What is a hot air balloon safari?
A hot air balloon safari is just what it sounds like: a flight at sunrise over the plains, looking down on the wildlife below. It is more than a ride, though. It comes with a real sense of occasion and a touch of old-style luxury.
Most of these flights go up over Tanzania’s Serengeti, Kenya’s Maasai Mara or Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Early in the morning the air is usually very clear, and the animals below are just starting to move.
Why you shouldn’t miss it
A lion sighting from a 4×4 is hard to beat. Seeing one from 1,000 feet in the air is something else again.
Top reasons to book a hot air balloon safari:
-
A different view: You see herds of wildebeest, giraffes and elephants from above.
-
Quiet: There is no engine noise. The balloon drifts slowly over the land.
-
Great photos: Soft early light, wide views and wildlife shots you can’t get from the ground.
-
Champagne breakfast in the bush: The flight ends with a toast and a full breakfast under an acacia tree.
It is romantic, a little surreal, and very hard to forget.
Where to take a hot air balloon safari
1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
-
Best for: Seeing the Great Migration from above (July to October in the north, January to March in the south).
-
Flight path: Over open savannah with acacia trees, wildebeest and hunting predators.
-
How to book: we can add a Serengeti balloon flight to your safari and arrange it for you.
2. Maasai Mara, Kenya
-
Best for: Classic African views and Big Five sightings.
-
Also: You can add cultural visits to Maasai villages.
