3 Day Mara Balloon Safari Sunrise Over the Savannah Kenya

Overview

This private three-day road safari combines two nights in the Maasai Mara with an included sunrise hot-air balloon flight and champagne bush breakfast. The road vehicle and guide are reserved for your travelling party; the balloon uses a shared passenger basket.

The programme includes an arrival-afternoon game drive on day one, the balloon experience and an afternoon game drive on day two, then breakfast and the road return to Nairobi on day three. There is no departure-day game drive. The balloon provides an aerial perspective on the Mara landscape, while the private game drives explore its wildlife habitats. Particular wildlife encounters are not guaranteed.

Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury accommodation options are available, with a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan for the road safari. The selected property, room arrangement, travel dates and party determine the applicable rate basis; the options are not assumed to cost the same. Full Board meals run from day-one lunch to day-three breakfast.

Trip Highlights

Included sunrise hot-air balloon flight in a shared passenger basket
Champagne bush breakfast included with the balloon experience
Private road vehicle and English-speaking safari guide for your travelling party
Arrival-afternoon and day-two afternoon game drives in the Maasai Mara
Two Mara nights with Full Board meals from arrival lunch to departure breakfast
Budget, Mid-Range or Luxury accommodation options
Private Land Cruiser 4x4 or Safari Minivan for the road safari
Breakfast and road return to Nairobi on day three, without a morning game drive

Day 01 :

Nairobi to Maasai Mara

The safari begins with an early morning collection in Nairobi and the private road journey through the Rift Valley towards the Maasai Mara. The changing landscape leads from the Nairobi highlands into the Mara ecosystem. On arrival, the safari briefing introduces the programme before the afternoon game drive. The guide follows authorised reserve routes through grassland and riverine habitats, choosing viewing areas according to the current location of wildlife. The outing introduces the Mara’s landscapes and resident wildlife without promising particular species or encounters. The day ends back at the Mara base, with collection arrangements in place for the following morning’s balloon experience.

8 hours

Lunch + Dinner

Day 02 :

Balloon Safari and Afternoon Game Drive

The balloon programme begins before dawn with the arranged transfer to the launch area. The pilot and crew explain the safety procedures and supervise boarding into the shared passenger basket. The sunrise flight offers an aerial perspective on the Mara’s grassland and river systems, with a different view of the landscape from the ground-based drives. Wildlife encounters from the balloon remain part of the experience rather than a guaranteed sighting list. After the landing and the included bush service with the balloon crew, the programme returns to the Mara base for a rest before the afternoon private game drive. The guide explores permitted viewing areas according to current wildlife movements. The safari returns to its Mara base for the second night.

12 hours

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Day 03 :

Maasai Mara to Nairobi

Checkout is followed by the private road journey from the Maasai Mara back through the Rift Valley to Nairobi. There is no morning game drive on this departure day. The return provides a final view of the changing Mara and Rift Valley landscapes before the drop-off at the agreed Nairobi location completes the three-day safari.

7 hours

Breakfast

FAQs

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Is the balloon flight included, and is the basket private?

The balloon experience and champagne bush breakfast are included. The flight uses a shared passenger basket. The safari road vehicle and guide are private to your travelling party; exclusive balloon hire is not included.

When does the balloon launch, and how long is the flight?

The balloon programme begins before dawn with the arranged transfer, safety briefing and boarding for the sunrise flight. The flight path and duration vary with the flight service; the safari does not promise a fixed one-hour flight or a particular aerial wildlife sighting.

How many game drives and nights are included?

There are two Mara nights, an arrival-afternoon game drive on day one and an afternoon game drive after the balloon programme on day two. Day three consists of breakfast, checkout and the road return to Nairobi, without a morning game drive.

Which accommodation and road vehicles are available?

Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury accommodation options are available. Road transport is in a private Land Cruiser 4×4 or Safari Minivan. Accommodation, room arrangements, dates and party affect the applicable rate basis; different options are not assumed to have the same price.

Can children join the balloon flight?

Balloon participation has age, height, health and safety requirements. The safari’s child price category does not establish eligibility for the flight. Each child’s eligibility and any required programme adaptation must be confirmed for the reservation.

Which meals and reserve fees are included?

Lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast, lunch and dinner on day two, and breakfast on day three are included. Day-two breakfast forms part of the balloon experience. Applicable reserve entry fees, the private road transfers, the stated game drives, drinking water during drives and use of binoculars are included.

Are wildlife sightings and the Nairobi return time guaranteed?

No. Wildlife movements and visibility vary, and particular sightings are not guaranteed on the ground or from the balloon. The guide selects authorised game-drive routes for the current viewing opportunities. The Nairobi road return depends on the accommodation, roads, traffic and stops; onward flight connections require a suitable agreed buffer.