Serengeti Balloon Safaris
Who visits us?
All safari-goers who love a sense of adventure and want to experience the magnificent scenery and wonderful wildlife of Serengeti from a different perspective.
What to do here?
We fly from Central Serengeti (throughout the year) and the Western Corridor (Jun-Oct) North Serengeti (Jun-Oct) or Ndutu (20th Dec-31st March) every morning and the price is $599 per adult ($545 per child 7-16yr) all-inclusive in a shared balloon of up to 16 guests. This includes collection from your camp or lodge in the area (early!) and transfer to the launch site for a sunrise take-off. After a wonderful flight of approximately 1 hour, gently floating over the Serengeti, we will celebrate with a champagne toast on landing and then a ‘full English’ breakfast under an acacia tree. We will then return you to your safari guide at around 09.45 at the Seronera Visitors Centre or some other mutually agreed location to continue with your safari. The price does not include park entry fees, which are usually covered in the tour operator package.
Top 3 reasons to visit
- Experiencing a hot-air balloon flight is incredible
- Flying in a hot-air balloon over the Serengeti is even more incredible
- A hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti with Serengeti Balloon Safaris will be the highlight of your trip
Our Story
Serengeti Balloon Safaris
Coincidence brought two like-minded adventurers together in 1989 and the seed of a new idea began to grow. Colin MacKinnon, a pioneer of commercial ballooning in the UK and an early hot air balloon pilot in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, wanted to fly balloons over the Serengeti. Tony Pascoe had experience of running luxury camps and a safari business in East Africa and was excited by the prospect of such a venture. It was a good match and they began working out how to make their dream a reality. Ballooning was completely new to Tanzania, and it took five long years for Colin and Tony, together with their wives Sally and Marijka and their new Tanzanian partner, Jimmy Mkwawa, to get all the permissions and licences in place. They finally placed an order for their first 8-passenger balloon from Cameron Balloons, the world’s leading balloon manufacturer, in the ‘acacia-green’ and ‘savannah-gold’ of the Serengeti. In 1993 this first balloon took to the skies above the vast plains of the Serengeti. Those first years were tough as visitors to the Park were few; there was only one safari lodge and a handful of camps fed by infrequent flights to the park. It also took time to win over the sceptics and demonstrate the company’s commitment and environmental responsibility, which it did thereby winning the unwavering support of tour operators and conservationists alike. Serengeti Balloon Safaris took delivery of the first 16-passenger balloon – the largest commercial balloon in the world. Colin continued to refine the company’s operation, logistics and safety while Tony focussed on marketing the experience to tourism partners around the world. in 2011 Mohamed Masudi was sponsored by Serengeti Balloon Safaris to train in the United States, became the very first Tanzanian commercial hot-air balloon pilot. The company continues to recruit experienced local and international pilots, all trained to the highest possible standards. Serengeti Balloon Safaris also made passenger safety belts compulsory, becoming the only company to do so. It also improved safe flying practice by reducing the maximum wind speed for take-off from 15 to 8 knots, and the maximum altitude to 2000ft above ground level. Serengeti Balloon Safaris carried its 200,000th passenger in 2019, making it one of the top balloon companies in the world. A Serengeti Balloon Safari has become a ‘bucket list’ experience for many travellers on a safari in Tanzania, one that has featured in the media around the world. Members of royal families, presidents, Heads of State and celebrities have all been borne aloft under the green and gold of a Serengeti Balloon.
Our Activities
We place great value in our people. Many in our team have been with the company for over 25 years and have built up a wealth of experience in this wonderful, specialised activity.