Reviews: Balloon flight over the Mara

"A balloon ride with Africa Eco Adventures Ltd Hot Air ballooning

OMG! It's Four AM - wake up!!! Time for a balloon ride. After the hippo visited us at our tent at midnight, we were both dragging a bit. The coffee and biscuits helped as well as the excitement of the upcoming ride. We were both a little wary about our first balloon ride but were determined that our bucket list trip would not be complete without trying a balloon ride. We piled into our open-air 4x4 safari truck and drove almost a full hour in the pitch-black dark with very bumpy roads – a little more challenging not seeing the bumps in the road before hitting them. We’ve had the Kenyan massage many times before, but not in the dark driving to be somewhere at six am sharp! It was all good, though, as we were getting excited in anticipation (nervous?) of the impending balloon flight. We arrived at the launch site with over a dozen balloons being readied for flight.

Our driver took us over to our assigned balloon (we were assigned a balloon based on when we arrived) as the balloon crew was still unloading the balloon and basket from an open platform, four wheeled trailer being pulled by a farm tractor. We made it before six am, so we must have made good time on the dirt road as we were told it is normally about a two-hour drive to the launch site. As we watched the crew start to inflate the ballon, the first pale red ribbon of dawn was beginning to surface at the edge of the savannah horizon and the Loita Hills. Captain David conducted our safety briefing and walked us through the flight details of the Kubichek 425 balloon. Meanwhile, the giant fans pushed the twenty-foot-plus massive flame from the burners of the propane tank into the balloon. Captain David emphasized the importance of flying the balloon along a specific path because we were close to the Tanzanian border, and it was crucial to avoid inadvertently crossing into their airspace as the Tanzanians did not take it kindly to being invaded (jokingly).

It didn’t take long for the balloon to stand and be stabilized. Sixteen of us piled into the now upright balloon and sat down in the basket for take-off. We were a little nervous about what to expect when Captain David said we could stand up now. We stood up and we were already over fifty feet in the air, rising quickly and hadn’t even noticed that we moved! Everything was very quiet (except for the propane flame), and very smooth! It was also much warmer than we expected since we were so close to the flame. As we went up, the dawn of the day turned into sun rise, saw the sun rise and was an amazing giant fireball which then became full day light. We drifted with the breeze over the savannah and low hills. It was very interesting to watch as Captain David could make the balloon rotate. He was able to navigate the balloon up and down and rotate (or turn in a circle) to follow the contours of the low hills. With sixteen people and the pilot onboard, he frequently fired up the propane burners to keep the balloon afloat, making our heads quite toasty in the process. We were watching the breathtaking landscape and the other balloons when someone shouted – lions! There were two pairs of lions stalking a herd of buffalo, but we didn’t see anything happen as we flew over. We saw hyenas, giraffes, elephants, and an ostrich along with the usual buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest.

While flying over the Talek River, we saw a couple of hippos zipping upstream under water. It was really interesting to watch Captain David take us up over a hundred feet and then drift as low as ten feet off the ground. Captain David took the balloon up a bit and then rounded a hill fairly low. We rounded the hill, then rose one last time before we prepared to land. We flew over the chase tractors with their trailers. We softly bounced twice upon landing and then came to a halt. Everyone scurried out of the balloon and off to a waiting safari truck to take us to breakfast.

The layout for breakfast was impressive. Long tables with table clothes and formal place settings all out in the wide-open savannah. There was a portable hand cleaning station with running water to wash your hands. Even the nearby portable loos were flushable – amazing (loos with a view)! We strolled past the kiosk offering champagne and mimosas and picked one up along the way. The food being served for a couple hundred people was huge. There was cereal, pancakes, potatoes, beans, sausage, bacon, and a station where you could get your eggs done any way you liked. Back at the table there was fruit, pastries, yogurt and toast with coffee and juice. Dining in the wide-open spaces of the savannah was truly thrilling. Afterwards, we met our lodge driver and departed from the area.

We went on a small safari drive as we headed back to the lodge. More elephants, a Pumba (warthog) family, Topi, a beautiful female ostrich, and the other usual animals were seen on our way. No great migration as the animals were over by the river Mara.
The flight over the Mara was excellent. The views of both scenery and animals were amazing.

Champagne breakfast was superb. It's amazing how they do it all in the middle of nowhere.

As first-time ballooning, we weren’t sure what to expect. Afterwards it was more like we couldn’t believe we hadn’t done this before! The experience was highly memorable, would definitely recommend them and cannot wait to do this again with Africa Eco Adventures Ltd Hot Air ballooning." Read more about this whole safari

"The balloon ride was a highlight of not only the Mara, but of the whole trip. It was absolutley worth getting up at 3:50am and driving over an hour on bumpy, bumpy, bumpy roads. Launching at sunrise, drifting across the Mara alternating silence with the blast of the baloon's burners, and having a birds eye view was a lifetime highlight. The perspective it gave us on the wildebeest migration was stunning." Read more about this whole safari

"Perhaps the highlight of our 3 week trip to Africa.

A one hour drive from Naboisho Camp to the balloon launch site over simply awful roads. But it was worth every bump.

A beautiful African sunrise seen from the serenity of the balloon. We were fortunate that the wildebeest migration had started. We flew quietly and gracefully over thousands of wildebeest with other animals interspersed. Breathtaking in its beauty. Words really can not begin to describe the experience.

And a nice, hot breakfast buffet with omelettes made to order awaiting you at the end of your balloon ride.

Perhaps the highlight of our trip…" Read more about this whole safari

"Truly stunning!" Read more about this whole safari

"The flight itself was excellent, and the balloon pilot was friendly.

I wish I had understood the sheer number of people and balloons involved. I was expecting something slightly less large-scale commercial, especially given the price.

The breakfast was good, although we drove for at least half an hour to get to it.

I would suggest that people be advised that it takes a certain amount of dexterity to get into the balloon basket while it is lying on its side.

It was not a problem for me, but it certainly was for others." Read more about this whole safari

"The balloon flight was good, excellent views of the mara and champagne breakfast afterwards." Read more about this whole safari

"This was so much fun, and beautiful overview of the Mara River area." Read more about this whole safari

"This experience was disappointing. The balloon ride was very well organized from start to finish, including an excellent breakfast in the bush, but with only a minimal number of animals visible from the air, the landscape alone, on a somewhat dismal morning, was not enough to make it a memorable time.

I can imagine that doing a balloon ride during the migration, with thousands of animals, would be a really exciting experience, but in general I would not recommend a balloon ride in the Mara at other times." Read more about this whole safari

"Gorgeous, thrilling, incredible - all the superlatives!

This was our second balloon flight from Governors Camp, the first in 2014 (also excellent) and it was even better this time! Our pilot Ray was personable, professional and inspired confidence, flying only ten feet from the ground, then rising to sail over the treetops. Such beautiful views of the landscape and close proximity to many kinds of wildlife. Very exciting.

We also enjoyed the champagne breakfast, with an incredible offering of hot and cold offerings. Impressive!
Can't wait to go again!" Read more about this whole safari

"fantastic" Read more about this whole safari