Hot Air Ballooning over the Cradle of Humankind Balloon Flight Report 12/03/2011 - Safari Flight The morning welcomed us with some spectacular weather for flying hot air balloons. After some amarula coffee to warm up the guests, the balloons took off at 06.00am and started tracking in a north easterly direction. As the balloons skimmed over the first koppie we were met with a large herd of Black Wildebeest interspersed with a small group of Mountain Zebra. We then ascended a 1000ft and the upper winds tracked us further out into the North Eastern Reserves where we were treated to herds of Zebra, Red Hartebeest, Springbok, Blue Wildebeest, and Eland on the open grass plains, and the occasional Black Backed Jackal darting between them. As we descended to get into the more densely vegetated valleys, we were treated to the fantastic sighting of two white rhino with a calf. The valleys are usually a good place to spot giraffe but instead we were thrilled to spot a large herd of buffalo just as we were exiting the valleys to line up for our landings on the grass plains.

Photo by Orlando Alaniz Balloon over Lions

We landed just after an hour and gently brought the balloons into land on one of the jeep tracks in the Reserve. Champagne was the order of the day as we celebrated a memorable flight in the bush, before being taken on a leisurely drive to Kloofzicht Lodge for a well deserved breakfast. Another amazing balloon flight in Africa! Chief Pilot - Marty de Kock

Two of our staff members recently completed their FGASA level 1 Nature Guiding qualification. This is an initiative by AirVentures to further enhance the experience that our guests will receive on a balloon adventure with us. The skills and knowledge gained from the qualification will add great value during the flight when guests are interested in learning more about the area and its fauna and flora.

AirVentures continue to focus on providing an environmentally aware ecotourism product, with a strong conservation ethos.

Adam Fillmore (Pilot) FGASA Level 1, Cherize Fillmore (Ground Operations) FGASA Level 1, Frank Bouwer (Pilot) FGASA Level 3.

AirVentures will be exhibiting in conjunction with the Cradle of Humankind this year at Indaba.

Please come and visit us at stand DEC1B07 or for an appointment contact
Cherize Fillmore - info@air-ventures.co.za or 083 356 2435.

During March, AirVentures was approached to provide a hot air balloon for the filming of an advert for Carling Beer. The company chose the Cape for the setting of the advert, so off we set on the long journey to the Cape, with our 8 passenger balloon in tow.

The filming took place in the Ceres valley, with a very successful flight and some awesome 4 x 4'ing by the recovery vehicle. Watch out for our website update when some clips from the advert become available.

Flights launch daily at sunrise, all year round, and we will cater for the romantic couple to the larger groups, as well as corporate and incentive events.

To book your experience with AirVentures Hot Air Ballooning, you can contact us on:

We look forward to welcoming you on board one of our flights.