Group safaris from $936/pp (3-day) · private from $1,456/pp
Safari from above
Balloon Safari Tanzania
Floating silently over the Serengeti at sunrise, watching wildebeest move across the plains below you — a balloon safari is not a tourist activity. It is one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences you will ever have.
The short version
Is a Balloon Safari Worth It?
Yes — if you are asking whether the experience itself is worth the cost. A balloon safari over the Serengeti at sunrise is genuinely one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences in Africa. Watching the migration from the air, seeing elephant herds from above, observing a pride of lions from 300 metres without them being aware of you — these are not metaphors. They are the actual experience.
The longer answer is: it depends on your budget and priorities. Balloon safaris cost $520–$624 per person in Tanzania. For many travellers, that is a significant addition to a safari budget. The honest case against it is that you see less wildlife from the balloon than from a well-guided game drive, and the landing can be abrupt. The honest case for it is that no game drive will ever give you the perspective you get from above — the geometry of the migration, the scale of the herds, the silence.
Safaris Tanzania does not operate its own balloon — no ground operator in Tanzania independently owns a balloon company; the balloons are specialist operators. What we do is connect you directly to the best balloon operators, handle the booking as part of your overall safari, and make sure the logistics are seamless. Book the balloon through us and we coordinate the timing with your game drives so nothing clashes.
What to expect
A Balloon Safari: Hour by Hour
5:00 AM — Pick-up from camp/lodge
Your balloon safari starts early. A vehicle collects you from your accommodation before dawn — this is non-negotiable. Balloons launch at first light, which in the Serengeti is around 6:15–6:30 AM depending on the season.
6:00–6:30 AM — Drive to launch site
You drive to that morning's designated launch site. The pilot has already been up in a reconnaissance flight the previous evening to identify the best takeoff location given wind direction. You will not always launch from the same place twice.
6:30–8:00 AM — The flight
The flight typically lasts 60–90 minutes. You drift at 200–500 metres above the Serengeti plains, completely silent except for the burner that keeps you aloft. The pilot adjusts altitude to follow wildlife — dropping lower over a herd of elephants, rising to get a wider view of a migration column. There is no steering — only altitude control. This is part of the magic.
8:00–8:30 AM — Landing
The pilot brings the balloon down in a designated landing zone — typically a flat section of savannah away from roads. The landing can be a little bumpy (you will be told to crouch or kneel) but is generally straightforward. You help fold the balloon with the ground crew — this is usually a genuinely fun part of the experience.
8:30–10:00 AM — Champagne breakfast
After landing, the balloon company sets up a champagne breakfast in the bush — properly catered, tables and chairs, pastries, fruit, coffee, and a glass of fizz. This is included in the balloon safari price. It is a genuinely memorable experience eating eggs and croissants on the Serengeti floor after landing.
10:00 AM — Game drive continues
Your regular game drive resumes after breakfast. You rejoin the morning game drive circuit at whatever point the breakfast location corresponds to. This is why balloon and game drive work well together — you are not missing game drives; you are replacing the early morning drive with something more extraordinary.
Where to balloon
Balloon Safari Locations in Tanzania
Serengeti Balloon Safari
The Serengeti is the premium balloon safari destination in Tanzania. The combination of the open plains, the migration (July–October), and the density of wildlife makes it exceptional. Balloons operate from multiple launch sites across the Serengeti depending on where the wildlife is concentrated. In migration season, you may launch from the northern Serengeti near Kogatende, or from the southern plains near Ndutu — depending on where the herds are.
Cost: Approximately $572–$624 per person (prices vary by operator and season)
Tarangire Balloon Safari
Tarangire balloon safaris are a well-kept secret. The park's signature elephant herds, baobab-dotted landscape, and smaller scale compared to the Serengeti make for a different but equally compelling experience. Balloons over Tarangire are less crowded — fewer operators, fewer tourists — and the price tends to be slightly lower than the Serengeti.
Cost: Approximately $468–$541 per person
Ngorongoro Crater Balloon
Ngorongoro Crater does not have dedicated commercial balloon operations in the same way as the Serengeti. This is partly due to the crater's status as a conservation area and the complexity of air traffic over the rim. If a balloon experience is important to you, the Serengeti or Tarangire are the reliable options.
Honest costs
Balloon Safari Pricing 2026
| Location | Peak Season | Green Season | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serengeti (Kogatende / Lamai) | $572–$624 | $499–$551 | 60–90 min + breakfast |
| Serengeti (Ndutu / Southern) | $572–$624 | $499–$551 | 60–90 min + breakfast |
| Tarangire | $468–$520 | $416–$468 | 60–75 min + breakfast |
Prices are per person and include the balloon flight, champagne bush breakfast, and park landing fees where applicable. Prices are subject to change — confirm with your operator at time of booking. These are commercial balloon operator rates — Safaris Tanzania does not add a markup on top of the balloon fee.
Direct booking advantage
Book Your Balloon Safari Through Safaris Tanzania
When you book a balloon safari through a European travel agent or international booking platform, your reservation is passed through at least one intermediary before reaching the balloon operator. This means your coordination — timing, pickup location, dietary requirements — is managed by someone who is not on the ground, and who does not know the specifics of your itinerary.
When you book through Safaris Tanzania, we handle the balloon reservation as part of your complete Tanzania safari package. We know which balloon operator is operating from which site on which days, and we have the relationships to make special requests — dietary needs, a private launch (subject to availability), or a specific launch area preference.
One practical point: balloon operations are weather-dependent. If the pilot determines wind conditions are unsafe, flights are cancelled and you receive a full refund from the balloon company. Safaris Tanzania will always have an alternative activity ready — a private game drive, a visit to a local village — if your balloon flight is cancelled. We do not leave you standing at the launch site with no plan.
FAQ
Balloon Safari — Common Questions
Is a balloon safari safe?
Yes. Tanzania's commercial balloon operators are rigorously regulated by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority. All pilots are licensed and undergo regular competency assessments. The balloons are inspected before each flight. Serious incidents are extremely rare. Your safety briefing before boarding covers all contingency procedures.
What if the weather is bad?
Balloon flights are cancelled if wind speeds exceed safe limits or if visibility is poor. Cancellations are usually announced the evening before or the morning of the flight. If cancelled, you receive a full refund from the balloon company. Safaris Tanzania will arrange an alternative morning activity — usually a private game drive — at no additional cost.
Can children do a balloon safari?
Most operators require children to be at least 7 years old and 120cm tall to participate. This is for safety reasons — the wicker basket has no seats and children need to be able to see over the edge. Contact Don before booking if you are travelling with children.
How do I dress?
Wear layers — it is cool at dawn, even in the tropics, and the temperature changes quickly as the sun rises. Closed shoes are required (no sandals). Neutral colours are not required but are appreciated. Bring sunscreen and a hat.
Do I need to be fit?
No special fitness is required. You need to be able to stand for 60–90 minutes and climb into and out of the basket (approximately 1.2 metres high, with assistance available). Inform us of mobility issues in advance so the pilot can position the basket appropriately.
Can I take my camera?
Yes — and you should. A balloon safari is outstanding for photography. Wide-angle lenses work well for landscapes; a 70–200mm is useful for wildlife below. The silence of the balloon means you can hear animals reacting to the shadow above them. Bring extra batteries and memory cards. Phone cameras work well for video.
Ready to compare packages and prices? see all safari options.