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Hot Air Balloon at Dawn Safari

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Balloon Safari

You can watch the sunrise over the plains of Africa in the Balloon Safari.

Buffalo

You have an opportunity to watch Buffalo here.

Elephant

You have an opportunity to watch Elephant here.

Honeymoon Safari

Discover Africa together with your beloved person in the Honeymoon Safari

About the Hot Air Balloon Safari – The African Dawn

There is nothing quite like it. The absolute peace of immense vistas, muted colours and crisp, fresh air coupled with the ever-present promise of something wild as the balloon floats you silently above it all like a dream come true.

The balloon lifts off at dawn (0615) after coffee and a flight briefing. The one-hour flight will give you a bird’s eye view of the best East Africa has to offer, in the magnificent setting of the Great Rift Valley. Then, as soon as you land, a champagne breakfast in the bush awaits you.

Early morning is the ideal time to see wild animals on the plains, especially in the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. This is an experience you will never forget.

About the Balloons

They stand 10 storeys tall and are made by Cameron Balloons of Bristol, England. The balloons last about 400 flying hours in the fierce African sun, which means they must be replaced every 2 years.

They are twice the size of Double Eagle II, the balloon the Americans used to successfully cross the Atlantic in August 1978.

Specs

The largest of the balloons, the Cameron A315, stands as high as a ten-storey building, measures 100 feet across at its circumference and has a volume of 315,000 cubic feet (9000 cubic metres). The A315 is among the largest operational balloons in the world. At sea level, it has a lift capability of over two tons (2000kgs), although in Africa it carries a maximum of 12 passengers and the pilot.

The balloon “envelope” is made of a nylon-based fabric superior to that of a spinnaker sail. The basket is made of woven cane and willow by expert craftsmen in the Royal Workshops for the Blind in Bristol. The design has not been surpassed in over a hundred years of balloon flight as there are few other materials that combine strength with resilience for so little weight.

Flight Control – one of the safest forms of flight

The balloon’s lift comes from hot air which is slightly lighter than the surrounding cold atmosphere. The hotter the balloon, the faster it rises. As the balloon cools, it slowly descends. The pilot can control the balloon to brush the grass or the tops of trees, yet could, if he wished, go as high as 15,000 feet. However, the flying in the Mara is kept more down to earth.

The balloons are not flown in winds greater than 15 mph ( 30kph), so the calm African mornings are the perfect time for our flights. The balloons must go where the winds take them but, as winds at varying heights often have varying directions, the pilot can choose his height and hence his direction.

Fuel

The balloon is “powered” by ordinary cooking gas to heat the air in the envelope.

The fuel system is duplicated in every respect to prevent failure of the burner. If all power should be lost, however (something which has, in fact, never happened), the balloon would enter a stable cold descent with the envelope acting as a parachute. This feature of the balloon makes it one of the safest forms of flight.

The Pilot

To pilot a balloon, it is necessary to gain a pilot’s license exactly as with other forms of aircraft. There are a set number of hours of instruction and the same theoretical exams to pass as any fixed wing pilot. Also, like their fixed wing counterparts, balloon pilots keep log books, carry out pre-flight checks and monitor the weather conditions for safe flying. In addition, the balloon pilots have undergone extensive professional training and have international experience.

Itinerary

Camp/ Lodge - Masai Mara National Reserve

The Balloon Safari starts before dawn between 04:30 and 05:00 am, when you are picked up from your camp or lodge and transferred to the ballooning start point. On arrival, you can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as you watch the balloon being inflated and prepared for launch. After a thorough safety briefing and demonstration of the boarding and landing position, you board your balloon and lift off as the sun rises!

Each balloon can carry between 8 and 12 people per flight.

The direction you take will depend on the wind, and you may float over forest, plains or rivers. Your pilot will point out the game below, and there are ample opportunities for photography.

One of the best things about ballooning is that it’s silent, apart from the occasional noise from the balloon’s burners. After about an hour, you will land on the plains, possibly with a bump and certainly ready for breakfast.

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Prices and Seasons

STANDARD

Date1 people2-3 people4-5 people6+ people
Jan 3 - Jun 30, 2024

USD 425 per person

USD 425 per person

USD 425 per person

USD 425 per person

Jul 1 - Oct 31, 2024

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

Nov 1 - Dec 21, 2024

USD 425 per person

USD 425 per person

USD 425 per person

USD 425 per person

Dec 22, 2024 - Jul 2, 2025

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

STANDARD

Date1 people2-3 people4-5 people6+ people
Jan 3 - Jun 30, 2025

USD 435 per person

USD 435 per person

USD 445 per person

USD 435 per person

Jul 1 - Oct 31, 2025

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

Nov 1 - Dec 21, 2025

USD 435 per person

USD 435 per person

USD 435 per person

USD 435 per person

Dec 22, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

USD 450 per person

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy or single occupancy unless otherwise noted. Optional activities are at an additional cost. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars. Children below 3 years are free of Charge, children between 3 and 12 years will pay 75% of the adult rate.

INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS

What's Included


  • All transfers from the camps & lodges
  • Champagne style bush breakfast
  • Flying Doctors medical, emergency, and rescue cover
  • English speaking tour guides/driver
  • All applicable government taxes and levies
  • Personalized private service

What's Not Included


  • International flights and taxes
  • Passports and visa applications and processing
  • Accommodation at your camp or lodges
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and gratuities for drivers/guides

Positive Impact Travel

By joining this trip you are directly supporting positive impact projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve offset the carbon emitted by this trip by purchasing credits that support important projects that address the UN’s seventeen SDGs, like reducing poverty, affordable and clean energy, reducing hunger, clean water and climate action.

Proceeds from this adventure purchase carbon credits through the local and most awarded carbon project developer, which are invested into projects accelerating the transition to renewable energy sources in our developing countries.

Supported projects are based on internationally recognized standards and are third-party audited. They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Total: $400 From $400 /person
DAYS
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PRICE FROM (USD)
$425
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This trip is 100% CARBON OFFSET

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465 reviews

Fantastic Safari

This was our first Kenyan Safari, I’m so glad we chose Flash McTours. Our driver Patrick was excellent. He picked us from the hotel in Nairobi and we drove six… This was our first Kenyan Safari, I’m so glad we chose Flash McTours. Our driver Patrick was excellent. He picked us from the hotel in Nairobi and we drove six hours to the Masaai Mara. Patrick was very skilled and diligent about making sure we saw the wild life, we managed to see four out of five of the Big 5! The ride and terrain was very rough but worth… Read more

Alicia W

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A bucket list experience!

Everything in this trip from the time we made our reservations till we got dropped back at our hotel was great. We came across FlashMc through Trip Advisor when browsing… Everything in this trip from the time we made our reservations till we got dropped back at our hotel was great. We came across FlashMc through Trip Advisor when browsing for a tour operator. I can definitely vouch for them.Peter was there to hear out what we wanted and helped curate an experience to our liking and never lost patience to multiple queries and calls.We had planned to visit Masa Read more

Sree G

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Incredible

Just back from a wonderful safari with Africa Flash Mc Tours. Prior to the trip Peter communicated fast and efficiently answering many questions and accommodating any requests. The trip was… Just back from a wonderful safari with Africa Flash Mc Tours. Prior to the trip Peter communicated fast and efficiently answering many questions and accommodating any requests. The trip was exactly as we hoped, amazing local guides who were both fun and informative. We were a private family trip and they kept our teenagers engagedand interested at all times. We most definitely recommend this company if you want efficient, caring… Read more

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It was an absolute pleasure traveling with my Buddies

It was an absolute pleasure traveling with my Buddies on a 4-Day Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari with Africa Flash McTours. Edward, our guide was an absolute gem. He… It was an absolute pleasure traveling with my Buddies on a 4-Day Maasai Mara and Lake Nakuru Safari with Africa Flash McTours. Edward, our guide was an absolute gem. He not only gave amazing insights into local culture & traditions but also had extraordinary knowledge of the fauna. The four days seemed to fly by, from the breathtaking scenery of Lake Nakuru to the breathtaking sightings in the Maasai Mara.Every… Read more

Ella A Rocklin, CA1

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Incredible Safari with the best Safari Specialists!

We became aware of FlashMcTours through friends / family who live in Kenya. And I can say that this safari was top organized all around! I would recommend FlashMcTours to… We became aware of FlashMcTours through friends / family who live in Kenya. And I can say that this safari was top organized all around! I would recommend FlashMcTours to anyone who wants to do a safari in Kenya or Tanzania. Everything was just perfect: very nice guide; good and comfortable car; good eye to find the animals; organization of accommodation; special stops on the way (e.g. Lake Naivasha &… Read more

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Our Partners and Booking Security

Africa FlashMc Tours and Travel is a member of Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO), membership code: No.AS/687. KATO is one of the key tourism trade associations in Kenya, representing the interests of over 400 of the most experienced professional tour operators in Kenya. As a member, our services have been checked and are bound by the Code of Conduct to provide the highest possible quality of service to their clients. The scheme is insured to guarantee your holiday safari in the unlikely event that a bonded KATO member ceases operating.

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