Balloon Safari

Overview

Summary: Sunrise balloon safari followed by a champagne toast and a bush breakfast
Price: $595 per person
Duration: 5 hours (5.00AM - 10.00AM)
Location: Central Serengeti / South Serengeti / West Serengeti / North Serengeti

The hot air balloon ride at sunrise is a particularly popular optional activity in the Serengeti National Park and easily incorporated into any itinerary. The cost for the balloon ride is currently $595 per person (if booked in advance through ADS). You can expect to pay about $100 more per person if you book directly through the lodge or camp you will be staying at in the Serengeti. The balloon ride is a lot of fun, and most participants do enjoy it very much, but we always like to set guest's expectations up fairly before they book the balloon ride to avoid potential disappointment later.

Fact #1: The balloons are all operated by two companies in the Serengeti (Serengeti Balloon Safaris and Adventures Aloft Balloon Safaris) and both are licensed to operate balloons over the Serengeti. We will simply be arranging the activity through either company on your behalf. It is not a private activity, but rather an activity you will be sharing with other guests from other places.

Fact #2: There may be up to 16 people in 1 basket. The balloon company may vary the size of the basket used depending on how many people have booked that day, but it is not uncommon for the largest basket to be used.

Fact #3: Although the entire activity takes the better half of a morning, you will only be in the air for about 1 hour. By the time you travel to the launch site, watch them inflate the balloon, get your safety briefing, do the 1 hour ride, land, have their hot breakfast, etc., the entire activity takes up most of your morning, so it will take the place of one morning game drive.

Fact #4: The balloon pilot has limited control of the direction of the balloon. He can make it go up and down, but he has very little control over the direction side to side. Because of this, the only animals you will see are the ones that are directly in the flight path of the balloon. So even if you see a herd of animals in the distance, unless they are directly beneath your flight path, you will be unable to fly over them.

Fact #5: The balloon ride is mainly all about getting a unique perspective of the scenery, though there is a chance to see wildlife (most of it will come down to luck). In the Central Serengeti, the ballooning is superb year-round and there is a good chance to fly over hippos in the Seronera River and to see some of the resident animals (giraffes, buffalo, gazelles, etc.) that inhabit the Seronera River Valley. In the dry season and green season, ballooning is also conducted in the North Serengeti and South Serengeti, respectively, and provides a small opportunity to see the famous wildebeest and zebra migration from the air (an unbelievable site!).

Fact #6: Balloon rides are potentially dangerous activities anywhere in the world and there was one fatal balloon crash that occurred in the Serengeti in 2010, which resulted in two casualties and many more injuries. You may wish to read about the safety procedures that the Serengeti Balloon Safari Company specifically has implemented on the following link: balloonsafaris.com/safety. Please note that balloon companies require all passengers to sign a liability waiver before launching.

Fact #7: You can bring a camera with you on the ride, but due to space limitations and potential hazards to sensitive equipment during landing, you'll probably want to leave your large lenses on the ground.

Seasons

Balloon safaris can be incorporated into your itinerary during any month of travel. The Central Serengeti launching site (available year round) is a great option any month with abundant resident animal sightings and spectacular scenery. The South Serengeti launching site offers the opportunity for an aerial view of the Great Migration on the open plains from mid December to early April and similarly at the West Serengeti launching site from roughly mid May to early July. From mid July to the end of October, the North Serengeti launch site is recommended.

Itinerary

You will be picked up at 5.00am from your lodge and will be driven to your awaiting balloon at the specific launching site. If you have selected any of our private luxury camps, your driver will transfer you to the nearest lodge where you will meet up with the other guests. Keep an eye out for nocturnal predators as you may encounter them returning from their nightly hunting forays on your game drive to the launching site.Arrive at the balloon-launching site for a quick briefing from your pilot. As the blush of dawn glows to the east, you will take off and float above the vast Serengeti.

Unique Aerial Perspective

From a unique aerial perspective, watch in awe as the sun rises in molten splendor. Soar in the quiet hush of morning as the vast savannah below is washed in a rising crescendo of golden light, illuminating the details of the African landscape in vibrant colors. With a little luck you will have good game viewing opportunities while you glide peacefully above the Serengeti. Please keep in mind that every flight is different and wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, you will undoubtedly enjoy the spectacular views and the serene quiet as you aimlessly drift along with the prevailing winds.

Flight Time

Your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon while sometimes flying at treetop height and at other times ascending to 1000 feet. Flight time is about one hour depending upon conditions. Scout vehicles will track your location from the ground and will be waiting for you wherever the winds have carried the balloon.

Champagne Toast & Breakfast Finale

Your balloon safari ends with a delightful champagne toast and an elegant breakfast at the landing site. A lavish breakfast is served in the bush with weighty silver, delicate china, and fine linen tablecloths. Breakfast consists of tropical fruits, freshly baked bread, eggs, sausage, bacon, mushroom and tomato.