Safari’s in Africa have always been popular with tourists, but becoming more and more popular is the hot air balloon safari, which not only gives the tourists an astonishing view of the African landscape, it also gives a unique perspective of the wildlife in and around the national game parks.

During the English wintertime when it is not possible to fly a hot air balloon in the UK, many pilots go to work on hot air balloons in Kenya. This not only provides them an understanding of various weather conditions, it also gives them the experience of flying somewhere new.

Balloon flights in Kenya are predominately made during the morning, as afternoon and evening flights are not possible because of high winds. It also gets dark quickly and this can cause problems when trying to land.

There can be up to 4 balloons taking off at the same time and each balloon can carry 12 passengers or more. The launching of the balloon is the same as in the UK; first the weather is checked to see if it is suitable to fly, the balloon crew prepares the balloon, final checks are made and the balloon is launched.

The balloon flight will typically last for about an hour, depending on the weather and gives the passengers an unforgettable view of the African landscape and of course the wildlife and gives ample opportunities to photograph the stunning scenery to treasure for years to come.

Before a hot air balloon can take to the skies, the Adventure Balloons team has various safety checks to perform. Whilst the balloon crew are preparing the balloon the passengers have a safety briefing, where they can ask questions about any worries or concerns they have.

The balloon pilot will examine the weather, to ensure optimum flying conditions and will also select the best launch site. Visibility and wind speeds are key issues for a successful balloon flight and the launch site must have enough space to lay the balloon out and inflate it without any obstructions, like poles, power-lines or trees.

Every aspect of the hot air balloon is safe. The fabric used for the balloon envelope is a mixture of nylon and polyester and is very strong, and Nomex is used near the burners as it is flame resistant. The amount of fuel onboard is also taken into account, taking care not to overload the balloon as this could be hazardous.

The balloon basket that carries the pilot and passengers is also extremely safe. Woven from Kooboo and Palambang, these baskets are sturdy and lightweight, and are capable of absorbing the impact of a landing without sustaining any damage.

Adventure Balloons are committed to the safety and enjoyment for all of their hot air balloon passengers, and believes that flight safety comes first.

Before you are taken high above the English countryside on you’re hot air balloon ride, you will be invited to take part in the pre-flight preparation of the balloon. Although nothing can beat the experience of majestically flying above the beautiful landscape, the balloons preparation can be an impressive show for both passengers and spectators.

You can watch as the balloons envelope is taken out of its relatively small bag, laid out at the launch site and inflated into its massive dome like structure, which happens quicker than you can imagine. Once the balloon is inflated enough the basket is attached and the burners fitted. It is then only a matter of minutes until you are experiencing the unique and spectacular activity of ballooning.

The preparation of the hot air balloon takes about an hour, with a similar time to pack it away after flight. The balloon flight usually lasts for about an hour, so you should allow 3 to 4 hours for the whole experience.