Hot Air Balloon Flight Johannesburg: Magalies Valley Sunrise

An hour adrift above the Magalies River at sunrise, then sparkling wine at the clubhouse.

A hot air balloon flight over Magalies Valley near Johannesburg includes pickup from Sandton at 4am, a shared flight lasting around one hour, and a sparkling wine breakfast at the launch site clubhouse afterward. The full outing runs about five hours from collection to drop-off. You travel by air-conditioned SUV to the Bill Harrops launch site in Hartbeespoort, watch the balloons inflate as the sun rises, and return to Sandton by mid-morning. Children from age 7 are welcome. You must be able to climb into and out of the 1350mm-high basket without help and stand for the flight's duration.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hot Air Balloon Flight Experience

• Collected from My Sandton Stop
• Transported to Hartbeespoort launch site
• Receive flight ticket and refreshments
• Watch balloons inflate at sunrise
• Enjoy approximately 1-hour balloon flight
• Sparkling wine breakfast at Clubhouse Pavilion
• Transported back to Sandton pick-up point

The experience

Collection starts at 4am sharp from My Sandton Stop at the corner of 5th Street and Maude Street. A luxury SUV picks you up and drives roughly an hour to the Bill Harrops launch site in Hartbeespoort, depending on traffic. On arrival you get a hot beverage and freshly baked mini muffin while the crew inflates the balloons in the early light: a window most visitors to Johannesburg skip entirely.

The flight itself runs about an hour along the Magalies River Valley in a shared balloon basket. The guide handles transport and logistics only. The balloon crew manages the flight and any briefings. After landing, you head to the Clubhouse Pavilion for a sparkling wine breakfast before the return drive to Sandton, which takes roughly 45 minutes depending on traffic. The whole experience, door to door, takes around five hours.

You need to be nimble enough to climb in and out of the basket unaided and jump down from a 60cm height without assistance. The flight demands you stand for its duration. Pregnant travelers are not permitted for safety reasons, and the experience is not recommended for people with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Bill Harrops has run this operation since 1981 and markets it as Southern Africa's best value balloon safari.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned SUV pickup from Sandton at 4am and return drop-off.
• hot beverage and freshly baked mini muffin on arrival.
• approximately one-hour hot air balloon flight over Magalies Valley in a shared basket.
• sparkling wine breakfast at the Clubhouse Pavilion after landing.
• bottled water during the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private half-day hot air balloon safari with Bill Harrop's in JohannesburgGuide in English · 04:00Pickup is included

Public Holidays 2026Guide in English · Available from 1 Dec · 03:30Hot air balloon tour; includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 03:30 and 04:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (7 to 11 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by The Tour ist

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a shared balloon flight at sunrise with hotel pickup in Sandton. Everything coordinates in one package, so you don't juggle separate bookings for transport, flight, and breakfast.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 11 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What time does the pickup happen in Johannesburg?

Collection is at 4am from My Sandton Stop at the corner of 5th Street and Maude Street in Sandton. The early start lets you reach the launch site in time to watch the balloons inflate at sunrise.

How long is the actual hot air balloon flight?

The flight lasts approximately one hour and follows the Magalies River Valley. You fly in a shared basket with other passengers, and the balloon crew handles all flight operations and safety briefings.

What's included after the balloon lands?

After landing, you're transported back to the Bill Harrops Clubhouse Pavilion where you enjoy a sparkling wine breakfast. The return drive to your Sandton pickup point takes roughly 45 minutes depending on traffic.

What do I need to be able to do physically to fly?

You must be nimble enough to climb into and out of the balloon basket without assistance, jump down from a 60cm height unaided, and stand for the duration of the flight. Pregnant travelers are not permitted, and the flight is not recommended for people with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Does the guide go up in the balloon with us?

No. The guide's role is to handle your transportation to and from the launch site and to collect you afterward. The balloon crew manages the flight, inflation, landing and all safety briefings.