Magaliesburg Balloon Safari

With Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris

Something really different!

The unique experience of hot air ballooning is, essentially, a rather elegant, eccentric adventure in space and time, and promises an excitement all of it's own. Hover at treetop height for a chat or a wave to a local farmer as you go. Or, if you wish, and conditions permit, your pilot can take you to soar high among the clouds.

There, from the slowly moving vantage of a hot air balloon you will experience the "720 degree" wrap-around panorama of the Magalies River Valley and nearby Hartbeespoort Dam area which, incidentally, boasts some of the best ballooning weather in the world.

On a typical Balloon Safari we will meet you at our Skeerpoort balloon launch-field near Hartebeestpoort Dam, just as the sun rises.

Hot tea, coffee and biscuits are served and, if you like, you can join in the fun to help the crew prepare the huge colourful balloon for flight in the calm and stable morning air.

Quaff champagne as you go, and enjoy what some describe as the closest thing to heaven known to man - the "magical experience" of lazily drifting with the wind in a Hot Air Balloon, on a fascinating aerial sightseeing flight over this beautiful countryside.

After landing, which can be most fun of all, your ground crew, who have been following in the "retrieve vehicle", will collect you and drive you back to base where our catering staff have freshly cooked a superb "champagne breakfast". You will also be awarded a "citation for bravery", with due ceremony.

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 are also recommended.

Fitness: Ballooning can be an active sport, so you should have some degree of agility - although our oldest passenger to date was 89 and our youngest was 3 years old.

Don't forget you camera and some extra film, or batteries for the video, as ballooning offers some most spectacular photo and movie opportunities.

Balloons go up every day including weekends, weather permitting.

Tour duration: The flight will last about one hour. The total duration of the tour is about 4 to 5 hours plus transport time.

Select Ballooning Lodges

A selection of first class Lodges and Country Houses particularly recommended for a very special getaway, and prelude to a most memorable and enjoyable Balloon Safari the following morning.

Sunset cocktails on summers' evenings, or in the welcome warmth of a crackling log fire in winter. Dinner of choice country fare accompanied by fine wines will be an occasion to remember, in the company of your knowledgeable hosts or just yourselves, by candlelight perhaps, or "alfresco" under the canopy of a million stars.

After a comfortable night you will be woken in time to dress and travel to arrive at the Balloon Field of Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris just as the sun rises to soar gently over the majestic Magalies River Valley and surrounding mountains.

Profile

Bill Harrop´s "Original" Balloon Safaris has been operating as a legally licensed balloon Air Transport Service since 1981. It is a family business run by Bill Harrop, his wife Mary, son Sam and daughter Sarah working in partnership with over 40 full time, part time, contract and casual staff.

Only qualified and experienced professional pilots are employed, and over five-thousand very happy passengers a year are testimony to our professional attitude in entertaining you to one of the most memorably enjoyable experiences of your life.

We run a fleet of six large hot air balloons which can carry between six and eighteen passengers each. So whether it is a romantic balloon flight for 2, or a party for 18 adventurers in one of the biggest balloons in the world, or a corporate adventure for 142, Bill Harrop´s "Original" Balloon Safaris is the preferred choice for safe, reliable, quality ballooning.

Bill will also admit to experience as an ocean yachtsman, singer, hotelier, portrait photographer, advertising executive, and a balloon pilot examiner. He has served on committees of the Southern African Tourism and Safari Association, The Magalies Meander, the Balloon and Airship Federation of South Africa, and two years as the National President of SKÅL International (a worldwide body of travel and tourism management professionals).

He firmly believes that attention to service excellence and a commitment to care for ones community will build a better nation, especially through education, and is a recognised benefactor of the Tourism Education Trust.

• Accredited members of the Southern African Tourism Services Association since 1981.
• TOMSA levy contributor
• Founder Member of the Magalies Meander and member of the Crocodile Ramble

A Company Hot Air Balloon Adventure in the Magaliesburg

If you wish, your guests' tickets will have your company's logo incorporated in the design. Our standard "Certificate for Bravery" is, we think, very well written and designed, but there is scope there for personalising it for a company event. We can also arrange to have a professional photographer or videographer available to take souvenir pictures of all the activity before, during and after the hot air balloon flight. Our launch site is convenient enough for the access of a large tour bus, and is big and safe enough to accommodate arrivals of VIPs by helicopter.

Some of these extra services are free as part of our hot air balloon ride package, and others are available at a reasonable fee. Just let us know how we can help.

Ballooning at Kloofzicht Lodge

With Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris

Nestled at the foothills of the Zwartkops Mountains in the "Cradle of Humankind", Kloofzicht Lodge is the essence of tranquillity and ultimate luxury only 30 minutes from Johannesburg and Pretoria.

This small but magnificent nature reserve upon which Kloofzicht Lodge is built, is home to Kudu, Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Eland, Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Gemsbok, Zebra as well as fascinating indigenous trees, an array of bird life and pristine vistas.

The serenity is embodied by water, as the lodge comprising of 10 superior and 20 executive suites overlooks 6 exquisite fly-fishing dams and the lower reaches of the Blaauwbank Spruit, as it meanders through the unspoilt Zwartkops gorge. The dramatic scenery, natural vegetation and abundant wildlife set the mood.

Experience a genuine South African brand of unpretentious hospitality with staff that will make your stay an unforgettable experience. Fine dining and hand-selected wines will make your evening around a glowing African fire one never to be forgotten.

Game Viewing Balloon Safaris at Entabeni

With Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris

Minimum of 4 people, Maximum of 22 people at one time (using 3 balloons)

We now offer you the opportunity to view the magnificent panoramas of this ancient land and enjoy this rare and special privilege of observing the flora and fauna of the World Heritage "Waterberg Biosphere" from the slowly drifting vantage of your hot air balloon.

Entabeni Private Game Reserve is now included as one of the "Select Ballooning Lodge" packages which are inclusive of Accommodation and Ballooning (as well as transfers, if requested).

The lodges and camps of Entabeni Private Game Reserve are particularly recommended for the ultimate getaway, and prelude to a most memorable Game Viewing Balloon Safari the following morning.

The packages include: Accommodation, 3 meals, a game drive and a Balloon Safari game spotting flight over the reserve.

Entabeni offers a choice of accommodation at the 5 star Earthsong Luxury Lodge or the 4 star Wildside Camp both of which are on the lower escarpment and most convenient to the balloon safari takeoff area, or the 5 star Kingfisher Lodge or the 4 star lodges, Lakeside, Eagles Nest and Ravineside on the upper escarpment.

Bill Harrop's 'Original' Balloon Safaris operate game viewing flights which give guests a magnificent aerial view of the unique 22 000 ha, malaria free Entabeni Private Game Reserve, situated in the Limpopo Province, a mere 3 hours drive from Johannesburg.

Entabeni Private Game Reserve boasts five different but inter-connected eco-systems. The upper escarpment offers majestic craggy rock formations and wide open grass plains. This is separated from the lower plateau by 600 metre high cliffs. The lower escarpment is about three degrees warmer and comprises sandy wet-lands.

As well as the unique thrill of Balloon Safaris over this area Entabeni Private Game Reserve offers other great diversions such as scenic helicopter flights, horseback safaris, stargazing in the observatory, relaxation and rejuvenation at the wellness centre, sunset lake cruises and a variety of game viewing activities by day and at night, far in excess of the ubiquitous sightings of "just the "Big 5"

Entabeni Private Game Reserve, "The Place of the Mountain", is situated in the World Heritage "Waterberg Biosphere" of the Waterberg region. Less than a three hour drive north of Johannesburg, this 12000 ha malaria-free reserve boasts five eco-systems. Entabeni offers far more than the usual game sightings of the Big Five.

Entabeni Balloon Safari Schedule

The Balloon Crew, consisting of the pilot and 3 crew, will arrive at the reserve the evening prior to the flight, meet the passengers, answer questions and brief them, for the following morning's balloon safari.

On the morning of the flight, the Balloon Crew will set off just before sunrise to establish the optimum launch site. The passengers will follow half an hour later with their Ranger who will have been advised of the chosen launch site by radio.

The Balloon flight will last about forty five minutes, starting in the reserve to fly over the game, but may land outside the reserve, depending on the flight direction and meteorological conditions.

Traditionally, champagne will be served either "in flight" or on landing, and "Certificates for Bravery" will be awarded with due ceremony.

After landing the passengers will re-join their ranger to drive through the reserve for breakfast in the bush or at the Lodge.

N.B. Flights will be conducted at the sole discretion of the pilot with regard to safety.

Game Viewing Balloon Safaris at Mabula

With Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris

Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris operate game viewing balloon flights, providing guests with a magnificent aerial view of the unique 12000 ha private Mabula Game Reserve. Situated in the Northern Province, Mabula Lodge is a mere two hours' drive from Johannesburg.

Share in the rich legacy of Mabula's wide variety of wildlife, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino and hippo. Only the multitude of bird species including the rare Cape Vulture, breaks the silence of this tranquil sanctuary.

After your balloon safari, enjoy exciting game-viewing drives in Mabula Lodge's open Land Rovers, as well as bush walks where you'll be accompanied by experienced game rangers as you traverse the open wilderness. Alternatively, ride horse-back along the many trails in the private Mabula Game Reserve to observe animals in their natural habitat - often only a few metres away!

During the heat of the day, relax at one of Mabula Lodge 's two sparkling swimming pools.

In the evening, take a thrilling night game drive before enjoying a delightful boma dinner around a log fire.

The Mabula Private Game Reserve package includes accommodation in comfortable thatched chalets, with en-suite bathrooms and private patios, three meals, two game activities (a choice between an open Land Rover game drive or a bush walk), and a game spotting Balloon Safari flight over Mabula Private Game Reserve.

We now offer you the opportunity to view the magnificent panoramas of this ancient land and enjoy this rare and special privilege of observing the flora and fauna of Africa from the slowly drifting vantage of your hot air balloon….

Mabula Private Game Reserve is particularly recommended for the ultimate getaway, and prelude to a most memorable Game Viewing Balloon Safari the following morning.

Mabula Balloon Safari Schedule

• The Balloon Crew, consisting of the pilot and 3 crew, will arrive at the Lodge the evening prior to the flight, meet the passengers, answer questions and brief them, for the following morning's balloon safari.
• On the morning of the flight, the Balloon Crew will set off just before sunrise to establish the optimum launch site. The passengers will follow half an hour later with their Ranger who will have been advised of the chosen launch site by radio.
• The Balloon flight will last about forty five minutes, starting in the reserve to fly over the game, but may land outside the reserve, depending on the flight direction and meteorological conditions.
• Traditionally, champagne will be served either "in flight" or on landing, and "Certificates for Bravery" will be awarded with due ceremony.
• After landing the passengers will re-join their ranger for a game drive and breakfast in the bush or at the Lodge.