc.

Notes
* Tour can be customized
* Tour Can Depart any day
* Age Limit: 15 years and above
* Solo travelers can join this tour
* This tour starts and ends in Kigali/ Rwanda
* You’ll visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the main activity is gorilla tracking

Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Forest National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari Prices Include;
* Park Entrance Fees
* Relevant government taxes
* Bottle of water while on safari
* Transport in a 4×4 safari vehicle
* Services of a professional English speaking Driver/ Guide
* 600 US Dollars Gorilla Permit for Bwindi per person per trek
* Round trip transportation from Kigali to Uganda Bwindi Forest National Park

Gorilla Trekking Bwindi Forest National Park 1 Day Rwanda Safari Prices Exclude; * Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers insurance
* Communication charges
* Minimum of 1 person required
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Uganda and Rwanda Visa fees, international airfares and airport taxes; meals
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

0300 Hours: Depart with breakfast boxes from your hotel in Kigali and transfer you to Uganda Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The journey travels from Kigali to Cyanika border to Kisoro and on to southern Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Rushaga.

Alternatively you will drive to Katuna border to Kabale takes about 3 hours (border processes can take maximum 30 minutes). Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is another 2 hours driver from Cyanika border or Katuna border and on to Ruhija in the northern sector of Bwindi national park.

All this depends on the availability of gorilla permits in either sector of the park.

0800 Hours: On arrival at your respective tracking sector (Bwindi National Park has four ‘4’ main trailheads where gorilla trekking is always conducted and they include Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga).

You will join the rest of the visitors for the early morning briefing by one of the professional park officials. Each sector has its own habituated gorilla families and each group also offers unique experiences.

You will be briefed on how to behave while you are with the rare mountain gorillas in the habitats and all the rules must be observed at all times as explained to you by the park official.

After briefing, you will be assigned to one habituated gorilla group to track in a group of only (eight) visitors and you will be accompanied by a guide. About 14 gorilla families are available in Bwindi for both gorilla trekking and habituation experience.

Up on getting your respective gorilla troop, you will have only an hour of face to face encounter with these rare wild creatures, take as many photos as you can, explore their general behavior and body gestures.

Your guide will interpret to you the meaning of some of the gestures. A trek to see a group of these fascination primates, requires you to take with you  adequate drinking water and energy giving snacks/ packed lunch.

You will hike into the tropical forest following specific trails in search of the allocated gorilla family. The trekking time range from 30 minutes to several hours but the interaction with gorillas last for an hour.

After, you will have lunch and then drive back to Kigali which marks the end of your one day gorilla safari.