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Hot Air Balloon Adventure Clarens Overview
Hot Air Balloon Adventure in Clarens is the adventure in one of the most scenic of destinations, lying on the verge of the Maluti mountains in the Eastern Freestate.
Hot Air Balloon Adventure Clarens is one of the most scenic, romantic and exhilarating ballooning adventures in South Africa. We launch our hot air balloons at dawn, as this is the only time the air is stable. We drift with the wind, so there is no turbulence during flight - it’s just you and the elements.
There are days where there are very little wind and other days where the wind picks up on the trip, so we never know how far we will fly or where we are going to land until we get there. The flight duration is one hour but can be anywhere from about 55 minutes to 1 hour 35 minutes, depending on the wind direction and the accessibility of a suitable landing site.
The Hotair Balloon pilot uses the different directional winds at different altitudes to steer the balloon. However, the central control the pilot has merely is up and down. The pilot will usually try to vary the height he flies at; the maximum height he will attain will depend on Air Traffic Control authorities in the area, but it is usually about 1500’ to 2000’ above the ground.
He will also fly at treetop height so you can see what is happening below you. The pilot heads towards an open field to land; the ground crew follow the balloon during the flight and pack it up on the landing site while our passengers enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne. We then return to The Cranford Inn in Clarens for a fantastic buffet breakfast. You will be returned to the starting point to collect your vehicle after breakfast.
Clothing and equipment: We recommend that you wear clothing in peelable layers, long pants, and closed shoes as you will need to climb into and out of the hot air balloon’s basket. In the summertime, your shoes can become quite wet in the early morning dew, so it is recommended that you bring a spare pair for after the flight. In winter, it can be quite cold, so please prepare for that by either wearing boots or two pairs of socks.
The temperature in the air is about the same as on the ground, and thus no additional jackets are required. At any time of the year, we recommend wearing a cap and sunscreen on your face, as you are exposed to the sunlight during flight. Any extra jackets, handbags, backpacks or camera bags or tripods may be left with the ground crew during a trip.
Information:
- We fly from Clarens on request, with a minimum of 6 passengers per flight.
- Make your way to Clarens to one of the selected lodges, where you will overnight.
- In the morning you meet us at the launch site for a pre-flight briefing over hot drinks, watch the balloon rigging and hot inflation, and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime.
- Hot air balloon flights last between 45 minutes and 1 hour, given favourable winds and recovery.
- We then return to The Cranford Inn for the best buffet breakfast in the Freestate.
Booking requirements:
- Minimum of 6 per flight
- Booking is essential
- to be booked at least one week in advance