What is the one activity you must not miss when you visit South Africa?
It has to be hot-air ballooning. Hot-air ballooning has come a long way since its first three passengers, a sheep, a duck and a rooster lifted into the air in 1783. Now this thrilling experience is available in all corners of the earth and South Africa can boast some of the most inspiring and dramatically beautiful hot-air balloon sites in the world including Cape Town, Pilanesberg, and the Drakensberg.
Imagine…
What is the one activity you must not miss when you visit South Africa?
It has to be hot-air ballooning. Hot-air ballooning has come a long way since its first three passengers, a sheep, a duck and a rooster lifted into the air in 1783. Now this thrilling experience is available in all corners of the earth and South Africa can boast some of the most inspiring and dramatically beautiful hot-air balloon sites in the world including Cape Town, Pilanesberg, and the Drakensberg.
Imagine watching as the first rays of the rising sun light up Table Mountain and the vineyards of the Cape Winelands burst into emerald green from the dawn darkness. Imagine floating over the roaring Augrabies Falls of the Orange River in the Northern Cape or the mountainous regions of South Africa like the Maluti and the Magaliesberg.
The magic of hot-air ballooning lies in its ability to transport you into a world of wonder and tranquillity, making it the perfect activity for special celebrations; it’s a top activity choice for honeymooners and those celebrating anniversaries.
For wildlife enthusiasts, there's no better way to observe the Big Five than from above. In Pilanesberg National Park, your aerial vantage point over the plains can reward you with sightings of elephants, lions, rhinos, leopards, and buffalo. Similarly, the Kapama Nature Reserve near Hoedspruit and the Sabie River Valley in Mpumalanga offer thrilling opportunities to game watch from above.
The early bird catches the sunrise! Hot-air ballooning is a dawn activity, primarily for weather-related reasons, but there can be no better way to watch an African sunrise than while drifting silently over a land flushed in the morning light.
Operators offer a range of supplements from safe early morning pickups to luxurious picnics. Champagne is usually served during or after a hot-air balloon flight. This is a fitting beverage for a premier experience and is a tradition that goes back to the 1780s when hot-air balloons first took to the skies.
Whether you are looking for romance, adventure, or a new way to experience South Africa's natural beauty, hot-air ballooning provides an unmatched experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So, when you plan your trip to South Africa, make sure to include this magical adventure in your itinerary.
