What does the hot air balloon ride include

The balloon experience includes a pre-dawn launch, approximately one hour of flight time drifting over the Mara plains, and a champagne bush breakfast served upon landing in the savannah.

Is the balloon safari safe for all ages

Passengers must be at least 8 years old and able to stand for the landing. The balloon baskets are compartmentalized for safety, and experienced pilots conduct thorough safety briefings before each flight.

What makes this a luxury safari

This safari features a premium tented camp with spacious suites, private verandas, gourmet dining, an exclusive bush dinner, private game drives, and personalized service throughout your stay.

What should I pack for the balloon ride

Wear warm layers as early morning temperatures can be cool at altitude. Flat closed-toe shoes are recommended and cameras should have a secure strap.

Can I see the Great Migration on this safari

The Great Wildebeest Migration passes through the Maasai Mara between July and October. During this period, you can witness massive herds crossing the Mara River from the balloon and on game drives.

3 Day Luxury Fly-In Mara Safari with Balloon Ride and Bush Dinners

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Review

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Review

Overview

A luxury fly-in Mara safari elevates the classic African wildlife experience into something truly extraordinary. This exclusive 3-day journey whisks you from Nairobi to a premium tented camp in the Maasai Mara by light aircraft, immersing you in a world of golden sunrises, champagne breakfasts, and intimate encounters with the Big Five. The highlight is an unforgettable hot air balloon ride at dawn, drifting silently over herds of wildebeest, zebra, and giraffe as the Mara landscape unfolds beneath you in every direction. Paired with exclusive bush dinners under the stars, this luxury fly-in Mara safari redefines what it means to experience the African wilderness in style and comfort. Every element of this safari is designed for discerning travellers who seek privacy, elegance, and extraordinary wildlife encounters. Your luxury tented camp offers spacious suites with private verandas overlooking the plains, gourmet cuisine prepared by bush chefs, and personalized service that anticipates your every need. Expert Maasai-born guides lead you on private game drives through territories where lion prides rule the grasslands and leopards stalk the riverine forests. The Maasai Mara is home to over 95 mammal species and 450 bird species, and your two full days in the reserve ensure you witness the Mara’s legendary wildlife diversity firsthand. From the thrill of a predator sighting at close range to the serenity of a sunset bush dinner accompanied by the sounds of the African night, every moment is crafted to leave a lasting impression.

Trip Highlights

Sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara with champagne breakfast landing
Exclusive bush dinners under the African stars with gourmet cuisine
Private game drives in a luxury 4x4 with expert Maasai-born guides
Big Five game viewing in Kenya's most celebrated wildlife reserve
Scenic one-hour flight from Nairobi over the Great Rift Valley
Two nights at a premium luxury tented camp with private veranda
Sundowner cocktails on the savannah overlooking hippo pools
Birdwatching with over 450 species across the Mara ecosystem

Day 01 :

Nairobi to Maasai Mara by Air

Your luxury fly-in Mara safari begins with a seamless transfer from your Nairobi hotel to Wilson Airport, where you board a light aircraft bound for the Maasai Mara. The one-hour scenic flight crosses the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment before descending onto a bush airstrip surrounded by the golden Mara grasslands. Your personal guide meets you on the tarmac and drives you to your exclusive luxury tented camp, where a welcome drink and orientation await. After a gourmet lunch prepared by the camp’s private chef, you set out on your first afternoon game drive through the heart of the reserve. The Mara’s open plains offer incredible visibility, and your guide navigates territories frequented by lion prides, cheetah, and elephant herds. As the golden hour approaches, your guide selects a stunning viewpoint for sundowner drinks while you watch the Mara sunset paint the sky. Return to camp for an extraordinary bush dinner set under a canopy of stars, with lantern-lit tables and the sounds of the African bush as your soundtrack.

8 hours

Lunch + Dinner

Day 02 :

Balloon Safari and Full Day Game Drive

Today is the crown jewel of your luxury Mara safari. You rise well before dawn for a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon ride over the Maasai Mara. As the balloon inflates in the pre-dawn darkness, anticipation builds until you lift gently into the sky just as the first golden light breaks across the savannah. For approximately one hour, you drift silently over herds of wildebeest, towers of giraffe, and winding river channels while your pilot shares insights about the landscape below. The flight concludes with a champagne breakfast served in the bush, a celebration of the extraordinary experience. Returning to camp for a brief rest, you then embark on a full-day private game drive with a packed gourmet picnic lunch. Your guide takes you to remote corners of the reserve where leopards hide in fig trees and hippos crowd the Mara River pools. The afternoon brings further wildlife encounters before you return to camp for a relaxing evening and farewell dinner.

12 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 03 :

Maasai Mara to Nairobi by Air

Enjoy a leisurely final morning at the luxury camp, savoring breakfast on your private veranda as the Mara wakes around you. After breakfast, you check out and transfer to the airstrip for your return flight to Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. The scenic flight offers a final panoramic farewell to the endless Mara plains and the meandering Mara River below. You arrive in Nairobi by midday, enriched by three days of extraordinary wildlife encounters, a magical balloon flight, and the kind of exclusive bush experiences that define a truly world-class African safari.

5 hours

Breakfast