The hot air balloon adrenaline fix

Flying in a hot air balloon is an unforgettable experience that not many people have the opportunity to try. If it’s not already on your bucket list, make a point of including. But first we speak to an expert on hot air balloons before directing you on where to enjoy the fun.

Joyce “Smiles” Beckwith is Kenya’s only female Hot Air Balloon Captain. We chat at her log cabin in the Mara.

How does a city girl adjust to life in the Mara?

When I came here as a hotel intern in 2007, I was busy working and didn’t get to go out a lot to experience the Mara. Over time though, I befriended the tour drivers and would go on game drives for fun, and I fell in love with the bush. My husband also came here in 1986 when he was about 6 years old and fell in love with Maasai Mara, so when we met, we both loved being out here.

What made you want to become a hot air balloon pilot?

I got married into a ballooning family. My husband’s grandad was a balloonist, and my father-in-law and husband are both balloonists. It was time. I’m a Hotel & Tourism Management graduate and came to Mara. I now run my own travel agency and still do hospitality marketing.

For how long did you have to study?

I was flying with my husband a lot as a passenger, and I loved it so much that it got to a point where I just decided to do it. Then I went to Albuquerque, New Mexico to study both commercial and private flights for five months. There are no schools for ballooning in Kenya.

So then you came back and got on the job straight away…

It was a struggle. Coming back to convert your foreign license into a Kenyan one wasn’t easy. Last year, after knocking all the doors, one opened with Sun Africa’s Balloon Adventure based at Keekorok Lodge.

What’s your typical work day like?

I get to meet my guests the night before a flight. I start the day at about 4:30am in the morning, and pick them up so we’re building a rapport as we drive to the site. I check the aircraft and make sure everything is all good, then ensure all the passengers are at ease. Flights are only in the morning and last 40 minutes to an hour...it’s great because tourists are always happy and excited to be flying, and the experience never disappoints. I have been on a hot air balloon about 700 times. I do this for 10 months then go on holiday for two months.

Where to go ballooning:

Maasai Mara: Africa Eco Adventures

With a fleet of eight balloons, the owners have over 50 years of collective experience flying balloons and hosting safari guests in the Mara and East Africa. This month, the abundant wildebeest can make for spectacular viewing. After landing, head off on a full bush breakfast under the shade of a balanite tree, complete with sparkling wine. www.maraballooning.com.

Note: There are plenty of options to consider in Mara, and your lodge can help you book. Rates typically start at Sh45,000.

Nairobi: The Waterfront Karen

They started offering hot air balloon rides in July, with a limit of only two people per aircraft due to social distancing rules. Enjoy a fun aerial view of the area at 6am every Saturday and Sunday at Sh3,000 per person for a 20-minute ride. www.airballoonservices.co.ke

Amboseli: Kenya Ballooning Safaris

Amboseli National Park is located south of Kenya and is known for its large herds of elephants. Enjoy the wildlife as well as Mt Kilimanjaro’s peak from the skies. The balloon ride takes about 80 minutes in total including a champagne bush breakfast at the end. Elevation here is higher than the Mara and binoculars would therefore be handy. www.kenyaballooningsafaris.com

Writer: instagram.com/wattaonthego