Hot Air Balloon Safari Over the Serengeti — Overview
A Bird's Eye View of the World's Greatest Safari Landscape
A hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti offers a perspective on the landscape and wildlife that is impossible to achieve from a vehicle. Rising silently at dawn, you drift with the wind across plains, riverine forests, and kopje-dotted savannah while the sun rises behind Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance and wildlife moves below in the early morning light.
The Pre-Dawn Launch
Balloon flights depart before sunrise, which means a pre-dawn pickup from your camp while the Serengeti is still dark. At the launch site, the balloon is inflated and lying on its side. You board while it is horizontal and are lifted upright as the balloon fills with heated air. The first minutes of ascent are a sensory revelation as the scale of the Serengeti becomes apparent in every direction.
What You See from the Balloon
At low altitude, hippos in rivers are visible from above. Elephant herds move through bush below. Lions resting on kopjes look up at the strange object overhead. During migration season, the plains are carpeted with wildebeest herds extending to the horizon. The silence of balloon flight means wildlife is not alarmed, and you observe natural behavior without any of the disturbance associated with vehicle engines.
The Champagne Bush Breakfast
After landing on the open plains, the balloon team sets up a fully equipped breakfast table on the grass. A champagne toast marks the occasion, followed by a comprehensive hot breakfast with coffee, eggs, fruit, and pastries. The meal is served in the middle of the Serengeti with no lodge or structure in sight, making it genuinely memorable.
Duration and Booking Requirements
Flights last approximately one hour in the air, with total time including transfers and breakfast of around 4 hours. Advance booking is essential as places are limited and demand is high during peak season. This experience is available year-round from the Central Serengeti and seasonally from the Northern Serengeti.
Safari Packages for This Experience
