Hot air balloon rides in Harties

Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris

If you’re going to do it . . . . . Do it in unassailable style.

The air is still, a slight chill rises from the damp grass as the sun peaks shyly through the Magaliesberg Mountains. The stillness is broken by the blast from burners filling mounds of colourful silks as the fleet of Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris prepare to escort their guests on another exclusive adventure over some of Southern Africa’s most scenic terrain.

The scene is a far cry from the original little table set in some lonely field… The Hot Air Balloon launch site now has a beautifully appointed Clubhouse Pavilion and Restaurant to cater in exquisite style and comfort to the needs of their guests.

After receiving South Africa’s first Tourism Welcome Award, CEO of the balloon airline, Bill Harrop, is adamant he want to remain elevated above the “me too” crowd. “Being judged as the best tour operator by our country’s top fundis in the travel and tourism industry is like winning the equivalent of an Oscar in the travel game,’ he enthuses. “Ballooning is not a poor man’s pursuit,” he admits, “You just have to do everything in style.”

More capacity. More service. More exclusivity.

From the comfort of the classically designed Clubhouse, guests can watch the professional flight crews prepare for launch in the floodlit field. Fans cool in summer and roaring log fires warm in winter as the top class catering crew serve steaming cups of coffee and choice teas, rusks and hot chocolate to fortify guests for the hour long flight ahead.

“We have been chided from time to time for underselling ourselves by guests who are often very pleasantly surprised by the quality of our personalised service and top class facilities.” Says Harrop. “Having our own base of operations and thus relying on no one but ourselves, ensures that everything from technical to toilet facilities is flawless.”

On a busy day, the team can have five or six balloons in flight, entertaining 40 to 50 guests in a morning. Bill is keen to ensure the ‘original’ personal and exclusive touch for which his company is renowned. With innovative planning and separate breakfast table facilities, a smaller party will never be overwhelmed by a larger corporate group.

Included in the fleet are 3 balloons that can carry up to 18 passengers each which brings Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris fleet capacity to a maximum of 71 passengers in one flight, or 142 on a large corporate “double-hop”. Meeting and conference facilities have been created on site to cater for this corporate market, giving them everything they need for an extended day out of conference and teambuilding.

Established in 1981 when they were awarded the first Non-Scheduled Airline Licence ever granted for Hot Air Balloons, Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is South Africa’s largest and most experienced operator. Their main, and most popular trips are scenic balloon flights in the Magalies River Valley (Gauteng and North-west Province) as well as the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.

Game Viewing Balloon Safari packages are also offered by Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris at Mabula Private Game Reserve (Northern Province) and Entabeni Private Game Reserve (Limpopo Province). These include accommodation, meals, game drives and, of course some most spectacular game viewing balloon flights.

A most civilised adventure.
Start by calling our Reservations Office and get a measure of our Company.

showme@balloon.co.za
Tel: +27 11 705-3201
Mobile: 27 83 379-5296
Fax: +27 11 705-3203
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