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Every morning at sunrise, the hot air balloons depart from launch sites in the Hoedspruit area in South Africa's Mpumalanga Province. Experience the unforgettable magic of a lighter-than-air flight over the private nature reserves adjoining the Kruger National Park, or over the Lowveld section of the Blyde River near the Otters Den River Lodge. The hot air balloon pilots and guides ensure a safe, enjoyable and informative adventure, which will be one of the highlights of visitors stay to the Kruger National Park area.
Location of the Hot Air Balloon Safari
This hot air balloon safari company is situated near Hoedspruit. Hot air balloon flights are offered over the Kapama Game Reserve, the Otters Den River Lodge, the Thornybush Game Reserve, the Tshukudu Lodge (Mpumalanga) and other lodges and game reserves which provide suitable terrain. Depending on the weather forecast and wind directions, a launch site is selected which will place the hot air balloons over excellent flying terrain. The decision of the launch site is usually made the evening before the flight. Self-drive passengers are provided with a detailed map showing the locations of the regular hot air balloon launch sites. For lodge guests who don't have their own transport, we can help arrange a transfer to take them to the hot air balloon launch site.
Itinerary of the Hot Air Balloon Safari, Mpumalanga
The meeting is before sunrise and coffee is served while the hot air balloon passengers watch their eight-storey high balloon being inflated and prepared for the adventurous and unforgettable flight.
After a safety briefing, passengers should be airborne in time to witness the spectacular sunrise. Through a change in altitude to search for a favorable wind will allow the balloon to drift gently over the magnificent landscape. Game spotting cannot be guaranteed but on most hot air balloon safari flights one can observe giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, nyala, impala, bushbuck, waterbuck, duiker and warthog. Rhino, buffalo, elephant and lion are more difficult to spot, but there is always a good chance.
After about an hour's hot air balloon flight, the balloon pilot will select a suitable landing site where the retrieve crew will be in attendance. Passengers don't have to be physically fit, but be prepared to stand in the basket for at least an hour. Youngsters are welcome but should be at least 1.2m (4 foot) tall, so they can see over the rim of the basket. Sparkling wine and fruit juice are served after the flight. Passengers are invited to have breakfast at the Otters Den River Lodge, if it suits them.
Each hot air balloon flight requires a minimum of two passengers and a maximum of 18 per flight.
If weather conditions don't allow a flight on the day of the booking, guests are entitled to a full refund, or can choose to carry the ticket over to another day.
What to wear
Though Winter dawns can be nippy, once you're up in the basket, it will be surprisingly warm. Warm clothes will be useful during pre-flight. Cameras and binoculars should be brought along.
Meeting Time and Place
Meeting times and exact location are arranged the day before the hot air balloon flight, once balloon company has received the updated weather forecast, usually by 10am. The meeting time is 20 minutes before sunrise. The choice of the launch site for the hot air balloons is influenced by the forecast wind direction and speed, as well as by the location of the passenger's places of accommodation. It is important, therefore, that the hot air balloon company is able to contact the passengers at their game lodge the day before the hot air balloon flight.
Transfer arrangements
Passengers are required to get to the pre-arranged launch site 15-20 minutes before sunrise. The hot air balloon ground crew follows the hot air balloon(s) during the flight and meets them at the landing site, wherever that might be. The lodge/transfer company vehicles usually accompany the ground crew to a point where a reserve gate has to be entered or where the road gets bad and wait there. After serving sparkling wine and issuing certificates the passengers are transferred back to where the other vehicles are waiting, or back to the launch site, or, in some cases, by arrangement, back to their respective lodges if those aren't too far away.
Cancellations
The hot air balloon company might be forced to cancel a flight if wind or rain is expected in which case the full amount will be refunded. They do their utmost to get accurate weather information so that they can confirm or cancel a flight at 4pm the day before a flight. In some cases, however, the weather might unexpectedly turn bad overnight and then the company must be able to contact the game lodge or the passengers in the wee hours of the morning to stop them from driving needlessly to the hot air balloon launch site.
Documents
A booking form is required to be completed as the hot air balloon company is interested in the passenger's names and weights, so that we can prepare the passengers tickets and certificates. The weights are a legal requirement for hot air ballooning in South Africa.
A route map can be provided to passengers.
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