........."If you're going to do it - do it in unassailable style"……….
It's sunrise. The silence of flight is punctuated only by the occasional blast of the powerful burners and the faint call of a bird or animal far beneath. The thrill is indescribable......
Professional pilots, attentive crew, immaculately maintained equipment, 5 aviation safety awards; make this longest established licensed Balloon Airline in southern Africa the choice of the well informed discerning individual traveler or corporate group.
Internationally hailed as Southern Africa's best value, best quality tour operator to be appraised as the winner of the South African Tourism "Welcome Awards 2006"
Bill Harrop's runs a fleet of six large hot air balloons which can carry between six and eighteen passengers each. So whether it is a romantic balloon flight for 2, or a party for 18 adventurers in one of the biggest balloons in the world, or a corporate adventure for 142, Bill Harrop's "Original" Balloon Safaris is the preferred choice for safe, reliable, quality ballooning.Tour Description.
Frequency:
Balloons go up every morning including weekends, weather permitting.
Flight Departure Point:
Harrop's Skeerpoort Country Base on the border of Gauteng and North West Province, near Hartebeesport Dam, 45 kilometers north-west of Johannesburg's Northern suburbs.
Time:
Just prior to sunrise dependant on time of the year
Served as guests check in at our newly built well appointed Clubhouse Pavilion at sunrise.
Flight Numbers are assigned and tickets are validated.
Professional Crew Prepare the Balloons for Flight:
Guests watch from the Pavilion and are called to board when the balloons are ready. The Captains give a safety briefing prior to take off.
Flight duration:
About one hour (dependant on conditions)
Flight Landing Place:
Always in the shadow of the basket (wherever that may be)
South African Champagne:
Served in flight or on landing while the crew pack up the balloon
Mini-bus Transfer:
Back to our Country Base for...CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST AT Harrop's new Clubhouse Pavilion Restaurant, freshly cooked and beautifully presented by our celebrated Prue Leith qualified Chef,
Ms Daleen Terblanche.
"Citations for Bravery"
Presented with due ceremony.
Depart for your next destination:
The flight will last about one hour and the total duration of the tour from check-in to departure for you next destination is about 3 to 5 hours (depending whether one wants to hurry or relax after the fight).
Daily Schedule: (Meeting Times at Skeerpoort Balloon Field)
1 Nov. to 31 Jan. 05h00
1 - 29 Feb. and 16 - 31 Oct. 05h15
1 - 15 Mar. and 1 – 15 Oct. 05h30
16 - 31 Mar. and 16 – 30 Sep. 05h45
1 - 30 Apr. and 1 - 15 Sep. 06h00
1 – 31 May. to 1 – 31 Aug. 06h15
1 Jun. – 31 Jul. 06h30
Minimum numbers: 2 passengers (can be two different individual bookings)
Maximum numbers: 140+ (6 to 18 passengers to each balloon).
When making your booking, we will need to know:a. Full name (and weight) of each passenger
(In the event of us canceling due to bad weather or safety reasons)
c. If a group booking, the group’s leaders name, and Flight Allocation List.
Clothing: Should be warm enough for the chilly early morning but it should be "peelable" because the sun, excitement and probably the champagne will soon warm you.
Country" shoes (no high heels or open sandals) are recommended, and if you are tall or a little thin on top (like Bill Harrop) wear a hat.
What to bring:
Don't forget your camera and a data card with plenty of space or extra film and batteries fully charged, as ballooning offers some most spectacular photo and video opportunities.
Fitness:
Ballooning is suitable for adventurers from 7 - 70 (although our oldest passenger to date was 90 years old). Participants should be able to jump unassisted from a height of 60cm and stand for the duration of the flight - (approx. one hour).
It may still be possible to fly, even if one cannot meet the fitness requirements noted above, subject to parameters noted for disabled passengers and a disclosure being made when booking. Our new base also sports approved ground facilities for the disabled.
