A Johannesburg hot air balloon ride starts in the dark and ends with breakfast. You drive out of the city before dawn, watch the balloon being inflated, and then drift for about an hour over the Cradle of Humankind and the ridges of the Magaliesberg as the sun comes up. Depending on the wind, you may also look down on the Sterkfontein Caves landscape, the water of Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magalies River Valley.
There is no fixed route. The balloon goes where the wind takes it, so every morning looks a little different, and the pilot decides on the day which way you fly.
All four rides on the Johannesburg hub are shared, untethered sunrise balloons near Johannesburg. They are not flights over the city centre and not Kruger safari flights.
Which Johannesburg hot air balloon ride to book
- Cradle of Humankind Classic Hot Air Balloon Ride, from ZAR 3,300 per person. About 60 minutes of free flight inside a morning of about three hours. Includes balloon inflation viewing, a buffet breakfast, sparkling wine or orange juice, tea and coffee, and a flight certificate. You may see the Cradle of Humankind, the Magaliesberg, the Sterkfontein Caves landscape, Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magalies River Valley. The lowest price on the hub.
- Gauteng Safari Hot Air Balloon Ride, from USD 366 per person. About 60 minutes aloft over Gauteng countryside, with the Cradle of Humankind, the Magaliesberg and Hartbeespoort Dam among the possible sights. You might spot wildlife below, but no particular animals are promised. Check your voucher for the exact inclusions.
- Magaliesberg Hot Air Balloon Ride, from USD 381 per person. About 60 minutes over the Magaliesberg and the Cradle of Humankind, with Hartbeespoort Dam when the wind allows, and a champagne breakfast on the listing.
- Magalies River Valley Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, from ZAR 4,377 per person. About 60 minutes over the Magalies River Valley near Hartbeespoort Dam, inside a morning of three to four hours. Includes tea and coffee, a sparkling celebration, a buffet breakfast and a certificate. Adults 18 and over only, and the listing says there is no game viewing.
Start with the Classic ride if you want the lowest price and the clearest list of what is included. Pick the valley sunrise ride if you are travelling as adults and want to fly over the valley and Hartbeespoort Dam. The Gauteng Safari and Magaliesberg rides are good alternatives when the Classic ride is full on your date.
Before you go
- Where: the first three rides above meet at Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa in the Cradle of Humankind area (Muldersdrift / Krugersdorp), about 20 to 35 minutes from Johannesburg or Sandton and about an hour from OR Tambo. The valley sunrise ride meets at the Skeerpoort launch area west of Hartbeespoort Dam on the R560. Your voucher names the exact meeting point and report time.
- Transport: hotel pickup is not included unless your voucher adds a transfer. Balloons cannot wait for late arrivals, so leave early.
- Group size: shared balloons, with shared tours of up to about 50 travellers on the Classic ride. Basket allocation varies by morning. No minimum group size is stated.
- Who can fly: the Classic ride typically does not fly children under 7, and the valley sunrise ride is adults only. No passenger weight limit is published, but you may be asked for weights. You stand in the basket for the whole flight, and the flights are often not recommended during pregnancy.
- Landings: the balloon lands in a field near the flying area, wherever the wind allows.
- Cancellation: this varies by ride. On the Classic ride, sales are final once you book. Other rides may allow cancelling up to 24 hours ahead or use a sliding scale, so check the policy shown when you book. If wind or weather cancels the flight, you are typically offered a refund or rebooking.
Not sure which balloon ride near Johannesburg suits you? Email us at hello@flyovertheworld.com and we’ll help you choose.