Rise with the sun and chase the rays as they paint their way onto a brand new morning landscape in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve.

You’re on board a Hot Air Safari balloon, silently sailing over one of the most awe-inspiring spots on planet Earth. Home to the “Great Migration” and scores of other wildlife, including lions, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos, hippos, and crocodiles, the Mara offers a high-flying view like no other.

Be ready for pickup at 05:00 and arrive on site at 06:00. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and meet your pilot, who will give you a safety briefing. Take off just before sunrise and expect to land between 07:30 and 07:45, depending on wind conditions.

Back on solid ground, you’ll be whisked away for breakfast, set up on the picturesque savannah plains of the Mara, typically under the shade of a single acacia tree. Sit down to a full Kenyan-style bush breakfast, complete with eggs-to-order, fresh juices, waiters in traditional Swahili attire, and of course, champagne.

Your guided game drive on your way back to your camp or lodge usually takes about one and a half hours – depending on what you find along the way. You should be back by 10:30, already reliving the experience of a lifetime.

INFORMATION

- Hot Air Safaris have over 50 years of collective experience flying balloons and hosting safari guests in the Mara, as well as other parts of East Africa.
- Choose between three large 16-passenger, one 8-passenger balloon or an exclusive 5-passenger balloon.
- Basic bathroom facilities are available at the launch site.
- All drivers are experienced safari guides who have attained their “bronze” level guiding certificate from the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association. They have also undertaken strict in-house training to ensure the safety and enjoyment of your game drive.