Hot Air Balloon Safari

Join us in an extraordinary adventure. Float in a Hot Air Balloon Safari over the famous Serengeti National Park with its enchanting scenery and vistas. This may be the most beautiful area in the world for a balloon flight. Book a Serengeti Balloon Safari with the best Safari Operator in Tanzania
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Hot Air Balloon Safari in Tanzania - Serengeti Balloon Safari

Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Tanzania are popular in Serengeti. You can stretch our eyes as far as you can see while up the sky. Flights take-off from here because the climate is almost perfect and the winds blow gently and reliably throughout the year. Each hot air balloon safari flight is a different journey dictated by the direction of the wind, where the sights and sounds rise from the ground to meet you. It is one of the romantic and evocative ways of experiencing the wilderness of East Africa as you gracefully and silently fly over the plains crowded with herds of wildlife in the early morning.

There are things that are worth getting up early for, and a hot air balloon safari is certainly one of them. Rising before the birds and heading out from your camp in Serengeti in the silence towards the launch-site is all part of the anticipation. Perhaps one of the Serengeti’s more indefinable inhabitants will be caught in a hunt by the headlights on this nocturnal game drive to the take-off points.

Normally, a Tanzania hot air balloon safari begins in the morning, around 6 am and lasts for roughly 1-2 hours floating silently in the sky in a hot-air balloon seeing the bush from above. You are exposed to see the sun rise from a distance and very likely to see the magnificent number of wildlife below, over several square kilometers of the park tramping the savannah. The clarity of the air affords you the views of the Ngorongoro Highlands and sometimes Lake Victoria. From our lofty vantage point, you can appreciate the Serengeti in all its majestic scale, and you have a view freed by the narrow confines of vehicles and roads.

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UNFORGETTABLE HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI IN TANZANIA

Get our Top African Safari Experience that you won’t find anywhere else by booking Tanzania Hot Air Balloon Safari with us, Whatever Your Preferences, Our Specialists Offer First-Hand Safari Holidays To Match Your Interests and your Budget! Explore our Tanzania Private and Group Safari Tours, select the package that suits your and contact us.

ADD HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI TO YOUR TANZANIA SAFARI ADVENTURE

Tanzania hot air balloon safari are held regularly in the Serengeti and take off from the designated sites (in the seronera area) where the disturbance to animals is kept to a minimum. Your safari vehicle drops you off at the take-off site and picks you up from your landing site. Often a balloon trip is followed by a champagne breakfast in the bush, raising a glass to your time in the skies. You can have a short walk around, stretch or cheer up with a couple of friends as we take care of your earthly concerns. This marks the fitting end to your memorable flight in the wilderness.

Serengeti hot air balloon safari is a one hour tour takes visitors to experience game viewing on an aerial safari in a hot air balloon over Serengeti National Park. At 0500hrs the guests will be collected from the lodge in Serengeti and transfer to the Maasai Copjes, here the guests will meet their pilot for briefing and watch of the balloon.

At 0500hrs you will be collected from the lodge in Serengeti and transfer you to the Maasai Copjes, here you will meet your pilot for briefing and watch of your balloon. Pick p and drop off at Seronera Information Center OR Serengeti Serena Lodge OR Kirawira Luxury Tented Camp

At dawn the balloon takes off, rising as the sun rises and floats in whichever direction the winds of the morning takes it. Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon; sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife bellow.

The flight is for about one hour aerial game viewing depending on conditions, and eventually you might land. You celebrate in the traditional manner with champagne (well, an excellent sparking wine) before sitting down to a full English breakfast prepared and served in the bush in out of Africa style with bone china, linen table cloths, kings silver etc.

After BUSH breakfast you receive your Serengeti Balloon Certificate and drive you back to the lodge and then continue with the scheduled program of the day.

Hot Air Balloon Safari

Tanzania Hot Air Balloon Safari - FAQ'S

Can we book a private balloon?

Private balloon bookings are available and are becoming increasingly popular. Please enquire with us for rates and availability

When is the best time of year for ballooning in Serengeti?

We are fortunate that the weather in the Serengeti is suitable for ballooning almost every day of the year. We fly in the following areas every morning: Central Serengeti : Year Round Ndutu Area, Ngorongoro Conservation/Serengeti: 20 Dec – 31 March Western Serengeti: June – October Northern Serengeti: 01 July - 15 November. Safari wildlife viewing varies depending on the time of year and location, and the wildebeest migration moves through the ecosystem year-round so although there are no guarantees, if you're in the right place at the right time, you have a good chance of seeing plenty of wildlife.

How much does it cost?

The price is US$599 ($580 in Ngorongoro Conservation Area) per person all inclusive in a shared balloon. This includes collection from your camp or lodge (early!) and transfer to the launch site for a sunrise take-off. After a wonderful flight of approximately 1 hour, we will give you a champagne toast on landing and then a ‘full english’ breakfast under a tree before returning you to your safari guide at the Seronera Visitors Centre or some other mutually agreed location. The price does not include park entry fees, which are usually covered in the tour operator package.

Why is ballooning expensive?

Our balloons each cost over US $100,000 but we retire them after only 850 hours to ensure that they are in top condition. They use a significant amount of fuel per flight and involve a minimum crew of six men plus professional pilot to get them in the air plus a further ten employees behind the scenes for each balloon. In addition, there are the retrieving vehicles, logistics, back up etc. We operate in a remote area. There is a very substantial sum in the form of concession fees for every passenger to Tanzania National Parks towards conservation funds.

Do I need to book in advance?

We do strongly recommend that you book in advance, directly with us

What about the “rainy season”?

We prefer to call them the GREEN SEASONS. The ‘long rains’ (late March to early June) & the ‘short rains’ (November to mid December). In the Serengeti, the great migration passes through Central Serengeti during the green seasons. At these times it USUALLY rains late afternoon and during the night. Mornings are USUALLY bright and clear with gentle winds (ideal ballooning weather!). The landscape is lush, green and dust free (yes, your vehicle may get stuck in the mud – but our balloon won’t!).

Are there any restrictions?

Yes, we do not carry children under the age of 7 years. There is no upper age limit, however passengers must be reasonably mobile, fit to fly and prepared for an adventure. Ballooning is not suitable for pregnant ladies, people with mobility or health conditions (heart conditions, brittle bones, neck or back conditions). Passengers must be able to bend their knees, hold on to rope handles with both hands for take-off and landing and be able to climb into and out of the basket. Balloon passenger weights are calculated at an average of 80 kgs. Passengers weighing 50% + more than this (i.e. 120kgs / 265lbs / 19 stone) may be charged for two places.

What should I wear? What should I bring?

It can be cool in the early morning, but often warm later, therefore a jacket or sweater that can be removed later is a good idea. A hat is recommended (particularly for the ‘follically challenged) as radiant heat from the burners can be uncomfortable. We suggest long trousers, long sleeves, preferably in natural fibres and stout shoes. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars. You can bring a camera bag or small backpack with you in the balloon.