Team ActivityHub's Review of Bill Harrop’s Hot Air Balloon Safari in Hartbeespoort

Our Invitation

Team ActivityHub was recently invited on a familiarization flight with Bill Harrop’s "Original" Balloon Safaris in Hartbeespoort Dam for a first-hand experience of their award-winning hot air balloon safari. Having worked closely with them as one of the leading hot air balloon safari operators in South Africa, we were beyond excited to finally experience this ourselves. If you are looking to book the ultimate bucket list adventures, we highly recommend checking out their official website for more details.

To confirm a reservation, you will need to provide all passengers' names, surnames, and weights. This information is essential because the balloons are loaded precisely to ensure even weight distribution. Once the formalities were out of the way, we received a comprehensive confirmation email. I highly recommend reading through this email in its entirety—it contains all the crucial information for the day to ensure you absolutely enjoy the experience.

Getting There

We made our preparations and flew to Lanseria from Cape Town, opting to stay with family in Johannesburg. For those searching for a premier experience with hot air ballooning in Johannesburg or hot air ballooning in Pretoria, the launch site is around a highly convenient 1-hour drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria. If you are driving from Pretoria, we suggest taking the N4 Highway.

Coming from Johannesburg, we decided to drive through the home of hot air ballooning in the Cradle of Humankind. However, there were some road closures that didn't reflect on Google Maps, which forced us onto a detour. To save yourself the hassle, we suggest taking the R512 Pelindaba Road, which takes you right past Lanseria and the Lion & Safari Park.

Accommodation

If you prefer not to drive early in the morning, transfers can easily be arranged. Alternatively, you can stay at one of the many guest houses in the area. For instance, Harties Country Lodge is only a 20-minute drive from the launch site.

Arrival

Upon arrival, we were met at the clubhouse by the friendly team and checked in promptly. Bill Harrop's is a fully licensed commercial air service operator, regulated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). As part of their passenger operations, every guest is issued an official boarding pass before the flight.

Keep in mind that you are not permitted to take any bags into the baskets, but secure lockers are available if you need to lock your valuables away. Coffee, tea, and a selection of biscuits are served, so we could make ourselves comfortable while watching the massive balloons slowly inflate.

Dress Code

Our flight was right in the middle of winter, and it was cold—really cold. We strongly suggest packing sufficient warm clothes. Think gloves, beanies, scarves, and jackets. It does warm up later in the morning, so make sure to dress in layers that you can easily shed as the temperature rises.

Take Off

Prior to takeoff, we were given a comprehensive safety briefing. Hot air balloon flights are famous for their "sporty" landings, and it is essential that you are aware of this and prepared. Bracing yourself involves sitting down inside the basket with your back to the front of the balloon. Depending on the wind conditions, the basket may remain upright or gently tip onto its side during landing.

Then, the moment we had been waiting for finally arrived. It was time for takeoff! Our host—or "Aeronaut" as they are called—was ready, and we slowly started to lift off the ground. The burners fired, and just as we started to gain some altitude, we were presented with a spectacular sunrise. Talk about perfect timing!

We gently drifted upwards up to around 1,000 meters above sea level, and the views around us were exquisite. The official description says: "Picture this: It's sunrise, the silence of flight is only slightly interrupted by the occasional blast of the powerful burners and the faint call of a bird or animal far beneath, whilst you are gently hovering above the majestic Magalies River Valley below." I can confirm this description is absolutely spot on.

We kept ascending until we finally reached 2,000 meters above sea level. If you are not a fan of heights, this is quite high! Personally, I am not extremely fond of heights and could feel myself getting a bit overwhelmed. If you feel like you might struggle, I highly recommend trying these tips:

• Sit down inside the basket and ground yourself with some calm breathing exercises.
• When you do stand up, look towards the passengers behind you, meaning you aren't looking directly ahead.
• Do not look directly down; instead, keep your eyes on the horizon.
• Take pictures! Focusing on getting the perfect shot really takes your mind off the height.

After practicing these tips a few times, I finally found my rhythm, adjusted to the elevation, and could stand and enjoy the experience to its absolute fullest. Our pilot, Flip Steyn, was the perfect host, offering a great mix of humour and fascinating insights into the surrounding area.

He jokingly refers to himself as the “Flip’n Pilot”.

We drifted up and down over the course of an hour, soaking in the most incredible views. Eventually, the time came to descend and prepare for landing. Luckily, there was very little wind, and the "sporty" landing we had braced for didn't materialize. Instead, we gently plopped down onto the ground. I was actually a little disappointed, but that didn't take away from the experience at all!

Once we climbed out of the basket, we were presented with sparkling wine and orange juice. There's nothing quite like enjoying a celebratory Mimosa after a sunrise balloon flight! The landing was filled with more banter and jokes—my favorite being when we had to clap because it was the first time they hadn't lost a passenger (cue the nervous laughter). We were then driven back to the clubhouse where a warm breakfast awaited us.

Breakfast

Back at the clubhouse, a full breakfast spread was waiting for us, including their famous whiskey oats. Other options included a full hot and continental breakfast, alongside more Mimosas.

Certificate of Bravery

We were all issued an official Certificate of Bravery to commemorate our flight. It's a really nice touch—something you can frame and keep forever. And with that, our adventure came to an end. This is a memory I will cherish forever and easily one of the best top activities in Harties we have ever done as Team ActivityHub.

Important Information

Cost:

• Current Prices are available on activityhub.co.za
• These prices are valid for the 2026 period.
• Please note that yearly price increases come into effect on the 1st of October every year.
• Group discounts apply; prices decrease based on the number of people booked.

Flight Times (Seasonal & Dependent on Sunrise):

• 1 Nov to 31 Jan: 04h45
• 1 to 29 Feb and 16 to 31 Oct: 05h00
• 1 to 15 Mar and 1 to 15 Oct: 05h15
• 16 to 31 Mar and 16 to 30 Sep: 05h30
• 1 to 30 Apr and 1 to 15 Sep: 05h45
• 1 to 31 May and 1 to 31 Aug: 06h00
• 1 Jun to 31 Jul: 06h15

Essential Rules & Requirements:

• Bookings: Bookings are essential.
• Height: There is a strict minimum height requirement of 1.3 meters.
• Age: The minimum passenger age is 7 years.
• Weight: There is no maximum weight; however, guests must be fit and healthy enough to climb over the 1.3-meter basket edge and climb back out again.

Final Thoughts

Having experienced hot air ballooning with Bill Harrop's for ourselves, it's easy to understand why they've remained one of South Africa's premier balloon operators for more than 45 years. From the professionalism of the team and the attention to safety, to the spectacular scenery and warm hospitality, this is one experience we'd happily recommend to anyone visiting Gauteng.

Please contact us should you wish to book your bucket list adventures.