Africa · HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES

The 15 Best Hot Air Balloon Rides in Africa

63 tours  ·  from $55

Luxor at $75, Marrakech at $115, the Serengeti at $550, and all three fly at first light because the air is only calm then. The 15 below compare flight length, basket size and what breakfast afterwards amounts to.

Marrakech: Balloon Flight, Berber Breakfast & Certificate - The 4:00 to 6:30 a.m. start
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Marrakech: Balloon Flight, Berber Breakfast & Certificate

1.Balloon Flight, Berber Breakfast & Certificate

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8,164 reviews · 4 hours · from $113Our pick

Start before sunrise with hotel pickup, coffee, pastries, and a 40 to 50-minute balloon flight over valleys and hills near Marrakech. After landing, eat cornbread, pancakes, eggs, olives, fruit, and mint tea in a Berber tent. Pilots such as Noor, Yannis, Reda, and Lina are praised for calm flying and friendly commentary, though the pilot assigned to you can vary.

“Would highly highly recommend! transport pick up was clearly communicated and they left promptly. Pastry and coffee before the balloon flight and was able to watch sunrise. Our pilot Mustafa was brilliant and friendly as were the other team members. Such a brilliant experience and well worth the money. Shame there was not a chance to tip the team.”

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Marrakesh: Early Morning 40-Minute Balloon Flight - Tea, croissants, and the first look at the camp
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Marrakesh: Early Morning 40-Minute Balloon Flight

2.Early Morning 40-Minute Balloon Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6,533 reviews · from $123

Leave central Marrakech before dawn for a 40-minute hot air balloon flight over the North Palmeraie. Expect tea, coffee, croissants, a Moroccan breakfast, and hotel transport. Pilots such as Nicole, Elias, and Khalid have helped put nervous flyers at ease. A chase-team option may depend on the day.

“Great experience and the team running it were fantastic. Nicole the pilot was the best!!!”

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Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor Egypt with Transfers Included - The 4:30 am pickup and crossing to the West Bank
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Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor Egypt with Transfers Included

3.Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor Egypt with Transfers Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,319 reviews · from $75Top rated

You’ll leave around 4:30 am, ride by air-conditioned vehicle to the West Bank, attend a safety briefing, and float above Luxor as the sun rises. An English-speaking guide points out Karnak, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Nile. Abdo, Youssri, Omar, and Ali have guided flights, though staff may vary.

“Amazing to watch all the balloons being inflated at the same time - and realising there were at least 40! It all seemed chaotic but it was clearly well organised, given how many people were there. A great experience overall and worth getting up for at such an early time”

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Marrakech: Hot Air Balloon Flight with Berber Breakfast - The early pickup and road to the launch site
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Marrakech: Hot Air Balloon Flight with Berber Breakfast

4.Hot Air Balloon Flight with Berber Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,832 reviews · 5 hours · from $135

You’ll leave Marrakech before sunrise, watch the balloon inflate, and float for about 40 minutes above Berber villages, gorges, valleys, and the Atlas Mountains. Pilots such as Adam, Rashid, and Saba are known for clear briefings and humor. Tea, coffee, a light breakfast, a Berber meal, transport, and a flight certificate are included.

“An amazing trip, pick up from the hotel on time, taken for a warm drink before we then headed to the balloons, then back for breakfast before heading back to the hotel. We purchased the digital photos and video and was sent within 2 days of the trip, they were perfect. Great trip highly recommend.”

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4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon - Day one: Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple
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4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon

5.4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,142 reviews · from $349

Spend three nights aboard a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, with guided visits to Philae, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings. An English-speaking Egyptologist leads the visits, and the package includes a 30 to 45 minute hot-air balloon flight over Luxor. Mohamed Gobran, Saber, and Mahmoud are among the guides praised for clear explanations and attentive service.

“Trip of a lifetime. If you want to see Abu Simbel, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Karnak and Luxor temples and have a balloon ride in a short time. This trip is for you. Early starts, cruising the Nile and the best Egyptologist as a guide - Mohamed GonRead more”

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Hot Air Balloon Flight over Marrakech with Traditional Breakfast - Watching the balloons take shape
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Hot Air Balloon Flight over Marrakech with Traditional Breakfast

6.Hot Air Balloon Flight over Marrakech with Traditional Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,921 reviews · from $162

Leave Marrakech before dawn for a hot-air-balloon flight over palm groves, red earth, and open country. Choose a 6am flight for sunrise or 7am for the view just after sunrise. Your pilot provides commentary, and the outing ends with a Berber breakfast in a Moroccan tent. Round-trip transfers are included.

“This was the part of our Moroccan trip we were looking forward to most; and it did not disappoint. The tour did start extremely early (I think pickup was 4:30a), but our driver was kind and helpful. We started with some coffee (thank goodness) and then went out to the balloons. The view was gorgeous and while it was a bit cloudy for the sunrise, we were able to get some gorgeous photos. The balloon operator was funny and made it a great experience. We were up for about 45 minutes and sadly didn't get a clear sky but it was still 100% worth it. I would still go for…”

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Marrakech: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Traditional Breakfast - The pre-dawn pickup from Marrakech
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Marrakech: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Traditional Breakfast

7.Hot Air Balloon Ride with Traditional Breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,702 reviews · 365 days · from $152

Leave Marrakech before dawn in a 4x4 or minivan, watch the balloon inflate, and fly for 45 to 60 minutes above palm groves, villages, and the Atlas Mountains. Captain Holger and other multilingual pilots lead the flight, followed by Berber breakfast in a caidal tent and a named flight certificate.

“It was amazing, an experience that I will never forget. Lovely people”

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Serengeti Balloon Safari and authentic bush breakfast - What wildlife viewing is really like from the air
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Serengeti Balloon Safari and authentic bush breakfast

8.Serengeti Balloon Safari and authentic bush breakfast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,480 reviews · from $550

Start before dawn and rise over the Serengeti for about an hour of quiet sunrise flying. Pilots such as Paul, Kevin, Jeff, Mohamed, and Derek explain the flight and point out wildlife when conditions allow. After landing, celebrate with bubbly and a full English breakfast beneath an acacia tree. Pickup is included.

“It's amazing to be drifting silently over the Serengeti! This was a wonderful experience and so well organized from take off through the fabulous bush breakfast.”

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Atlas Mountains Hot Air Balloon Ride from Marrakech with Berber Breakfast and Desert Camel Experience - Tea, pastries, and the balloon launch
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Atlas Mountains Hot Air Balloon Ride from Marrakech with Berber Breakfast and Desert Camel Experience

9.Atlas Mountains Hot Air Balloon Ride from Marrakech with Berber Breakfast and Desert Camel Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,123 reviews · from $164

Leave central Marrakech before dawn by 4x4 for a 40 to 50-minute balloon flight over desert valleys and Atlas foothills. After landing, enjoy pastries, tea, coffee, and a Berber breakfast, then ride a camel near the Palmeraie. Pilots may include Lina, Yanis, or Elena, with a maximum group size of 20.

“Very well organised with pickup and drop off. Breakfast was nice and air balloon ride was lovely however it did not go very high off the ground at all. Still would recommend!”

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4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel+Balloon - Day one: Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple
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4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel+Balloon

10.4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor&Abu Simbel+Balloon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,023 reviews · from $340

Travel for four days from Aswan to Luxor aboard a five-star Nile cruise, with Abu Simbel, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings included. You get full-board meals, air-conditioned transfers, and an Egyptologist guide such as Mohamed Abdo, Hady, or Mido. The sunrise balloon ride needs careful confirmation, as timing and extras can vary.

“This cruise was way above my expectations in every aspect. I was a bit suspicious about the number of positive reviews but now I understand why. Even before starting the cruise the support was great. We faced three delays and reschedules from our flight operator and each time Hany, the person in contact at the tour operator, was very flexible and adaptive to our program. The ship was in a great condition. The room could be a bit bigger but still there was enough space to move around and the windows and deck allowed us to have the best sunset views. But the best part was our guide, Mohamed Abdo…”

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Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor Relics - The pre-dawn pickup and Nile crossing
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Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor Relics

11.Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor Relics

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,681 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Start before dawn with pickup in central Luxor, cross to the West Bank, and rise above the Nile Valley for about 30 minutes. You may spot Hatshepsut’s Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak, Habu Temple, and the Ramesseum. Guides such as Khaled, Yousry, Abdo, and Captain Omar have earned praise for clear briefings and careful landings.

“Great guide and very well organised. We were picked up on time and after picking up some more guests from nearby hotels we went straight to the ferry and then to a waiting car and then straight to the balloon site. The flying was fantastic and very friendly pilot. A great experience!”

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Balloon Safari & Bush Breakfast in Serengeti - Miracle Experience - Sunrise takeoff over the national park
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Balloon Safari & Bush Breakfast in Serengeti – Miracle Experience

12.Balloon Safari & Bush Breakfast in Serengeti – Miracle Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,646 reviews · from $599

Meet before dawn at a Serengeti launch site, watch the balloon inflate, and fly for about an hour over plains where lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and wildebeests may be active. Your pilot provides safety guidance and wildlife spotting help. After landing, celebrate with bubbly and enjoy a full bush breakfast before your onward transfer.

“The best way to describe this trip is unforgettable, everything was so great, I had an amazing time, crew was excellent and on point, I really enjoyed this trip, I recommend it to anyone visiting. This will always be a trip to remember.”

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Marrakech: Balloon Flight, Berber Breakfast, and Camel Ride - Forty to 50 minutes above the Atlas Mountains
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Marrakech: Balloon Flight, Berber Breakfast, and Camel Ride

13.Balloon Flight, Berber Breakfast, and Camel Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,378 reviews · 5 hours · from $117

Leave Marrakech before dawn for a 40 to 50-minute hot-air balloon flight with Atlas Mountain views, then eat breads, eggs, olives, fruit, and mint tea in a Berber tent. Pilots such as Yanis, Noor, Lina, and Elena are praised for smooth flying and friendly photo help. Finish with a short camel ride in the Palmeraie.

“The ballon Trip was the best Part of the Tour and of course the camels too😊. All was perfectly organized with breakfast, Transport and the Tour itself. Big thanks to the whole team for making this Tour an incredible experience.”

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Morning Flight Over Marrakech with Hot Air Balloon Flight - Watching the balloon take shape
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Morning Flight Over Marrakech with Hot Air Balloon Flight

14.Morning Flight Over Marrakech with Hot Air Balloon Flight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,159 reviews · from $255

Start before dawn with a 4x4 ride from Marrakech to the Jbilet Mountains, watch the balloon inflate, then fly for 40 to 60 minutes above farms, villages, and valleys. After landing, enjoy tea and a Berber breakfast in a caidal tent. Flights may include pilots such as Pierre, Alex, or Daniel, depending on the day.

“As someone who is terrified of heights this was one of the things in a moment of madness I booked. From the wonderful driver who picked us up to Pierre the balloon pilot everyone was wonderful. Friendly, professional, informative and amusing. This was the most fabulRead more”

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Hurghada: 2-Day Luxor Tour with Hotel, Balloon, & Boat Ride - The four-hour road from Hurghada to Luxor
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Hurghada: 2-Day Luxor Tour with Hotel, Balloon, & Boat Ride

15.2-Day Luxor Tour with Hotel, Balloon, & Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,113 reviews · 2 days · from $270

Leave Hurghada at 5:00 am for a two-day Luxor trip with a private air-conditioned car, hotel, meals, and an Egyptologist. You’ll visit Luxor and Karnak temples, sail by felucca at sunset, fly over the West Bank at sunrise, and explore the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Memnon Colossi. Guides such as Aladdin, Hassan, Hamdy, and Manal have earned strong praise for clear explanations and personal care.

“Mohamed alazeb was really helpful with is. He knows all the history of Egypt.”

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New in Hot Air Balloon Rides

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