Bill Harrop's Original Balloon Safaris has flown sunrise hot-air balloons over the Magaliesberg valley since 1981, and the operation is among the longest-running and most experienced in southern Africa. The launch site is at Skeerpoort, north-east of Magaliesburg town. Flights last about an hour, drifting over the foot of the mountains, over the Crocodile River, and across game farms where you have a fair chance of spotting giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest from above.
Bookings are required well in advance — Saturday flights are sold out months ahead in summer. The standard package includes the flight, a champagne breakfast on landing, and certificate. Weather-dependent: the operator does not fly in wind or rain, but offers re-bookings.