The Ultimate Serengeti Flight Experience
A hot-air balloon safari over the Serengeti is one of the most exclusive and unforgettable adventures in Africa. Rising before dawn, you float silently over the savanna canopy, watching the sun break over the horizon. From your bird's-eye view, you can spot wildlife herds moving across the grass, predators stalking prey, and winding rivers outlined by green fever trees. BMC Tours & Safaris partners with premier balloon operators to offer you pre-booked launch guarantees and seamless morning transfers from your camp.
After a smooth landing in the wild, the experience finishes with a traditional champagne toast and a full, hot English breakfast cooked in the bush under the shade of an acacia tree. Let BMC Tours & Safaris elevate your itinerary with this magnificent aerial adventure over the endless plains of the Serengeti.
Morning Schedule
Serengeti Balloon Flight Itinerary
Balloon safaris are half-day excursions, starting early to capture the cool winds and sunrise:
05:00 AM Launch Site Transfer
Early pick-up from your Serengeti camp or lodge. Transfer to the central launch site as balloons inflate in the morning darkness.
06:00 AM Sunrise Takeoff
Board the basket and rise gently into the sky. Float for approximately one hour, capturing wildlife and savanna sunrise views.
08:00 AM Savanna Bush Breakfast
Smooth landing in the grass. Celebrate with a champagne toast followed by a hot English breakfast prepared in the middle of the Serengeti.
Explore Packages
Featured Balloon Safari Packages
Browse our Serengeti balloon packages below. Flights can also be added as an optional activity to any private Serengeti safari.
3 Days Serengeti Hot Air Balloon Migration Safari Adventure Over Endless Plains
Experience the Great Migration from both sky and ground in Serengeti National Park with BMC TOURS & SAFARIS on...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park
8 Days Great Migration Serengeti Safari & Sunrise Balloon Adventure Experience
Experience an unforgettable 8-day Great Migration safari across Tanzania's most iconic wildlife destinations, ...
You Visit: Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater
Travel Advice
Frequently Asked Questions
How high does the hot-air balloon fly and how is it steered?
The balloon flight altitude varies depending on local wind patterns, air temperature, and the locations of wildlife below. Typically, your fully licensed pilot will fly the balloon at heights ranging from tree-top level—allowing you to skim the acacia canopy and observe wildlife up close—to around 1,000 feet (300 meters) above the ground to capture breathtaking, panoramic views of the endless Serengeti plains. While hot-air balloons cannot be steered like an airplane, the pilot can control the altitude by heating the air inside the envelope to catch wind currents moving in different directions, determining the flight path.
What happens if our balloon safari is canceled due to bad weather?
Safety is our number one priority. Hot-air balloon flights require calm, stable winds and good visibility to operate safely. If the pilot determines that weather conditions (such as high winds, heavy rain, or dense morning fog) are unsafe for flight, the flight will be canceled. In the event of a weather-related cancellation, BMC Tours & Safaris will immediately attempt to reschedule your flight to the following morning. If rescheduling is not possible due to your itinerary constraints, you will receive a full refund for the balloon portion of your package.
What should we wear and bring for an early morning balloon flight?
Savanna mornings in the Serengeti are surprisingly cold before sunrise. We highly recommend dressing in warm layers, such as a windproof jacket, fleece, long trousers, and closed-toe walking shoes. You can easily peel off layers as the sun rises and heats up the plains. Wear a hat to protect your head from the heat radiated by the balloon burners. Do not forget to bring your camera (equipped with a neck or wrist strap), extra batteries, and binoculars. Because space in the basket is limited, large backpacks or loose items are not allowed.
Is a hot-air balloon flight safe for young children and seniors?
Yes, balloon flights are extremely safe, but there are certain age, height, and physical requirements. For safety reasons, children must be at least 7 years old and at least 1.2 meters (3 feet 11 inches) tall to ensure they can see over the basket rim and adopt the safety landing position. There is no upper age limit, but passengers must be physically fit enough to stand for the duration of the 1-hour flight and climb in and out of the basket. Pregnant women are not permitted to fly due to the possibility of a bumpy landing.
What is included in the Serengeti balloon safari experience?
A Serengeti hot-air balloon safari is a complete luxury experience. It includes an early morning pickup from your camp or lodge, transfer to the launch site, a pre-flight briefing with tea or coffee, and a 1-hour flight. Upon landing, you are welcomed with a traditional celebration champagne toast. You are then driven to a scenic outdoor site for a full cooked English bush breakfast—featuring eggs, bacon, sausages, and fresh fruits served on tables with fine china and linens under an acacia tree. You also receive a commemorative flight certificate signed by your pilot before returning to your camp.
Why is the hot-air balloon safari so expensive in Tanzania?
Hot-air ballooning in the Serengeti is a premium activity due to the high operational costs in a remote wilderness. The heavy balloons, burners, and baskets must be imported and transported deep into the Serengeti. Each flight requires a massive ground crew of 15 to 20 people for launch, tracking, and recovery, along with highly experienced, internationally licensed commercial pilots. Additionally, operators must pay significant concession fees to Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) which support conservation efforts, and maintain strict, regular safety inspections and equipment replacements.