The Grammaticas family pioneered luxury tented safaris in Kenya, when they established Governors’ Camp on the banks of the Mara River as early as 1972.  In 1978 they began hot air balloon safaris and for the last 45 years and have flown the same spectacular route down the river and traditions such as toasting your landing back to earth with a glass of sparkling wine, have endured.

Over this time we have maintained an impeccable safety record. From the very early days we have always employed the worlds best balloon pilots and our staff have made contributions to the developments of commercial balloons from the small 8 man to the 16 man balloons you see flying today. Our balloon pilots have always been great characters. The famous photographer Yann Arthrus Betrand was one of our balloon pilots. Yann began his photography in the Mara taking photos from the balloon and of the Mara in his spare time and has gone on to become one of the world’s best landscape photographers. Robin Batchelor was another of our iconic pilots, a great character, Robin’s career as well as flying with us regularly in the Masai Mara he taught Richard Branson to fly and flew a hot air balloon in a James Bond film. We have also nurtured and trained the next generation of Kenyan Balloon Pilots.

Over the years we have flown royalty, global sporting personalities, film stars and film crews. We have had weddings in the air and set the scene for many engagements. As our balloons fly over areas of the Mara not accessible to vehicles we have acted as eyes in the sky monitoring areas of the riverine forest. As a result of this, rhino numbers in the area have flourished.

Our balloon flights have been life changing for many people, the experience of seeing one of Africa’s iconic wild landscapes from the sky and enjoying a champagne bush breakfast out on the plains of the Masai Mara has left enduring memories for many of our guests.