A hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti is one of Africa’s most unforgettable wildlife experiences. Floating silently at dawn above the endless plains, you’ll watch the savannah wake up — herds of wildebeest and zebra stretching across the grasslands, giraffes browsing acacia canopies, and predators returning from their night hunts. It’s a perspective on the Serengeti that no game drive can match.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Balloon safaris in the Serengeti have been operating since the 1980s, with Serengeti Balloon Safaris being the original and most established operator. Flights depart daily from multiple launch sites across the park, making it easy to add to any Tanzania safari itinerary.
A Serengeti hot air balloon flight costs between $500 and $600 per person in 2026. This is a premium experience and one of the most expensive single activities on an African safari, but virtually everyone who does it says it was worth every dollar.
What’s included in the price:
What’s not included: Park fees (already covered if you’re on a safari package), tips for the pilot and crew, personal travel insurance (required).
Your driver collects you from your lodge or tented camp while it’s still dark. You’ll drive to the nearest launch site, which varies depending on where the wildlife is concentrated and wind conditions. The Seronera area in central Serengeti is the most common departure point.
Arrive at the launch site where the crew is already inflating the balloon. Enjoy hot coffee and tea while your pilot delivers a safety briefing. Each balloon basket carries 12–16 passengers in compartments, so everyone gets a good view. The pilot explains the landing procedure — the most exciting part of the flight.
The balloon lifts off just as the sun breaks the horizon. The silence is striking — with no engine noise, you can hear the sounds of the savannah below. The pilot controls altitude by heating the air in the envelope, and you’ll float between treetop level (fantastic for close wildlife views) and several hundred metres up (for panoramic landscape photography).
During the hour-long flight, you’ll drift wherever the wind takes you — typically covering 10–15 kilometres. The wildlife sightings depend on the season and location, but common highlights include vast herds of wildebeest and zebra, elephants, giraffes, hippos in rivers, hyenas, and occasionally lions and leopards. During the Great Migration (June–October), the sheer scale of animal movement visible from above is staggering.
The landing is an adventure in itself — the pilot brings the basket down gently (sometimes with a few bumps) in an open area of the plains. The ground crew meets you with champagne for a traditional balloon toast, followed by a full bush breakfast cooked on-site. Eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, fresh fruit, and more champagne — all served on proper china and linen in the middle of the Serengeti. It’s one of the most surreal dining experiences in Africa.
Balloon safaris operate year-round in the Serengeti, but timing affects what you’ll see:
June to October (Great Migration season): The best time for a balloon flight. Millions of wildebeest and zebra cross the central and northern Serengeti, and the views from above are spectacular. The dry season also means clearer skies and more reliable flying conditions.
January to March (Calving season): The herds concentrate in the southern Serengeti and Ndutu area for calving. Balloon flights from the southern launch sites offer views of newborn wildebeest and the predators that follow them.
April to May (Long rains): Flights may be cancelled due to weather. This is the only period we’d recommend having a backup plan.
November to December: The short rains bring the herds south through the central Serengeti. Good balloon conditions with fewer tourists than peak season.
The easiest way to experience a Serengeti balloon safari is to include it in your Tanzania safari package. Nature Nest Safaris can arrange the balloon flight as part of any itinerary that includes at least one night in the Serengeti. We handle all bookings, transfers, and logistics so you just need to set your alarm.
Most of our Tanzania safari packages can include a balloon add-on. The flight works best on a morning when you’re already in the Serengeti — it replaces your morning game drive, and you can still do an afternoon drive after landing.
Browse our balloon safari packages or contact us to add a balloon flight to your Tanzania itinerary.
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