Masai Mara Hot Air Balloon Safari 2026: Cost, What to Expect & Best Time

Welcome to the MASAI MARA in KENYA!

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind experience? Then we recommend a MASAI MARA HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI over the Kenyan serengeti!

By the end of our post, you’ll know what to expect, where to book, and how much it costs for this luxury balloon safari that few get to experience!

What is a hot air balloon safari

A HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI is a unique way to experience the beauty of the MASAI MARA from a balloon in the sky and one of the RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES during your 5 day or 7-day, or even 10-day Kenya itinerary!

After the aerial safari, you get to enjoy a CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST in the wild! Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime activity!

For us, the hot air balloon safari was one of the HIGHLIGHTS during our 3-week Kenya trip.

We’ll guide you through what to expect, how much you should pay, and which operator you should choose best for the best quality and luxury.

Cost of a hot air balloon safari Masai Mara

A hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara in Kenya is not cheap. The price is around $650 per person.

INCLUDED in the price for a balloon safari in the Masai Mara are:

• One-hour hot air balloon flight
• Transfer from your safari camp or lodge (at 4.30 am)
• Champagne-style bush breakfast
• Transfer back to camp after breakfast
• Conservancy or national reserve landing fees

The high cost of these flights is actually due to several factors:

• The limited lifespan of the hot air balloons (around 850 flight hours, then another balloon is bought);
• The cost of fuel;
• The need for a crew of six, along with a licensed pilot and an additional ten people behind the scenes (per balloon), is responsible for getting each hot air balloon airborne;
• Conservation and park fees also contribute to the overall price.

Overall, the experience is worth it, as the NZ Herald also noted.

How to choose a hot air balloon operator Masai Mara

In general, there are only a HANDFUL of Kenya hot air balloon operators available. But if you want luxury, quality, and safety, we recommend East Africa Tours and Safaris.

Below are the reasons why we chose them as our operator for balloon safaris in Kenya:

• Experienced pilots: They employ highly skilled and certified pilots with extensive experience in ballooning over the Masai Mara. Ours had been working as a pilot in Cappadocia, Turkey, before.
• Safety first: Safety is a top priority, with rigorous maintenance checks and state-of-the-art equipment.
• Luxury experience: Enjoy a premium experience with personalized service, including a champagne breakfast after landing.

Best time for Masai Mara hot air balloon safaris

The best time to go on a Masai Mara hot air balloon safari is during the DRY SEASON, from June to October.

• Early morning temperatures: 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F) so dress warmly
• Daytime temperatures: 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F)

If you visit the Masai Mara between June and October, you can observe the Great Migration from a unique vantage point above the plains.

This migration involves hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles crossing the African plains.

You might also spot lions hunting, leopards in trees, and active hyena dens during the flight.

Where does the balloon safari start?

Your Masai Mara Balloon Safari will take place in the Masai Mara Game Reserve. One of the most beautiful national reserves in the world for a safari. That’s not only our opinion, but also that of Lonely Planet.

The Masai Mara Game Reserve is the northernmost part of the SERENGETI-MARA ECOSYSTEM (bordering the Serengeti National Park), home to GREAT MIGRATION and wildlife, including LIONS, CHEETAHS, ELEPHANTS, GIRAFFES, RHINOS, HIPPOS, CROCODILES, etc.

It is pretty common in an itinerary to spend time in the Masai Mara and afterward travel to the Serengeti.

We recommend you plan to stay at least THREE DAYS in the Mara to allow time for a hot-air balloon safari and for safari activities such as game drives, bush walks, and village visits.

We booked our trip a month in advance, which was more than enough. Most of the time, even a few days before you can book your Masai Mara balloon safari.

Our experience with the hot air balloon safari in Kenya

First of all, you must prepare for an EARLY START. The hot air balloon company will come and pick you up between 5 to 5.30 am at your lodge or camp. The specific hour will depend on how far you are from the takeoff site. Hot air balloon Masai Mara safaris require an early start to catch the breathtaking sunrise.

These are recommended accommodations in the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

You will be collected for a transfer by road to their takeoff site, with the flight typically TAKING OFF by 6.00 to 6.30 am.

By the time you arrive at the take-off area, the ground crew will open the big balloon envelope by laying it across the ground.

Then, two powerful FANS start to inflate the balloon’s envelope. Once it’s about halfway filled, the crew connects the robust basket and burner.

Throughout the inflation, the basket remains firmly SECURED TO THE GROUND. They attach the basket to the pickup truck, ensuring more than enough pull-down weight. The burner then fully inflates the envelope.

After full inflation and when the basket is upright, the crew assists you onboard.

The balloon’s basket is divided into FOUR COMPARTIMENTS with each 2-3 places. The ground crew holds the balloon steady while the pilot provides a short safety briefing to you (how to sit, what to expect from takeoff and landing…).

Once everyone is prepared, the BURNER is reignited, and you can feel the balloon starting to lift from the ground.

Each balloon safari in Masai Mara is a unique experience because the balloon’s path is determined by the WIND CURRENTS, which influence both DIRECTION and SPEED.

The pilot manages only the ALTITUDE, moving the balloon up or down. This variability is why a CHASE TEAM is essential and why each flight over the Masai Mara National Reserve offers an exclusive adventure.

One of the highlights is that the balloon flies over areas of the reserve that are OFF-LIMITS to safari vehicles. You’ll cross endless plains from a unique vantage point.

Typically, the flight lasts around ONE HOUR, covering a flying distance of 15 to 25 kilometers, depending on the wind conditions.

On most days, about 95% of the time, the wind carries the balloon SOUTHWARD, deep into the Masai Mara Reserve, where the landing takes place.

After an hour in the air, you’ll touch down and be welcomed to a champagne bush breakfast, featuring a full hot meal and a glass of champagne.

Masai Mara balloon flight weather cancellation

If your hot air balloon Kenya safari is canceled due to poor weather, safety is the top priority.

The company will either reschedule for a later flight if conditions improve, or if that isn’t possible, you will receive a refund (minus administrative costs).

Conclusion

So, what should you remember from this blog post?

After visiting the Giraffe Park in Nairobi and the Elephant Orphanage, you have to go to the Maasai Mara!

A few items are important for your hot air balloon flights:

• Unique experience: A hot air balloon safari offers an unparalleled way to witness the Masai Mara from above.
• Prime viewing: Time your visit between July and October to see the Great Migration in full swing.
• Tour details: Expect an early start, a one-hour flight, and a champagne breakfast in the bush.
• Cost: Prices range from $650 per person, covering transfers, the flight, breakfast, and fees.
• Safety and quality: Choosing a local operator ensures experienced pilots, top safety standards, and a luxury experience.
• Weather considerations: If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be rescheduled or refunded.
• Best season: Visit during the dry season (June to October) for the best weather conditions and wildlife sightings.

We recommend East Africa Tours and Safaris as the go-to hot air balloon safari operator in Kenya!