Hot Air Safaris
Hot Air Safaris
4.5
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Full view
About
The Premier balloon safaris operator in the Masai Mara. We offer this service to all camps and lodges in the Greater Masai Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Features animals
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
190 reviews
Excellent
150
Very good
18
Average
10
Poor
6
Terrible
6
Ann C
Brentwood, CA23 contributions
Feb 2023
I was very nervous about the balloon ride to say the least. To top off my nerves at about 1am the morning of the trip we had thunder and lightening the like I have never heard in my 67 years on earth! Mariko Emmanuel was our driver to the balloon sight and he was so reassuring and kind and told us dont worry its going to be a beautiful clear morning and sunrise and he was so right, He explained the drive was a little bumpy and he does the run every day and not to worry! He made my nerves disappear with his kindness and humor, he is a wonderful ambassador for the company. Riz took care of us and immediately I relaxed by his professionalism..
It is expensive but the amount of people involved you understand why and safety is the of the utmost importance!!! We got low enough to see the lions eating a water buffalo. It was just unbelievably beautiful. I would highly recommend the trip !! Even for "Nervous Nellies" like me!!
The breakfast afterward was great and the food great. The table was a mini UN so fun!! Thank Mariko and thank Riz it was a fantastic experience
It is expensive but the amount of people involved you understand why and safety is the of the utmost importance!!! We got low enough to see the lions eating a water buffalo. It was just unbelievably beautiful. I would highly recommend the trip !! Even for "Nervous Nellies" like me!!
The breakfast afterward was great and the food great. The table was a mini UN so fun!! Thank Mariko and thank Riz it was a fantastic experience
Written February 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much for your kind words- and on behalf of us all at Hot Air, thank you for challenging yourself and joining us for the flight!
Written March 14, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Colin Clark
Jersey, UK20 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
We had this booked as one of the first things we did and it didn’t disappoint! We have never done a hot air balloon ride before so we didn’t know what to expect but it was so smooth when we took off. As we drifted higher our pilot Ravi slowly turned the balloon so we all got a great view of the sunrise! As we floated over the Mara we spotted a cheetah and a group of elephants and we even managed to drop very low to get a good look at them. The whole experience was outstanding and so worth doing!
Written September 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Abhijit
10 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
If u haven’t done a Balloon Safari or a Hot Air Ballon, apart from your game drives, I would highly recommend this Ballon Safari. Its a memory that u will take away from Kenya. I cant put it in words the scenes We saw from up top. Its mesmerizing, starting from early morning sunrise to Panoramic view of the Masai mara was just exhilarating.
TIP: Please a spare day for this ride as ur Balloon Ride may get cancelled due to weather.
This happened to us and Hot Air Africa Eco Adventures Company was kind enough to accommodate us the next day. Thank you so much for such a Lively Experience.
TIP: Please a spare day for this ride as ur Balloon Ride may get cancelled due to weather.
This happened to us and Hot Air Africa Eco Adventures Company was kind enough to accommodate us the next day. Thank you so much for such a Lively Experience.
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CorinneH435
Brighton, England, United Kingdom15 contributions
Sep 2022
We enjoyed our Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Masai Mara. We weren’t planning on including this in our 5 day safari, but we met someone in Nairobi who said that if we could afford to do it, we should do it, as it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Positives – it was fun. The pilot was entertaining and pointed out a few animals. The champagne breakfast on the Masai Mara was excellent. Everything ran smoothly and on time. The driver, who picked us up from our safari lodge in the morning, showed us a few good things when he picked us up from the balloon ride to take us to breakfast. In fact, this was the highlight of our trip, as he drove us to watch the Wildebeest cross the Mara River (we were so lucky to see this).
Negatives - We thought it was far too expensive. I think all the balloon companies charge about the same (we paid $420 per person). We’d been on a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia in Turkey previously, which was amazing and less than half the price. This balloon ride just gave you a slightly different view of the Masai Mara, but nothing exceptional. We did not see any more animals than when we were on the ground.
Positives – it was fun. The pilot was entertaining and pointed out a few animals. The champagne breakfast on the Masai Mara was excellent. Everything ran smoothly and on time. The driver, who picked us up from our safari lodge in the morning, showed us a few good things when he picked us up from the balloon ride to take us to breakfast. In fact, this was the highlight of our trip, as he drove us to watch the Wildebeest cross the Mara River (we were so lucky to see this).
Negatives - We thought it was far too expensive. I think all the balloon companies charge about the same (we paid $420 per person). We’d been on a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Cappadocia in Turkey previously, which was amazing and less than half the price. This balloon ride just gave you a slightly different view of the Masai Mara, but nothing exceptional. We did not see any more animals than when we were on the ground.
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your comments and we appreciate all your feedback.
Written March 14, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EarthSearch
Hartford, CT17 contributions
Nov 2021
The hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara was intended to end an epic journey. If you have never been on a ballon ride, this is the place to do it. Our pilot, Mervin, was pleasant and knowledgeable. The breakfast at the end was lovely. My reduced rating, however, is due to some miscommunication that impacted my final hours in Kenya. I was told in advance that I could fully pay with a credit card and the price was $400 per person. The night before, William prepped us for the next day and I was told that I needed to provide $150 in cash to secure the spaces for three people. I packed very little cash and I had to use money set aside for tipping our driver. The next morning, I was given a bill for $1200 and told the cost was $450 per person. As a once in a lifetime trip, my budgeting was careful and tight. I just wish I could have planned for this in advance, so the great experience was a bit soured by the communication.
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SGH
3 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
The sunrise, the change of perspective, the energy, the pilot, the picnic—everything was spot on. Captain Mervins excitement was palpable and contagious which is so amazing for someone who has done this so many times!! The landscape bathed in the orange-red sunrise, dotted with the animals was breathtaking! The picnic breakfast was well organized and the overall teamwork to pull everything off is to be commended. Highly recommend this excursion!
Written September 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Arjun S
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Capt Merwyn Dsouza is a rockstar. We can't thank you enough for a spectacular experience , his sense of humour and ability to spot animals from the air balloon is amazing. He makes the experience so much better with insights and information during entire 60 min flight
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EmB1000
Dubai, United Arab Emirates132 contributions
Dec 2021 • Friends
Wow, where to begin?! This has to be up there, as one of top five activities I have ever done. From start to finish, the whole experience was outstanding and faultless. The ballon ride provided a great opportunity to see the vastness of the Masai Mara, the fact we saw elephant, lion and the all important hyenas was a bonus. Our captain Riz displayed a mastery skill of the balloon, allowing us to skim just inches above the ground before rising to allow for sweeping vistas of the Mara. It was fascinating to see the team preparing the balloon in the morning, and then to watch our pilot operating the balloon throughout - and a smooth descent capped a wonderful hour in the sky! The subsequent champagne breakfast out in the Mara was a wonderful way to conclude the adventure. A huge thank you to everyone involved in our trip, from the ground crew to our driver Sammy, to the chefs and catering team, you were all brilliant. I would recommend buying the photos from the trip and would say that this is one adventure to definitely put on your bucket list.
Written December 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Bidule05
France1,476 contributions
Sep 2020
The driver comes at the Lodge at 5am to pick you up to the departure area of the air balloon.
Air balloon safari is an unforgettable and wonderful experience, especially during great migrational period (end of September 2020), allowing you to see at sunrise:
- huge herds of zebras and wildebeests in the savannah
-hippos coming back to the rivers
- acute geography of Masai Mara and rivers.
Our pilot, who came from Russia was professional.
The safari ended by a bush breakfast in the savannah.
Altogether, I recommend to do air balloon safari, especially during the great migration period
Air balloon safari is an unforgettable and wonderful experience, especially during great migrational period (end of September 2020), allowing you to see at sunrise:
- huge herds of zebras and wildebeests in the savannah
-hippos coming back to the rivers
- acute geography of Masai Mara and rivers.
Our pilot, who came from Russia was professional.
The safari ended by a bush breakfast in the savannah.
Altogether, I recommend to do air balloon safari, especially during the great migration period
Written December 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you Isabelle! Glad you enjoyed the flight and the experience!
Written July 13, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Greg P
New York City, NY12 contributions
Mar 2022
I expected it to be like balloons in movies where the basket swings wildly - which I was OK with - and was very pleasantly surprised to have it be just the opposite. After the bouncing in a Land Rover for an hour in the pre-dawn dark to get there, it was level and solid feeling the entire time.
Hard to describe. You get a sense of the land that you've been driving over. The light that time of the morning is stunningly beautiful. It's so quiet (except for the periodic jets of fire to move the balloon up) that you can hear everything around you. Riz, the captain/pilot/guide, was personable, informative, and provided a sense of being safe and under control.
I wouldn't have imagined it was as amazing as it was, and I wanted it to never end.
Hard to describe. You get a sense of the land that you've been driving over. The light that time of the morning is stunningly beautiful. It's so quiet (except for the periodic jets of fire to move the balloon up) that you can hear everything around you. Riz, the captain/pilot/guide, was personable, informative, and provided a sense of being safe and under control.
I wouldn't have imagined it was as amazing as it was, and I wanted it to never end.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sucheta B
5 contributions
Is it ok for 79 year old lady to go for the balloon ride? How difficult is it to climb in it and get down? Is there place to sit inside the balloon if she is tired? Do you have a small ladder to climb in?
veer2808
Karachi, Pakistan429 contributions
I am 73 and I'd like to think I managed quite well, the climbing in and getting off are a wee bit daunting - but once you're in, there is ample sitting and standing room. The balloon pilot is quite helpful, as well.
Sujit S
1 contribution
we plan to travel in 1st week of Nov to Masai Mara. What's the price for the balloon safari during those day. We are 2 adults and 2 kids aged 10 and 8
317eveline317
Coventry, UK4 contributions
How much for 2 people
RizJ
Talek, Kenya4 contributions
The rates are US$450 per person at the moment.
Thank you!
