Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris has been operating as a legally licensed balloon Air Transport Service since 1981. It is a family business run by Bill Harrop, his wife Mary, and daughter Sarah working in partnership with roughly 60 others who make the operation purr.
They run a fleet of six large hot air balloons which can carry between two 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 120+, Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris is the preferred choice for safe, reliable, quality ballooning. And, they fly over the oldest mountains in the world apparently. The Magaliesburg Mountains are breathtaking and as you begin to see the magnificent green valleys below, you begin to forget about the pain of waking up at 3:30 am to take in the experience.
Below is a shot of owner Bill and his wife who founded the operation in 1981. Today, their ballooning grounds sits on beautiful South African countryside. Departure time? 5:30 am baby. It’s an early one, but they deliver with a welcoming champagne full buffet breakfast after you land. It’s not too difficult to see from the photos below how authentic and character-rich Harrop is – a joy to listen to and watch. He’s an interesting character. Bill will also admit to experience as an ocean yachtsman, singer, hotelier, portrait photographer, advertising executive, and a balloon pilot examiner.
He has served on committees of the Southern African Tourism and Safari Association, The Magalies Meander, the Balloon and Airship Federation of South Africa, and two years as the National President of SKAL International (a worldwide body of travel and tourism management professionals).
A fun hammy shots in the air and on the ground…..
Group shot in front of the deflated balloon which took eight strong men to manage and tie up. (all with a smile on their face)
And front a distance…….ah yes, amazing views. The color of the sky was breathtaking….
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
