The Original Luxury Safari Camps Collection by GUIDED SAFARIS®

winter 2026 issue

Signature Guided Safaris^® Journeys

Hot Air Balloon safari

ABSOLUTE SILENCE as you float above the Mara River and plains on an adventure with an entirely different perspective of the African wilderness. As you lift off into the sky, the rising African sun starts to illuminate the ground below with beautiful hues of pink and gold. A herd of Elephant majestically moving in one corner, a journey of Giraffe munching away on acacia trees, the lazy yawns of the hippo as you wind your way drifting above the Mara River channels. This is Africa like you would never have expected.

Hot Air Balloon Safari - Guided Safaris® LuxurySafariCamps.com

HOT AIR BALLOONING IN AFRICA Drifting gently beneath a kaleidoscope of colors, cradled in a balloon basket, you soar into a world of wonder. From this lofty vantage, the landscape below transforms, and your wildlife adventure takes on a whole new dimension—an ethereal journey, where earth and sky meet, offering glimpses of nature from a perspective like no other.

Signature Guided Safaris^® Journeys

Safari experience

At first light of dawn your adventure begins. Enjoy a cup of coffee with your bush wake up call. Guided Safaris® rangers transfer you to the launch site and after a briefing with the pilots, some of the most reputable balloon safari operators in Africa, the crew inflate the craft for flight. A dream-like hour offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Great Rift Valley and ample opportunity for aerial photography. Come face to face with eagles and other birdlife perched upon trees. Upon completion of your flight we serve up a toast and you return to camp for a scrumptious breakfast.

Field Notes

Fireside stories

For a first-time balloon safari over African plains, the absolute stillness comes as a surreal surprise – the complete silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara.

Guided Safaris^®

Safari Film

Hot Air Balloon safari

Balloon safaris

Our balloon safari locations have been carefully selected to place you in the heart of the action, in some of the world’s most precious wilderness regions. The most popular region for a balloon safari is the Masai Mara in Kenya because of the beauty of the landscape mingled with the exciting abundance of actual game seen from the aerial vantage point. We also offer seasonal hot air ballooning activities over the Sossusvlei dunes in Namibia.

The views were immensely wide. Everything that you saw made for greatness and freedom, and unequalled nobility - Karen Blixen

Guided Safaris® Experiences - LuxurySafariLodges.com

THE MASAI MARA

Take to the skies on an unforgettable journey. Our Signature location for hot air ballooning, the Masai Mara scenery seen from the vantage of a balloon is one of the most quintessentially African experiences. The ballooning take off is always scheduled for sunrise. In Kenya, this varies between 6:15am and 6:45am in the winter game viewing season. We arrive at the launch site at least 30 minutes prior to departure for passenger safety briefings with the pilots. The operators endeavor to fly for an hour, though all flights are subject to natural weather conditions and visibility, with safety being a paramount.

During the course of the Great Migration season, the experience of seeing the wildebeest and zebra herds spread over the plains and the interactions occurring at the crocodile-rich rivers below is truly memorable on safari.

World-Class Private Safaris

GUIDED SAFARIS®

PRIVATE BALLOONING

Guided Safaris® also offer the option of a completely private Balloon safari experience for you and your partner, or a family group, exclusively. Our Balloons can accommodate up to 12 persons depending on your chosen location.

GUIDED SAFARIS®

A Day on Safari

Luxury Safari Camps

Hot Air Balloon Safari - Guided Safaris® LuxurySafariCamps.com

Private Masai Mara Safari - Guided Safaris® LuxurySafariCamps.com

After a wondrous hour drifting in the sky, your balloon journey concludes in grand style. In keeping with the ancient rites of balloonists everywhere, you’ll raise a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate your graceful return to the earth. A sumptuous breakfast awaits, laid out in a hidden gem of a place, where every moment echoes the magic of the morning. As the adventure draws to its close, you’ll enjoy a glide through the wilderness once more, this time by road on a game drive, as we escort you back to your camp.

DRIFT OVER THE DUNES

Up, up and away... Watch as Oryx herds trek across the arid landscapes of the Sosusvlei dunes among the tallest in the world, reaching over 200 meters, with the oldest dunes an intensely red color. Float slowly over the enigmatic fairy circles - an intriguing phenomenon of the Namib Desert. This seasonal hot air balloon safari in the desert is only offered in the cooler months of Namibia. See the towering red dunes of the Namib desert offering stark contrasts and spectacular scenery for aerial photography.

GUIDED SAFARIS®

Plan your private safari

Hot Air Balloon safari

Your customizable itinerary

4.30 am	Wake up call with coffee	•
5:00 am	Flight prep and take off	•
7:00 am	Transfer back to camp	•

Safari SeasonJan - Dec

By Request

per person

GUIDED SAFARIS^®

Always Tailormade

Every detail defines an experience in your private safari.

Our custom safaris are meticulously planned journeys where nothing is left to chance, so you can enjoy unique moments with your loved ones in total luxury and privacy. Having the ultimate say in your preferences from start to finish allows you to explore our exclusive destinations in absolute freedom, whenever you want. No set dates; no groups, ever.

Talk to our Chief Designers.

Guided Safaris^®

30+ year unparalleled expertise in Private African Journeys

San Francisco, California • The Original Luxury Safari Camps + Lodges collection

Immersive, remote wilderness

LUXURY BOTSWANA SAFARI

SIGNATURE GUIDED SAFARIS®

PRIVATE JET SAFARI

SIGNATURE GUIDED SAFARIS®

EXCLUSIVE GORILLA SAFARI

JOURNEYS OF A LIFETIME

THE ORIGINAL GUIDED SAFARIS® COLLECTION

LUXURYSAFARICAMPS.COM

Derived from age-old know-how, our journeys to Africa are tailored by your imagination. The dream becomes the enchantment of a moment, the joy of a journey, a companion for life.

We’re here to inspire you to dream up your own safari story.