Hot Air Balloon Rides Near Johannesburg and Pretoria: A Complete Guide
Looking for a hot air balloon ride near Johannesburg or Pretoria? Discover where we fly, what the experience includes, current pricing and how to enquire.
Looking for a hot air balloon ride near Johannesburg or Pretoria? Discover where we fly, what the experience includes, current pricing and how to enquire.
Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is celebrating 45 years of ballooning. As part of our birthday year, here are 45 reasons to fly with us.
Our Spring 2026 edition of Adventure Awaits has arrived, with ballooning stories, guest experiences, beautiful photography and fresh reasons to meet us at sunrise.
Why do hot air balloons fly at sunrise? The answer lies in the weather conditions typically found during the early morning, when the atmosphere is generally cooler and more stable. Passengers usually arrive before dawn, watch the balloons inflate as the sky begins to brighten and take off shortly after sunrise. The timing is not…
Before booking a balloon flight, establish who will operate it. Learn what to check regarding aviation approvals, pilots, aircraft, insurance, payment details and booking terms.
Understand the academic, medical, physical and administrative requirements for applying to hot air balloon pilot training in South Africa.
Learn what a Balloon Private Pilot Licence allows and how the training works. Discover why it is the first step towards becoming a qualified hot air balloon pilot in South Africa.
Planning your first hot air balloon safari? Discover what happens from the pre-dawn arrival and balloon inflation to the sunrise flight, landing celebration and breakfast.
Give someone special an unforgettable sunrise adventure with a personalised hot air balloon gift voucher letter from Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris.
Planning a hot air balloon proposal? Discover the best time to pop the question, what to expect before, during and after the flight, and how to plan an unforgettable sunrise engagement above the Magalies River Valley.