· Golden Memories Safaris
A hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti starts before sunrise and ends with a champagne breakfast in the bush. For about an hour you drift silently above the plains while the light changes and the animals below carry on with their morning. This guide explains how the experience works, when to do it, what to wear and how to include it in a Tanzania safari.
What a balloon safari is like
The experience follows a pattern that is similar in most operators’ programmes, although details vary. You are collected from your camp or lodge in the dark, driven to the launch site and watch the crew inflate the balloon as the sky lightens. The pilot takes you up as the sun rises. Balloons drift with the wind, so the route is different every day, and the pilot flies low or high depending on conditions and where the wildlife is. After landing, a vehicle and a bush breakfast are usually waiting. Flight length, group size and the exact launch location are set by the operator and the weather.
From above you see the scale of the landscape in a way you cannot from a vehicle: river lines, kopjes, tracks worn by herds and the shapes of groups of animals. It is also one of the best ways to see the sunrise in the Serengeti. After the flight, your guide takes you on a normal game drive, so you still have a full day on the ground.
You drift silently above the plains while the light changes.
The route changes every day with the wind.
Where and when to fly
Balloon flights in the Serengeti operate from the central part of the park, around Seronera, which is also where the big cats are seen most reliably all year round. That is why our balloon packages are based in Central Serengeti. Flights are weather dependent: strong wind, low cloud or heavy rain can cancel a flight, and the operator decides on the morning whether it is safe. Because of this, we recommend at least two nights in the area, so that you have a second chance if the first morning is cancelled.
You can fly all year round, but the season shapes what you see below. In the dry months from about June to October, animals concentrate near water and the grass is short. In the calving season, from about January to March, the herds are in the south around Ndutu, away from the central balloon area. For the migration calendar see the Great Migration by month guide. If a river crossing is your top priority, plan the crossings in the north separately from the balloon flight in the centre.
Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
The Great Migration, month by month
Balloon safari packages with Golden Memories Safaris
The 3 day package includes the balloon flight, a champagne bush breakfast, a private 4x4 with a pop-up roof, an English-speaking guide, park and conservation fees, full-board accommodation and bottled water on game drives. The 4 day luxury version adds luxury accommodation, the Ngorongoro Crater and all park and crater fees. Both require a minimum of two people. Read each package page for the full inclusions and exclusions.
If you are already on another safari with us, such as the 5 day fly-in migration safari or the 7 day luxury northern circuit, the balloon flight is listed as an optional extra. Ask us for the current price and availability.
- 3 Day Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari 2026–2027
- 4 Day Luxury Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari (2026–2027)
What to wear and bring
- Layers. It is cool before sunrise and warms up fast. Bring a fleece or jacket you can take off.
- Closed shoes with a good grip, and trousers, because you climb in and out of the basket.
- A hat with a chin strap or a cap that will not blow off.
- Camera and a spare battery. Keep things you may drop in a zipped pocket. A wide-angle lens is more useful than a long lens in the basket. See our photographic safari guide for more.
- Medication and glasses in a pocket. You may not have access to your bag.
Health, safety and suitability
Balloon operators set rules on age, height, mobility and pregnancy, and they follow aviation safety requirements. Tell us about any health issue or mobility limitation when you enquire, so that we can check before you book. If you are nervous about heights, note that the flight is smooth and slow, but you will be a long way above the ground.
Make sure your travel insurance covers the activity. Tanzania has announced a mandatory inbound insurance rule for foreign visitors, which is separate from the cover you should hold for adventure activities; our guide to mandatory travel insurance in Tanzania explains it.
Planning the balloon day
A few simple choices make the morning go smoothly.
- Put the balloon flight early in your Serengeti stay, so that you have a second morning if the weather stops the first.
- Stay at a camp or lodge close to the launch area, so that the pre-dawn drive is short.
- Tell your guide your plan, so that the game drive after the flight and the breakfast fit together without a rush.
- Keep the afternoon free. After a very early start, many guests like a rest at camp before the evening drive.
- Carry a little cash for tips for the crew. Our guide to money and tipping in Tanzania explains typical amounts.
Is it worth it?
A balloon safari is a premium add-on, and some travellers decide to spend their budget on an extra night or a better camp instead. We think it is worth it if you love photography, if it is a special occasion such as a honeymoon, or if you want a quiet contrast to the vehicle game drives. It is less important if you are on a very tight budget or if your priority is the migration crossings in the north, which happen in a different part of the park. Our honeymoon safari page shows how couples combine the flight with the beach.
From above you see rivers, tracks and groups of animals.
How to add a balloon flight to your trip
- Choose your safari dates and the parks you want to see. Our Tanzania safari guide explains the seasons.
- Pick a base in Central Serengeti for at least two nights, so that the weather does not decide your trip.
- Tell us your budget. We will compare the 3 day mid-range version and the 4 day luxury version, or add the flight to a longer itinerary.
- We confirm the booking and give you a packing list. Everything else is arranged for you.
A balloon safari step by step
The details differ between operators and days, but a balloon morning usually follows the same pattern. Your guide will confirm the plan the evening before.
- You are woken in the dark and driven to the launch site, often with a hot drink on the way.
- You watch the crew lay out and inflate the balloon as the sky begins to lighten.
- The pilot gives a short safety briefing and explains how to stand and how to brace for landing.
- You climb into the basket and lift off around sunrise.
- The balloon drifts for about an hour, flying higher or lower depending on the wind and where the animals are.
- The pilot lands, and the ground crew helps with the landing and packs the balloon.
- A bush breakfast is served, in our packages with champagne.
- Your guide takes you on a normal game drive, so the day continues with wildlife on the ground.
Balloon safari or an extra night?
A balloon flight is a premium extra, and some travellers decide to spend the same budget on another night or a better camp. A balloon flight is the better choice if you enjoy photography, if the trip is a honeymoon or an anniversary, or if you want a quiet contrast to the vehicle drives. An extra night is the better choice if you have not yet seen the Ngorongoro Crater, if your priority is the river crossings in the northern Serengeti or if the budget is tight. Our Serengeti or Ngorongoro guide helps you decide how to share your nights.
What you will see from the air
In the dry months from June to October the grass is short and animals gather near water, so you often see groups of zebra, giraffe and elephant along the rivers. In the green months the plains are bright and the light is soft. You are unlikely to see predators clearly from a balloon, but the guides can drive to the landing area, and the game drive that follows is a good time to look for them.
If you want to combine the flight with the migration, plan the balloon in the central Serengeti and the river crossings in the north as two separate stops. Our Great Migration safaris and the 6 day calving safari for 2027 show how the seasons work.
A balloon safari for honeymooners and special occasions
A sunrise flight followed by a champagne breakfast is one of the most memorable ways to mark a honeymoon, an anniversary or a birthday. Tell us the occasion when you book, so that we can plan the rest of the trip around it, for example with a quiet camp and a few nights on Zanzibar at the end. The 7 day Ndutu and Zanzibar honeymoon safari is one way to do it.
Common questions about balloon safaris
How much does a Serengeti hot air balloon safari cost?
Our balloon safaris start from {{from}} per person for the 3 day Serengeti trip, and the 4 day luxury version costs more. Both include the flight and a champagne bush breakfast. The price of the flight as an add-on to another safari depends on the date, so ask us for a quote.
What is the best time for a balloon safari in the Serengeti?
The flight operates all year, subject to the weather. The dry months from June to October give the clearest conditions. See the best time to visit Tanzania for the full picture.
What if the flight is cancelled for weather?
The operator decides on the morning. That is why we recommend at least two nights in the area, and we will explain the refund or rebooking rules for your date when we quote.
Can children fly?
Operators set a minimum age. Please ask us when you enquire. Our family safaris are planned around what your children can do.
Can I combine a balloon flight with the Great Migration?
Yes, but the herds and the balloons are not always in the same place. In the dry season, you can plan the balloon in the centre and the river crossings in the north. See the Great Migration safari page.
Book your balloon safari with a local team
Tell us your dates and group size, and we will check availability and send a price.
- 3 Day Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari 2026–2027
- 4 Day Luxury Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari (2026–2027)
- 7 Day Ndutu & Zanzibar Honeymoon Safari 2026–2027
Keep planning your Tanzania trip
These guides cover the next questions most travellers ask.
Best time to visit Tanzania, month by month
The Great Migration, month by month
Tanzania honeymoon: safari and beach
Serengeti or Ngorongoro: which to choose
More guides and pages for this trip
Sources and further reading
Fees, schedules and rules change, so check the official sources below before you book or travel.