Mabula Game Lodge & Spa l Limpopo
A Mabula Balloon Safari offers one of the most unique ways to experience the African bushveld. Float silently above Mabula Private Game Reserve at sunrise. Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and spot wildlife from the air. Experience an unforgettable adventure with Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris. This exclusive experience combines the tranquillity of balloon flight with the beauty of a world-class safari destination.
Experience the Magic of a Hot Air Balloon Safari Over Mabula Game Lodge & Spa
Imagine drifting silently above the African bushveld as the first rays of sunlight illuminate the landscape below. Wildlife moves through the reserve, the horizon stretches endlessly before you, and the only sound is the occasional burst of the balloon burner.
Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris offers a unique hot air balloon experience at Mabula Private Game Reserve, providing guests with an unforgettable perspective of one of South Africa’s premier safari destinations.
This exclusive activity combines the thrill of flight with the beauty of the African wilderness, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
The Mabula Hot Air Balloon Safari Experience
Unlike traditional game drives, a hot air balloon safari allows you to observe the bushveld from a peaceful aerial vantage point. Floating gently with the wind, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the reserve while experiencing the tranquillity that only ballooning can provide.
The experience begins before sunrise when our professional balloon crew identifies the optimum launch site based on the prevailing weather conditions.
A ranger vehicle collects guests from the lodge and transports them to the launch site.
Once airborne, the balloon flight lasts approximately 45 minutes, subject to weather and landing conditions. The flight typically begins within the reserve and may conclude outside the reserve depending on wind direction and meteorological conditions.
Mabula Hot Air Balloon Safari Rate
Shared Balloon flights
From R6550.00 per person (sharing)
- Rates are subject to change without notice.
- Private balloons for 6 or more passengers available on request (subject to availability and loading capacity).
- Guests must complete full pre-payment to confirm a reservation.
Ready to Book?
Contact our Reservations Team to enquire about availability and begin planning your Mabula Hot Air Balloon Safari experience.
What’s Not Included
- Accommodation, lodge bookings and ranger vehicle transfers are excluded.
- Pre-book your accommodation and transfer with the lodge directly.
Weather and Flight Safety
Safety remains our highest priority.
Hot air ballooning is 100% weather dependent. The Pilot in Command may cancel or postpone a flight if weather conditions become unsafe.
Wind speed, wind direction, visibility and rainfall all influence whether a flight can proceed.
If weather conditions prevent a flight from operating, our Reservations Team will discuss alternative arrangements, subject to operational availability and applicable terms and conditions.
What is Included in a Mabula Hot Air Balloon Safari?
Your Mabula Hot Air Balloon Safari includes:
- Professional hot air balloon pilot and experienced ground crew
- Pre-flight safety briefing
- Approximately 45-minute hot air balloon flight
- Spectacular sunrise views over the African bushveld
- Traditional post-flight sparkling wine celebration
- The crew presents each passenger with a Certificate of Bravery after landing.
The entire activity typically lasts up to 3 hours.
Operating Requirements
Hot air ballooning is highly weather dependent and flights operate only under suitable flying conditions.
Please note:
- We require a minimum of six (6) adult passengers before we can operate a scheduled flight.
- Passengers may be from separate reservations.
- Flights operate on selected Mondays and Thursdays only.
- Guests must be staying at Mabula Private Game Reserve or Safari Plains.
- We generally recommend flights between March and August, when weather conditions are most favourable for ballooning.
As we operate from our main base in the Magalies River Valley, flights at Mabula are subject to operational availability and weather conditions.
Limited capacity per flight, early booking is recommended
Fitness Requirements
Passengers must be able to:
- Climb into and out of the balloon basket unassisted.
- Step or jump approximately 60cm unassisted.
- Stand for the duration of the flight.
- Pregnant passengers are unfortunately not permitted to participate in hot air balloon flights.
- Should you have any medical conditions, recent surgeries, mobility concerns or physical limitations, please advise us when making your reservation so that we can determine whether special arrangements may be possible.
Children
Passenger safety is our main priority, and therefore, the following regulations about children (7 – 12 year old) are in place:
- Children must be OLDER THAN 7 years & children must be TALLER THAN 1.3 meters in height – and be able to see over the edge of the basket.
- BOTH the age and the height requirements must be met to be allowed to participate.
- A parent or guardian must accompany each child.
- Please advise on booking, the number of children in the party, as well as their ages, heights and weights.
- The pilot reserves the right to refuse to load children who are too small on the hot air balloon for safety reasons.
- Children Passengers will be measured on the morning of the flight, at check-in, to ensure they comply with the minimum height requirement. Should the child not be deemed tall enough to safely participate in the hot air balloon activity, the flight ticket will be forfeited (non-refundable nor re-bookable).
Why Choose Our Mabula Hot Air Balloon Safari?
For more than four decades, Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has been introducing guests from around the world to the wonder of hot air ballooning.
With an unwavering commitment to safety, professionalism and exceptional guest experiences, we remain one of South Africa’s most respected balloon operators.
Join us for an extraordinary adventure above Mabula Private Game Reserve and discover Africa from a completely different perspective.
Flights take place shortly after sunrise and are entirely dependent on suitable weather conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Mabula Game Lodge contact details
About Mabula Game Lodge
For more than 30 years, Mabula Game Lodge has welcomed both local and international travellers to a haven where Africa’s wild spirit still thrives, and where your story becomes part of theirs.
In the heart of the Waterberg, nestled in the Rooiberg Bewaria conservancy, what began as a modest bushveld safari lodge has grown into a conservation-led sanctuary. Guided by expert ecologists, they have introduced the Magnificent Eight alongside endangered species, restoring a landscape where cheetahs streak across the plains, rhinos stand watch in the dust, and elephants splash joyfully in muddy waterholes.
The lodge has evolved alongside the land. Today, Mabula blends wilderness with refined comfort: sophisticated new accommodation, exceptional amenities, and reimagined spaces – a warm and welcoming reception, a lounge bar alive with laughter, a terrace that glows at sunset, and a firelit boma for memorable dinners beneath clear night skies.
Book your accommodation online, click here.
Extraordinary Reservations
Tel: +27 (0) 11 516 4367
Fax: +27 (0) 11 516 4367
Email: res@extraordinary.co.za
Website: https://mabula.com/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mabulagamelodge7757