Close your eyes, and for a moment feel your body lift up, with you having no control over it, and there is a certain part of you, inside you, saying to yourself, I am crazy for taking this Serengeti balloon safari Tanzania or Masai Mara Hot Air balloon safari. This is what most people feel, when the excitement of a Serengeti hot air balloon safari crosses one's emotion of self-control and independence. The feeling is indescribable, crispness of the African air, chill in the wind that hits your face as your Serengeti or Masai Mara hot air balloon gradually raises, smoothness in the exhale of your breath, and the excitement to see and learn more.

One's physical presence can be felt on the plains of the Serengeti when reading this. You trip begins when you get your wake up call at your safari lodge or safari tented camp in Serengeti National Park Tanzania in the early hours of the morning, as you yawn away, and thoughts about your wildlife viewing from an elevated position begins to stir your mind. The fresh Tanzanian traditional hot tea and coffee quickly awaken you, in fact preparing you for a "mission".

By 6.00 a.m. you are almost arriving at the hot air balloon site in the Serengeti. As you approach the site, the balloon seems bigger than you expected, the experience is one that has never been visited, and you are about to have a trip of a lifetime.

Liftoff! Up and away we go! At 6.15 a.m., the hot air balloon safari in Serengeti starts. The captain asks you to relax and experience the wonders under the African sky. As you finally start to get a grip on the elevation, an inner smile that resonates on one's face does not need an explanation. The wildebeest moving in large numbers across the Serengeti plains, the beauty of the landscape when the rising sun's bright orange colors are displayed, the elephants at the water pool, and the gazelles and zebras scampering away, just if it was their first time to witness an alien object in the sky.

By 7.15 a.m., one is very content with balloon safari, and it is almost touch down time. There is a celebration, and for those who prefer a toast, champagne is served, as hot breakfast in the bush is being prepared. You ask yourself, is this true? I am really doing this safari in Tanzania? In the Serengeti? As the sweetness and aroma of the African coffee or tea surrounds you, with fresh eggs being served as you like it, you hope for another ride, and wish that such luxury never ended. By the time you finish your Serengeti bush breakfast, you have made up your decision to immigrate to Tanzania because such life is only found here. You begin to question yourself, and you feel an urgency to seek, live and enjoy this pristine beauty, a once in a lifetime "thing".

By 9.00 a.m., you have been declared a champion, a mighty certificate of completion handed out to you which you hope to display in your home country, to family, friends, coworkers. Clapping and participation by everyone present makes you proud to have achieved a trip as wonderful as this. By then, you hear a blaring sound of music or even an annoying buzz; you turn around and switch of the alarm clock. Your eyes wide open, you know that you have to get back to Tanzania, to Serengeti; again otherwise the recurring dreams will drive you mad.

This adventure balloon tour will fit in with all safari itineraries that include a night in central Serengeti (Serengeti Serena Lodge - Seronera Lodge or Serengeti Sopa Lodge or any of the central Serengeti camp sites)
Hot Air Balloons have baskets for up to 16 people at a time (separate compartments for each); you will be teamed up with others.

SERVICE: Daily throughout the year. FROM: Serengeti Seronera area.
INCLUDES: pick up from lodge, tented lodge or campsite, inflating of balloon, 1 hour flight, landing in Serengeti with celebration drink, breakfast prepared and served in the Serengeti (outside), certificate, transfer back to (tented) lodge or campsite.

Asked Safari Questions.
I am on an organised safari with a set itinerary.  Can I do this?
Yes, providing you are staying the night before the balloon safari at any of the central Serengeti lodges (Seronera, Serena or Sopa Lodge) or central campsites.  We collect you before the flight and return you to Seronera Lodge at 9.30am to join the rest of your party & continue your day's activities.

Do I need to book in advance?
We strongly advise you to book in advance with your tour operator to secure your place.  There are only two balloons in the entire Serengeti and this exclusive adventure is frequently fully booked.

How much does it cost?
The rack rate is US $479 ($499 after 12/15/08), this is also the rate that you will pay if you book ‘standby’ on a space available basis in the Serengeti. Note that most flights are booked solid months in advance.

When is the best time of year for ballooning in Serengeti?
Conditions are generally favorable year round in Serengeti and we fly throughout the year depending on weather.  Check our Balloons Safaris News & Update page. 

When is the best time of year for game viewing?
 The Seronera River Valley (our flying area) has excellent resident wildlife populations throughout the year, eg, lion, leopard, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, various antelope etc.  The wildebeest migration is dependent on the rains for grazing.  The great herds USUALLY pass through the Seronera Valley late May / early June heading west & north with their new calves.  They return again USUALLY late October / early November en route to the short grass plains in the south & east.  Check the Balloons Safaris News & Update page.

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

Are there any restrictions?
We do not carry children under the age of 7.  There is no upper limit, however passengers must be reasonably mobile, fit to fly and prepared for an adventure.
Balloon passenger weights are calculated at an average of 80kgs.  Passengers weighing 50% + more than this (i.e. 120kgs / 265lbs /19 stone) may be charged for two places.

Serengeti Balloon Safaris commenced operations in 1989 and have been flying daily ever since. The Serengeti plains and woodlands are world famous for the variety and sheer number of its animal population. A Serengeti Balloon Safari however, is not merely a game viewing experience, but rather an opportunity for an adventure and unique perspective over outstanding quintessentially African landscapes.

 Serengeti Balloon Safaris commenced operations in 1989 and have been flying daily ever since. The Serengeti plains and woodlands are world famous for the variety and sheer number of its animal population. A Serengeti Balloon Safari however, is not merely a game viewing experience, but rather an opportunity for an adventure and unique perspective over outstanding quintessentially African landscapes. Serengeti Balloon Safaris is registered with the Civil Aviation Authority as a commercial airline and as such, is subject to the same rigid scrutiny by the authorities as any airline.

Serengeti Balloon Safaris are acutely aware of their environmental responsibilities and are proud of their ecological credentials. Serengeti Balloon Safaris (SBS) pay a substantial royalty to Tanzania National Parks for each passenger. These funds are used for conservation purposes in the Serengeti. The colours of our balloons are acacia green and savannah gold and blend with the colours of the Serengeti. The balloon burners are ‘stealth’ and ‘whisper’ burners and make less noise than standard burners. Wherever possible, we land on a road, thereby saving the vegetation from damage by retrieve vehicles.

Our pilots are all committed conservationists and will share their knowledge of the area and wildlife with you. Naturally, wildlife has priority and consideration is given to them when flying. Serengeti Balloon Safaris have assisted in the funding and construction of a technical school in Rubanda Village close to the boundary of Serengeti National Park. The object is to teach income generating skills to the villagers offering an alternative to poaching wildlife.

Great Reasons to book a balloon safari with African Safaris and Adventures

• See amazing wildlife from a balloon and with luck perhaps witness many incidents such as lion kills, cheetah stalking and killing, leopard hunting and of course the annual wildebeest migration, one of the natural wonders of the world.
• Enjoy a champagne breakfast on the plains of the Serengeti after the flight.