In 2026, Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris celebrates its 45th birthday.
Since 1981, we have had the privilege of sharing the wonder of hot air ballooning with passengers from South Africa and around the world. Across four and a half decades, much has changed, but the magic of watching a balloon take shape before sunrise, lifting gently into the morning sky and drifting over the Magalies River Valley remains timeless.
As part of our 45th birthday year, we thought it only fitting to share 45 reasons to fly with us.
The Magic of Hot Air Ballooning
1. Watch a balloon come to life
There is something extraordinary about watching a hot air balloon being prepared and inflated in the early morning darkness. The anticipation begins long before the basket leaves the ground.
2. Experience a hot air balloon taking off
The moment of take-off is surprisingly gentle. One moment the basket is resting on the ground, and the next, the landscape begins to fall quietly away beneath you.
3. Drift with the wind
Unlike conventional aircraft, a hot air balloon travels with the natural movement of the air. No two flights follow precisely the same path.
4. Discover how peaceful flying can be
Between occasional bursts from the burners, ballooning is remarkably quiet. It offers a sense of stillness that is difficult to find in everyday life.
5. See the world from a completely different perspective
Roads, rivers, farms and hills take on an entirely new character when viewed from above.
6. Take remarkable aerial photographs
The changing light, wide landscapes and elevated viewpoint create countless photographic opportunities throughout the flight.
7. Capture a memorable mid-flight selfie
There are ordinary selfies, and then there are selfies taken from a balloon floating above the Magalies River Valley.
8. Tick ballooning off your bucket list
A hot air balloon flight appears on many bucket lists. Some experiences deserve to be enjoyed rather than endlessly postponed.
The Magalies River Valley
9. See the sun rise over the Magalies Mountains
Few sights compare with the first morning light appearing over the Magalies mountain range while you are already in the air.
10. Experience the Magalies River Valley from above
The valley’s countryside, waterways, farmland and natural landscape provide a magnificent setting for a sunrise balloon flight.
11. Visit Skeerpoort
Our launch site is situated near the village of Skeerpoort, west of Hartbeespoort Dam, in an area known for its scenery and country atmosphere.
12. Escape the city without travelling across the country
Our launch site is within comfortable driving distance of Johannesburg and Pretoria, making the experience ideal for a special morning away.
13. See a quieter side of South Africa
Ballooning offers a view of the country that cannot be experienced from a highway, hotel or sightseeing vehicle.
14. Experience the valley through the seasons
Every season brings its own colours, temperatures, light and character. The landscape is never quite the same from one flight to the next.
15. Enjoy an uninterrupted view
From the basket, the landscape stretches out in every direction, with no windows, wings or buildings obstructing the view.
A Complete Morning Experience
16. Arrive to a warm welcome
The morning begins at our Clubhouse Pavilion, where our team welcomes passengers and prepares them for the experience ahead.
17. Enjoy pre-flight refreshments
A warm drink before departure is especially welcome during the cool early hours of a ballooning morning.
18. Meet a real hot air balloon pilot
Our pilots do far more than fly the aircraft. They share their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for ballooning with passengers throughout the morning.
19. Watch an experienced crew at work
Ballooning is a team effort. From preparing the balloon to following its journey and assisting after landing, the ground crew plays an essential role.
20. Celebrate after landing
Following the flight, passengers enjoy a traditional ballooning celebration with South African sparkling wine and orange juice.
21. Choose a non-alcoholic alternative
Non-alcoholic sparkling wine is available on request, so everyone can participate in the post-flight celebration.
22. Enjoy a buffet breakfast
After returning to the Clubhouse Pavilion, passengers can sit down and enjoy breakfast together while reliving the morning’s adventure.
23. Relax at a clubhouse designed for ballooning
Our Clubhouse Pavilion provides a dedicated base for check-in, passenger briefings, breakfast and the relaxed conclusion to the morning.
24. Enjoy far more than just the flight
The complete experience takes approximately three to four hours, including arrival, preparation, the flight, the landing celebration and breakfast.
Personal Service and Thoughtful Planning
25. Speak to a real person
Our Reservations Office is staffed by people who understand the experience and can answer your questions before you book.
26. Receive the information you need before flying
Passengers receive important arrival, clothing, safety and participation information so they can prepare properly for the morning.
27. Choose a convenient payment method
International clients’ reservations can be paid securely by card using a trusted and reputable payment platform (PayFast by PayGate)
Local clients make payment using South African bank-to-South African bank EFT for safe and secure payment transfers – no e-wallets or instant payments.
28. Get help finding nearby accommodation
For passengers travelling from farther afield, we provide information about accommodation establishments in the surrounding area.
29. Arrange transport through reputable providers
Passengers who require transfers from Johannesburg can be referred to reputable transfer service providers familiar with our location and early morning operating times. Ask our Reservations Team for their contact information.
30. Book through trusted travel partners
We work with selected travel agents, tour operators, hotels and tourism partners who understand our experience and booking requirements.
31. Bring younger adventurers
Children, who are older than seven years and taller than 1.30 metres in height and satisfy the participation requirements may join the experience when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
32. Plan a shared balloon experience
Our balloons can accommodate couples, families, friends, corporate groups and larger parties, subject to availability and operational requirements.
Celebrations and Lasting Memories
33. Celebrate a birthday
A sunrise balloon flight is a memorable way to mark another journey around the sun. We may be biased, but we consider birthdays rather important this year.
34. Celebrate an anniversary
Sharing the stillness and scenery of a balloon flight can turn an anniversary into something genuinely unforgettable.
35. Mark an engagement or special milestone
Ballooning provides a magnificent way to celebrate an engagement, graduation, retirement or another important occasion.
36. Spend meaningful time with someone you love
The experience creates a rare opportunity to put away the usual distractions and share something remarkable together.
37. Give an experience instead of another possession
A balloon safari gift voucher offers the recipient a memory to anticipate rather than another item to place in a cupboard.
38. Make new friends
Passengers often begin the morning as strangers and finish it sharing photographs and stories over breakfast.
39. Receive a Certificate of Bravery
A Certificate of Bravery provides a fitting reminder that you really did take to the skies in a hot air balloon.
45 Years of Ballooning Experience
40. Fly with a company established in 1981
Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has been part of South African ballooning since 1981.
41. Become part of our 45-year story
Every passenger, pilot, crew member and flight has contributed to our story. By flying with us during our birthday year, you become part of its next chapter.
42. Fly with an established aviation operator
Hot air ballooning is an aviation activity. Our flights are conducted within the applicable South African civil aviation requirements and operational standards.
43. Travel in professionally maintained aircraft
Our balloons are maintained through an approved aircraft maintenance organisation as part of our continuing commitment to airworthiness and operational safety.
44. Place your trust in experienced pilots and crew
Our pilots and operational teams bring extensive ballooning knowledge, training and practical experience to every flight.
45. Support South African tourism and local employment
By flying with us, passengers support an established South African tourism business, local suppliers and team members from the surrounding community.
Come and Celebrate With Us
For 45 years, we have watched the sun rise over the Magalies River Valley. We have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, family occasions and long-awaited bucket-list adventures. We have welcomed first-time passengers, returning guests and generations of families into our baskets.
Our 45th birthday is a celebration of that history, but it is also a celebration of every passenger who has trusted us to share the experience with them.
Perhaps you want to see the sunrise from above the valley. Perhaps you are celebrating someone important, searching for an unforgettable gift or finally acting on a long-held dream.
Whatever your reason, we would love for you to join us during our 45th birthday year.
Contact our Reservations Office to enquire about availability and plan your sunrise hot air balloon safari with Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris.
Experience It for Yourself
If you have not yet experienced it, now is the time. Our flights take place at sunrise in the Magalies River Valley near Hartbeespoort, just one hour from both Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Each flight includes:
- Pre-flight tea, coffee, or hot chocolate
- A one-hour hot air balloon safari
- Sparkling wine served on landing
- A full English buffet breakfast at our Clubhouse Pavilion
Book your flight: https://www.balloon.co.za/
Enquire now: https://www.balloon.co.za/contact-us
Why Choose Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris
- Established in 1981, with over 40 years of experience
- Fully licensed, safety-award-winning balloon airline
- Exclusive private launch site in Hartbeespoort
- Ideal for couples, families, and corporate experiences
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming you on board.
