GUIDE FOR BALLOON SAFARIS IN KENYA WITH AFRICANMECCA

AfricanMecca offers one of the most thrilling and breathtaking ways to see the Kenyan wilderness — Ballooning Safaris! From high above the landscape, you look out across the plains to see the flora and fauna while drifting gently with the wind! What an exciting addition to your adventure-seeking holiday in East Africa! A balloon ride over the Kenyan plains, rivers, forests and rift valley ecosystem in Masai Mara allows you to see a macroscopic view of the animals, much better than what is possible during a land-based game drive or bush walk.

Seeing far into the distance, you recognize the familiar shapes of elephants, giraffes and other larger creatures, and gazelles, impalas, zebras and other mid and smaller denizens appear only as small movements below you. You may observe a lion or other predator kill from beginning to end, as well as the wildebeest herd movements along migratory paths!



A scheduled balloon trip on your AfricanMecca itinerary starts at daybreak, so you watch all the preparations against a glorious sunrise backdrop. Next to a wicker basket lays the colorful, ripstop nylon material of the balloon. The ground crew scurries about to ensure that the balloon is prepared for inflation. Slowly the balloon fills with air warmed by the burner, and soon you safely climb aboard with assistance from the crew. You settle in and await the moment when the balloon leaves the ground. The crew skillfully positions the balloon until the pilot signals that all is good, and you feel a sensation of leaving the ground.

Your immediate surroundings slowly evolve into a vast landscape, and your heart pounds with anticipation. And this is only the beginning! The balloon wafts across the sky, casting a shadow on the ground below, and you are mesmerized by all there is to see! After about an hour, your pilot skillfully lands the balloon, and you find a lovely champagne breakfast awaiting your arrival. An airborne excursion such as this is sure to be a true delight for any outback traveler in Kenya!



Our balloon safaris in Kenya are available for adults and children up to 16 passengers, although there are some limitations. The age restriction is four years old, and youngsters must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Guests must also weight 265 lbs (120 kg) or less and be in good overall health. If you weigh more than the allocated load, you may need to purchase an additional seat to ensure your weight is balanced with other passengers for the safety of the flight. You should speak with your AfricanMecca travel representative to ensure that your group meets the requirements.

We recommend that you bring some essentials with you, including binoculars, hat, jacket and camera. Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirt, as the temperatures aloft vary significantly from the ground temperature. AfricanMecca Safaris teams with the best and most professional hot air balloon pilot operators in Kenya, so your safety and enjoyment on vacation are an utmost priority.

Approximately 20 to 25 ground crew stand ready during launch and landing, and a chase crew follows the balloon. Balloon flight tours in Kenya are currently only available in Masai Mara National Reserve once a day from selected camps and lodges. The balloon flights in Amboseli-Kilimanjaro and Great Rift Valley Lakes near Nakuru have stopped operating until further notice. Alternatively, you could also do a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti and Tarangire in northern Tanzania.



Select Your Preferred Kenya Trip Idea Experiences

1. Safari Trip Ideas

2. Beach Trip Ideas

3. Mountain Trip Ideas

4. Itinerary Trip Ideas