Africa’s first Hot-Air Balloon Fest set to take flight in Maasai Mara

baloonsafari in masai mara

The first ever International Hot-Air Balloon festival in Africa is set to take flight at Fig Tree Camp in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya, from 6^th – 8^th December.

The view from above the Maasai Mara Game Reserve shows magnificent views of the Mara River, the great migration, herds of elephant, antelope, giraffes feeding from the tree tops, cheetahs, leopards, lions hunting and more. The landscape is stunning and free, and the abundant wildlife makes for spectacular aerial viewing. The wrap-around view of the earth and sky is one which cannot be experienced in any other way, making ballooning in the Maasai Mara a unique, wonderful, and scenic experience.

Ballooning is one of the most eco-friendly ways of watching wildlife, “Balloons do not make as much noise as cars hence don’t scare animals. To heat air in the balloon envelope operators use liquid propane gas, which is not a contaminant nor a greenhouse gas and that is why this event is Eco-friendly,” explains Mr. Peter Mbugua, Director of Africa Balloon Fiesta.

The Hot-Air Balloon festival will support an anti-poaching and elephant conservation campaign (with part of the proceeds going towards these efforts), promote international and domestic tourism in the country, and showcase conservation efforts in the Mara ecosystem; whilst celebrating Kenya’s diversity, wildlife and spectacular landscape in-line with the nation’s upcoming “Kenya @ 50” celebrations.

In addition to hot air balloon rides, the first ever International Hot-Air Balloon festival in Africa will also give guests an opportunity to indulge in champagne breakfasts, bush dinners and a traditional nyama choma and musical experience featuring the legendary DJ Adrian, DJ Gordo the rock guru and H_art and the band.

Festival Program

Day 1-Friday 6th Dec

Arrival and Karibu Night at Fig Tree Camp

Game Walk

Sundowner/Bush Dinmer

Dances to showcase Kenya’s diversity

Day 2-Saturday 7^thDec

Balloon Inflation

Mass ascension/Balloon safaris

Landing, Champagne breakfast

Game drives& photography

Corporate team building

Bush Carnival

Handcraft market

Children Park/Swimming

Evening

Balloon glow /illumination-teams and groups have fun around their illuminated balloon

Photo show & voting (people vote for the photos taken from the air and during game drives displayed on huge screens-cash awards and prizes to be won courtesy of Nakumatt)

Music show

Bull Roast

Cocktail bar

Shaken & stirred cocktail mixology

Day 3-Sunday 8^thDec

Balloon inflation

Mass Ascension/Balloon Safaris

Solidarity Flight of the Nations

Champagne Breakfast

Game drives/Family picnics

Swimming

Evening