Botswana Balloon Safaris | Hot Air Balloon Okavango Delta, Chobe, Gaborone & Kasane

Hot air balloon safaris in Botswana offer a serene, top-down view of the Okavango Delta’s unique ecosystem, primarily operating in the private Vumbura concession from April to October. These sunrise flights (45–60 minutes) allow for unique game viewing—including elephants and lechwe—and typically end with a champagne breakfast and nature walks.

Balloon safaris are available in the Vumbura River and Selinda Spillway areas of the NorthWestern Okavango Delta with AirVentures. Floating softly over the flooded terrain, which includes serpentine waterways, islands, and woodland, a balloon provides the ideal vantage point from which to watch the animals in this fantastic wilderness location in Africa. From treetops to a thousand feet in the air, this traditional ballooning trip explores the Okavango Delta in a way no other.

A one-night reservation at one of the camps in the remote flying area is required to participate in an AirVentures balloon safari in the Okavango Delta. This is because charter flights are unable to arrive in time for hot air balloon takeoffs, which must occur within the first hour of daybreak.

In the flying area, you’ll find four Camps, each with its own specialities and a broad range of products to suit everyone’s preferences. Throughout the year, all of them provide both water and land-based activities. From Maun or Kasane, the camps are accessible by air in about 40 minutes or an hour, respectively. How long it takes to go from the Camps to the balloon safari is dependent on the specific launch site that is being used.

Botswana Balloon Safaris Highlights

  • Location: Primarily in the Northwestern Okavango Delta, between the Vumbura River and Selinda Spillway, offering scenic views of waterways and woodlands.
  • Operating Season: Best times are usually April to September/October, when water levels are high, creating a unique “water safari” view.

The Botswana Balloon Safaris Experience:

  1. Sunrise Departure: Early morning pick-up from camp for a sunrise launch, ensuring the best lighting and calmest winds.
  2. Aerial Game Viewing: Look down upon herds of buffalo, elephants, red lechwe, and hippo pods, as well as crocodiles.
  3. Silent Flight: The balloon allows for intimate viewing without disturbing the wildlife.
  4. Champagne Breakfast: The flight traditionally concludes with a traditional post-flight champagne celebration in the bush.

Hot Air Botswana Balloon Safari Destinations

1. Hot Air Balloon Okavango Delta

Safari goers have long praised the Okavango for its vast array of land and water game viewing opportunities; today, hot air balloon rides provide a new vantage point from which to take in this breathtaking habitat. Observing wildlife and the breathtaking Okavango from above is an unforgettable experience. From the air, you may view antelope, giraffes, buffalo, elephants, and hippos, among many other animals.

A private concession in the north-eastern Okavango has been hosting balloon safaris since 2014; this region is known for its abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery. To ensure a smooth transition, it is vital to pre-book your stay through our service at the same time. All reservations must be made as part of a comprehensive Okavango Delta Explorations itinerary; we do not schedule this as an independent activity. To see an example of the type of itinerary we can create for you, have a look at our Okavango Skies itinerary.

2. Hot Air Balloon Chobe National Park

Hot air ballooning in Chobe, Botswana, offers scenic, sunrise flights over the Seloko Plains and Chobe Forest Reserve, typically operating from May 1 to September 15. Managed by AirVentures, these 45–60 minute flights provide aerial views of wildlife like elephants and lions, usually including a sparkling wine breakfast for around $395 per person.

Hot air ballooning in Chobe, Botswana, offers early morning scenic flights over the Seloko Plains and Chobe Forest Reserve, focusing on low-level wildlife viewing. Operated by AirVentures, these flights typically run from May 1 to September 15, accommodating up to eight guests. Flights include champagne breakfasts, transfers, and a 45–60 minute flight, often starting near Kasane.

3. Hot Air Balloon Gaborone

Hot air ballooning in Botswana is primarily concentrated in the remote wilderness areas, specifically the Okavango Delta, rather than around Gaborone. The premier experience is offered by AirVentures in the NorthWestern Okavango Delta, offering bird’s-eye views of the flooded landscape.

Hot air balloon rides in Gaborone are one of a kind. As they float serenely over the countryside, passengers may take in the sights of metropolitan skylines, open fields, and gentle hills. Choose from 18 different hot air balloon tours in Gaborone on MakeMyTrip. You can choose between sunrise and sunset flights. Skilled pilots keep passengers secure while providing interesting information about the area below. The relaxing ride is perfect for families, couples, and photographers looking for a different perspective on the city. Most tourists can afford to do this activity, since hot air balloon tickets in Gaborone start at about INR 435.

4. Hot Air Balloon Kasane – Botswana

Hot air ballooning in Kasane, operated by AirVentures, offers sunrise flights over the wildlife-rich Seloko Plains, south of Chobe National Park, generally running from May 1 to September 15. The 45–60 minute flights provide aerial game viewing, including a champagne breakfast, with operations often based at Elephant Valley Lodge.