Serengeti Balloon Safaris
Pre-dawn collection
You are collected before first light from a suitable nearby lodge or camp and transferred to the launch site in time for preparation.
Launch site & briefing
At the launch site the pilot gives a safety briefing while the crew prepares and inflates the balloon.
Sunrise take-off
Lift-off is at sunrise, weather permitting. The flight lasts approximately one hour; the duration and route depend on wind, weather and the pilot’s safety decisions.
Landing & breakfast
After landing, a bush breakfast is served before you are returned to the agreed meeting point with your safari guide.
Central Serengeti / Seronera
Wildlife gathers year-round around the permanent water of the Seronera River Valley, making the central Serengeti the most consistently available launch area.
Western & Northern Serengeti
Operations in the western (Grumeti) and northern Serengeti typically run seasonally, often aligned with the migration’s movement through these areas.
Ndutu / Southern plains
Seasonal launches on the southern short-grass plains around Ndutu usually coincide with the wildebeest calving period, roughly December to March.
How long is the flight?
The flight itself lasts approximately one hour. The duration and route depend on wind, weather and the pilot’s safety decisions on the day. Allow several hours in total for transfers, preparation, the flight and breakfast.
When should I book?
We recommend booking as soon as your Serengeti dates are confirmed. Seats are limited and this experience is frequently fully booked, particularly in peak season.
Where can I fly?
Launch areas include the central Serengeti (Seronera), where year-round operations may be available, plus seasonal operations in the western and northern Serengeti and around Ndutu on the southern plains. The selected operator’s schedule, launch site and accommodation pickup eligibility must be confirmed for your travel dates.
Can I fly during the rainy season?
Flights operate subject to suitable weather, and mornings during the green seasons are often clear and calm. However, ballooning always depends on conditions on the day, and a flight may be cancelled or rescheduled if the weather is unsuitable.
Can children join?
Child age and height rules vary by operator. Rather than applying a single universal rule, we confirm the actual operator’s eligibility requirements for your children before booking. Please tell us your children’s ages when you enquire.
What happens if weather prevents the flight?
If the operator cancels a flight because of poor weather, rebooking or refund arrangements are governed by that operator’s confirmed conditions. We do not promise an unconditional refund for every cancellation; the operator’s terms apply.
Is the balloon included in the five-day safari?
No. The balloon excursion is optional and charged separately unless it is explicitly included in your written quotation. Accommodation, meals, park fees and the final crater schedule are confirmed before booking.
Do you arrange balloon-only bookings?
We arrange balloon excursions as part of a complete Exuberant safari itinerary, coordinating your accommodation, ground transport and flight arrangements. We do not arrange balloon-only bookings.
Day 1
Moshi/Arusha to Tarangire
Pickup and transfer to Tarangire National Park for game viewing among baobabs, river habitats and elephant herds. The park’s river and swamps act as a magnet for wildlife during the dry season.
Day 2
Transfer to Central Serengeti
Travel through the Karatu/Ngorongoro area towards the Seronera region of the Serengeti, with game viewing as time permits. Arrival time depends on road conditions and stops; we do not guarantee arrival by lunch.
Day 3
Optional Balloon Flight and Serengeti Safari
A pre-dawn balloon excursion when booked and conditions allow, followed by bush breakfast. Continue game viewing with your safari guide, with interest in the Seronera/Sogore area and the kopjes as possible game-drive areas rather than fixed guaranteed circuits. A second Serengeti overnight follows. Guests not booking the balloon follow the agreed ground-safari programme.
Day 4
Serengeti to Ngorongoro
Transfer towards the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. An Olduvai Gorge visit can be arranged separately if time and the quotation allow. An afternoon crater descent is proposed; its timing must be confirmed against travel time and park arrangements, and it may instead be scheduled early on Day 5.
Day 5
Return to Arusha/Moshi
Breakfast and return to Arusha or Moshi. If crater viewing is scheduled this morning, the resulting return is later in the day. Meals and drop-off arrangements are confirmed in the written itinerary.
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Serengeti Balloon Safaris — Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flights | Exuberant Kilimanjaro Safaris
Experience the Serengeti from above on a sunrise hot-air-balloon flight, followed by breakfast in the bush. We arrange balloon excursions as part of a complete Exuberant safari.
Safari Information
Experience the Serengeti from above on a sunrise hot-air-balloon flight, followed by breakfast in the bush. We arrange balloon excursions as part of a complete Exuberant safari, coordinating your accommodation, ground transport and flight arrangements.
A hot air balloon flying over the Serengeti plains at sunrise in Tanzania
The Experience
Launch Areas
Prices
Breakfast
Booking & Eligibility
5-Day Sample Safari
FAQ
A sunrise flight over the
Serengeti.
From pre-dawn collection to breakfast in the bush, the whole excursion — transfers, preparation, flight and breakfast — occupies several hours.
The flight lasts approximately one hour; the duration and route depend on wind, weather and the pilot’s safety decisions. We do not promise a particular route, altitude, wildlife sighting or flight over villages.
A hot air balloon being inflated at a pre-dawn launch site on the Serengeti plains
Where the balloon
lifts off.
The selected operator’s schedule, launch site and accommodation pickup eligibility must be confirmed for your travel dates. We do not guarantee flights from every camp, and migration movements do not follow fixed dates.
Balloon flight
rates.
The flight cost is separate from your full safari package. Accommodation, safari transport and park fees are covered only where stated in your safari quotation.
Shared flight
US$599 / person
Published reference rate for Serengeti Balloon Safaris, increasing to US$660 per person from 1 January 2027 . Your booking quotation confirms the operator, applicable rate and inclusions.
Source: balloonsafaris.com/faqs
Private charter
Quotation on request
Private balloon charter: quotation on request. We do not require a minimum of two people for a shared-flight seat unless the chosen operator or package requires it.
Keep flight cost separate from the full safari package. Accommodation, safari transport and park fees are covered only where stated in the safari quotation.
Bush breakfast served in the Serengeti after a hot air balloon flight
Breakfast in the
bush.
After landing, a bush breakfast and a celebratory drink are served as part of the confirmed operator package. Please disclose any dietary requirements in advance so we can pass them to the operator. We do not guarantee an identical menu or setting for every operator.
Before you
book.
Sample Itinerary
5-Day Tanzania Safari with an
Optional Serengeti Balloon Flight.
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights. A sample framework showing how a balloon morning fits into a Northern Circuit safari.
:
Overnight:
Meals:
Please note: The balloon excursion is optional and charged separately unless explicitly included in your quotation. Accommodation, meals, fees and the final crater schedule are confirmed before booking.
Balloon safari
questions.
Enquire
Plan a balloon
safari.
Tell us your dates, group size and preferred accommodation. Our team replies within one business day with a current quotation.
I'm interested in adding a Serengeti balloon flight to my safari. Please send a current quotation for my dates, group size and preferred accommodation.
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