A hot air balloon safari lifts the classic savannah view into a completely different register. You rise before dawn, watch the balloons inflate in the dark, and drift silently over plains as the sun comes up. The animals below look tiny and calm, the shadows are long, and the landscape shows its patterns, rivers and herds in a way that is simply not possible from the ground. It is one of the most memorable hours of an East African safari.
Where balloons fly
The established balloon flights in the region operate over the Maasai Mara in Kenya and the Serengeti in Tanzania. Both offer open plains, big herds and dramatic light, and both fly in the early morning when winds are calmest. Which one suits you depends on the rest of your itinerary, since a balloon is usually an early-morning addition to time you are already spending in the park.
What the experience involves
- Before dawn: a wake-up call, tea or coffee and a transfer to the launch site in the dark.
- At the site: watching the crew inflate the balloon and hearing a safety briefing from your pilot.
- The flight: about an hour of quiet drifting, rising and falling as the pilot finds the best views.
- The landing: a soft touchdown, sometimes with a short drive to a landing spot.
- The breakfast: a champagne bush breakfast in the bush, before returning to your camp or starting a game drive.
The whole morning usually takes four to five hours, so it is a half-day activity rather than a quick outing.
What you might see
From the air, herds of wildebeest and zebra, lines of elephants, hippo pools and river bends appear as patterns on the ground. During the migration season the sheer numbers of animals can be astonishing. Balloons fly high enough not to disturb wildlife, and the silence between bursts of the burner is remarkable. You may see lions or other predators near the end of their night’s hunt, but the point is the view, not the sightings.
Weather and flexibility
Flights depend on wind and weather, and a pilot will not fly unless conditions are safe. Cancellations are uncommon but possible, so it helps to plan your balloon early in a stay, leaving a spare morning if you can. Ask about the operator’s policy on cancelled flights, and avoid booking a balloon on the last morning before a flight home.
Safety
Balloon operators use experienced pilots and follow aviation regulations. You will receive a briefing on how to stand, how to land and what to do in unlikely difficulties. There are usually minimum ages, and people with certain health or mobility conditions may be unable to fly, so tell us in advance. If you are nervous about heights, know that a balloon flight is gentle, and the basket feels remarkably stable.
What to wear and bring
- Layers, because dawn is cold and the day warms quickly.
- Closed, flat shoes, and trousers rather than skirts.
- A hat for after landing, and sunglasses.
- A camera with a strap and a wide lens, plus spare batteries.
Photography tips
Wide-angle lenses capture the scale of the plains and the curve of the horizon, while a moderate zoom helps with animals below. Keep your camera strapped to you, secure loose items and be ready for sudden changes in light. Take a few frames, then put the camera down and simply look.
Cost and booking
A balloon flight is a premium experience, priced above most other activities, and baskets are limited. It is worth booking early, especially for the peak migration months. We will confirm the current price and what is included, and arrange the flight around the rest of your safari.
Best time to go
Balloons fly all year, weather permitting. Clear skies in the drier months give the best light, and migration months add drama to the plains. Wet-season mornings can be cloudier and, on some days, unsuitable for flying, but they may also bring dramatic skies.
How it fits into your safari
A balloon flight works best after you have spent a day or two on the ground, when you have a feel for the landscape and can appreciate the view from above. Most travellers stay near the launch site the night before, avoiding a long drive in the dark. Afterwards you can return for a rest or continue with a game drive, which keeps the morning full without being rushed.
A special occasion
Many travellers choose a balloon flight to mark a celebration, such as a honeymoon or an anniversary, because it is dramatic, private in feel and full of light. The champagne breakfast adds to the sense of occasion. If you are planning a surprise, tell us early and we will arrange the details discreetly.
Other ways to see from above
If a balloon is not possible, light-aircraft transfers between parks also give aerial views of rivers, escarpments and plains, and they save hours of driving. They are not a substitute for a balloon’s silence and slowness, but they add a new perspective, especially over lakes and volcanoes.
Questions people ask
Is it frightening? Most people are surprised by how calm it feels; there is little sense of movement or wind. Can children fly? Operators set minimum ages, which we confirm for you. Will it disturb the animals? Balloons fly high enough that wildlife is largely unaffected. Is there a bathroom? Not in the basket, so use the facilities at the launch site beforehand.
Planning your balloon safari
Tell us your Mara or Serengeti dates and who is travelling. We will book the flight, place it sensibly in your itinerary and pair it with game drives so that the morning becomes the highlight of your safari.
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