We are excited to be offering hot air balloon flights from the scenic Jasmyn / The Windmill side of the Hartbeespoort Dam again. Have a look at our review to get a taste of the views. Winter, of course is the best time to go ballooning as you can wake up later and the weather's better.

Ballooning from Hartbeespoort Jasmyn

After waking up at sparrow fart, we headed out to the Hartbeespoort Dam to try find out why hot air ballooning is considered the ultimate romantic activity - and we soon got answers - at 05h00 on arrival at the takeoff zone it was cold and I couldn't help but snuggle up to my partner under the cover of the dark. To supplement the human warmth, we were supplied with the choice of hot chocolate, coffee or tea, and once the flame throwers (aka propane burners) came on there was no more cold.

There were 6 of us plus a pilot (Conraad) who clambered into the basket (do not expect to be able to do this in a ladylike fashion) - romance point number 2 - you are compressed closely and cosily next to each other - expect fully body contact. Interestingly, all of those in our basket and the other one were couples. Romance point 3 - although it is pretty safe, there is that excitement of the possible danger from being so high up - and ladies can cuddle up to their men, or men to their ladies (!) if they feel a little scared.

To add in a bit more excitement we did a "dip and dash" - and no, this is not the description of a Gauteng mating ritual - but rather the terminology used for lowering the ballooning basket into the Hartbeespoort (yes, it hit the water) before rising up again. These were simply the most beautiful views of the Hartbeespoort.

We got into an ideal position for views over the Kosmos area of the Hartbeespoort Dam.

Whilst below our basket another balloon was executing a "dip-and-dash":

A bit of history: In 1942 Johan Schoeman (who had established Kosmos in 1937) sold his tearoom and amenities sites in Kosmos with their commercial boating rights. The new owner erected a building and some rondavels and established the Scenic View Hotel, which became a popular alternative to coastal destinations during and after World War II. The Scenic View Hotel was later renamed the Hotel Kosmos and still later the Sail Inn, which lost its liquor license after it failed to get a hotel board star rating in the late 1960s. It became dilapidated and was later demolished to make way for what is now Mariners’ Village (which you can see in the photo below).

We were lucky enough to be blown over the Magaliesberg (towards Brits). Here's a view of the Mooiuitsig peak.

Just before landing the pilot instructed us to take up (pre-rehearsed) landing positions, entailing crouching in the basket. We had a fast landing (about 35km/h) and the basket dragged about 100m along the ground whilst it slowed down with us tucked inside it. It did get bumpy, and it adds to the fun of it (the landings aren't always this bumpy, it all depends on the wind speed). We were up in the air for almost exactly an hour and covered 25km, with a maximum speed of 56km/h.

Here's where we had lunch, and where can be more beautiful and romantic than under a windmill overlooking the Hartbeespoort Dam. We sat here with the crew, chewing the fat together, and sharing our hot air ballooning "war stories".

What I really liked was the friendliness of both the crew and the fellow passengers. From the ground crew to the pilots to the ladies responsible for the marketing and signing of forms, I have rarely come across a more convivial bunch of people.

Random photos

If you've read this far you may be thinking of taking somebody special hot air ballooning. It's so difficult to think of gifts for somebody, and I would thoroughly recommend purchasing a couple of gift vouchers for a loved one and yourself to go hot air ballooning (email me at cheapflights@southafrica.to and I'll arrange it). Or have a look at our ballooning Gauteng page to make a reservation.

Hot air balloon weddings

You can have your wedding in a hot air balloon...will make for one hell of a story to tell your grandchildren.

Durban - JNB from R200 1-way
(very limited availability, e.g. 23 August)

JNB - Cape Town from R383 1-way
(very limited availability, e.g. 20 August)

JNB - New York from R6036 return
(very limited availability in Jan 2012)

CPT - London from R5315 return
limited availability (e.g some days in August)

JNB - Mumbai from R4384 limited availability (e.g. some days in August)

A cautionary note for those flying to Australia on Qantas flights: For the 1st time in 44 years, Qantas pilots on long-haul have voted for industrial action. They want to force Qantas to only use Qantas pilots on long-haul flights.

Readers write to us asking why there aren't better flight prices to Port Elizabeth. We love PE folk, but if only 79 people bother to join a petition for Mango to fly to PE, you shouldn't be surprised about the high prices.

"With these increases, ACSA charges will be among the highest in the world. The situation is untenable and cannot be allowed to continue." says IATA. South Africa has created an airport system for the elite, whilst crushing the attempt by Comair to purchase the old Durban Airport & provide competition to ACSA.