Barnabas Mudi
Chief Pilot & Head of Operations
Barnabas has been flying nearly 15 years. His journey into aviation began in the United States, a remarkable start given his first flight to America was also his first flight in any aircraft. Now at home in the sky, Barnabas has flown across all parts of Kenya’s iconic Masai Mara and possesses vast knowledge of ballooning in Tanzania.
Among all the places he has flown, the amazing Mara Triangle home of Governors’ Balloon Safaris holds a special place as his favorite. Beyond his professional life, Barnabas is a devoted father of four and a preacher of the gospel, roles he believes contribute to making him a better person.
Shane Robinson
Line Pilot
Shane has been flying balloons for 36 years and has nearly 6,000 hours flying time. Having flown in 45 states in the U.S., extensively throughout Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, and India, as well as Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Thailand, Philippines, China, Japan, Malaysia, and Dubai, he has covered the globe in his career.
A former National Champion in gas balloons, he has traveled more than 1,000 miles in a single flight on eight separate occasions, the longest being 1,657 miles from Denver to Vermont. He’s crossed the Alps, the Rockies, the Pyrenees, the Grand Canyon, and a flight to nearly 30,000 feet in an open basket provided a view few witness other than through the window of a commercial jet. Having accomplished so much, Shane knows the Masai Mara offers the most amazing flight experience and Governors’ Balloon Safaris is the best place to realize that dream.
Shaun Darby
Line Pilot
Shaun Darby has been flying balloons for 36 years, has logged over 5,600 hours, and is an incredibly skilled pilot. He has flown extensively in his native Australia, having spent 15 years as a Chief Pilot and 32 years as a Hot Air Balloon Maintenance Authority, which included 15 years as Head of Aircraft Maintenance. As a former CASA Flight Instructor, Approved Training Officer, Australian Balloon Federation Examiner and Instructor, he brings strong training and technical experience to our team. Shaun has also flown commercially in Myanmar and throughout the Masai Mara since 2012.
Sergei Nosov
Line Pilot
Pilot Sergei Nosov, originally from Samara, Russia, has become a Kenyan transplant and now makes his home in the Mara. With his quick wit and dry humor, he’s a passenger favorite. After years flying throughout his native country, a stint in the deserts of Dubai, and several areas of Kenya, Sergei is happy to share the skies of Governors’ Balloon Safaris prime Mara River flight path.
Graeme Houston
Line Pilot
Graeme began flying balloons in his native Scotland in 1988, and since then has flown in Myanmar, Turkey, New Mexico, California, Canada, Tanzania, and throughout Europe. He is one of a small number of pilots to have flown a balloon across the English Channel, having done so on three occasions, and remains the only professional balloon pilot based in Scotland. In addition to balloons, he has the rare distinction of holding a license to fly thermal airships and his adventures have been featured on numerous television shows, news programs, and in the press. Beyond aviation, Graeme is a multi-award-winning photographer, and with Governors’ Balloon Safaris, he is able to bring both passions together in one incredible journey.
Johan van der Vyver
Line Pilot
Johan, a native of South Africa has now spent half his life in his adopted home of Australia. He has been a pilot for 30 years and has over 4,000 hours, flying in Africa, Australia, and Europe. He was Chief Pilot of Australia’s largest balloon operation for many years, as well as being a private and commercial instructor and examiner.
A past South African National Champion, Johan has many years of experience in aircraft maintenance and has been involved in hot air balloon manufacturing. The Governors’ balloon fleet is now in his very capable hands in his role as Head of Maintenance.