Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Serengeti: What To Expect

Planning For Your Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Serengeti

When planning our visit to Tanzania we were researching all the exciting opportunities available to view wildlife. When we found out we could take a hot air balloon ride over Serengeti it was definitely put on the list. We did a balloon ride in Egypt and it was a very memorable experience so we were excited to add this second flight to our bucket list experiences.

In this article, we will detail our flight so you can be prepared when doing this activity yourself.

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Highlights of A Hot Air Balloon Over Serengeti

Planning Your Balloon Safari in Serengeti

It is best to have accommodations in Central Serengeti to participate in this activity as they operate flights year-round from this area. Other areas are seasonal so best to check based on your individual itinerary. The balloon rides are typically scheduled at sunrise so your pick-up is very early in the morning.

Depending on your plans while in Tanzania, if you are travelling with a reputable safari company they can assist with the arrangements of when this activity makes the most sense.

You will need to participate in a pre-briefing to complete the paperwork. This might be done at the balloon company office or your lodge. 

Our hot air balloon ride was actually planned twice. Our first time we didn’t quite make it to the launch site due to some extensive water washing out a makeshift bridge area. As a group, we didn’t feel confident about our vehicle crossing the area with the water rushing by so it was decided we would turn back to our lodge.

On our second time, we were excited that everything was looking good weather-wise and set our alarms to get up at 4:15am once again. This time it was worth the effort to experience this once-in-a-lifetime activity. But this is an important aspect of planning your balloon safari. Visiting in the rainy season or shoulder seasons can have an impact on whether there will be any issues getting to the launch site.

Our Experience – The Majestic Serengeti From The Sky

After a very early pick up you arrive at the balloon site where you can see the crew beginning to set up the balloons. This is very exciting and takes quite a team of people to roll out the massive fabric, test the equipment, make sure the tethers are sorted and begin the process of filling the balloon with the burners.

It is amazing to see the illumination of flames against the darkness of the early morning. 

Onsite there are portable toilets and they offer coffee, tea and hot chocolate as it can be quite chilly before the sun comes up.

We met with our captain, Jonathan, who we learned had been piloting for 24 years. We all felt relieved to hear that he had been involved with piloting since he was a child as his family had a ballooning business when the industry was only just beginning as a tourist activity. He has piloted in several different countries and a multitude of different environments. We were in very capable hands. 

At this time we also received our harness that slips around your waist. This is used to tether to large hooks attached to the basket for safety.

Getting Prepared With A Safety Briefing

As the crew was finishing their preparations we were given a safety briefing. It was relayed to us about how we would enter the basket.  It is done while the basket is lying on its side so in each section four people would be on the top tier and then four people would be on the lower tier.

This meant crawling in, scooching your bum down to the bench area and essentially lying down on your back looking up into the sky.  You need to be able to pull yourself in with the assistance of a crew member.

It was a little awkward and very different than when we entered the basket in Egypt. There, we stepped up a portable set of stairs and then swung our legs up and over to enter the basket that was standing upright. But everyone in our group managed when the time came.

We were also advised that there couldn’t be anything loose such as cameras, selfie sticks or binoculars – they needed to be tucked in during the take-off. And any bags had to be placed on the floor by our feet to make sure nothing fell out. We recommend that you come with very little to hold so you don’t have to worry about placement and making your feet area cramped.

Jonathan explained that he would get the basket off the ground and we were to wait until his instructions before we could stand up.  He also gave us some additional information about what the landing would be like but this was repeated prior to our descent.

We learned that the balloon that was being used is one of the largest models in the world at 450,000 cubic feet in volume. It holds 16 people and is 34m high and 31m wide. We were excited to learn that the top altitude it reaches is 250m (800 feet) and that the pilots generally try to fly at around 30-45m (100-150 feet) for the best viewing.

Our Hot Air Balloon Flight

Finally, it was time to get going. We climbed aboard, attached our carabiner to the hooks onboard, held onto the hand loops, listened intently as the captain gave us instructions, tucked everything inside and before we knew it we were off the ground.

It is an incredible sensation to feel the lift-off as you slowly rise from the ground and start to move up into the sky. Within a few minutes, Jonathan advised we could stand up and get ourselves settled.

The sun was just cresting as we looked out and saw the breathtaking beauty of the Serengeti. Initially, we were all just quiet looking at the expansive plains stretching out in front of us. We could see our shadow out in front and it was a moment of reflection on how truly fortunate we were to have this majestic experience.

One thing that was so special was the quiet. In between times when our captain was running the burners, it was absolutely silent while we floated smoothly along just observing from above. It was spectacular!

✦ Check out a video of our Hot Air Balloon experience.

What Can You See From A Serengeti Balloon Safari?

After reaching a good cruising height and testing out the winds, Jonathan started to bring us down slightly so we had an incredible view from which to see the plains of the Serengeti below us. It now became a game of who could spot what animals. 

We quickly began to see wildebeest and zebra, hyenas, giraffes, impalas and someone in our group even spotted cheetahs. 

There is never any guarantee of what variety of animals will be viewable during a balloon experience but we were quite pleased with what we did see.

Not to mention the incredible landscapes and stunning scenery that is viewable from this vantage point. It is one thing visiting Serengeti National Park from the ground but it is a completely new experience seeing it from above. When you see the grass plains, the mountains in the distance and the beautiful acacia trees dotting the ground, it is truly breathtaking.

Not surprisingly, the time went by quickly and soon it was time for us to begin our descent. As Jonathan looked for a flat open area for us to land, we were advised to sit back down on the benches, tuck in all of our gear and hang on to the hand loops. 

The landing was super soft – no bouncing or dragging and we found that we had landed in quite a patch of mud!

We carefully exited the basket and picked our way through the muddy field to the waiting vehicles. This was when things got interesting.

An Added Experience

While this is not the norm, we did have an additional experience that is worth mentioning. The mud in the field was extreme and several of the drivers had a difficult time maneuvering the trucks back onto the road. A few became lodged in the mud and there were trucks sent in to provide us a ride. Well, some of those trucks also became stuck and it soon became apparent that the only way we would get to the road was by walking. 

Initially, this was a bit of a shock given our whole time on safari we were advised to never leave the vehicle. But this time we didn’t have much of a choice and were escorted through the field to the road. The only issue was the large herd of wildebeest migration that was streaming by between us and the road we needed to reach. 

As we approached, the herd magically made a quick detour to the side and allowed us to pass by. This was further evidence that these incredible animals have an infrared capability for communication as they slowed, came to a stop and after we passed, immediately began galloping again.

Never did we imagine we would see the great migration in the middle of the Serengeti, up close and personal. It was an unforgettable experience!

Enjoying A Champagne Breakfast

Once our vehicle drove us to the bush breakfast we were quite relieved to be welcomed with warm water to wash up and a glass of bubbly. 

And it was surprising to find the “loo with a view” for use. These were portable toilets set up with privacy barriers. And the name was right – they had an amazing view out across the Serengeti!

The meal area setup was lovely with long tables set out under the trees. All had tablecloths, proper china, cutlery and linen napkins. 

We had a choice of a Full English Breakfast or Avocado and Chickpea on toast. This was all accompanied by fruit, rolls with jam, nuts and of course, coffee, tea, juice and sparkling wine. The food was fresh, hot and delicious. It was a marvel that they could deliver such a great meal in the middle of nowhere.

Once we had enjoyed our meal we were presented with a certificate acknowledging our hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti. Our captain proudly presented us each with a personalized certificate – we had lived to tell of our experience!

✅ Do you want to visit other areas of Tanzania? Check out our blog posts on other amazing parks such as Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park and Manyara National Park.

FAQs

Is A Hot Air Balloon Over Serengeti Worth It?

While we enjoyed our game drive on the ground in the Serengeti experiencing it from above provided the opportunity to see the animals from a completely different perspective. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to enjoy a hot air balloon ride to see the plains and wildlife. To be honest, it is hard to adequately describe the beauty that you see while floating quietly above. So yes, we think it is definitely worth it.

Are Hot Air Balloon Rides Safe?

The pilots are trained extensively and there was no time that we felt unsafe. Jonathan’s expertise combined with his thorough explanation of what to expect and a review of the safety rules made us feel completely at ease. You must choose a reputable company that adheres to safety standards and regular maintenance before booking your experience.

Best Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Serengeti

We would highly recommend that you plan your Serengeti balloon flight with the same company we used.  The service was awesome, our pilot was highly experienced and the equipment was in excellent shape. It is essential to pre-book.

✅ Here Is The Link To The Balloon Company We Used And Highly Recommend

What Is Included On A Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Trip?

A balloon trip will typically include a pick-up from your lodge early in the morning, a ride for approximately an hour and a bush camp breakfast.

How Long Is A Serengeti Balloon Ride?

Flights last for approximately an hour. This may be slightly less or slightly more. It does depend on the wind speed on the day of your flight. The entire duration of the activity takes approximately five hours. This is from the time of pick up and transfer to the launch site and includes your briefing, flight, breakfast and if needed, return transfer.

How Much Is The A Hot Air Balloon Ride Over The Serengeti?

Pricing is $599.00 USD per person (2024). 

How Should I Dress For A Hot Air Balloon Ride?

It can be cool in the morning before the sun comes up so it is suggested that you wear layers for your trip. If you have a light jacket you can likely remove that during the flight. For the same reason, it is suggested that you wear long pants, a light long-sleeved top and good shoes so you can climb in and out of the basket without issue.

What Should You Bring For Your Hot Air Balloon Safari?

Be sure to bring your camera and perhaps binoculars so you can take in everything around you no matter the height. As mentioned, your bag will need to be put down on the floor by your feet so only a small back back or sling bag will work. You may also want to bring along a hat as the heat from the burners can be quite warm and you will welcome it for cover at the breakfast on the ground.

The Final Word…A Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Serengeti

If you are looking for a truly exceptional safari experience, there is nothing quite like sailing high above to see the Serengeti. The animal viewing, the scenery and the decadent breakfast afterwards are worth every penny. This bucket list activity is one you are sure not to forget.