Ciel d'Afrique review: our verdict
The alarm rings early, and the reward comes quickly: the balloon takes off at dawn, climbs to a kilometre and glides for 40 to 60 minutes over douars, palm groves and the foothills of the mountains. Ciel d'Afrique has been flying since 1990, led by a founder who has been at the controls since 1982, heading north towards the Jbilets or south above the Agafay.
The morning is perfectly organised: hotel pickup, coffee and croissant on the field, a guided flight where the pilot explains what you are flying over, then return to the field for a Berber breakfast and a certificate handed to each participant. Three packages, Discovery, VIP and Exclusive, plus a la carte option, determine the group size; the flight video is available as an extra. First flight for children, birthday, gift for two: the team handles everything, and has already flown a family of 56 people. Late risers should abstain, as well as those dreaming of intimacy in the classic package: the basket then carries 16 to 20 passengers.
The trap: relying on the post-flight breakfast to recover, it remains simple and there are not enough seats. Plan for 30 to 45 minutes of drive to the field, which explains the pickup time.
