Question 1

What wildlife will we see?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the day and the zone. Year-round: elephant herds, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo, topi, impala, hyena. Often: lion, cheetah, leopard. Seasonally (July–October): the Great Migration, including river crossings. From altitude you see patterns no ground safari reveals — herd formations, predator lines, the shape of the river.

Question 2

How long is the flight?

Accepted Answer

The flight itself is 60 minutes, give or take ten. The full morning — pickup, briefing, flight, champagne breakfast, return to camp — is about five hours. You will be back at your lodge in time for a mid-morning nap.

Question 3

Can I take photos and videos?

Accepted Answer

Yes, constantly. We recommend a wrist strap for anything expensive. Drones are not permitted in the national reserve and conservancies, but your phone or camera is welcome. A short professional flight video is included in every booking.

Question 4

Is the champagne breakfast real?

Accepted Answer

Real and full. After landing we set a table on the plains: eggs cooked over an open fire, fresh fruit, pastries, meats, coffee, and a glass of chilled champagne to toast the landing. Dietary needs are accommodated if you tell us at booking.

Question 5

When is the best time to fly?

Accepted Answer

Every dawn is singular. If you want the Great Migration, July through October. If you want lush green plains and newborn wildlife, February and March. If you want the fewest other tourists, May to mid-June. We fly 365 days a year.

Question 6

How safe is a hot air balloon safari?

Accepted Answer

Ballooning is statistically one of the safest forms of aviation. Our crew is certified by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, each pilot has logged 2,000+ hours, and every flight is preceded by a pre-dawn safety briefing and a weather clearance. We do not launch outside our published safety envelope — wind, visibility, and cloud base all need to align.

Question 7

What if the weather is bad?

Accepted Answer

Weather cancellations are rare but absolute. If we deem conditions unflyable, your flight is rescheduled to the next available dawn at no extra cost, or fully refunded. The call is made by the pilot-in-command 30 minutes before launch, based on surface wind, upper-level wind, cloud base, and visibility.

Question 8

Are there age, weight, or fitness limits?

Accepted Answer

Minimum age is 7. There is no upper age limit, but guests must be able to stand unsupported for 60 minutes and step in and out of a basket that sits roughly 1.2m off the ground. We do not fly pregnant guests or anyone weighing over 135kg for balance reasons. If you're unsure, email us — we'll figure it out.

Question 9

How high do you fly?

Accepted Answer

Cruise altitude is 800 to 1,200 feet — high enough for the scale shift, low enough to see a lion's tail move in grass. Ceiling varies by zone and wind profile. We never exceed what the conditions invite.

Question 10

Is the burner loud? Is it uncomfortable?

Accepted Answer

When the burner fires, yes — it's a sound like a large stove, on purpose. But between burns, for stretches of 20 to 90 seconds, there is nothing. No engine, no wind, no motion. That is the part most guests describe as the most profound silence of their lives.

Question 11

How do I book, and how far in advance?

Accepted Answer

Direct through this site — three fields, no account required. High season (July–October) books out 3 to 6 months ahead. Off-season bookings can often be confirmed within 24 hours of the flight. We answer every request within 4 hours.

Question 12

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your flight. Inside 48 hours we refund 50 percent, unless we cancel for weather — in which case you receive a full refund or reschedule at no cost. No deposit is required to hold your spot.

Question 13

What's included in the price?

Accepted Answer

Transfer to and from the launch site within our standard radius, pre-flight briefing, the 60-minute flight, a short professional video of your flight, full champagne breakfast on the plains, a flight certificate, and all reserve/conservancy fees.

Question 14

When and how do I pay?

Accepted Answer

A card authorisation holds your spot. We charge 24 hours before your flight — so if weather cancels, there's nothing to refund. Payments run through Stripe in USD, EUR, or GBP. We do not accept cash at the launch site.

Question 15

Is there a group discount?

Accepted Answer

Parties of 6 or more receive 10 percent off the standard rate. Private charter pricing is already calculated per basket, so effectively larger groups pay less per person. Children under 12 fly at 60 percent of the adult rate.

Question 16

Will you pick me up from my lodge?

Accepted Answer

Yes — free pickup and return from any accommodation within a 45-minute radius of the launch site. For lodges further out (Kichwa Tembo, parts of the northern conservancies), we arrange transfer at cost. Tell us where you're staying when booking.

Question 17

What time does everything start?

Accepted Answer

Pickup is between 04:30 and 05:00 depending on your location. Launch is at first light, typically 05:30 to 05:45. Breakfast runs until about 08:30, and you're back at your lodge by 09:30.

Question 18

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

Closed-toe shoes, long trousers (for the landing — acacia is unforgiving), and layers. Dawn is cold, mid-morning is warm, the burner is warm above you. A fleece, a light windproof, and a brimmed hat for after. Avoid loose scarves.

Question 19

Is there a toilet on the balloon?

Accepted Answer

No. The basket is about 3×2 metres, divided into compartments, with no facilities. We recommend using the bathroom at your lodge or the launch briefing area, and limiting fluids in the 30 minutes before lift-off.

Question 20

Can I book a private balloon?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Private charters are available in Mara North and the Triangle for parties of 2 to 12. Pricing is per basket, not per person. Contact us directly for bespoke timing, custom launch sites, or in-flight moments (proposals are a speciality).

The questions we get,
at 1,000 feet.

Experience