Magalies River Valley Scenic Balloon Ride
Tour Description
Hot air balloon flight in the scenic Magalies River Valley with Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safari Team.
An out-of-this-world adventure! A Bucket List tick! Your unforgettable journey over the Magalies River Valley begins at sunrise. Walk down our lantern-lit pathway to enjoy pre-flight coffee and tea with biscuits/mini muffins while you watch the balloons being inflated. Embark on your (approximately) 1-hour exciting sunrise flight, taking in the views of the majestic Magaliesburg mountains and river valley. Celebrate landing with a glass of sparkling wine or orange juice while the crew packs up the balloons. Return to our Clubhouse Pavilion for a delectable buffet breakfast overlooking the mountains and manicured gardens.
Frequency:
Balloons go up every morning including weekends, weather permitting. We only require a minimum of 4 passengers to schedule a flight on any day of the week.
Flight Departure Point:
Bill Harrop’s Balloon Safaris Skeerpoort Country Base near Hartebeesport Dam, 45 kilometers north-west of Johannesburg’s Northern suburbs.
Time:
Just prior to sun-rise dependent on time of the year (see schedule below).
Hot Coffee, Tea, Biscuits/Muffins.
Served as guests check in at our Clubhouse Pavilion before sunrise. Flight Numbers are assigned and tickets are validated.
Professional Crew Prepare the Balloons for Flight
Guests watch from the comfort of the Pavilion and are called to board when the balloons are ready. The Captains give a safety briefing prior to take off.
Flight duration:
About one hour (dependent on conditions).
Flight Landing Place:
Always in the shadow of the basket (wherever that may be).
South African Sparkling Wine:
Served on landing while the crew pack up the balloon.
Mini-bus Transfer back to our Clubhouse Pavilion and Restaurant for… Sparkling Wine Breakfast
At Harrop’s, fully licensed, beautifully appointed Clubhouse Pavilion. Self-service buffet with selection of Continental and Hot Breakfast items to choose from, even order your eggs freshly prepared by the Kitchen Team.
“Citations For Bravery”
Presented with due ceremony.
Morning’s duration
We advise passengers to set aside approximately 3 to 4 hours for the morning’s activity (check-in, flight, return transfer to launch site and breakfast)
2024/2025 Rates
Depart for your next destination with a basket full of really special memories.
MAGALIES RIVER VALLEY HOT AIR BALLOON RATES
Rates for 2024/2025 will vary from R3190 to R3695 per person (including Vat.) depending on:
- the package,
- the season and
- the number of people booking
- Please note that there are adjusted rates on 25 December and 1 January (due to the festive season public holidays).
Rates are subject to change without prior notice – please confirm rates & availability with the Reservations Office.
The Explorer Flight Ticket:
From R3395 per person (1 November 2024 onwards)
Please note Terms and Conditions apply to this flight ticket.
* The flight ticket is non-refundable, but only re-bookable, in the event of cancellation due to unsafe flying conditions, such as inclement weather.
* Sharing with other passengers (non-exclusive).
* Flight ticket is valid for 12 months from the original date of purchase.
Traditional Flight Ticket:
From R3695 per person (1 November 2024 onwards)
Please note Terms and Conditions apply to this flight ticket.
* The flight ticket is refundable or re-bookable, in the event of cancellation due to unsafe flying conditions, such as inclement weather. Terms and conditions apply.
* Sharing with other passengers (non-exclusive).
* Flight ticket is valid for 12 months from the original date of purchase.
Group Rates are available on request (when booking for 6 or more adults in a single reservation on Traditional Flight Tickets only).
Children Passengers:
Passenger safety is our main priority and therefore the following regulations about children are in place: Children between 7 and 12 is half rate.
• Children must be older than 7 years to participate in a hot air balloon flight & children must be taller than 1.3 meters in height – and be able to see over the edge of the basket.
• Both the AGE & HEIGHT requirements must be met to participate in the activity.
• Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian for the duration of the activity.
• 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).
Check-in Time:
(Meeting Times at Bill Harrop’s Balloon Safaris Skeerpoort Country Base)
1 Nov. to 31 Jan. 04h45
1 – 29 Feb. and 16 – 31 Oct. 05h00
1 – 15 Mar. and 1 – 15 Oct. 05h15
16 – 31 Mar. and 16 – 30 Sep. 05h30
1 – 30 Apr. and 1 – 15 Sep. 05h45
1 – 31 May. and 1 – 31 Aug. 06h00
1 Jun. to 31 Jul. 06h15
Difference between the Traditional package and the Explorer package:
We currently offer two types of flight tickets for sharing with other passengers:
The Explorer Flight Ticket (which is non-refundable but re-bookable) as well as The Traditional Flight Ticket (which is refundable and re-bookable).
In the event we need to cancel the flight due to unsafe flying conditions, such as strong winds or rain; on the Traditional Package, the passenger can request a full refund of the ticket price.
In the event we need to cancel the flight due to unsafe flying conditions, such as strong winds or rain on the Explorer Package passengers can only re-book the flight for another date (subject to availability).
In both instances, the tickets are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
The principle remains the same as for another airline, whereby if you miss your flight, you will go on standby for the next available flight (subject to terms and conditions and availability).
When selecting a Flight Ticket:
When selecting a flight ticket option, bear in mind that hot air ballooning is 100% weather-dependent and we cannot fly in strong wind, rain, or poor visibility due to mist.
We are situated in a summer rainfall area and therefore experience adverse wind and rain from October to February.
Please let us know which of the two flight tickets will suit you and your availability to rebook the flight in the event of cancellation (due to unsafe flying conditions).
Also, strongly advise that you familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions associated with the flight tickets and the difference between the package options. The onus is on the passenger to ensure they select a flight ticket which suits their travel arrangements and availability.
About Booking:
All of the above rates include Vat.
For fast and easy, detailed information on the best rates for you contact one of our helpful Reservations Assistants now, to book your Hot Air Ballooning experience!
website@balloon.co.za or +27 83 457 3402.
When making your booking, we will need to know:
Please send the below information by email to our Reservations Office –
* Desired Date of departure (to check for availability)
* First name and last name of each passenger.
* Weight of each passenger (in kg)
* Special occasion/celebration?
* Flight Ticket selection?
* Contact number for the morning of the flight.
* Children? Each child’s name, surname, age, weight, and height.
* Medical impediments/pregnancy.
* Dietary requirements due to life-threatening allergies or religious reasons.
* E-mail address for provisional reservation and correspondence.
Other Information:
What to wear
Clothing: Should be warm enough for the chilly early morning but it should be “peelable” because the sun, excitement and probably the champagne will soon warm you. “Country” shoes (no high heels or open sandals) are recommended, and if you are tall or a little thin on top (like Bill Harrop) wear a hat.
What to bring:
Don’t forget your camera and a data card with plenty of space or extra battery pack for your phone , as ballooning offers some most spectacular photo and video opportunities.
Fitness:
Please note, that pregnant passengers will not be allowed to participate in the hot air ballooning (for safety precautions).
Ballooning is suitable for adventurers from 7 – 70 (although our oldest passenger to date was 92 years old).
Participants must be
• nimble enough to climb in and out of the 1350mm high basket without assistance from anyone else,
• be able to jump unassisted from a height of 60cm and
• stand for the duration of the flight; approx. one hour unless stated otherwise.
If these conditions of fitness cannot be met, special conditions will apply which may allow for frail, disabled, or challenged passengers.
Disabled Frail or Challenged Participants:
It may still be possible to fly, even if one cannot meet the fitness requirements noted above, subject to parameters noted for disabled passengers and a disclosure being made when booking. Our launch site and Clubhouse Pavilion has ground facilities wheelchair-bound guests.
Additional Terms and Conditions:
• Before booking pre-existing medical conditions, and recent surgical procedures, must be disclosed.
• The ticket must be used within 12 months of the original date of issue.
• Please keep in mind that hot air ballooning is 100% weather dependent, should we have to cancel the flight due to unsafe flying conditions (such as strong wind or rain), then we will not be held liable for any accommodation reservations made in anticipation of the hot air balloon flight.
• Hot air ballooning is subject to safe flying conditions.
• Tickets are Non-Refundable on the Explorer Package.
• If the guest needs to amend, update or postpone the booking, a minimum of 5 working days’ notice needs to be sent in writing. If notice is not received, then the ticket shall be non-re-bookable.
• 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).
• Traditional Package & Exclusive Balloon tickets: Tickets are refundable on the Traditional Package/Exclusive Balloon in the event we must cancel the flight due to unsafe flying conditions (such as strong wind/rain). Refunds, in the event of cancellation due to unsafe flying conditions only, will be processed the same way payment was received. Refunds could take up to 14 business days to be processed.
