Mabula Hot Air Ballooning
‘Original’ Balloon Safaris now offers you the opportunity to view the magnificent panoramas of this ancient land and enjoy this rare and special privilege of observing the flora and fauna of Africa from the slowly drifting vantage of your hot air balloon…
Seasonal balloon flights taking place at Mabula Game Lodge.
-
Reviews 0 Reviews0/5
-
Vacation Style Holiday Type
-
Activity Level Fairly Easy
-
Group Size Large Group
‘Original’ Balloon Safaris now offers you the opportunity to view the magnificent panoramas of this ancient land and enjoy this rare and special privilege of observing the flora and fauna of Africa from the slowly drifting vantage of your hot air balloon…
Seasonal balloon flights taking place at Mabula Game Lodge.
We can only fly under the following conditions:
- Hot air ballooning is weather-dependent; therefore, we recommend flights between March and August only. Hot air ballooning is seasonal due to the sensitivity of the weather conditions.
- A minimum of 6 adult guests is required to justify a scheduled flight, but these could be from 6 individual sources.
- We only fly at Mabula Private Game Reserve on select Mondays and Thursdays, as the balloons are generally pre-booked over the weekend at our launch site in the Magalies River Valley (west of Hartbeespoort dam).
- Passengers booked for a hot air balloon flight must stay in Mabula Private Game Reserve or Safari Plains.
Mabula Game Lodge Flight (only) Rate/s
Rates from 01 November 2024 ; prices are subject to change and based on availability. Limited space available.
6 or more passengers: R6,250 per person
12 or more passengers: R6,180 per person
Frequency:
Balloons go up every morning including weekends, weather permitting.
Flight Departure Point:
Bill Harrop’s Balloon Safaris Skeerpoort Country Base in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site on the border of Gauteng and North West Province, near Hartebeesport Dam, 45 kilometers north-west of Johannesburg’s Northern suburbs.
Minibus Transfers from various hotels can be arranged at an extra cost
View the “Flight area maps” here.
Time:
Just prior to sun-rise dependant on time of the year (see schedule below). Note that hotel transfers depart earlier to allow for traveling time.
Hot Coffee, Tea, Biscuits and Muffins.
Served as guests check in at our traditionally exquisite, well appointed Clubhouse Pavilion at sunrise. Flight
Numbers are assigned and tickets are validated.
Professional Crew Prepare the Balloons for Flight
Guests watch from the comfort of the Pavilion and are called to board when the balloons are ready. The Captains give a safety briefing prior to take off.
Flight duration:
About one hour (dependant on conditions).
Flight Landing Place:
Always in the shadow of the basket (wherever that may be;-).
South African champagne:
Served in-flight or on landing while the crew pack up the balloon.
Mini-bus Transfer back to our Clubhouse Pavilion and Restaurant for… Champagne Breakfast
At Harrop’s fully licensed beautifully appointed Clubhouse Pavilion and Restaurant. Freshly cooked, wide choice and beautifully presented.
“Citations For Bravery”
Presented with due ceremony.
A half an hour’s flight – applicable for groups of 12 or more
12 or more: R1990.00 per person,
24 or more: R1940.00 per person
(Valid from 1 Dec 2018 – 30 Nov 2019)
An hour’s flight
Regular rate: R2795.00 per person,
6 or more: R2655.00 per person
12 or more: R2595.00 per person,
24 or more: R2520.00 per person
(Meeting Times for Balloon Safaris Skeerpoort Country Base)
1 Nov. to 31 Jan.
04h45
1 – 29 Feb. and 16 – 31 Oct.
05h00
1 – 15 Mar. and 1 – 15 Oct.
05h15
16 – 31 Mar. and 16 – 30 Sep.
05h30
1 – 30 Apr. and 1 – 15 Sep.
05h45
1 – 31 May. and 1 – 31 Aug.
06h00
1 Jun. to 31 Jul.
06h15
Children under 12: 50% of the above rates
Transfer rates are available on request
All of the above rates include Vat.
MINIMUM NUMBERS: 2 passengers (can be from two different individual bookings). MAXIMUM NUMBERS: 120+ (2 to 18 passengers per balloon).
The flight will last about one hour and the total duration of the tour from check-in to departure for you next destination is about 3 to 5 hours (depending whether one wants to hurry or relax after the flight) plus transport time.
N.B. Return Mini-Bus Transfers can be arranged between one’s pre-flight Accommodation and the Flight
Departure Point when booking at a nominal extra cost.
Allow extra time for Mini-Bus Transfers from Hotels in:
4 Ways: 45 mins Sandton: 1 hour Johannesburg or Sun City: 1 hour 15 mins
Actual pickup times may vary slightly and will be confirmed when booking.
N.B. All operations and flights are conducted in accordance with our General Terms and Conditions.
