Pre-dawn nerves, an hour of silence at 1,000 feet, and a champagne breakfast on the grass.
The morning
Pick-up is around 4:30am. You reach the launch site in the dark, watch the envelopes inflate under burner light, and climb into the basket while it lies on its side. Lift-off happens with the first grey of dawn.
The flight
Flights last about an hour. Pilots ride the low morning air, often drifting a few metres above the grass before climbing for the wider view of rivers, kopjes and herds. Between burner bursts it is completely silent.
Practicalities
Balloon safari prices, operating areas, inclusions and departure times vary by operator, season and availability. Confirm the current quotation directly, and keep flexibility in your itinerary because flights can be delayed or cancelled in unsuitable weather.
