BALLOON SAFARIS IN MASAI MARA (2024-2025 PRICES)
Expert Guide On Balloon Trips In Masai Mara
Hot air balloon rides are exhilarating in any setting. A hot air balloon safari over Masai Mara National Reserve, though, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We highly recommend that adventurous guests plan to stay at the reserve for at least three days to allow time for this activity along with your other safari activities such game drives, bush walks, village visits and more.Additionally, hot air balloon flights need to be pre-arranged by your AfricanMecca trip representative to ensure guaranteed availability due to the limited space of only 16 passengers in a balloon. The balloons can accommodate adults and children, with some limitations.
Children must be at least four years old and must be accommodation by a parent or guardian. We recommend that adults be in good physical condition. Adults who are over 265 lbs (120 kg) may be required to purchase an additional spot on the balloon (twice the cost) for safety precautions, though this can be waived depending on flight occupancy at the discretion and prior approval from the pilot.
For our guests who have not been on a hot air ballooning excursion in Africa or elsewhere, we offer some general information about how a hot air balloon works and what to expect. Typically, staff of 20-25 people are required for the launch and recovery. When you arrive at the launch site, you may have a chance to see the balloon, also known as an “envelope,” being inflated.
The ground crew opens the envelope by laying it across the ground. A large fan is used to inflate the envelope partially. When the envelope is about half-full, the crew attaches the basket and burner. The basket remains fully secured to the ground during inflation. The burner is used to inflate the envelope fully.
Watching the inflation and preparation is an incredible experience, as you soon see the truly massive size of the balloon. Once the balloon is fully inflated, the crew helps passengers aboard. The basket of your balloon is sectioned into multiple compartments for both your comfort and safety. The ground crew steadies the balloon as your pilot gives you and other guests a safety overview. When everyone is set, the burner is turned on once again, and you feel the balloon aloft the ground.
The crew guides the basket until the balloon is safely launched. No two hot air balloon safaris are the same. The balloons rely on air currents, such as wind direction and speed. The pilot only controls the up and down movement. This is why hot air balloons require a chase team, and why you will have a unique and exclusive tour of Masai Mara National Reserve during each hot air balloon safari!
Best of all, hot air balloons fly over areas of the reserve that are restricted to safari vehicles! During your flight, even the altitude of your balloon flight is different – sometimes, you rise high above the plains so you can see for miles while at other times, you remain closer to earth, giving you close-up views of the animals.
AfricanMecca Safaris can arrange hot air ballooning in Masai Mara for all guests staying either in the reserve or in private conservancies; though, pickup times do vary depending on the distance from the launch site. Private hot air balloon safaris can also be arranged for multi-generation families and small groups during their bush holiday, and a discounted rate may be available depending on your month of travel.
Balloon Safari Ride Experience In Masai Mara With AfricanMecca
The day of your hot air balloon safari with AfricanMecca begins before dawn. You awaken to the quiet sounds of the East African bush – soft calls of indigenous birds, rustling vegetation signaling the presence of a large mammal, low snorts and grunts of hippos returning to the river and may be a distant roar of a lion. Your memories are filled with images of the prior day’s game drive through Masai Mara National Reserve (read more on when is the best time to travel).Your curiosity is piqued as to the wonder and amazement you are sure to feel as you drift above the savannah plains in a hot air balloon. A soft voice outside your tent pulls you back to reality, and you hurriedly dress in your favorite Kenya safari attire. You are sure that the air will be cool, so you don long trousers and a comfortable shirt before putting on your hiking shoes.
As you head out, you grab the last of your belongings – a hat, long-sleeved jacket or warm fleece, camera and binoculars. A member of the ground crew awaits you by the 4x4 vehicle. You climb aboard and head out across the open plains. The pre-dawn hour gives you an interesting insight into animal behavior. Hyenas gather around the remains of a lion kill, a young elephant playfully chases various birds and a gazelle springs amongst the grasses.
Ahead you see some of the launch staff where the massive balloon is partially inflated and billows in the gentle morning breeze. You watch intently as the crew attaches the basket and burner. Suddenly, an orange flame illuminates the setting, creating an almost artistic contrast with the soft pastel colors of the dawn sky.
After a few minutes, you climb into the basket.Anticipation grows as you await the launch. The ground crew skillfully steadies the balloon as the pilot lights the burner consistently. You feel a strange sensation in your stomach as you see the ground slip away. You look across the landscape, seeing what you imagine being the farthest edges of the terrain.
As you ascend aerially, beautiful features unfold before your eyes – gentle rolling hills, meandering rivers and lush grasslands. From this vantage point, you realize that you can locate wildlife with little guidance – giraffes, elephants, gazelles, hippos and many other grazers and foragers. If you are lucky, you may even spot the lordly predators like lions, hyenas, cheetahs and other hunters.
As you sail above the reserve, you gain a greater perspective and deeper appreciation for the intricacies of the Mara ecosystem, as well as the synergistic relationship between flora, fauna and human. You see how animals feed upon vegetation, moving when a new supply is needed.
You watch herds move toward the water to drink and bathe. You watch as two elephant bulls fight for breeding rights. You notice how a cheetah mother gracefully moves through tall grasses to hunt food for her young. You observe a fish eagle soar in the open skies before diving to the river’s surface where it elegantly extracts a fish.
Should your personalized AfricanMecca travel to Masai Mara Reserve occur from July to October, you may also be enthralled by the Great Migration of enormous herds of wildebeests and zebras.
Your hot air balloon ride lasts about one hour, but your experience lasts a lifetime and very much worth its high price. After landing, the ground crew helps you out of the basket and escorts you to a lovely setting for a bush breakfast. A customary champagne toast celebrates not only your experience, but also the incredible beauty that you discover during your superb dream vacation in Africa.
COST OF MASAI MARA BALLOON SAFARI
AfricanMecca recommends you plan and book your balloon safari in Masai Mara at least 8 to 10 months prior to your arrival. Balloons safaris are almost fully booked all year round due to limited seating capacity and high demand. Please contact our expert Africa consultant to customize your safari and request prices based on your travel preference.
Prices are in US $ Dollars. Price guide is per person sharing.
2024 Prices (CY) - Masai Mara Balloon Safari - Early Morning Activity
Masai Mara Balloon Safari - CY | Per Person Sharing |
---|---|
January To December | $585 |
- Balloon safaris are only available at designated camps and lodges in Masai Mara based on 5.00 am pick-up. Contact us to plan your safari in Masai Mara.
2025 Prices (NY) - Masai Mara Balloon Safari - Early Morning Activity
Masai Mara Balloon Safari - NY | Per Person Sharing |
---|---|
January To December | $635 |
- Knowledgeable program expertise, pre-planning resource guidance along with firsthand experience.
- Professional balloon safari pilot guiding services. All pilot guides are experts in African wildlife, game driving, culture and history, many of whom speak other European languages.
- Bush breakfast after the flight.
- Pick-up and drop-off from your camp or lodge in Masai Mara.
- All balloon flight fees, VAT, government levies, service charges and taxes for the services booked.
- Africa, America and Europe office and emergency contact details.
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WHERE TO STAY IN MASAI MARA
The Mara accommodations we recommend are located in five zones: northern, eastern, southern, western and central. Staying at both the conservancy and main reserve offer a discerning experience.
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MIGRATION IN MASAI MARA
Masai Mara is the most noted location of the Great Wildebeest Migration due to its famed Mara River crossings. As such, our travelers place great importance on having front row seats to the event.
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SAFARI & TOUR IN MASAI MARA
Game drive experienced in varied outbacks from riverine woodlands to the great plains is the most widespread tour activity. Other activities are bush walks, village visits, ballooning trip and more.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT MASAI MARA
The migration season from July to October is considered the best time of the year to visit the Masai Mara. Game viewing is optimal at this time as there is plenty of predator and prey interactions.
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GUIDE ON MASAI MARA
Offering superb plains scenery, unmatched safari activities and diverse wildlife, Masai Mara Reserve is considered Kenya's best park and one of Africa's highest wildlife density region for predators.
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MASAI MARA CONSERVANCIES
The Masai Mara conservancies offer the lowest density of guests, distint activities, unique accommodations, as well as incredible flora and fauna experiences in the most pristine wilderness areas.
AFRICANMECCA REVIEWS
What are our Customers saying about us? READ MORE REVIEWS
We had a fantastic trip to the Masai Mara. Thank you for helping to organise it. We will definitely recommend yourselves to our friends who are planning on travelling to Kenya. Thank you again.
Tadhg Jones - AIG Inc - Croydon, United Kingdom
We had a fantastic trip to the Masai Mara. It was well organized by AfricanMecca Safaris and I had no worries. We loved the baby lions and were also able to see the leopard stalking its prey.
Ken and Pam Daut - California, United States
Jambo Raza!!! The safari trip was spectacular! Everything went off without a hitch. We loved the Masai Mara. The migration was awesome. You listened to what I wanted and delivered it perfectly.
Judi & Chaim Platt - Toronto, Canada
My trip to Kenya was beyond fantastic. I loved every second of it and I must thank you and your staff at AfricanMecca Safaris for making my travels to Masai Mara possible and most enjoyable.
Katie Chakey - New Jersey, United States
Raza, Thank you for all your diligent assistance in coordinating our photo safari to the Masai Mara. Thanks again for all of your help in making this a truly dream vacation. I will be recommending you.
Rusty Phenix - (Phenix & Crump Attorneys At Law) - Texas, United States
We had an incredible experience in Masai Mara & on the beach. Everything went very smoothly and the AfricanMecca representatives were fantastic. Thank you for putting together this amazing trip for us.
Dr Cory M. Bryant - US FDA - Washington D.C, United States
I cannot say enough about the quality of AfricanMecca. Their teams in Kenya and Tanzania were top notch. Raza, again thanks to you and your entire organization! We will be repeat customers.
Dan Kobick - Managing Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers - New York, United States
EAST AFRICA SAFARI BOOKING TRIP IDEA FOR MASAI MARA IN SOUTH-WESTERN KENYA
When visiting Masai Mara National Reserve, we recommend combining your wildebeest migration safari with Amboseli, Samburu or Laikipia - Lewa, Nakuru, Elementaita, and Naivasha - Great Rift Valley Lakes. You can also climb the 2nd highest mountain in Africa: Mount Kenya.
You may optionally extend out to other wilderness areas of Meru, Chyulu Hills or Tsavo East - Tsavo West for an offbeat wildlife tour.
You can end your vacation at the Indian Ocean for a beach vacation and Swahili cultural tour on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar, Lamu, or Mombasa.
Best Safari Planning Ideas & Trip Experiences For Kenya
Below are guide references on how to plan each of the below safari experience in Kenya. Alternatively, go to the summary section for a quick overview of each trip planning experience.1. How To Plan Kenya Safari Trips? (Summary)
2. Wildlife Safari Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
3. Private & Tailor-Made Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
4. Honeymoon Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
5. Family Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
6. Luxury Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
7. Photo Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
8. Cultural Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
9. Primate Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
10. Hike, Trek & Bush Walk Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
11. Birding Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
12. Horseback Riding Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
13. Balloon Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
14. Wedding Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
15. Bush & Beach Safaris Trip Planning Guide For Kenya
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