- Balloon Safari in Serengeti National Park
The balloon safaris in Serengeti National Park operates daily from Seronera. This sun shine safari is always followed by a champagne toast with a bush breakfast. It usually takes 5 hours and it’s done early in the morning. The arrangements go by a pick-up from your hotel/ lodge in the Serengeti and then be driven to the balloon launch site. The activity is usually carried out in the central Serengeti/ seronera valley. It costs only $590 per person and the price is subject to change without notice.
This flight begins at around 6:00 am for an hour and the return to Seronera by road at an approximately 9:15 am after a champagne breakfast. This is just about fits with the safari schedules.
About Logistics: the activity can easily be incorporated into the safari itinerary which included at least one night with in the central Serengeti at either the Serengeti serena Lodge, Seronera Wildlife Lodge,Mbuzi Mawa tented lodge, Mbalageti tented Lodge or in any of the private luxury camps located within the central Serengeti.
Season of the activity, Balloon safaris can be included into your itinerary during any month of travel. This include late April through the late June and October through late December, are the months that are good to schedule a ballooning safari. The wildebeest and zebra migration can also be spotted at this time through the central Serengeti during the same time.
Detailed Itinerary of a balloon safari
You will be picked up from your lodge at about 5:00am in the central Serengeti and you will be driven to your awaiting balloon near the Maasai Kopjes. In case you have selected any private luxury camps within the central Serengeti, your driver will drive you to the seronera wildlife lodge and you meet up with the other guests. You will also keep an eye out for the nocturnal predators since you may encounter them returning from their nightly hunting forays on the game drive to the launching site.
You will arrive at the balloon launching site for a briefing from your pilot. As the blush of the dawn goes to the east, you will take off and then float above the large Serengeti. You will watch in the sun rising in molten splendour. You will as well soar in the quite hush of the morning as the vast savannah below is washed within a rising crescendo of the golden light, illuminating the details of the African land scape within the vibrant colours. With luck, you will have a good game viewing opportunity as glide peacefully above the seronera River valley. Clients are advised to keep in mind that every flight is a different one and the wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. However, you will enjoy the spectacular views and the serene quiet as you aimlessly drift along the winds.
The pilot of the balloon can control the altitude of it while sometimes flying at tree top height and ascending to 1000 ft. the flight time is about one hour and depends upon the conditions. The scout vehicles will track your location from the ground and will be waiting for you whenever the winds have taken the balloon.
The Balloon tour ends with a champagne toast and a breakfast at the landing site. This lavish breakfast is served within the bush with weighty silver, fine linen table cloths, delicate china. The breakfast consists of tropical fruits, eggs, freshly baked bread, sausage, mushroom, bacon and the tomatoes.
