Serengeti Balloon Safaris
A Serengeti balloon safari is one of the best way to experience the iconic Serengeti and its rolling savannah plains.
Imagine floating above the Serengeti Plains skimming treetops in complete silence whilst seeing some of Africa’s remarkable wildlife species on the ground below. This is an incredible safari experience for travelers on a safari in Serengeti National Park.
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Serengeti National Park on a hot air balloon flight. At dawn, rise as the sun greets the day and float in whichever direction the winds of the morning take you. 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 below. At other times you will ascend high into the sky to see the vast magnificence and spectacular panorama of the Serengeti. At intervals the pilot will put more heat into the balloon with the powerful whisper burners. In between these burns, there is a tranquil silence apart from the natural sounds below.
A Serengeti Balloon Safari is an extraordinary opportunity to relish a bird’s eye-view of the phenomenal sweeping plains below. Tiny little dots rove across the diverse landscape and as you get closer you are spectator to the most magnificent view of dramatically striped black and white zebra, enormous grey elephants meandering to a waterhole, warthogs foraging in the grassy scrub and subtle swishes of puffed golden trails reveal lions lolling under shady trees.
Serengeti Balloon Safaris Locations
Balloon flights in Serengeti are run daily at 06h00 from four launch sites within Serengeti National Park; one close to Seronera (operating throughout the year) and the others in the Ndutu area operating from 25th December to 15th March, in the Western Corridor (from June to October), and in Northern Serengeti (from July to October).
Serengeti Balloon Safari Experience
Although a bit pricey, a balloon safari in Serengeti is worth the expense. Floating serenely over the acacia treetops as the sun peaks over the horizon permits you to experience the endless Serengeti Plains from a bird’s view perspective.
The experience starts early with very early morning departure, so you may even spot some nocturnal predators getting ready for the day.
During most balloon safari flights the pilot will include sections flown at a higher altitude allowing you to soak up uninterrupted views of the Serengeti, other sections may involve low-level flying, during which there may be the opportunity to see wildlife like prides of lions and herds of elephant and buffaloes. Highly experienced pilots can follows rivers and streams, and will glide just meters above grunting hippos or wandering giraffes.
Flying low allows you to take some great aerial wildlife photos. You move over the plains wherever the wind takes you, while being tracked from the ground by balloon crew in their vehicles.
Hot air ballooning and the Great Migration
For guaranteed sighting of the Great Migration with its millions of wildebeests and thousands of wildebeests and zebras, book a Serengeti balloon safari in the Ndutu area as large herds congregate here, between December and March. The other locations may also allow you to see the Great Migration from above, but also remember the herd is mobile and may only be in a particular area for a brief period, if not just a couple of days.
This means that some luck needs to be on your side.
Serengeti Balloon Safari Flight Price
A Serengeti balloon flight costs US$ 599 per person (this cost includes the TANAPA ballooning fee of US4 40). This rate includes a transfer from your lodge or camp in Serengeti to the departure balloon site, the balloon flight itself, and a champagne breakfast (after landing). The flight will last anything in between 50 and 70 minutes.
Depending on the landing site, also the breakfast site is set up at a different location daily. You will share the balloon with up to 16 passengers in total.
Planning a Serengeti Balloon Safari.
Be prepared for a very early start, transfers from the Seronera Area leaves at 05h30 and from other lodges in the area at around 04h00. Please remember to bring some warm clothing, and a bag in which you can secure camera, binoculars, and other personal items.
We can arrange departures for a Serengeti balloon safari from most lodges and camps in the Serengeti. We recommend booking a balloon safari in advance, as it concerns a very popular activity and gets booked out early – especially during peak season.
What Happens If the Weather is Poor?
Serengeti Balloon safaris are subject to suitable weather. If your flight is cancelled because of poor weather, you will be re-booked on a later flight if possible, otherwise your money will be refunded.
Why is a Balloon Safari in Serengeti so Expensive?
Balloon flights are expensive to operate, especially in remote areas such as Serengeti National Park. Naturally, balloon need to be in top condition, so they need to be replaced after about 850 flights hours. One balloon costs more than US$ 100,000. Also one needs to consider the cost of fuel and crew to operate the balloon flight.
Each crew comprises six people plus a licensed pilot. A further ten people (per balloon) operate behind the scenes to get the balloon airborne. So this adds up to a considerable amount of people. Additionally, there are the recovery vehicles, transfer vehicles, and backup operations.
Lastly, a substantial part of the total price is allocated to conservation fees.