Safari Add-On
Hot Air Balloon Safari
Drift silently over the Magalies bushveld as the sun rises, then land to a champagne breakfast. Flown daily (weather permitting) and roughly 90 minutes from Johannesburg and Pretoria, this is one of South Africa's most unforgettable bucket-list experiences — and it pairs perfectly with a Walk With Lions or a Pilanesberg game drive on the same trip.
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Overview
About the Hot Air Balloon Safari near Johannesburg
A sunrise hot air balloon safari is one of the most sought-after things to do near Johannesburg and Pretoria — and one of the few bucket-list experiences you can complete before lunch. You lift off at first light, when the air is calm and the light is golden, and drift silently over the Magalies bushveld: open savanna, thorn trees and, with a little luck, game stirring in the valleys below. After about an hour aloft, the balloon lands to a champagne breakfast, and every guest receives a flight certificate to mark the morning.
The launch site sits in the Magalies region, roughly 90 minutes from Johannesburg, Pretoria and Sandton, which makes it easy to pair with the Walk With Lions at Ukutula (from R1,300 pp) or a Big Five game drive in the Pilanesberg. Capital Xperience books your flight with licensed, experienced pilots and can add an optional return transfer from your hotel, so you never have to drive out before dawn on unfamiliar roads. Flights run daily, weather permitting; minimum 2 guests, minimum age 7.
Tour Summary
At a glance
Sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Magalies bushveld, landing to a champagne breakfast.
Available Times
Highlights
What makes this special
- Sunrise balloon flight over the Magalies bushveld
- Champagne breakfast on landing
- About 90 minutes from Johannesburg & Pretoria
- Optional hotel pickup & return transfer
- Flights daily (weather permitting)
- Minimum 2 guests per booking
Includes
What's included
- Pilot & ground crew
- Champagne breakfast
- Flight certificate
FAQ
Hot Air Balloon Safari — quick answers
How much does a hot air balloon ride near Johannesburg cost?
R5,999 per person, with a minimum of 2 guests per booking. The price includes the full sunrise flight, the champagne breakfast on landing, your flight certificate, and the pilot and ground crew.
Where does the balloon fly?
The flight lifts off at sunrise over the Magalies bushveld — a scenic region roughly 90 minutes' drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria, in the direction of the Magaliesberg and Hartbeespoort Dam.
What time does the balloon flight start?
Hot air balloons fly at sunrise only, when winds are calmest. Meet times are from 05:00, so most guests are back at their hotel by mid-morning — with the whole day still ahead for a Walk With Lions or Pilanesberg game drive.
Is transport from Johannesburg included?
The flight price does not include transport. An optional return transfer from your Johannesburg, Pretoria or Sandton hotel can be added at checkout — you simply choose pickup or self-drive when booking.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Balloon flights are strictly weather dependent — safety is paramount. If your flight cannot depart, it is fully refunded or rescheduled to another morning, your choice.
Is there an age or fitness limit?
Minimum age is 7 years, and a minimum of 2 guests applies per booking. You should be able to stand for the length of the flight and bend your knees for landing — no previous experience is needed.
Can I combine the balloon flight with a lion walk or safari?
Yes — the flight lands by mid-morning, so many guests pair it with the Walk With Lions at Ukutula or an afternoon game drive in the Pilanesberg. Add it to your booking and we will plan the day around it.
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Pair it, or pick something else
Ukutula experiences first — then the Pilanesberg Big Five safari, the sunrise hot-air balloon and the Elephant Sanctuary, all easy add-ons for a full day out.
Another Ukutula experience
Walk With Lions including Predator Tour — Combo (Day Package)
The one most guests book: Walk With Lions including the Guided Predator Tour — both in one 3-hour visit, R425 less than booking them apart.
- Two signature Ukutula experiences in one visit
- 3-hour combo — morning 08:00 or afternoon 14:00
Another Ukutula experience
Walk With Lions — Enrichment Walk Only
The 1-hour enrichment walk on its own. Most guests add the Guided Predator Tour and pay R425 less with the combo.
- Enrichment walk only — lions, cheetahs & hyenas are not included
- Walk freely alongside lions in open bushveld
Nearby add-on — not at Ukutula
Pilanesberg Big Five Safari
3-hour Big Five safari in Pilanesberg National Park with experienced rangers — exclusive of travel time.
- 3-hour Big Five game drive
- Experienced rangers tracking the Big Five
Nearby add-on — not at Ukutula
Elephant Sanctuary Tour
Meet rehabilitated African elephants at the Hartbeespoort Elephant Sanctuary — ~1.5-hour guided interaction.
- Guided elephant interaction (~1.5 hours)
- Rehabilitated, ethically kept African elephants