Hot Air Ballooning in Cape Town

When descending into Cape Town one always wishes to linger just a moment longer. A bird’s eye view over our beautiful Mother City is just absolutely spectacular. If you can’t afford your own jet and still haven’t grown any wings, make use of old school, Hot Air Ballooning – it will elevate you in both mind and spirit…

Photo: Wineland Ballooning

Hot Air Ballooning opportunities in Cape Town take you about 55km from Cape Town’s CBD to neighbouring Paarl. Though the guys at Wineland Ballooning started their Airline in 1990, Hot Air Ballooning dates back to Annonay, France where the very first Hot Air Balloon flight was performed in 1783.

Known as the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology, you too can experience that ancient romance as you sore above the sunrise, over the plains and contours of Cape Town and float your day away in a Hot Air Ballooning trip over Cape Town.

Winelands Ballooning is a South African registered non-scheduled Airline and is licensed and checked by the SA Civil Aviation Authority. Safety comes first and bookings are required to be made well in advance. Please note all balloon flights are weather dependent and last minute cancellations can occur. Winelands Ballooning pride themselves with a safety record of 1850  successful flights and believe in making the guest part of the entire experience.

What to expect:

Early morning before thermal activity starts, the guests help with the rigging of the balloon and the preparations regarding the ascent, after which they hop aboard into the basket which can take a maximum of 4 to 6 people depending on the weight.

Experience some of the most unique views over vineyards, orchards, fields, the Hottentot Holland Mountain Range with Table Mountain as the ultimate backdrop.

After an hour of flying, the crew takes the guests to a five star breakfast at the Grande Roche Hotel to wrap up the experience.

Another option is to go Hot Air Ballooning Oudtshoorn and make an overnight road trip of it.

Oudshoorn, is approximately a 5 hour drive from Cape Town and you can stay overnight in a B&B ready for an early hot air balloon flight over the panoramic magic of the Klein Karoo and the magnificent Swartberg Mountain Range in the distance. Take off with a cup of coffee and return to a glass of champagne.

Oudtshoorn Ballooning also do flights in other regions by arrangement and add that group bookings are welcome.

Nothing can be more romantic and original than flying over winelands, vineyards or the endless Karoo desert in a basket whilst watching the morning sky turn blue as the sun rises to warm up a brand new day. Don’t leave Cape Town without a magical Hot Air Balloon trip if you can.

Content: Ed Beukes