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Planning a Hot Air Balloon Safari in the Serengeti: Everything You Need to Know
Going on safari was always a dream of mine! I had the
chance to go on one for the first time in the Masai Mara after a vision trip
with an NGO. It was quick! Just three short days and two nights. We took full
advantage of our time on safari, and when we woke up for an early morning
sunrise game drive, I noticed a sky full of hot air balloons departing. It was
magical! I knew because of our limited schedule that we wouldn't have time for
a hot air balloon safari then, so I dreamed of one day returning and knew that
when I did, I'd make sure it was a priority. It took me ten years to get back
on Safari, but when we did, I made sure that we made the time to plan a hot air
balloon safari in the Serengeti. Here is everything you need to know if this
experience is on your bucket list too!
Planning
a Hot Air Balloon Safari in the Serengeti
The Serengeti has vast plains that are teeming with
wildlife. It's a mesmerizing destination that will captivate the heart of any
adventure seeker and nature enthusiast! Traditional safaris are a popular
choice for exploring this iconic region, but a hot-air balloon safari provides
a totally new perspective! Waking up before sunrise and watching the sky light
up while silently drifting over the beautiful Serengeti landscape is something
you'll never forget.
Having a birds-eye view, quite literally, while watching
the wildlife below, is something you are going to want to add to the bucket
list! I promise you, it will not disappoint! Here's everything you need to know
to plan and prepare for a hot air balloon safari in the Serengeti!
Choosing
the Right Time for a Hot Air Balloon Safari
The Serengeti has distinct seasons. There is a dry season
from June to October. The dry season actually draws animals out and makes it
easier to view wildlife because there is less hiding. Most people consider this
the best time to go on safari and view animals. Some people want to view the
Great Migration. If this is on your bucket list, it's best to try to plan for
January to March when the wildebeest and zebras calve in the southern
Serengeti.
We actually went in November, which is considered the short
rainy season. What we found about going in the rainy season is that there was a
cloud cover that took away the bright sunrises and sunsets you often see that
are quintessential Africa. We rarely had rain, but when we did it was short.
Everything in the area was very green. All this green does mean that the
animals have everything that they need and can often scatter further away from
the main paths requiring a little more effort to actually see animals. But that
doesn't mean that there was a shortage of animal sightings!
We also found that going in the rainy season means that it
is the low season. Fewer people are visiting {yeah!}, but that also
means that there are fewer hot air balloon opportunities. In fact, the company
that we selected goes from having a dozen hot air balloons launching daily to
only having two or three. That also means that they only have one launch
location as opposed to the two that they normally have. Because of this, it
required a morning wake-up call at 2:30 am, a departure at 3, and a bumpy
two-hour drive before we made it to launch. Our tour operator didn't notice
this {or thought maybe we wouldn't care?}. It's one thing I wish we had done
differently staying closer to the main areas so we didn't have as long of a
drive to get to the launch site. But all things considered, it ended up working
out just fine, just meant an early morning and more driving.
Hot Air
Balloon Cancelations
Safety is everyone's number one concern. As the mom of a
pilot, I fully understand how much havoc weather can wreak on your plans. We
spoke with some fellow passengers, who were scheduled for a hot air balloon
safari the day prior and it was canceled due to strong winds. They still had to
wake up early, they still had to arrive at the launch site and they still had
to wait to see if they could launch. They were placed on the next day's
schedule, but if you have a jam-packed agenda, weather and cancellations may
make rescheduling difficult. If your flight is canceled because of the weather,
make sure that you will be fully refunded or are offered priority rescheduling.
Selecting
a Hot Air Balloon Operator
We left this in the hands of our tour operator. Planning a
trip to Africa was the first time we felt like we really couldn't adequately
plan our own trip. There were far too many moving parts. To make a successful
trip, you are going to want to find a tour operator that you trust. They will
know the reputable operators to use. We actually booked through Miracle Experience and
I'd highly recommend them.
Book
Your Hot Air Balloon Experience in Advance
Hot air balloon safaris have hit an all-time peak. They are
a very popular attraction, especially in the Serengeti and availability can be
limited, especially during peak season. To secure your spot and avoid any
disappointment, you should book your safari as far in advance as
possible.
Preparing
for a Hot Air Balloon Safari
Once your safari is booked, there likely won't be much to
think about until the day before your trip. You're guide will likely discuss a
meeting point and plan a pickup time. Our hot air balloon guide actually stayed
at our resort the night before. We met him the evening prior, signed all of our
release forms and he answered any and all of our questions.
Most operators provide transportation from lodges and camps
to the launch site. They will arrange pick-up times with your driver guide once
you are finished with your balloon safari.
Hot air balloon safaris typically only take place early in
the morning when the winds are calm and the wildlife is most active. Be
prepared for an early morning wake-up call! I was surprised that once we were
in the air, I wasn't cold at all, but I did dress warmly because it can get
chilly in the early morning hours as you wait for launch. You will want to wear
comfortable clothing and it's required to wear closed-toe shoes. If you have
long hair, you will be asked to tie it back. If you are bald {like my
husband}, you might be more comfortable with a hat, otherwise, the heat
from the burner might make your head hot! You will also want to pack a good
zoom lens for your camera and bring binoculars if you have them.
Experiencing
a Hot Air Balloon Safari
Once you arrive at the launch site, your driver will point
you in the direction of the bathrooms. These are the nicest outdoor toilets
I've ever used in my life! They also have a bar with warm drinks. Since our
drive was so long, we arrived right as they were gathering all the guests to
head to their respective hot air balloons for launch instruction.
You'll be matched with a pilot and that pilot will gather
the people in his balloon for a safety briefing. They take this safety briefing
very seriously and require all eyes on them and phones down and away.
The
Serengeti Start
The one thing that is unique to a hot air balloon ride in
the Serengeti is what they call a Serengeti start. They actually start the
balloon on its side and the passengers climb in on their backs in a seated
position with your arms grabbing a safety bar. As the balloon inflates, a truck
pulls the basket upright and then the balloon launches. Once the balloon is in
the air, you can stand up in the basket. There are four basket compartments and
four people can fit in each compartment for a total of 16 on your flight plus
the pilot.
Once
You're in the Air
I think the one thing that surprised us about our ride in
the hot air balloon was that it was so smooth. I occasionally get motion
sickness and it wasn't an issue. It was the smoothest ride I've ever been on!
Your pilot will point out animals as you fly, but the route
is always changing since you fly with the winds. The balloon often soared
fairly low {often just above the tree tops} and if you were
able to spot an animal group with enough foresight, the pilot attempted to
steer closer and lower to get a better view. But if you know anything about
steering a hot air balloon, you'll know that it can be a challenge since you
are at the mercy of the winds!
The perspective is so different from the air and provides a
completely unique experience! We flew over a tree with some eagles nesting at
the top. We could watch the eagles watch us as we flew by! We saw a family of
elephants and while the baby was curious, the mama wasn't quite so keen on us
getting in her air space! The giraffes also ran quickly at the sound of the
burner. On safari, the animals are so used to the trucks they hardly notice
you, but in the hot air balloon, they just aren't as comfortable.
Most balloon experiences last about an hour, sometimes a
little bit more if your pilot is looking for an adequate landing spot. Your
balloon is followed by a chase crew that also has a radio. They will meet you
on the ground. The pilot will explain their landing procedure and you may bump
and jump just a bit on landing but you are seated in the same position that you
launched from, so it was really quite smooth.
Celebrating
with Champagne
There's a long history of champagne and hot air balloons.
The pilot went into a whole thing about how the inventor of the hot air balloon
used to carry champagne as a way to make peace with the farmer's fields he
would land in. Champagne continues to be a hot air ballooning tradition and on
most hot air balloon safaris a traditional champagne breakfast or toast will
await you upon landing.
After we landed our balloon company actually transported us
to a different location for a full breakfast experience. There was a lavish
spread in the bush with an amazing breakfast. It was an incredible way to start
the day!
Pin this post for later!
A sunrise hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti was
just as magical as I expected it to be. I'm sure I'll never do anything like it
again! It's definitely one to add to your travel bucket list.
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