What You Need to Know: A sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the central Serengeti costs US$490 per person and can be added to any of our safaris with a Serengeti night; over Tarangire it costs US$460. We book with Serengeti Balloon Safaris or Miracle Experience. You are collected before dawn, fly for about an hour over the plains, and land for a bush breakfast before rejoining your guide.
How Does a Serengeti Balloon Flight Work?
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| About 5:00 am | Pickup from your camp in the dark |
| Dawn | Safety briefing and inflation at the launch site |
| Sunrise | Lift-off; about an hour in the air over the plains |
| After landing | A bush breakfast, often with sparkling wine |
| Mid-morning | Your guide collects you for a game drive |
Your morning starts before dawn with a pickup from your camp and a short drive to the launch site, where the crew inflate the balloons as the sky lightens. After a safety briefing you climb into the basket, and the balloon lifts gently off the ground as the sun rises over the plains.
For about an hour you drift with the wind, sometimes high for wide views, sometimes low over the treetops and the herds. The pilot explains what you see and handles the landing, which can be a bump or two. After landing, a champagne toast and a full bush breakfast are served in the open, before a game drive back to your camp.
Balloon flights are offered by Serengeti Balloon Safaris and Miracle Experience; we book them with your safari. See our migration safaris.
How Much Does a Serengeti Balloon Flight Cost?
| Flight | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Central Serengeti | US$490 |
| Tarangire | US$460 |
The flight is booked with your safari and paid as an extra; places are limited, especially July–October and January–February.
Who Flies the Balloons
We usually book with Serengeti Balloon Safaris or Miracle Experience, the two operators we use most often, and others when they suit your camp's location. If a flight is cancelled for weather, the operator refunds or reschedules.
Safaris That Can Include a Balloon Flight
- 4-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro
- 3-day Serengeti fly-in
- 6-day northern circuit
- 10-day private safari
- Great Migration safari
- Any safari through Tarangire, for the Tarangire flight
Tips for a Serengeti Balloon Morning
- Dress warmly: it is cold before sunrise
- Bring a camera with a strap; space in the basket is limited
- Wear closed shoes for the landing
- Tell us about any health conditions or pregnancy; operators set conditions
- Children must meet the operator's minimum age and height
Where Serengeti Balloons Fly, by Season
| Months | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| All year | Central Serengeti (Seronera) | Big cats, open plains and the Seronera River valley |
| December – March | Southern Serengeti and Ndutu | The calving herds on the short-grass plains |
| June – October | Areas closer to the migration, depending on the operator | The herds moving north and west |
Balloons launch at dawn from fixed sites, so you stay at a camp within reach of the launch site; we match your lodge to it. See where to stay in the Serengeti.
What to Wear and Bring on a Balloon Flight
- Warm layers: it is cold before sunrise, then warms quickly
- A hat that won't blow away, and closed shoes
- A camera with a wide and a medium zoom; no tripods in the basket
- Leave large bags at the lodge: space in the basket is tight
Is a Serengeti Balloon Flight Worth It?
For most guests, yes: an hour floating low over the plains at sunrise is a different way of seeing the Serengeti, quiet apart from the burner, with herds, hippos in the river and the light changing below you. It is expensive, so if your budget is tight, an extra day on safari may give you more wildlife; if it is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the balloon is the memory most guests mention first.
Balloon Flights for Families
Balloon operators set their own minimum ages for children, and some require a minimum height so children can see over the basket; we check the current rules when we book. Children usually love the flight, but the very early start and the cold before dawn can be hard for young ones, so bring warm layers and snacks.
How to Book a Serengeti Balloon Flight
Balloon flights sell out in the busy months, especially July to October and around Christmas, so book them with your safari. We match your camp to the launch site and confirm the pickup time with you the evening before.
Common Questions About Serengeti Balloon Flights
How much is a balloon safari in the Serengeti?
US$490 per person over the central Serengeti, and US$460 over Tarangire.
Which balloon company do you use?
Usually Serengeti Balloon Safaris or Miracle Experience.
How long is the balloon flight?
About an hour in the air, then a bush breakfast.
Is the balloon flight worth it?
For most guests, yes: it is a different way to see the plains and herds, especially in season.
How early does a Serengeti balloon flight start?
Pickup from your camp is usually around 5:00, before dawn, for take-off at sunrise.
Do flights run in the rainy season?
Flights depend on the weather, and the pilot decides whether it is safe to fly; we confirm the operator's terms for cancelled flights when we book.
How long is the balloon flight?
About an hour in the air, with breakfast afterwards; the whole morning takes 4–5 hours.
Is there a weight limit for balloon flights?
Operators may ask for each passenger's weight for balance; tell us when you book.
Can I book a balloon flight on arrival?
Sometimes, if there is space, but it is safer to book in advance.
The Bottom Line
Add a sunrise balloon flight to any safari with a Serengeti night: book it with your safari, dress warmly, and enjoy the bush breakfast after.
Send us your dates, the number of travelers (with children's ages) and your lodge level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and our sales team in Moshi will reply with a written quotation.