Kenya is one of Africa’s most famous countries for safaris. This amazing country is famous for wildlife safaris, nature guided walks, Hot air balloon rides and many more experiences. When planning a safari to Kenya, a hot air balloon ride is a must include in your bucket list. Floating lazily high in the skies while viewing wildlife beneath is one of the most thrilling experiences in Kenya. Here is all you need to know about Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya.
Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya are done in Masai Mara National Reserve. Masai Mara is the most famous of all parks and reserves in the country and a must visit in Kenya. This amazing safari reserve is known for ultimate wildlife safaris in Kenya – with guaranteed African Big Five sightseeing. Masai Mara is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife viewing areas and one of the country’s greatest pleasures.
Masai Mara National Reserve is approximately 600 square mile - famous for its outstanding year-round density of big game wildlife and spotting Africa’s Big Five here is something easy. It’s a no-brainer when selecting a once-in-a-lifetime Holiday experience to Africa. A Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya is one of the activities to consider when planning for a trip in Kenya. The balloon rides offer exceptional views of the dotted reserve with enchanting wildlife for you to sight.
The balloons set off at sunrise, giving you a perfect sightseeing experience as different wild animals prepare for their day. The rides take offs at the break of dawn, around 6am, gliding silently and gently up in the beautiful skies of Masai Mara. Below are the savannah grasslands that are a home to a large number of mammal grazers that can be spotted all through your Safari.
Yes, it may not sound appealing to get up at the crack of dawn while you're on vacation. However, the rewards of embarking on this high-flying adventure greatly outweigh the inconvenience of setting your alarm clock for somewhere between 4.00 – 5.00 AM. The excitement will increase as your guide leads you to the balloon launch site. The balloon crew will prepare your balloon for takeoff and inflate it while you sip on a nice cup of coffee or tea. Once the balloon is filled and you've climbed into the basket beneath it, your pilot will give you a short briefing before setting the balloon into motion.
Masai Mara is home to abundant numbers of wild animals that can be spotted during hot air balloon rides and the commonly spotted include; lions, elephant, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeests, Gazelles, zebras, hippopotamuses, Banded Mongoose, cheetah among others. The Reserve is a famous destination for a year-round wildlife viewing with opportunities to witness the famous wildebeest migration.
The vast grassy plains of Masai Mara host one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet and a must witness while on your hot air balloon rides in Kenya, “Great Migration”. Each year round, over two million wildebeest, alongside zebra, elands and gazelle, migrate to the Masai Mara National Reserve as a result of along round trek of drier lands in Tanzania. Thisa mazing phenomenon is the second largest terrestrial mammal migration on earth and one of the seven natural wonders of Africa. A must see in Kenya!
The migration of the mammal grazers usually attracts large numbers of predators in the Reserve and perhaps offering exceptional moments as you will witness a kill in action. The predators tend to follow the migrating mammal grazers with intentions to catch a prey.
During your Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Kenya, you will grab opportunities to view this spectacular event and also spot several other wildlife species and birdlife in Masai Mara.
Hot air balloon ride prices start at US$ 450 per person. One of the reasons for this is the fact that balloons can only be used for a limited number of hours before they need replacing. After approximately 850 flight hours, balloons are retired and a new balloon must be purchased in order to guarantee the safety of those who board a balloon. What also makes hot air balloon flights expensive is the cost of fuel and crew to operate the hot air balloon. Crews are made up of six crew members and a licensed balloon pilot.