7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari

Our 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari takes you across three of northern Tanzania's best-known wildlife areas — Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park — built around a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti plains. We arrange your airport transfer, private safari vehicle and driver-guide, twice-daily game drives, tented camp or lodge accommodation, meals during the tour, and the balloon flight itself with pilot, crew and a post-flight bush breakfast. The price of this 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari starts from USD 5,260 per person. Because the balloon flight depends on weather and wind conditions and can be postponed by the pilot for safety reasons, we build a flexible buffer around Day 4 of the itinerary. The final package price and confirmed inclusions are provided in your written quotation.

7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari Overview

This 7-day, 6-night safari is built around one signature experience: a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti National Park, home to the Great Wildebeest Migration, in which roughly 1.5 to 2 million wildebeest, zebra and other grazers move through the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem each year depending on rainfall.

Beyond the balloon flight, the itinerary combines three parks in one trip. We route you through Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds and ancient baobab trees, and the Ngorongoro Crater, an intact volcanic caldera where sightings of the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — are possible, though never guaranteed on any single game drive.

The price of this 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari starts from USD 5,260 per person and can run up to around USD 9,270 per person depending on your travel dates, group size, and accommodation category. This covers accommodation, private transport, park fees and meals for the full itinerary; the balloon flight, pilot and crew fees, and evacuation insurance are included as part of the package. The exact figure for your dates is confirmed in your written quotation.

How Much Does This 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari Cost?

The price of our 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari starts from USD 5,260 per person and can run up to around USD 9,270 per person. What changes the final figure: your travel dates, group size, whether transport is shared or private, your accommodation category, and the specific park and conservation fees in effect for your travel period. This starting price covers accommodation, private transport, park fees, meals and the balloon flight for the full 7-day itinerary; the complete, confirmed price for your dates is set out in your written quotation.

What's Included in Your 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari

Hot air balloon flight over the Serengeti
Return road transport in a private safari vehicle
Pre-flight refreshments
Flight certificate
Pilot and crew fees
Park and conservation fees
Game drives as per the itinerary
English-speaking driver-guide
Emergency evacuation insurance
Accommodation throughout the itinerary (Arusha, Serengeti and Ngorongoro)
Meals during the tour, as specified in your quotation

What's Excluded from Your 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari

International flights
Visa fees
Travel and trip cancellation insurance
Personal items and purchases
Tips and gratuities for driver-guide and camp staff
Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
Meals not specified in your quotation

Where an inclusion or exclusion depends on your specific dates or camp selection, we confirm it in writing before you pay a deposit — nothing is left to assumption once your booking is underway. Once the numbers are clear, the next step is seeing exactly how the seven days unfold.

7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari Itinerary

This 7-day, 6-night itinerary moves from Arusha into Serengeti National Park for the balloon flight and game drives, then on to Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Tarangire National Park before returning to Arusha. We arrange your driver-guide, safari vehicle, park fees and overnight accommodation in tented camps or lodges throughout, so the itinerary below covers exactly what happens each day.

Day 1: Arrival Day

We pick you up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 2: Serengeti National Park

We drive you to Serengeti National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to large resident populations of zebra and Thomson's gazelle alongside the migrating wildebeest herds. Your driver-guide points out wildlife and shares background on the migration en route to your camp or lodge for overnight, as confirmed in your quotation.

Day 3: Explore Serengeti National Park

A full day of game drives across the Serengeti's central Seronera area. Scenery and sightings vary with the season; the Great Wildebeest Migration typically moves through the region from around June to September, though its exact timing shifts with rainfall. Predator sightings such as lion, leopard or cheetah on a hunt are possible but never guaranteed. Overnight at your camp or lodge.

Day 4: Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Flight

Your balloon flight starts at dawn, around 6:30 am. We transfer you by safari vehicle from your accommodation to the launch site in the central Serengeti to meet your pilot and crew. After roughly an hour in the air over the plains, you land in the bush for a champagne celebration and receive a flight certificate, followed by a bush-style breakfast. The rest of the day continues with a game drive in Serengeti National Park. Full age, health and safety requirements for the flight are covered in the safety and participation section below.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Conservation Area Game Drives

We drive you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, passing Olduvai Gorge, an important archaeological site where early hominid fossils have been discovered. Overnight at your camp or lodge, as confirmed in your quotation.

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater Game Drives

An early-morning descent into Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and intact volcanic caldera known for its high density of wildlife, including elephant, rhino and lion. Overnight at your camp or lodge.

Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater – Tarangire National Park – Arusha

An early game drive at Tarangire National Park, known for its elephant herds and large baobab trees. Because Tarangire sits slightly off the main northern circuit route, it tends to see fewer visitors than the Serengeti or Ngorongoro. In the afternoon we drive you back to Arusha and drop you at your hotel or the airport for your onward flight.

With the day-by-day plan in place, the next thing worth settling is when in the year to travel.

Best Time for a 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari

The dry season, June through October, is generally the best time for this safari: clearer skies mean more reliable balloon flights and open, shorter grass makes wildlife easier to spot from the air and on game drives. The wet season, November to May, still runs flights and adds lush scenery and newborn wildlife, though early-morning weather is watched more closely and flights are more likely to shift or be postponed.

Rainfall patterns also affect where wildlife concentrates. During the dry months, animals cluster around permanent water sources, which tends to make game drives more predictable. In the wetter months, herds spread out further across the plains to graze on fresh grass, so sightings can be more scattered but the landscape is greener and less dusty for photography.

Season	Months	Balloon flight reliability	What to expect
Dry season	June – October	Most reliable, fewer weather delays	Clear skies, dusty plains, wildlife near water sources, busier camps
Wet season	November – May	Good, but more subject to daily weather calls	Lush green scenery, newborn wildlife, quieter camps, occasional short rains

Local expert insight: even in the dry season, dawn temperatures at Serengeti's altitude can be surprisingly cold, so pack warm layers regardless of when you travel. February through April tends to have the tallest grass after the short rains, which can make ground-level sightings trickier even though flying conditions are often still good.

Decision guidance: choose dry-season dates if reliable flight scheduling and easier wildlife spotting matter most to you. Choose the wet season's shoulder months if you prefer quieter camps, greener photos, and don't mind building a little extra flexibility into your schedule. Once you've picked a season, the next question is what you're likely to actually see from the basket.

Wildlife You May See From the Balloon

From the balloon you may see wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, elephant and various antelope species moving across the plains below, with large herds visible when the migration is passing through the area. Big cats such as lion or cheetah are occasionally spotted from altitude but are usually easier to see on the game drives that follow your flight.

The pilot adjusts altitude, from close to treetop height up to a few thousand feet, to give the best vantage point over wildlife and landscape without disturbing animals. What you actually see depends on the season, the migration's position, and simple chance, so no specific sighting can ever be promised.

Wildebeest and zebra herds (especially during migration months)
Giraffe, elephant and buffalo
Various antelope, including Thomson's gazelle
Occasional lion, leopard or cheetah sightings
Birdlife across the open plains

Local expert insight: early morning is when wildlife is most active before the day heats up, which is part of why balloon flights launch at dawn — it's as much about animal behavior as it is about calmer wind conditions for flying.

Because no sighting can ever be guaranteed, it helps to understand exactly how the flight itself is managed for safety — covered next.

Serengeti Balloon Safari Safety and Participation Requirements

We coordinate this balloon flight with a licensed Tanzanian balloon operator whose pilots hold commercial ballooning certification. We arrange your booking, transfer and evacuation insurance; the pilot makes the final go or no-go decision on the day, based on wind and weather conditions, and may adjust or postpone a flight for safety reasons.

As with any aviation activity, no flight can be guaranteed completely risk-free, but operators follow standard pre-flight safety briefings and equipment checks. No special fitness or ballooning experience is needed to take part, though you should be able to climb in and out of the basket unassisted and be prepared for a firm bump on landing.

Minimum age of around 6 to 8 years at most operators (we confirm the exact policy for your dates)
Reasonable fitness to climb in and out of the basket
No prior ballooning experience required
Tell us about health, mobility or back/joint conditions in advance
Pregnant travelers should check with us and their doctor before booking

Local expert insight: if you have back or joint problems, it's worth checking with your doctor before the flight, since landings can involve a firm bump depending on wind conditions on the day.

Decision guidance: this flight suits most travelers in reasonable health. Worth discussing with us first if you have significant mobility limitations, are traveling with a child near the minimum age cutoff, or have a medical condition that could be affected by a sudden landing impact. Once you know you meet the requirements, here's what to actually pack for the morning of the flight.

What to Pack for Your Serengeti Balloon Safari

Dress in warm, removable layers for the pre-dawn pickup, wear closed-toe shoes suitable for a bumpy landing, and bring a light jacket, sunglasses and a camera. Secure any loose items before landing, since the basket can tip on touchdown.

Warm layers (fleece or light jacket) for the cold pre-dawn start
Closed-toe, flat shoes for the bush landing site
Sunglasses and a hat for after sunrise
Camera or phone with a strap, secured during landing
Any personal medication you may need

Local expert insight: the temperature swing between the pre-dawn pickup and mid-morning breakfast can be significant, so layers you can remove work better than one heavy coat.

With the essentials packed, here's who tends to get the most out of this 7-day itinerary.

Who This 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari Suits

This package suits travelers who want one Serengeti balloon flight combined with a fuller northern-circuit safari, rather than a shorter trip focused on the balloon alone. It works well for first-time safari visitors, honeymooners and small groups who have a week available and want Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire covered in one itinerary.

The early starts on Day 2, Day 4 and Day 6, plus several hours of driving on transfer days, mean it's a better fit for travelers comfortable with an active pace than for those who prefer a slow, single-camp stay. Families with young children should check the balloon operator's minimum age policy with us before booking, since most operators require children to be around 6 to 8 years or older.

Worth discussing with us first if you have mobility limitations, back or joint conditions that could be affected by a balloon landing, or if you'd prefer private accommodation upgrades or a different pace on transfer days — we can adjust the itinerary in your written quotation. If you're ready to move forward, the questions below cover most of what's left to know before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions about the 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari

Here are the questions travelers most often ask us before booking this itinerary.

How much does the 7-day Serengeti balloon safari cost?

The price of our 7-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari starts from USD 5,260 per person and can rise to around USD 9,270 per person. The final figure depends on your travel dates, group size, accommodation category and any optional services, and is confirmed in your written quotation.

How much does the hot air balloon flight itself cost?

As part of this 7-day package, the balloon flight is already included in your price. Booked on its own as an add-on to another itinerary, a Serengeti balloon flight typically starts from around USD 550 per person; we can confirm the exact activity-only rate on request.

What's included in the 7-day Serengeti balloon safari package?

Our package includes the hot air balloon flight with pilot and crew, pre-flight refreshments and a post-flight bush breakfast, a flight certificate, private safari vehicle and driver-guide, park and conservation fees, game drives, accommodation for the itinerary, and meals during the tour. International flights, visas, travel insurance and personal expenses are excluded — see the full list above.

When is the best time to go on a Serengeti balloon safari?

Balloon flights operate year-round in the Serengeti, weather permitting. The dry season from June to October generally offers the clearest skies and easiest wildlife viewing, while the wet season from November to May brings lush scenery and newborn animals, though flights are more weather-dependent.

Is a Serengeti balloon safari safe?

We work with licensed balloon operators whose pilots hold commercial ballooning certification and follow standard pre-flight safety briefings. As with any aviation activity, no flight can be guaranteed risk-free, and the pilot may postpone or cancel a flight for weather or safety reasons.

Can children join a Serengeti balloon safari?

Most balloon operators set a minimum age of around 6 to 8 years, and some apply height or weight limits for safety during landing. Because policies vary by operator, we confirm the exact age and health requirements for your travel dates before you book.

What should I pack for the balloon flight?

Dress in warm layers for the pre-dawn pickup, wear closed shoes suitable for a bumpy landing, and bring a light jacket, sunglasses and a camera. Loose items should be secured, since the basket can tip on landing.

How do I book this 7-day Serengeti balloon safari?

You can book directly with Jaynevy Tours by completing the booking form on this page or contacting us by phone or WhatsApp. We recommend booking at least a few weeks in advance, since balloon flight slots are limited and fill quickly in the June to October peak season.

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