Hot Air Balloon Safari in Amboseli

Experience a fantastic hot-air balloon safari over the Amboseli National Park admiring Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest Mountain at eye-level.

From the hot air balloon, you can see wildlife traversing the plains below and gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between Amboseli National Park and its surrounding communities.

From the sunrise to the East, the magnificent Mt.Kilimanjaro to the south, the Amboseli National Park immediately to our north, you will see a full array of game including the areas renowned elephants, lions, giraffe, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, eland, waterbuck, jackals, warthogs, fox and more than 400 species of birds in the immediate area, depending on the day. As Mother Nature dictates where we fly daily, “We Walk the Winds” in Man’s Oldest form of flight.

The Hot Air Balloon Safari in Amboseli is a once in a lifetime experience

Picture this – as you climb into the basket, the breeze gently starts to lift you up, the sun just starts to rise and you can feel it’s warmth on your face, cutting through the crisp clean air of Amboseli.

You continue to ascend and slowly start to drift over the open wood savannah grasslands peppered with Acacia tortilis (Vachellia tortilis) trees through which a vast array of wild and majestic animals criss-cross.

Across the vista, you see one side of the park crowned by the magical Mt. Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest free-standing mountain. And on the other side, the view is of lush green wetlands, open savannah grassland and Lake Amboseli.

You continue to float over pristine wilderness until the time comes to descend and land, and you are whisked away for a delectable champagne breakfast – a perfect way to end an unforgettable day.

Amboseli Balloon Safari Pickups

Meeting Time – We aim to have all guests at the Balloon Camp by 5:30 am and hence the meeting time varies depending on the camp or lodge you are staying at. Depending on the timing and distance from your Camp or Lodge, pick-ups may begin as early as 4:15am, to ensure a smooth and well-planned flight.

It is also important to note that the pickup time and location will be reconfirmed with the guides and hotel the afternoon before the flight.

We offer pick-ups/drop-offs at the following camps:

AA Lodge Amboseli, Amboseli Bush Camp, Amboseli Sopa Lodge, Elephant Garden Camp, Elephant Gorge Camp, Kibo Safari Camp, Kilima Safari Camp Amboseli, Kili Springs, Kimana Public Campsite, KWS Campsite, KWS Guesthouse, Ol Tukai Lodge Amboseli, Porini Amboseli Camp, Satao Elerai Camp, Sentrim Amboseli Lodge, Serena Safari Lodge, Tawi Lodge, Tortilis Camp, Zebra Plains Amboseli Camp.

*Please feel free to contact us to inquire about any other private camps/lodges.

Hot Air Balloon Camp Check-In

Upon arrival at our Balloon Camp, passengers will be required to Check-in at the reception desk to complete Passenger Information Waivers, and then join the others in the Guest Pavilion, complete with morning beverages (coffee, teas or hot chocolate) and fresh biscuits. Female and Male Toilets are available, and Wi-Fi and USB chargers are available to all guests in the Guest Pavilion.

Pre-Flight Safety Briefing

Once at the Launch Field, you will join a Pre-flight Safety Briefing with the Captain of your Hot Air Balloon. During this briefing, you will learn how the hot air balloon works, safety features, what to expect during your flight and also your Captain will answer any questions you may have.

Hot Air Balloon Inflation

You will watch in awe as the high-powered burners add heat to the balloon and it inflates and rises to over 25m in height! Take advantage of once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities with Mt. Kilimanjaro and spectacular sunrises as our backdrop!

Balloon Take Off

Once all passengers climb into the gondola and partake in another short safety briefing, the Captain will add more heat to the balloon, and it will gracefully rise into the magical skies of the Amboseli. Time for your amazing adventure in a hot air balloon!

IN FLIGHT

Once we are In-flight, you will experience a spectacular 360° view of:

• The earth coming alive, as the sun rises to the East, The many variations of the Amboseli ecosystem, Kilimanjaro to the South, Amboseli National Park to the North, Plentiful wildlife Kenya is famous for throughout the area, The local Maasai Manyattas and Bomas in the area, Remember to bring your cameras and/or binoculars! Flights generally last about 1-hour, but actual flight time can vary from 45-minutes to 1 ½ hours, depending on the weather of the day, and the conditions ‘Mother Nature’ has provided us.
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NOTE: We can not guarantee a flight length, or direction, or what animals/game are seen on a given day – we are “one with nature” and every day is different, fresh and changes in the wind direction can occur.

Landing

After we return to Mother Earth, our Chase Crew will have followed us on the ground and will be there to meet and greet us.

Game Drive

Our custom Safari vehicles will transport all guests back to the Balloon Camp, while taking in a Game drive and experiencing the local communities and points of interest in the Amboseli ecosystem.

Champagne Celebration

The Chief Pilot will begin the Celebration with stories, the Balloonists Prayer and Traditional Champagne Toast. For guests that do not drink alcohol or are younger, we always have optional beverages available to join in the Celebration.

Balloon Safari Breakfast

Enjoy a Chef prepared ‘made to order’ full hot breakfast, inclusive of fresh fruits, cereals, yoghurt, coffee, a selection of teas, hot chocolate, and juices. Dietary limitations will be accommodated, with advance notice.

Balloon Certificate

After breakfast and reminiscing about the mornings Magical flight, all guests are presented with a Commemorative Flight Ascension Certificate, signed by their Captain, as a memento of their Kilimanjaro Balloon Safari experience.

What to wear for a hot air balloon safari experience in Amboseli.

• Hot Air Ballooning is an interactive experience so it is best to wear clothing that can get dusty or dirty and is suitable for hiking:
• Some mornings can be quite cool so layering clothing is recommended so it can be removed as the morning warms
• The hot air balloon burners produce radiant heat, so it is recommended to wear a hat. The burners can sometimes drip water mixed with carbon. KBS will not be responsible for clothing damaged or stained
• We recommend closed toe shoes because the launch and landing can be in rough terrain and high-heeled shoes, or open toe shoes are NOT suitable for all guests.
• Bring a camera to capture stunning photos of the flight!