Hot Air Balloon Rides

Pilanesberg Hot Air Balloon Rides offer a lifetime adventure in the air. Imagine experiencing the sunrise over the Pilanesberg National Park while floating silently above the ground in a basket suspended from a hot air balloon. The view is unsurpassed, the experience bar none.

The only noise you will hear is the gas burner firing on occasion. There is no turbulence on a hot air balloon flight as the balloon drifts with the breeze. From your vantage point in the basket, you will be able to see the extent of the volcanic crater in the Pilanesberg National Park.

Our Hot Air Balloon Safaris are offered every morning, subject to good weather conditions.

It includes departure from hotels at Sun City Resort, Manyane, Bakgatla, Kingdom, Ivory Tree, Tshukudu, Shepherds Tree, Kwa Maritane and Bakubung.

N.B: There is an extra charge for return transfers from all Black Rhino lodges to Bakubung Gate. Alternatively, Guests can drive themselves from lodges in the Black Rhino Game Reserve to Bakubung Gate and wait for our Field Guide at the Parking lot.

45 minute – 1 hour Balloon Itinerary will be as follows:

Guests are collected from their Hotel within Sun City Resort and some Lodges around Pilanesberg at ± 04h00. You will be transferred for about 45 minutes to the launch site in the Pilanesberg National Park. The transfer is conducted in a 25-seater Open Safari vehicle. At the launch site, guests will receive a short safety briefing and then proceed with the 30-minute or 1 hour flight. Upon landing, guests will then celebrate with champagne or juice for non-alcoholics. They will be transferred to Bakubung lodge while enjoying a mini game drive to have their full English breakfast. After Breakfast clients will be transferred back to their respective pick-up points. The estimated duration for the whole activity is +/- 5 hours.

Please note that Balloon Safari takes place every morning depending on the weather and number of passengers.

A minimum of 4 pax is required to conduct a flight.

For safety reasons, children that are 7 years and younger are not permitted to fly.

Guests are to be reasonably fit, as they are required to climb into a 1.2-meter-high balloon basket and be able to crouch down on their haunches on landing.

Pregnant women are also not permitted to fly.

Due to safety precautions, no adult or child is permitted should they be at a height of less than 1,2 meters.

Booking is essential and a minimum number of guests are required to conduct a flight (min. 4 people; max. 20 people). The flight is weather dependent.

As the balloon safaris are weather dependent it is advisable to book a backup date, in case the first morning does not get confirmed.

Rates valid until 30 November 2026

International guests: 1 hour flight: R6592 per person

South African / SADC guests: 1 hour flight: R5933 per person

Rates valid until 30 November 2027

International guests: 1 hour flight: R6987 per person

South African / SADC guests: 1 hour flight: R6288 per person

Please note that the Park Fees are excluded and compulsory on all game drives, hot air balloon safaris and bushwalks

Current Pilanesberg National Park fees

International visitors: R748 per person

SADC visitors: R385 per person

South African visitors: R168 per person