Pilanesberg Hot Air Balloon Safaris are offered every morning, depending on the weather and number of passengers. Guest are collected at their hotel or lodge in the Pilanesberg or Bakubung Gate for day visitors (collection time to be confirmed directly with guests the evening before the flight - ±04:00), and are taken into the park to rendezvous with the balloon crew at the balloon launch site, situated in the center of the National Park. The flight is approximately an hour in duration and on landing sparkling wine is served. A leisurely game drive is then taken through the park to a game lodge where breakfast is served, after which guest are
returned to their hotel. Flights are early in the morning and you will need to allow some 4 hours for the full activity which includes the following:
* Early morning collection from your hotel by safari vehicle.
* Launch of the balloon from the centre of Pilanesberg National Park
* An hour drifting serenely over the Park
* A sparkling wine celebration on landing, a time-honoured tradition in ballooning
* A Full English breakfast at a Game Lodge
* A First Flight certificate signed by your Pilot
* Return transfer to your hotel
Duration: 1hr flight, +/- 4 hrs in total

Process

At the launch site the guests will be met by the pilot and crew, who will proceed to give a briefing.  Guests will then embark on a 12 passenger basket and commence on an unforgettable experience that lasts approximately an hour.  This will undoubtedly be the finest way of viewing the inhabitants of the Pilanesberg National Park.  On landing, guests will be served with sparkling wine and orange juice in celebration of the flight.  The qualified field guide will then convey the guests through the Pilanesberg National Park to a private lodge, where a full English breakfast will be enjoyed.  Each guest will then receive a first flight certificate issued and signed by the pilot.  On completion of breakfast, the guests will be returned to their respective hotels.  The total duration of this activity is approximately 4 to 5 hours.

Weather & safety

This activity is extremely weather dependent and a minimum of 8 pax is required to fly. It is advisable that guests book 2 or 3 consecutive mornings as a back up plan.  For safety reasons, children less than 1.2m tall are not permitted to fly. Guests are to be reasonably fit, as they are required to climb into a 1.2-meter high balloon basket and be able to crouch down on their haunches on landing.

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.

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