A Masai Mara hot air balloon flight is the one activity almost every guest asks about before they even land in Kenya. Floating silently over the plains at dawn, watching the light come up over grazing herds, is unlike anything a vehicle can offer.
- FromUSD 500per person, non resident adult, includes bush breakfast
- DurationAbout 1 hour in the air, 4 to 5 hours door to door
- StartsYour Maasai Mara camp
- Best forA once off splurge on any Mara trip, honeymoons and special occasions
- StyleShared flight, private charter on request
Rated 5.0 on Google from 46 reviews. Price confirmed in writing before you pay.
It is not cheap and it is not included in most standard safari packages, but for a lot of travellers a Masai Mara hot air balloon flight is worth building the whole trip around. This guide covers pricing, timing, safety and how to book.
We arrange balloon flights as an add on to any Mara safari, private or group joining. Prices below are per person, confirmed in writing on WhatsApp before you pay a deposit.
Highlights
- About 1 hour floating over the Maasai Mara plains at sunrise
- Champagne bush breakfast on landing, set up in the open
- Experienced pilots with a fixed, well established launch routine
- Views over herds and, in season, the wildebeest migration
- Pickup and drop off from most Mara camps included
- Booked well ahead, since seats are limited on every flight
Day by day plan
- Predawn
Pickup from camp
A driver collects you from camp while it is still dark, usually around 5am and drives to the launch site. This early start is fixed, since the calmest air for ballooning is in the hour around sunrise, before the day heats up and the wind picks up.
- Sunrise
The flight
The balloon inflates on the ground in front of you, then lifts off just as the sun clears the horizon. The flight lasts about an hour, drifting silently over the plains at varying heights, sometimes low enough to see individual animals clearly, sometimes higher for the wider view.
- Landing
Champagne bush breakfast
On landing, the ground crew sets up a full breakfast table in the open bush, with sparkling wine or champagne poured to mark the flight. It is a proper sit down meal, not a rushed snack, usually lasting about an hour.
- Late morning
Return to camp
A driver returns you to camp by mid to late morning, in time to rejoin a scheduled game drive or simply rest before your next activity. Most guests treat the rest of this day as more relaxed than usual.
Masai Mara hot air balloon safari, per person
| Traveller type | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Non resident | USD 500 | USD 350 |
| Resident or citizen | KES 25,000 | KES 18,000 |
- Prices include the flight, pilot and crew and the champagne bush breakfast on landing.
- Pickup and drop off from camp is usually included if you are staying inside or near the reserve; camps further out may charge extra for transfer.
- Rates vary a little between operators and seasons; we confirm the exact current price when you book.
Get my exact price on WhatsApp
Reserve this trip
Pick your dates and group. See the total. Hold it with a deposit.
Pay by Mpesa, bank transfer or card once we confirm in writing. Free changes until you confirm.
Included
- The balloon flight, about 1 hour
- Pilot and full ground crew
- Champagne bush breakfast on landing
- A flight certificate for most operators
- Pickup and drop off from camps inside or near the reserve
Not included
- Transfer from camps a long way outside the reserve
- Tips for the pilot and ground crew
- Your main safari package, this is an add on
- Travel insurance
How much is a Masai Mara hot air balloon ride
A Masai Mara hot air balloon flight costs about USD 500 per person for non residents, including the champagne bush breakfast, with a lower child rate for younger flyers. Kenyan residents and citizens pay a separate, lower KES rate.
This is priced per person regardless of which camp you are staying at, since every Masai Mara hot air balloon flight uses the same balloon, pilot and launch site system shared across Mara operators. Our Maasai Mara entry fees guide covers the separate park ticket cost, since the balloon fare does not include reserve entry.
Is a Mara balloon safari worth it
For most guests, yes, though it is a genuine splurge rather than a budget activity. The perspective from the air, silent, slow and wide, is completely different from a game drive and the bush breakfast afterward is a memorable, well run touch.
It is most worth it if you already have at least 3 or 4 days in the Mara, so the early start and the cost do not feel like they are eating into limited game drive time. See our 4 day Masai Mara safari page for an itinerary built with a balloon morning in mind, or read our how many days do you need in the Mara guide for more on trip length.
What time does the balloon take off and how long is the flight
Pickup from camp is usually around 5am, with the balloon launching right at sunrise, roughly 6am depending on the time of year. The flight itself lasts about an hour, followed by an hour long breakfast on the ground.
You are back at camp by mid to late morning, which still leaves time to join a scheduled game drive later the same day if your itinerary allows it.
Is the balloon safe? Weight and age limits
Hot air ballooning in the Mara is a well established, commercially regulated activity with an established safety record across the operators who run it. Pilots are licensed and flights only go ahead in suitable weather, with early morning specifically chosen for its calm, predictable air.
Most operators set a minimum age, commonly around 6 or 7 and some apply a maximum weight per passenger for safe basket loading. We confirm the specific policy with the operator when you book, since it can vary slightly.
Can I book a balloon if I stay outside the reserve
Yes, though camps further from the launch site may involve a longer predawn transfer and some conservancy camps charge separately for that pickup. Tell us where you are staying and we will confirm the transfer arrangement and any extra cost before you book.
If you have not yet booked your Mara accommodation, our luxury Maasai Mara conservancy safari page covers camps that sit close enough to the launch site for an easy pickup.
Best time of year for a Masai Mara hot air balloon flight
The balloon flies year round, but July to October, migration season, gives you the best chance of floating a Masai Mara hot air balloon over large wildebeest herds and, occasionally, a river crossing in progress. Outside migration season, resident wildlife still makes for a strong flight, with giraffe, elephant and big cats all visible from the air on a good morning.
See our great migration calendar for month by month herd positions if timing the balloon around the migration matters to you.
What is included in the price
Your fare covers the flight itself, the pilot and ground crew and the champagne bush breakfast afterward. Most operators also include a printed or digital flight certificate as a keepsake.
Pickup from camp is included for properties inside or close to the reserve; ask us to confirm this specifically for your camp when booking, since it is the one line item that varies most between properties.
Combining the balloon with your game drive
Most guests treat balloon morning as a lighter day, resting after breakfast rather than heading straight into another game drive. If your itinerary has a spare day, this works well, since it lets you enjoy the rest of the morning without rushing.
On a tighter schedule, an afternoon game drive the same day is usually still possible, since you are typically back at camp by mid morning. Tell us your full itinerary on WhatsApp and we will slot the balloon in at the best point in your trip.
What a Masai Mara hot air balloon flight actually feels like
There is no engine noise, just the occasional roar of the burner overhead, which makes the whole experience feel quieter than you expect. Conversation happens in a normal voice and the basket drifts rather than flies in any directed sense, following the wind rather than a set path.
Photographers should bring a strap and keep both hands free during takeoff and landing, since the basket can tip slightly on touchdown. Otherwise a Masai Mara hot air balloon flight is one of the more comfortable safari activities on offer, with no bumping over tracks and no engine vibration. Our Kenya photography safaris page has more camera tips if this is the centrepiece of your trip.
Choosing between a shared flight and a private charter
Most Masai Mara hot air balloon bookings are shared flights, grouping guests from several camps into one balloon, usually 8 to 16 passengers depending on the basket size. This keeps the per person price at the standard rate shown above rather than the higher cost of a private Masai Mara hot air balloon charter.
A private charter, booking the whole balloon for your own party, costs significantly more but suits a proposal, an anniversary or a group that wants the basket to themselves. Ask us on WhatsApp for a private charter quote if that fits your occasion better than a shared Masai Mara hot air balloon flight. Our Kenya honeymoon safaris page has more ideas for special occasion touches you can add to the same trip.
Booking a Masai Mara hot air balloon flight
Balloon seats are limited on every flight and popular dates, especially during migration season, sell out weeks ahead. Book as early as possible once your Mara dates are confirmed, ideally at the same time as your main safari package, whether that is our 3 day group joining safari or a longer private trip that leaves more room for a relaxed balloon morning.
We hold no funds until you confirm. Every balloon booking is sent to you in writing over WhatsApp with the date, price and pickup details before any payment is requested.
How to book your Masai Mara hot air balloon
Booking your Masai Mara hot air balloon with us takes about five minutes of your time. The rest is our job. Here is exactly what happens, step by step, so there are no surprises along the way.
- Send your dates. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel dates, how many people are coming and the ages of any children. Tell us if you have a budget in mind. We plan with it, not around it.
- Get a written quote. We reply with a clear price per person, what it includes and what it does not. No hidden park fees and no vague extras. If a cheaper camp or a shorter route makes more sense, we say so.
- Tweak it until it fits. Change a camp, add a night or swap a park. Ask as many questions as you like. Changes cost nothing until you confirm.
- Confirm with a deposit. A deposit holds your vehicle, guide and rooms. You get a written confirmation with every detail and the date the balance is due.
- Travel day. Your driver guide meets you at your hotel or the airport with a name board. You have their number and ours for the whole trip.
What every trip with us includes
Every Masai Mara hot air balloon plan we put together comes with the basics done properly. You ride in a safari vehicle with a pop up roof, with a professional driver guide who knows the parks. Water is in the cooler box and park fees are sorted in advance so you do not stand in a queue at the gate.
We also stay reachable. If something changes on the road, a flat tyre, a closed route or a sudden storm, we sort it and keep you posted on WhatsApp.
Paying safely
We share payment details in writing only and every payment gets a receipt. The payment options and the balance date sit on your written quote, so nothing is left to memory or a phone call.
Why book with a Nairobi team
We live here. We drive these roads all year, we know which camps are honest about their photos and we know when a park is too busy to enjoy. That local knowledge is what turns a good Masai Mara hot air balloon into a great one. Our Google rating sits at 5.0 from 46 reviews and we plan to keep it that way.
Ready when you are. Send us a message and we will put a plan together for you shortly.
Questions people ask
How much is a hot air balloon ride in the Maasai Mara?
About USD 500 per person for non residents, including the champagne bush breakfast, with a lower child rate. Kenyan residents and citizens pay a reduced KES rate. This Masai Mara hot air balloon price is separate from your main safari package.
Is a Mara balloon safari worth it?
For most guests, yes, though it is a genuine splurge rather than a budget activity. The aerial perspective and the bush breakfast are memorable and it works best when you already have several days in the Mara so the early start does not eat into limited game drive time.
What time does the balloon take off and how long is the flight?
Pickup is usually around 5am, with launch right at sunrise, roughly 6am depending on the season. The flight lasts about an hour, followed by an hour long champagne breakfast on landing. You are back at camp by mid to late morning.
Is the balloon safe? Are there weight or age limits?
Yes, it is a well established, commercially regulated activity with licensed pilots and a strong safety record. Most operators set a minimum age around 6 or 7 and apply a maximum passenger weight for safe basket loading; we confirm the exact policy at booking.
Can I book a balloon if I stay outside the reserve?
Yes, though the predawn transfer takes longer from camps further out and some conservancy properties charge separately for pickup. Tell us where you are staying and we will confirm transfer arrangements and any extra cost before you book your Masai Mara hot air balloon flight.
What is included in the balloon safari price?
The flight, pilot and ground crew, the champagne bush breakfast and usually a flight certificate. Pickup from camp is included for properties inside or close to the reserve; we confirm this specifically for camps further away.
Can I combine the balloon with a game drive that day?
Often, yes. You are typically back at camp by mid morning, which leaves room for an afternoon game drive the same day on most itineraries. Tell us your full schedule and we will slot the Masai Mara hot air balloon flight in at the best point in your trip.
Official information: KWS park fee schedule.
Ready when you are. Send your dates and group size. We reply with a clear price and a plan you can change.
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