Your adventure begins well before dawn. Around 4:00 a.m., depending on your camp’s location, you’ll be picked up and driven to the launch site. The excitement builds as you watch the balloon’s giant envelope come to life, filled by powerful fans in the early morning dark. As you sip a warm drink, your pilot gives a full safety briefing and explains what to expect once you’re in the air.

By 6:30 a.m., just as the first rays of sunlight glow on the horizon, it’s time to climb aboard. The basket is deep and sturdy, with secure compartments and handrails to keep you safe and comfortable. With a mighty roar of the burners, you slowly lift off—and suddenly you’re floating above the waking wilderness.

For the next 50 to 70 minutes, you’ll drift with the winds, your route determined by nature’s hand. Some flights soar high over forest canopies, where you might spot vultures in their nests or watch baboons climbing down from their tree-top beds. Other times, your pilot may guide the balloon just meters above the grasslands, where zebras, antelopes, and even lions roam below. On especially lucky mornings, you might glide low over streams, catching sight of hippos splashing or elephants quenching their thirst.

As the sun rises higher, painting the sky and landscape in golden hues, you’ll feel completely immersed in the magic of the wild. Other balloons may join your flight path, adding a touch of cinematic beauty to the experience.