Serengeti Hot-Air Balloon Safari

1. 1

   We book your flight with your itinerary, matching the launch site to where you are staying.

2. 2

   A driver collects you in the dark, often around 5 am, for the transfer to the launch site.

3. 3

   After a safety briefing, you climb into a partitioned basket as the balloon inflates at first light.

4. 4

   You fly with the wind for about an hour while a chase crew follows on the ground.

5. 5

   After landing, breakfast is served in the bush before a game drive back to camp.

Central Serengeti (Seronera)

The most consistent launch area, with flights for much of the year over the Seronera River valley and its resident predators.

Southern Serengeti & Ndutu

Seasonal flights, broadly aligned with the herds’ time on the short-grass plains around calving.

Western Corridor

Seasonal launches, often timed to the herds passing through toward the Grumeti River.

Northern Serengeti

Seasonal flights near the Mara River, generally in the months the migration is in the north.

Tarangire

Seasonal flights over baobab country and the Tarangire River valley, usually in the drier months.

Good to know

• Flights go only when wind and rain allow; the pilot makes the call on the morning, and cancellation terms vary by operator.
• Operators set their own age minimums (often around seven) and may have weight or health restrictions; flying is generally not advised in pregnancy.
• There is no fixed route — the wind decides, and experienced pilots use changes in altitude to steer toward wildlife.
• Landings can be bumpy, and the crew shows you a braced landing position during the briefing.
• Dress in warm layers for the pre-dawn start and bring a hat for breakfast in the sun.