Tanzania Balloon Safari
Hot Air Balloon Safari
A balloon safari over the Serengeti, Ngorongoro area, Tarangire, or Ruaha National Park is nothing short of enchanting. Your adventure begins in the cool pre-dawn hours as the darkness is pierced by the headlights of your vehicle, illuminating the graceful movements of antelopes darting across the road on your way to the launch site. Upon arrival, you step into the basket, feeling the comforting warmth of the burners as the balloon gently lifts off into the twilight. As you ascend, the sky comes alive with the first light of dawn, unveiling a spectacular sunrise over the vast Tanzanian wilderness. Gliding silently over rivers, woodlands, and sweeping savannahs, you have a bird’s-eye view of wildlife awakening below—elephants, giraffes, and zebras moving across the landscape in their natural rhythms. The experience culminates in a soft landing, where a luxurious champagne breakfast awaits beneath the shade of a grand acacia tree, adding a touch of indulgence to this serene yet exhilarating adventure.
Where to Experience
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is one of the world’s most renowned national parks, and its name, meaning ‘endless plains,’ perfectly captures its vast expanse. From high above, you can truly appreciate the sheer size and open space. Time your Serengeti balloon safari right, and you might witness the awe-inspiring Great Migration, with massive herds of wildebeest and zebra dotting the plains. As you drift over this incredible landscape, keep an eye out for hippos in their pools, abundant plains game, and, with a bit of luck, predators on their morning hunt.
Balloon safaris in the Serengeti can depart from Namiri Plains, Dunia, and Sayari. Our Migration Camps, Ubuntu in the south and Olakira, are ideal for balloon safaris over the Migration. The best times for a Serengeti balloon safari are during the drier months, from June to November and mid-December to mid-March.
Ngorongoro Crater
A balloon safari in Ngorongoro Crater offers an extraordinary perspective of one of Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes, available year-round. As you ascend, the vastness of the crater unfolds beneath you, revealing a stunning tapestry of wildlife-rich plains, lush vegetation, and the expansive Ngorongoro Lake. The serene flight lets you glide over herds of grazing wildebeest and zebras, while the ever-changing light casts magical hues over the landscape. On clear days, you might even spot the towering peak of Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon, adding to the breathtaking panorama. This serene journey provides an unparalleled way to experience the grandeur and diversity of the Ngorongoro Crater.
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park’s diversity makes it ideal for a hot air balloon safari. The mild breezes provide a slow, almost sluggish balloon safari, allowing time to explore the environment and wildlife below. Grassy plains, baobab trees, and rocky outcroppings tinged with the region’s red soil, sliced through by the Tarangire River and the lush green of the Silale Swamp. Watch for huge herds of buffalo and elephants emerging from the swampy waters, their pristine grey and black hides glinting in the sunlight.
Ruaha National Park
A balloon safari in Ruaha National Park operates exclusively during the dry season, from June to October, and provides amazing views of the Ruaha River and the environment, which is dotted with huge baobab trees. The lofty vista, which is larger than the Serengeti National Park, helps you appreciate the scope of this one-of-a-kind site. The calm and consistent breezes this season allow for low-altitude flying just meters over the grunting hippo, as well as soaring to vast heights to appreciate the view over this region.
What You Can Expect
Embarking on a Tanzania Hot Air Balloon Safari is an enchanting journey that elevates the safari experience to new heights, both literally and metaphorically. As you gently ascend into the dawn-lit sky, the vast landscapes of Tanzania’s renowned national parks unfold beneath you. The sweeping panoramas reveal the beauty of the African savannah, dotted with acacia trees and teeming with diverse wildlife.
From the vantage point of the hot air balloon, you have a bird’s-eye view of the sprawling plains, witnessing the subtle nuances of the ecosystem as the sun casts a warm glow over the landscape. The tranquility of the balloon ride is punctuated by moments of excitement as you spot herds of elephants, giraffes gracefully moving through the treetops, and predators on the prowl. The silent drift of the balloon provides a unique and serene perspective, allowing for an intimate connection with nature. As you descend, a sumptuous champagne breakfast awaits, set against the backdrop of the African wilderness.
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