Hoedspruit Hot Air Ballooning

Experience the magic of lighter-than-air flight over the Lowveld Big Game areas adjoining South Africa's wold famous Kruger National Park. Our pilots and guides will ensure a safe, enjoyable and informative adventure that will be one of the highlights of your visit to to the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere.

Hot air ballooning is offered by Otters Den, a River Lodge on the Blyde River at the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment, near the Orpen gate to Kruger National Park.

Every morning at sunrise, our balloons depart from launch sites in the Hoedspruit area. We are fully registered and insured, and your pilot is, of course, fully qualified and is also an expert in environmental interpretation. We fly a Kavanagh 210 that carries pilot plus 8 passengers, a Thunder & Colt 180 that carries pilot plus 6 passengers and a Kavanagh 120 that carries pilot plus 4 passengers.

All passengers meet before sunrise and coffee is served while you watch your eight-storey high balloon being inflated and prepared for flight.

After a safety briefing you should be airborne in time to witness the sunrise. Then a change in altitude to search for a favorable wind that will allow you to drift gently over the landscape. Game spotting cannot be guaranteed but on most flights we see giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, nyala, impala, bushbuck, waterbuck,duiker and warthog. Rhino, buffalo, elephant and lion are more difficult to spot, but there is always a good chance.

After about an hour?s flight, the pilot will select a suitable landing site where the retrieve crew will be in attendance. Sparkling wine and fruit juice are served after the flight. Passengers are then also invited to have breakfast at Otters Den.

We are located near Hoedspruit, and we offer flights over Kapama Game Reserve, Makutsi, Thornybush, Tshukudu and other lodges and game reserves that have suitable terrain. Depending on forecast wind directions, we select a launching site that will place us upwind of a good game spotting area. The decision is usually made the evening before the flight. Self-drive passengers are provided with a detailed map showing the locations of our 12 regular launching sites. For lodge guests who don't have their own transport, we can help arrange a transfer to the launch site.

• Qualified expert pilot
• Stunning views
• Hot and cold refreshments before and after the ride.

Though Winter dawns can be nippy, once you're up in the basket, it will be surprisingly warm. Warm clothes will be useful during pre-flight. Cameras and binoculars should be brought along.

Passengers don't have to be physically fit, but be prepared to stand in the basket for at least an hour. Youngsters are welcome but should be at least 1.2m (4 foot) tall, so they can see over the rim of the basket.

Children under 45kg in weight qualify for a 50% discount.

Minimum booking of two passengers and a maximum of 18 per flight. If weather conditions don?t allow a flight on the day of your booking, you are entitled to a full refund, or you can choose to carry your ticket over to another day.