Travel Article
Why a balloon ride might be the most peaceful adventure you’ll ever have
By Katie Spooner, Concierge at Travelwise
Katie Spooner
The newest member of our team (yet she’s still been with Travelwise since 2017), Katie’s always one step ahead with the latest must-see Disney and cruise experiences. She’s renowned for adding personalised extras and thoughtful details that make each journey feel truly one-of-a-kind.
I took my first hot air balloon ride in the Serengeti on my 21st birthday - and I still think about it all the time.
We’d been on safari for a few days and, up to that point, hadn’t seen any elephants, which was all I really wanted. We were up before sunrise, driving across the dark plains to reach the launch site.
And then, just as the sun started to rise and we lifted into the sky, there they were. A small group of elephants, one with a calf, slowly making their way through the landscape below. It was calm, surreal and completely unforgettable: one of those moments that stays with you long after the trip ends.
A different kind of view.
That’s the magic of ballooning. You’re floating gently above the world: no engine noise, no sudden movements, just stillness, silence and a new way of seeing a place you thought you knew.
And while balloon rides aren’t always the cheapest excursion on offer, they’re often one of the most memorable. For many of our clients, they’re a bucket list experience, something to tick off, celebrate or gift to someone special.
Top places to take to the skies:
If you’re curious about trying one yourself, here are a few of the best places to do it:
Tanzania: Watching wildlife from above as the sun rises over the Serengeti is something else entirely. Quiet, surreal and full of wow moments you’ll never forget.
Turkey: Cappadocia is probably the most famous balloon destination in the world, with dozens of balloons rising at once over the rock chimneys and soft hills. It’s a proper bucket list moment.
Australia: The Red Centre offers amazing desert ballooning with early starts, big skies and panoramic views over the Outback.
Egypt: Take to the skies above the Valley of the Kings: seeing Luxor from above is like floating over history itself.
The UK: Don’t rule out something closer to home. A balloon ride over the English countryside with its rolling hills, patchwork fields and quiet villages is calm, nostalgic and surprisingly moving.
A gentle adventure with a big impact.
Balloon rides aren’t fast-paced or adrenaline-fuelled – and that’s the point. They’re thoughtful, peaceful and just a little bit magical.
If you’ve got a special trip coming up or you’re looking for a new way to see the world, this could be the perfect perspective. Let me know if you’d like help planning one, or if you just want to talk about the elephants – I’m always up for that, too!
