Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari
Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Safari
The early morning silver light is poured in golden beams over the infinite plains of Serengeti. It is a silent world, except that there is a little rustling of wind and now and then, a roar of an elephant beneath. In a flash from your hot air balloon, you take off. You get here as you are flying up, and the most recognisable scenery of Tanzania appears before your eyes as a map of wild nature and miracles.
This is not an ordinary Tanzania safari. It is a spellbound sky activity, a can-not-miss experience, which turns the safari in Tanzania or a Tanzania tour into an unforgettable game. No matter how many times you have already travelled or how you are preparing to make your first African tour and visit, a hot air balloon trip across the Serengeti is one of those kinds of experiences which simply lives up to the term magical.
Top Attractions to see in Serengeti National Park
Wildlife Views in the sky
As soon as your ball is clear of the tree-tops, you will have one of the rarest sights to look at. Parades of elephants coming one behind the other, giraffes eating the acacias, lions sleeping late morning in the shade, all of this is happening in silence, under your basket. New secrets of the huge Serengeti are unveiled with each delicate twisting of the balloon.
The possibilities of what you might see, depending on the time of year and the place of launch, are herds of wildebeest miles long and leopards slinking through the grass and being elusive. Aerial Tanzania safaris present just the right vantage point to enjoy the size of the most mythical wildlife area in Tanzania.
Witness of the Great Migration
Arrange your visit in the right season and you may be privileged to witness one of the flora and fauna’s most amazing spectacles, the Great Migration. More than the population of two million wildebeest, zebra and gazelles can be seen stampeding across the plains, in pursuit of fresh pasturelands. The herds appear as dark rivers over golden grasslands as observed above.
No better place can one be to view such an epic movie. In some places, there have also been dramatic crossings of rivers, with animals falling into the water teeming with crocodiles. It is grungy, it is uncivilised, and it is memorable.
Champagne Breakfast in the Bush
On landing, the fun does not stop, and a champagne reception and full English-style bush breakfast are the next thing in store. In a fenced place, half in a shady grove, half in open plain, a hot coffee, fresh fruit, eggs and toast with all the trimmings constitute this meal. But it is a luxurious contrast with the rough wilds which surround you, a pause to enjoy the experience. It is not a simple meal, but a celebration through this breakfast. You are given some form of a flight certificate as a souvenir of one of the most remarkable mornings in your life.
Culture and Heritage
Maasai Tribe
Serengeti derives its name from the Maasai word Siringet, which translates to means the place where the land runs forever. The Maasai have enjoyed many hundreds of years co-existing with the local wildlife. Tanzanian experience would be incomplete without their rich culture of bright clothing, detailed bead work and forceful oral traditions.
Although balloon safaris stay in the air, most of them also provide cultural ventures so that you can explore Maasai villages, get information about their culture, and take part in activities that help the community. This brings in a human, rich dimension to your Tanzania safaris.
Conservation of Serengeti National Park
Serengeti is not only beautiful, but also safeguarded. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area has become one of the best-preserved ecological systems in the world. Most operators of balloon safaris liaise with local conservation organisations and authorities in the national parks so that they can be sustainable.
Even the hot air balloon safaris have developed to be eco-friendly in terms of fuel as well as providing work opportunities to the community. Your entry ticket not only presupposes a ride but also an input in the future of the Serengeti.
Travel Tips
When to take an Air Balloon Safari
Serengeti is a beautiful place throughout the year, but very specific months have some unique benefits based on what one is interested in doing.
June to October: This is the dry season, which is the best time of year to view wildlife since there are clear skies and scarce vegetation.
December-February- Calving in the southern plains. Thousands of baby wildebeest are born, and this draws predators and provides lots of action.
March to May: Landscapes become green due to the long rains, which make the place lush. It gets less crowded and prices are cheaper, but balloon flights are weather-based.
Reservations and Destinations
Balloon safaris usually take off from some major locations in the park:
Central Serengeti (Seronera): The year-round game and accessibility.
South Serengeti (Ndutu): A good place to see during calving, especially in February and March.
Serengeti (Kogatende): The best time to visit the area is between July and September to witness the crossing migration rivers.
Western Corridor (Kirawira): The corridor has a distinct perspective on wildlife migration in the period from May to July.
The majority of Tanzania safari trips begin at about 5:00 AM, along with your pick up at your lodge and a brief before dawn. The navigation takes approximately one hour in-flight, after which there is breakfast and a presentation of certificates.
Budgeting
Balloon safari is a costly attraction, and it comes with its price.
Cost to pay: $599 per person
What is included: Pickup and drop off, one hour balloon ride, champagne toast, bush breakfast and certificate
Extras: a transfer fee (about $50 – $150) is also charged by some of the lodges
Top tip: Your Tanzania safari or Tanzania tour might have a lower price when booked as a package.
What to Carry with You
Dress in layers. Mornings are cold, and they warm up soon.
Closed shoes with a good grip. The touchdown may be either dusty or rough.
Camera and zoom lens, spare battery, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
Health: Inform your guide about any medical conditions. Pregnant women and people with some mobility issues should not take balloon rides.
Other activities to do in Serengeti National Park
Night Game Drives: Sight nocturnal creatures such as Genets, Civets and Predators on Hunt.
Walking Safaris: These give a down-to-earth, adrenaline-filled thrill in the bush and are accompanied by armed guides.
Photography Safaris: There are specialised setups with dedicated Photographic guides and dedicated vehicles.
Conclusion
Serengeti hot air balloon safari is not only a matter of poring over a bucket list. It is that sort of thing: to see the world differently, both literally and metaphorically. Soaring across one of the richest wildlife areas on the planet, you cannot help but be impressed by the vision of nature and the clarity of being here.
