The firey glow gently inflating a huge balloon, to take off as sunbeams come across the horizon, is the best way to start the day. Floating into the sky along with the sun while watching mother nature wake up is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
One of my favorite travel experiences ever was taking a hot air balloon ride in the Masai Mara during the Great Migration. Home to thousands of species of animals, including the Big 5 safari animals, it’s truly a wildlife lover’s dream destination.
Game drives and walking safaris are the most common experiences when on a safari in Kenya, but don’t miss the opportunity to see the big 5 safari animals from above. Here’s your guide to taking a hot air balloon ride in Kenya.
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How much does a hot balloon ride in Masai Mara cost?
First things first – price. This is usually what everyone wants to know. It cost $500 per person for a hot air balloon ride experience, including landing fees. This was considered an optional excursion as part of our safari, and not everyone chose to go. If you’re part of a group and choose not to go, then you would have a morning safari (or you can sleep in!). Sunworld Safari organized our balloon ride with Mara Ballooning!
Is a hot balloon ride in Masai Mara worth it?
YES!!!! Sorry, am I a bit too excited? Yeah probably, but if I ever go back to Kenya, I would pay it again to do it again. There’s more detail below about our experience.
How is the hot air balloon landing?
Surprisingly, more people ask about the landing than the takeoff. However, both were incredibly smooth. I have a terrible fear of heights and was trying to keep my breath under control for both aspects of the experience.
What is a hot air balloon ride in Kenya like?
The day of the hot air balloon safari is an early start. The staff at camp woke us at 4:00 am with coffee, tea, and some snacks to hold us until breakfast. Armed guards escorted us to our jeep (remember you’re always near wild animals in Africa – hippos and buffalo often ate and slept nearby). It was completely dark through the 35-minute drive. As someone who gets lost in her hometown, I couldn’t understand how our driver knew where to turn in the dark!
We arrived at an open field with a number of other jeeps. Our driver informed us that the wind was favorable and we’d have plenty of opportunities for photography and wildlife spotting!
There were five of us from the group, eleven guests, and the hot air balloon pilot – making 17 people in the basket. While you couldn’t walk around the basket, it was comfortable.
I’m terrified of heights, so when we were in the basket, I kept my head down and did some deep breathing. I was nervous for the balloon lift-off – that it would be rough or bouncy or fast – I didn’t know what to expect! Honestly, though, I couldn’t even tell when we actually left the ground.
Once we were in the air, the balloon flight was incredibly smooth. It quickly became my favorite form of game drive and I wish more of our safari drives were in a balloon (and that I could afford it).
One of the benefits of taking a Masai Mara hot air balloon ride is the exquisite wildlife. Not only are you welcomed with a beautiful sunrise, but also millions of wildebeest, herds of giraffes, and zebra. We were lucky enough to see a few hyenas and a pride of lions.
The hot air balloon ride lasts about sixty minutes before landing in a designated spot in the Masai Mara National Reserve. We were greeted by staff for a champagne breakfast – which is still my favorite breakfast of all time! The Masai Mara has to be the coolest breakfast spot in the world. Not only were we served a delicious breakfast feast, there was also a temporary bathroom set up – the Loo with a view! Where else can you go to the bathroom while looking at wild zebra?
While the wake-up time was early, and the price tag a little steep, this once-in-a-lifetime experience was totally worth it. The Masai Mara National Reserve is the perfect place for a hot air balloon.
If you have any questions about the hot air balloon ride, just let me know in the comments!
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This is somethingthat has been on my to do list when I do an African safari for a long time. I had heard that the prices were high and £500 is defintely high. The 1 hour flight would cost more than my entire return trip from London in a plane!
That said, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime event so I would still do it (and save hard beforehand). The views from above are clearly stunning, as your pics show. The landing is what would scare me though, I have visions of the basket overturning so I understood your trepidations. I had better start saving up from now!
How amazing does this look?! Wow. I’ve always wanted to go in a hot air balloon and this looks like the perfect destination. That view of the wildebeest herd is very impressive. Although a little pricy I get why this is popular
I’ve been on a hot air balloon ride, and would agree, it’s definitely worth the cost. I however didn’t have the views you had and would definitely see the appeal to watch the animals, landscape and sunrise for the ultimate experience in Kenya.
There are some experiences in life, that may appear overpriced, but you just simply have to do them. One such experience is a balloon ride and I completely agree with you on that. It must have been absolutely spectacular to do a flight in Kenya and be able to see for miles, & spot wildlife. I guess with the costs it’s always a matter of where you do the flight. Balloon rides in Cappadocia,e.g. are around £80 but then it’s a very touristy area and you know people will turn up for flights. Not sure if the Kenya one is a one-flight-a-day thing or if they use the balloon later in the day, but having to fill it up for one flight a day I can see why the experience may have been more costly.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
That sounds like such an incredible and memorable experience, I’d love to do something like that! And I’m so proud of you for doing this hot air balloon ride even though you have a fear of heights!
Have always wanted to go on a hot air ballon but not sure if I could once I got in it! Seems so scary to be honest! While the price might be high sometimes those once in a life experiences are a must!
What an amazing experience. I’m also scared of heights so it’s good to know that you still enjoyed the experience and got a lot out of it
I took a hot-air balloon ride in France’s Loire Valley and absolutely adored it. I think the views there would be hard to beat, but your sunrise photo is magical.
Wow, just wow. A safari is one thing, already high on my bucket list, but to see the animals from above like that is just incredible. Pricey but worth it I’d say. Although curious about the price including the landing fee… can you really do this without needing to land?!
What a fabulous way to see Africa! I would be worried we would come down in a pride of lions! Lol.