African Safaris » Air Balloon Safari Africa

The Swahili word safari conjures up images of dust-stained travellers winding their way across the savannah followed by lines of African porters. But imagine floating gracefully through the air above the dirt and insects of the plains and you’ll have some idea of what balloon safaris are all about.

Jules Verne’s novel Five Weeks in a Balloon, published in 1862, was the first to mention ballooning in Africa and was the inspiration for English gas balloonist Anthony Smith’s visit 100 years later. Using a balloon lifted by hydrogen he successfully crossed from Zanzibar to Tanzania. He also completed flights over the Serengeti and the Great Rift Valley.

Accompanying Smith as camerman during these early flights was Alan Root, now a world-renowned wildlife film maker. He realised that if problems of expense and manoeuvrability could be overcome a balloon basket was the perfect place from which the majesty of the African landscape could be fully appreciated.

Alan Root had a hot air balloon delivered to Kenya and with the aid of a trained pilot set about learning to fly it. Early flights were hazardous until European flying techniques were adapted to African conditions. The result of Root’s efforts was one of his most popular films, Safari by Balloon.

While on location Root was asked on several occasions by passing travellers for rides over the savannah. It was these visitors to Kenya, who wanted to see the game from a different perspective who prompted him to set up Kenya’s first balloon company, appropriately named Balloon Safaris. Based at Keekorok. Lodge in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve the company has flown 30,000 passengers since its inaugural flight in 1976. The original five passenger balloons with their cramped baskets have now been superseded by balloons three times bigger with baskets containing seats for 12 passengers.

Much hot air: Since those first flights balloon safaris have now become a major attraction for many visitors in Kenya. Other balloon companies have sprung up in the Mara based at Governor’s Camp, Sarova Camp and Fig Tree Camp. Visitor’s staying at any lodge or camp in the Mara are close to a balloon base if they wish to fly. Although open year round the optimum time to balloon in the Mara is from July to October during the annual wildebeest migration, when over one million animals cross the plains.

The once-daily flights lift off with the rising sun for an hour long journey over an average distance of eight miles. Being highly manoeuvrable the balloons can skim tree tops or rise to over 300 metres (984 feet) for panoramic views of the rolling Mara plains.

The basket is an ideal platform for photography. Binoculars area bonus for spotting game from higher altitudes. Passengers often forget it is a hot air balloon and wear unnecessary extra clothing. However, a hat is recommended for any tall passengers who find that their place in the basket is located under the burner!

The vast plains are ideal places for landing balloons four times bigger than their counterparts in other countries. All balloon companies serve a champagne breakfast wherever they land in the park, something memorable as the flight itself.

Because balloons are moved by the prevailing winds they cannot return to their take-off point. After breakfast passenger, are driven slowly back to the lodge by retriever vehicles. All companies return passengers to their respective lodges by midmorning after presenting them with a certificate to mark the occasion.

In 1988, balloon companies started flying in two other game parks. In Samburu Game Reserve ballooners have the chance to enjoy magnificent scenery with Mount Kenya in the distance. Ballooning in the privateiv owned Taita Hills Game Sanctuary near Tsavo West Game. Reserve offers views of Kilimanjaro as well as a variety of game. Visitors are advised to book before arrival.