Things to Do in Tanzania
Balloon Safaris in Tanzania
A one-hour hot air balloon flight at sunrise over the Serengeti, then a champagne breakfast in the bush. From USD 550 to 600 per person.
- Founder & team guiding since 2004
- Licensed balloon operators
- Reply within 24 hours
At a glance
Tanzania balloon safari: quick facts
- Flight time
- About 1 hour
- Whole morning
- 4 to 5 hours
- Price
- USD 550–600 pp
- Pickup
- Around 5:00 am
- Where
- Serengeti, Tarangire, Ruaha
- Best time
- June to October. All year, weather permitting
- Minimum age
- 7 years
- Book ahead
- 2 to 3 months
Launch sites
Where to take a hot air balloon safari in Tanzania
Most flights launch in the Serengeti, and the launch site moves with the Great Migration. Tarangire and Ruaha fly in the dry season.
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All year
Central Serengeti
Seronera River, hippo pools and resident lion and leopard. The most reliable launch site.
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December to March
Ndutu & Southern Serengeti
Calving season, with wildebeest herds spread across the short-grass plains.
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June to October
Western Corridor
The Grumeti River and the migration moving north.
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July to October
Northern Serengeti
Mara River country at Kogatende, at the height of the migration.
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June to October
Tarangire
Baobabs, the Tarangire River and large elephant herds from above.
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Dry season
Ruaha
A quieter flight in southern Tanzania, over the Great Ruaha River.
Hour by hour
What happens on a Serengeti hot air balloon safari
- 5:00 am Pickup from your camp or lodge and drive to the launch site.
- 6:00 am Safety briefing with your pilot while the balloon inflates.
- 6:30 am Lift-off at sunrise. The pilot flies from treetop height to several hundred metres.
- 7:30 am Landing on the plains and a sparkling wine toast.
- 8:00 am Full bush breakfast, cooked and served in the open.
- 9:30 am Flight certificate, then your guide collects you for a game drive.
Low down you follow animal trails, hippo pools and hunting cats. Higher up you see the scale of the plains and, in season, the migration stretching to the horizon. Wind and season decide the route, so no two flights match.
What you get
Balloon safari price Tanzania 2027
Included
- Transfers between your camp and the launch site
- One-hour flight with a licensed commercial pilot
- Sparkling wine toast and full bush breakfast
- Balloon landing fees and flight certificate
Not included
- Park entry fees and accommodation
- Gratuities for pilot and crew
Your investment
USD 550 – 600
per person, depending on launch site and season
Added to any Yera safari with at least one night in the flight area. Two nights is better, in case weather moves your flight to the next morning.
Planning
How to add a balloon flight to your safari
We place the balloon on your second morning in the park you fly from. Your first day stays a full game drive, and your guide meets you straight after breakfast, so you lose no time in the park.
- Serengeti: stay in the area the season favours. Central all year, Ndutu from December to March, the Western Corridor from June to October, the North from July to October.
- Tarangire: fly on a morning you wake inside or beside the park, then continue to Ngorongoro or the Serengeti the same day.
- Ruaha: add the flight to a southern Tanzania safari in the dry season, with at least two nights in the park.
A balloon flight complements game drives. It does not replace them. Pair it with game drives and a walking safari to see Tanzania from the air, from a vehicle and on foot.
Questions
Balloon safari FAQs
How much does a balloon safari in Tanzania cost?
From USD 550 to 600 per person, including transfers, the one-hour flight, a sparkling wine toast and bush breakfast.
Is a hot air balloon safari safe?
Yes. Flights are run by licensed operators with commercially rated pilots, and they only go up in suitable weather.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The flight moves to your next available morning. If it cannot be rescheduled, it is refunded.
Can children fly?
Yes, from age 7, with an adult. Children must be tall enough to see over the basket.
Is there a weight limit?
Passengers above roughly 120 kg may need a second seat. Tell us when you book.
What should I wear?
Warm layers for the cold start, closed shoes and a hat. It warms up quickly after sunrise.
When is the best time for a balloon safari?
June to October is the best time, with the driest and calmest mornings. Flights run all year, weather permitting, and December to March is the season for calving herds over Ndutu. Rain, strong wind or fog can move a flight to the next morning.
Begin your journey
Let's plan your balloon safari in Tanzania
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. We reply within 24 hours with flight availability.