Balloon Safari Tanzania
A balloon safari in Tanzania is the final way to experience the greatness of the national park.
Just imagine floating on top of the Serengeti plains skimming treetops in complete silence while seeing wildlife on the ground below. This can be a necessary safari experience for travelers to Serengeti national park.
Balloon safaris are often incorporated into your itinerary throughout any month of travel. The Central Serengeti launching site (available year round) may be a nice choice any month with abundant resident animal sightings and spectacular scenery. The South Serengeti launching site offers the chance for an aerial view of the great Migration on the open plains from middle December to early April and equally at the West Serengeti launching site from roughly middle may to early July.
Rising in the chill before first light, then bouncing on bumpy roads {in a|during a|in an exceedingly|in a very} game drive vehicle to an arrangement with a balloon could seem a reasonably strange activity on an African safari. However fast forward a few hours and you are sitting around a wonderfully laid table, beneath a flat-top tree tree, on the legendary plains of the Serengeti sipping champagne and therefore the image becomes one among refinement.
The most lovely balloon ride on earth
Often mentioned as the most stunning balloon ride in the world the Serengeti Balloon safari is one definitely one of the most asked for safari activities in Africa. Imagine observance the sun rise whilst soaring on top of the plains of Africa’s most famous wilderness|geographic area|geographical region|geographic region} area. Animals go about their activities, unflurried, as you enjoy the world from your lofty perch.
The pilot varies the peak of the balloon throughout the flight to modify differing views of the plains and therefore the animals. After about an hour the balloon descends, and you land to a breakfast beneath the trees in the heart of the Serengeti.Breakfast may be a lavish affair with recent fruit and a hot English platter of eggs, sausage and more – and you’ll be pampered by the ever-willing workers in traditional dress.
The experience
Although not cheap, a balloon safaris is worth the expense. Floating serenely over the treetops because the sun peaks over the horizon permits you to experience the endless Serengeti plains from an unforgettable perspective. As we tend to set departure very early morning, you’ll even spot some nocturnal predators preparing for the day.
During most flights the pilot can include sections flown at a higher altitude permitting you to absorb uninterrupted views of the Serengeti; different sections might involve low-level flying, throughout that there could also be the chance to see wildlife. Highly experienced pilots will follow rivers and streams, and can glide simply meters on top of grunting hippos or wandering giraffes. Flying low permits you to take some great aerial wildlife photos. You move over the plains where the wind takes you, while being tracked from the bottom by balloon crew in their vehicles.
Hot air ballooning & the great Migration
The best odds for seeing the great Migration with its innumerable wildebeest and zebra would be to book a flight in the Ndutu area as large herds congregate here between December and March. the opposite locations might also permit you to see the great Migration from above, however please keep in mind the herd is mobile and will only be in an explicit area for a short period, if not simply a couple of days. This suggests that some luck needs to be on your side.
Serengeti hot air balloon flight price
A Serengeti balloon flight prices US$ 599 per person (this includes the Tanapa ballooning fee of US$ 40). This rate includes a transfer from your lodge or camp to the departure balloon site, the balloon flight itself, and a champagne breakfast (after landing). The flight will last anything in between 50 and 70 minutes. Depending on the landing site, also the breakfast site is set up at a special location daily. You’ll share the balloon with up to 16 passengers in total.
Planning a balloon safari
Be prepared for a really early start the transfer from the Seronera area leaves at 05h30 and from the other lodges within the area at around 04h00. Please keep in mind to bring some warm wear, and a bag in which you can secure camera, binoculars, and other personal things. We are able to organize departures for a Serengeti balloon safari from most lodges and camps within the Serengeti. We tend to powerfully advocate booking a balloon safari prior to, because it concerns a very popular activity and gets engaged out early (especially throughout peak season).
What happens if the weather is poor?
Ballooning is subject to acceptable weather. If your flight is cancelled because of poor weather, you’ll be re-booked on a later flight If possible, otherwise your cash are refunded.
Why may be a balloon safari so expensive?
Balloon flights are costly to control, particularly in remote areas like Serengeti national park. Balloons -naturally- need to be in top condition, so that they ought to get replaced after about 850 flight hours. One balloon prices over US$ 100,000. One also has to think about the cost of fuel and crew to control the balloon flight. Every crew includes six people and a licensed pilot. An extra 10 people (per balloon) operate behind the scenes to get the balloon airborne. Thus this adds up to a substantial quantity of individuals. In addition, there are the recovery vehicles, transfer vehicles, and backup operations. Last, a substantial a part of the overall value is allocated to conservation fees.
Balloon safari lodges within the Serengeti
Wash basins and loos are started within the locality of the landing area for the convenience of guests. All lodges within the central Serengeti region supply the balloon safari as an activity. The lodges further abroad don’t have enough time to induce their guests to the balloon in the mornings.