Balloon Tourism in East Africa

Kenya was one of the first East African countries to introduce Balloon safari in the plains of Maasai Mara and later extended to the Great Rift Valley above the Great Rift Valley, join flocks of flamingo soaring high across lakes, volcanoes and forest.
With Go Ballooning Kenya , the geographic wonders of the Great Rift valley offer a spectacular new alternative. Born of a major shift beneath the Earths surface over 35 million years ago, the massive Rift valley is one of natural wonders of the world, easily visible from outer space. The valley stretches 6000 kms from Jordan to Mozambique, with its width varying from between 30 to 100 kms. The valley is at its most spectacular in Kenya, its floor studded with dormant volcanoes and fresh water and soda lakes, attracting a wide range of big game and bird life.
You can appreciate the entire Rift, both its vast entirety and the many natural elements and ecosystems that bring the valley to life.The ballooning operation is based in Soysambu, on the historic Delamere Estate. Steeped in colonial history, this 200 sq. km farm combines a working cattle ranch with a game sanctuary that is home to large herds of zebra, giraffe, buffalo, eland, gazelle and more.
The launch site is within easy reach of safari lodges and hotels in the Naivasha and Nakuru region, making this an ideal morning excursion for anyone spending the night in this area. The 8 man balloon, captained by experienced pilot Othmar, launches at dawn, rising with the sun over the sprawling plains of Delamere before skimming low across the shores of Lake Elmenteita.

A shallow soda lake, Elmenteita is one of the main ports of call for the Rift’s famed flamingo flocks, drawn to the nutrient rich waters.
As the flocks take wing beneath the basket, it feels as though the balloon has joined the birds in flight as they cross the broad waters of the lake.

Anyone familiar with the 1985 film version of Out of Africa will be immediately reminded of the classic shot of a biplane soaring across flocks of flying flamingo.
Unlike a plane however, the balloon provides an unobtrusive opportunity to see these birds at close quarters and the steady smooth progress across the lakeshore is ideal for photography: the gazelles grazing grass and elands and impala following well established game trails through the undergrowth.
From this altitude, the true magnitude of the Rift is revealed in its long winding lava flows, deep volcanic craters and jagged peaks. Cloud allowing, there may well also be views of both Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s two highest peaks in a single, awe inspiring view.
Descending again, the hour-long safari ends with a landing on the plains between Elmenteita and Nakuru. The exact position and pace of the landing is determined by the wind, and a sometimes bouncy return to earth is often made under the curious gaze of herds of plains game.
By the time you have landed, a full champagne breakfast is waiting, laid out in the shade of yellow acacia trees.
Close your eyes, and for a moment feel your body lift up, with you having no control over it, and there is a certain part of you, inside you, saying to yourself, I am crazy for taking this Serengeti balloon safari. This is what most people feel, when the excitement of a Serengeti hot air balloon safari crosses one's emotion of self-control and independence.


The feeling is indescribable, crispness of the African air, chill in the wind that hits your face as your Mara hot air balloon gradually rises, smoothness in the exhale of your breath, and the excitement to see and learn more. One's physical presence can be felt on the plains of the Serengeti when reading this.
Tanzania Balloon Safari
The wildebeest moving in large numbers across the Serengeti plains, the beauty of the landscape when the rising sun's bright orange colors are displayed, the elephants at the water pool, and the gazelles and zebras scampering away, just if it was their first time to witness an alien object in the sky.
In the Serengeti? As the sweetness and aroma of the African coffee or tea surrounds you, with fresh eggs being served as you like it, you hope for another ride, and wish that such luxury never ended.
Uganda does not want to be left out on balloon safaris; the relatively new in Uganda and represents an innovation on the part of UWA to bring in more tourists to the country’s underexploited natural resources. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has advertised for firms interested in developing and managing balloon tourism in the Lake Mburo National Park. The park is preferred for its different fauna to other reserves, extensive acacia woodland, the loveliest wildlife Safari destinations with gigantic eland antelope, as well as zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds,Birding safaris, guided nature walks as well as sport hunting.
The Lake Mburo NP is situated some 250 km southeast of Kampala along the highway between Masaka and Mbarara.
Balloon Safari is a fashionable safari. Gliding serenely above the trees offers unparalleled panoramic balloon views of the awe-inspiring landscape. The unique perspective gives a much truer and mind blowing sense of the huge expanses of bush. The feeling is indescribable, watching the plains teeming with herds