Africa
Kenya
Rift Valley Province
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Things to do in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Balloon Safaris Ltd.
See all things to do

Balloon Safaris Ltd.

See all things to do
See all things to do
Balloon Safaris Ltd.
4.5
#12 of 101 Outdoor Activities in Maasai Mara National Reserve
Balloon Rides
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
The ORIGINAL Hot Air Ballooning Company. Flying over the world famous Maasai Mara game reserve in Kenya since 1976.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
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Balloon Safaris Ltd.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
130 reviews
Excellent
102
Very good
11
Average
8
Poor
3
Terrible
6
David B
Bruce, Australia1 016 contributions
Expensive but once in a lifetime
Jun 2023 • Solo
I was collected from my lodge at 4.30 am. We drove in a Land Cruiser to another lodge where we collected more passengers. We then drove for a long time into Maasai Mara where we met crew setting up balloons. The Land Cruiser seats were not comfortable.

We were divided into groups of 16 and then completed flight manifests. We watched as our balloons were inflated.

Our pilot gave us a briefing and assigned our positions.

Shortly after we took off.

We flew high over savanna and saw very few animals. We lowered our height when Cape buffalo appeared but we did not fly over them. We did overfly some hippos which was nice. We saw giraffes in the distance and a pair of jackals. There were some elephants, again in the distance.

I was told that the animals avoid long grass where predators hide. Unfortunately this was where the wind took us.

After landing we were driven for an exceptional breakfast. Tables were set up. Hot water and soap for hand washing and had towels were provided. Caravan style toilets were also on site. The food was excellent.

This was very expensive but great, as a once in a lifetime experience.
Written 27 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Thank you so much for the lovely review David, We appreciate your positive comments and are thrilled to hear that you found our hot air balloon safari to be a great, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being the pioneering Hot Air balloon company in East africa, with 47 years experience flying over the Maasai Mara, we endeavour to make every flight memorable. Flying at a higher altitude allows passengers to take in the expansiveness of the Maasai Mara, giving you views into Tanzania to the south and to the Ololoolo escarpment to the west; while flying at a lower altitude gives you a chance to search for wildlife from above. Having a varied flight path like this gives passengers a complete experience of both landscape and wildlife viewing. I will pass on your kind words about our breakfast to our entire crew in the Mara. Kind regards
Written 11 July 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patrick1122
Molnlycke, Sweden71 contributions
Memory for life
Feb 2023 • Couples
Pilot Peter gave us a memory for life, he informed us all the way, afterwards we had a breakfast on the savann, what a day!…
Written 24 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Hello Patrick! Thank you so much for the lovely review, and I am glad you had a great experience. Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Written 26 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cory
Albuquerque, NM25 contributions
Lifetime Memories of a Masai Mara Balloon Ride
Oct 2022 • Friends
Unforgettable balloon ride over lions, hyenas, wildebeests, zebras, etc. Pilot Peter gave us a brief history about the Masai Mara, the wildlife, etc. If you’re hesitant about ballooning, watch Balloon Safaris’ YouTube videos to help you decide. I skipped it on my first Kenya trip but insisted on going this time. It was completely worth it!
Written 10 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Good morning! What a wonderful review, thank you so much for taking the time to write one! Peter first flew with us in the 90's, and has over 20+ years flying in the Mara, so i am so pleased you had a great time. Maybe it is time we gave him his license ;-) Kidding! Our Chief pilot, Garry, was on honeymoon with his wife in the 90's too when he first flew with us (as a passenger), little did he know he would be flying our balloons in the future ;-) It's a small world! Have a lovely week ahead! Eric
Written 11 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rula- Bahrain
Bahrain7 contributions
Awesome!
Sep 2022
I went for Kenya/ Masia Mara for the first time and I loved it. I took the 4 days tour with Pongezi Tour and they were marvelous. George was the tour guide for us for the 4 days and he went out of his way to show us the big 5 and to do all our requests. The Tour was exactly what it said it will be, and I loved the different accommodations we stayed in which varies between a lodge, camp and a hotel.

will defiantly a recommend a holiday in Kenya where the country is nice, clean and people are kind.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Hello! I am so pleased to hear you had a fantastic trip, although I think you may be reviewing the wrong business? Either way, i love that you had a great time! Best
Written 11 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AandE1969
Windsor, UK123 contributions
A wonderful experience
Sep 2022 • Couples
A wonderful experience but not cheap. It’s a very early start and a long drive from your camp to the start but worth it for this amazing experience. The champagne breakfast was the perfect way to round off this wonderful experience. Minnie was a great pilot and had a lot of knowledge about the area too.
Written 22 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Good morning! Thank you for the lovely review. To make it easier for our passengers, we have a number of launch sites that we use throughout the year which are all centrally located in relation to the lodges and camps around us to try and minimise the drive time in the morning. There are, however, some properties that are further away and do require a longer drive. I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience with us and I will pass on your compliments to Manie!
Written 23 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris
4 contributions
2022
Jun 2022
Great experience! The views were stunning and the crew was very professional. If you are visiting Tanzania, I would wholeheartedly recommend doing this.
Written 12 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Good morning! I'm glad to hear that you had a wonderful balloon flight. We operate our balloons from the Maasai Mara in Kenya, so maybe you clicked on the wrong name? Either way, we are very happy you loved your flight!
Written 14 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Markstake
London, UK6 contributions
If you're going to do it... this is the best
Jul 2022 • Family
Brilliant. Pilot Garry and the superb breakfast made a spectacular unforgettable flight even better.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Thank you Markstake for the lovely review. We are glad you enjoyed the experience!
Written 25 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
stefancardoz89
14 contributions
Up, Up and Away
Jul 2022 • Couples
A must do activity in Masai Mara, for all thrill seekers.

Elle and Gary are 'THE' hot air baloon pilots to have!

They provided pre flight clear instructions, rules, regulations and humour which will keep you entertained throughout your flight.

Over all was the best morning me and my wife has had in a very long time.

Thank you Elle and Gary.
Written 7 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Thank you Stefancardoz89 for the great review, i will certainly pass on the compliments to Elly and Garry! Between them, they have decades worth of experience flying in the Mara!
Written 21 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katie Barrett
21 contributions
Beautiful views of the Mara
Jan 2022 • Friends
My friend and I booked the hot air balloon ride on New Year’s Day. It was an unforgettable experience with unique and beautiful views of Masai Mara. I was nervous at first because I’m scared of heights, but didn’t want that to stop me and I’m so glad I went! The only downfall is the animals are terrified of the noise the gas/fire makes to change the altitude/direction of the balloon. I didn’t like seeing them running scared when we were flying at lower elevation, but once we were high enough they didn’t notice. it was a great experience!
Written 8 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Hello there traveller, Apologies for not picking up this review earlier. I am so glad you had a fantastic experience with us, yippee! Due to the wind speed and the desired 60 minutes flying time, we have to mix up the flight path and will go higher to get the wider, more expansive views, and spend some time lower to the ground to search for wildlife. We do try our best to not bother wildlife, but our presence will sometimes affect them, as do the vehicles within the reserve. Thanks again for the lovely review! Eric
Written 11 October 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Martin D
Munich, Germany12 contributions
Different perspecive on the wildlife
Dec 2021
My wife and I had a very memorable balloon safari with Garry as our pilot. Initially my wife was scared and didn’t want to fly but Garry’s professionalism made her trust him. So she decided to get on board. We were 14 passengers on our flight and it was very spectacular to see all the animals from above. We saw loads of buffalo, zebra, elephants and many other animals roaming the Masai Mara. We can recommend flying with balloonsafariskenya.
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Erik Jones
Glad to hear Martin. I hope you had a wonderful trip and a relaxing festive period. All the best for the year to come!
Written 6 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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BALLOON SAFARIS LTD. (Maasai Mara National Reserve) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go