Hot air balloon over the Pilanesberg Game Reserve

Airtrackers Hot Air Balloon Safaris fly over the game-rich Pilanesberg National Park which is located about 1hr45 northwest of Johannesburg. The well-known and popular Sun City holiday destination is on the boundary of the Pilanesberg National Park.  The Pilanesberg National Park started in 1979 and offers the closest, best natural game viewing experience to Johannesburg. It supports the majority of naturally occurring South African mammals, including the Big 5 (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard), as well as a host of bird species. The park covers 55000 hectares of bushveld, and hills and holds in its boundaries a 1200 000 000 year old volcano.

It is in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve that the Hot Air Balloon Safaris operate. The operation has been going since 1989 and the main pilots have clocked over 7500 hours between them. This hot air balloon safari operation boasts an enviable safety record, having flown approximately 80000 passengers without a single accident.

The Hot Air Balloon Flight

The Hot Air Balloon Safaris are every day in the early mornings with only the weather and number of passengers deciding when hot air balloon flights do not take place. Passengers are collected from a hotel or lodge (this can be any of the Sun City hotels, or Pilanesberg lodges) and taken on a short game drive safari to the launch site within the Pilanesberg National Park.

The air is calm in the early mornings ideal for hot air balloon flights
Hot air balloon pilot in flight over the Pilanesberg

The hot air balloon flight lasts approximately one hour and upon landing sparkling wine is served, something of a tradition in hot air ballooning circles.

The ground team in recovery after landing

After being trailed by a vehicle whilst in flight, you will land in the bush and the vehicle will come and recover the passengers. A further game drive safari is then taken through the Pilanesberg National Park to a private game lodge where guests enjoy breakfast and get to share the exciting morning’s adventure. After breakfast, the guests are transferred back to their respective lodges & hotels. The whole morning’s exercise lasts about 4 hours.

Rates for the Pilanesberg Hot Air Balloon Safari (quoted in ZA Rands)

1 Jul 2023 - 31 Aug 2024
R6,000 per person - 1 Hour Flight
R4,500 per person - Half-Hour Flight

1 Dec 2024 - 30 Nov 2025
R6,300 per person - 1 Hour Flight
R4,725 per person - Half-Hour Flight

* A minimum number of 4 passengers is required to confirm a flight. They can be from different sources. Hot air balloon flights over Pilanesberg Game Reserve are very popular, so booking early is essential!

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Rates include

  • Early morning collection from your hotel (All hotels at Sun City Resort, Manyane Resort, Bakgatla, Ivory Tree Lodge, Tshukudu Lodge, Shepherds Tree Lodge, Kwa-Maritane & Bakubung Lodge)
  • Park entry fees
  • Launch of the balloon from the centre of Pilanesberg National Park
  • One hour or half hour hot air balloon flight drifting serenely over the Park
  • A sparkling wine celebration on landing
  • A Full English breakfast at a nearby game lodge
  • A First Flight certificate signed by your Pilot
  • Return transfer to your hotel/lodge
    • Hot Air Ballooning in South Africa