Hello.

Our trip to Namibia is almost here -- we need to decide if we want to do a balloon trip over Soussevlei Dunes and would like feedback.I have never done a balloon trip and have always wanted to. Has anyone done it here and what did you think? It is expensive -- is it worth it?

Thanks

I wish I could show you our pictures! I've been ballooning a number of times, but nothing can beat dawn - with the sun and shadows - on those dunes! Go for it!

Amazing experience. Don't come so far and stop short...

Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/stonesoupguides/Namibia2007

HTH

Kurt

I have loved my balloon flights over the area, and highly recommend it!

Thanks all -- I told them to book it!

I have always wanted to do one -- not so my husband but he has said he would -- and am excited about it!

I have been on a balloon ride over Burgundy in France and when the opportunity came up for a ride over the dunes, I jumped at it. However the weather on the day we were to go was not conducive to ballooning. I can't tell you how disappointed we were. If you have the chance - definitely do it. You will always have the beautiful memory.

It is the one thing I wished we had done when we were there this past June. But we were on our honeymoon and I guess just couldn't get up that early! But I think you should definately do it!

I did one trip in the Maasai Mara and think the desert dunes would be a better place. There are fewer animals to disturb with the loud "furnace blasts" and an aerial perspective would be even more impressive over vast desert than savanna and river, IMO.

I see that you have already decided so no need to convince you, but I can only say that you did the right thing, it is truely unforgettable and your husband will be convinced!!
The most amazing thing apart the spectacular view over the dunes, is that it is so calm and peaceful and you don't seem to move at all, because as our pilot explainedquot;you are the wind" so there is no resistance it is as if you do not move.
You will absolutely love the experience!
Have fun ivee

We did the balloon trip over the dunes in July 2007. The scenery was spectactular, but there is one thing you should be aware of.

Three balloons went up on the morning of our trip. We happened to be assigned to the balloon piloted by the owner of the company (Namib Sky Balloon Safaris), Eric Heseman. We had read prior to our trip that Eric (who is white) treats his employees (who, of course, are black) in an appalling way, and we certainly found this to be the case. I was appalled at the way Eric barked out instructions to his employees, particularly when we were landing. At one point, Eric threatened to beat the next man who let go of the balloon. We wanted out of the basket as quickly as possible, horrified that the ground crew might think that Eric's condescending and disrespectful attitude was acceptable to those of us (whites!) in the balloon.

The passengers in each balloon had been told that, if they wished to tip their crew, then they should give the money to their pilot, who would distribute the money to the crew members. We rebelled and found a private moment to offer our tip and thanks to each crew member, hoping that, in some small way, it compensated for Eric’s behaviour. The crew members were very gracious and seemed genuinely pleased that we had taken the time to speak with each of them.

So...my advice is definitely do the trip - it is worth every penny. However, when you book, request a pilot other than Eric! We had been warned to do so and didn't, and we regreted it. Robin

We did a similar balloon flight over the Masai Mara. It was expensive, but worth it... a once in a lifetime experience.

As for Robin's comments about how the owner treated his employees... we luckily found exactly the opposite in Kenya. We were in the owner's balloon... just before we were about to take off, he realized that our basket was a bit unbalanced and basically grabbed one of his local employees (who was about 18 years old and maybe 100 pounds) and pulled him into the basket. The owner treated him as if he were one of the paying guests for the entire trip (he was wide eyed and opened mouth for the whole trip), pointing out animals, geographic features and even the village he was from. At the end of the trip, he even presented him with the same souvenir certificate that he gave to all of the customers. It was all handled with a great deal of class and is something I'll likely remember forever.

Hopefully, our experience was the exception!
So glad you had a positive experience astein12. We hope to do a self-drive through Tanzania and Kenya next year, and will think about the balloon ride over the Masai Mara. Robin

Hi:
May I please comment as a neighbor of Eric Hesemans and resident in Namibia ...?

I know the owner of Namibsky for ages and he defintely not has the faintest idea that he is "barking" at people as he does it casually with almost everybody ever so often. In a stressful situation, and landing with crosswinds as they occur quite frequently in the Namib are asking a balloon pilot's full attention and that of his staff (!), his tone may get a bit more demanding. Although trained, it may nevertheless happen that his crew is uncertain of what exactly needs to be done at that very moment. Namibsky can proudly claim that they never had an accident although they fly more or less 300 days a year for almost two decades.

To get the crew's utmost attention, he is using his voice. Folks, PLEASE, bear in mind that this is Africa and people here are different( rush is unheard of ... and it may happen that their mind is somewhere else) and nobody wants his life at risk for unattentive staff. I am European by descent and can relate to your sensitive remarks about racial issues but it would be very unfair to put Eric into that box. He grew up in Africa, loves it to a point of no return and has paid endless personal tributes to living on that continent.

The staff will even laugh at you when telling them that this was maybe a little too slow in reaction ... not because they think you are making a joke but because they are happy it came just right. Namibians are all in all very very kind and friendly, black and white.

Take it from there, take Eric from there.

PS... it should read Sossusvlei as a correct entry in the Namibia Forum.

Sorry namibpilot - I don't accept your excuses. I was there, I witnessed Eric's appalling behaviour and there is no excuse for treating a human being - white or black - in that manner. I stand by my comments. Robin

Hi Robin:

Obviously there is nothing I can do to explain to you that makes you believe me that Eric is outstandingly caring for his clients and does his utmost to have everybody absolutely happy. You really must have experienced him in a way that was way out of his usual friendly attitude. All I know is that he is one hell of a nice guy with everybody.

Cheers from the Namib ... saturated with water and high grass blowing in the wind ... come back now!

robin
i sure hope you did speak up and made it clear for Eric what
you felt and thought...
anyhow, Eric must be aware now, through his neighbour (is namibpilot really only a neighbour?)

namibpilot
you write
<i>"Obviously there is nothing I can do to explain to you that makes you believe me that <b>Eric is outstandingly caring for his <red>clients</red> </b>and does his utmost to have everybody absolutely happy"</i>
you're talking about clients
canadian_robin was talking about <blue> staff ... </blue>
aby

Namibpilot - I had no problem with the way Eric treated his clients other than to make us witness the appalling way he treated his staff. I have never been so uncomfortable in my life. I couldn't wait to get away from him.

And, yes, Aby, we did send an email when we returned home - we received no response. Robin

Hi there:

Obviously you do not have to do anything better than wanting to have the last word and be right. Everybody has the right to speak his mind, no problem with that. But could you please just finish the case NOW? What do you want to achieve? Get a free ride? Or simply to keep on playing "I am right, no matter what?"

And I am a neighbor. Everybody uses alias in the web, right? What is wrong with mine, hey?

I live in the area of Solitaire - just for your info and he does not know I am writing in this chat! BB