Follow Liz Mannix, 4-time traveler from Ladera Ranch, CA, as she soars over the Serengeti plains in a hot-air balloon—an experience you can opt for during both Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari and Kenya & Tanzania Safari: Masai Mara to the Serengeti.
As the sun peeks over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the vast Serengeti plains, a group of O.A.T. travelers can prepare for a truly unique safari experience. The Sunrise Safari & Hot Air Balloon tour—an optional excursion during O.A.T.'s Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari adventure—offers a bird's-eye view of one of Africa's most iconic landscapes.
Elieza Ikamba, an O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader for our Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari adventure since 2007.
Elieza Ikamba—an O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader since 2007—shared his insights on this extraordinary tour. "On the way to the balloon flying site, we have the opportunity to do a pre-dawn game drive," Elieza explained. "This is the time we're likely to see beautiful night animals that you may not see at other times of the day." The early morning excursion provides a chance to spot elusive nocturnal creatures. As Elieza noted, "Honey badgers, jackals, hyenas, hippos, nightjars, lions, leopards, aardvarks, pangolins may be spotted at this time of the day."
As the sky lightens, travelers transition from four wheels to floating basket, ascending into the African sky. Elieza highlighted the unique wildlife sightings possible from this aerial vantage point. "On a balloon ride, we experience unique wildlife sightings such as lions, cheetahs, hippos, elephants, buffaloes, wildebeest, topi, hartebeest, vultures, and eagles," he said. "We also see bird nests, animal trails, and tree canopies. The Serengeti looks completely different from above, with its plains and rolling hills bathed in beautiful morning light."
While giraffes are a common sight on daytime safaris, the Sunrise Safari & Hot Air Balloon tour provides a chance to spot more elusive nocturnal creatures.
Typically lasting between 45 to 75 minutes (depending on weather conditions and wildlife activity), these flights can reach impressive altitudes. "The flight altitudes depend on weather and wind direction, varying from 500 to 3,000 feet above the ground—providing passengers with stunning panoramic views," Elieza explained.
For Elieza, one experience stands out among the rest. "My most memorable and best experience on a balloon is when we flew very low and brushed over treetops, getting very close to the wildebeest migration herds," he recalled. "The massive herds were incredible—an experience only a hot air balloon can offer."
During the Sunrise Safari & Hot Air Balloon tour, travelers safely hover above iconic African wildlife, witnessing scenes like the vast wildebeest herds that Elieza deemed one of his "most memorable" safari experiences.
This aerial safari adds a thrilling dimension to the already diverse Serengeti experience. "The Serengeti balloon ride enhances the overall trip experience as it provides a unique option specific to this part of the world, typically designed for a small group of adventurers," Elieza noted. "Our hot air balloon safari takes you above and beyond the expected. This experience guarantees you a visual perspective that adds an additional layer of excitement to an already superbly varied Safari Serengeti itinerary."
"The hot air balloon rides started in Serengeti National Park in 1989," Elieza informed us. "They offer a unique perspective of the world below, giving you endless views of landscapes and scenery that cannot be seen from anywhere else," Elieza explained. "That's why we wanted to provide this optional experience to our travelers visiting Serengeti National Park. Whether it's your first time soaring in a hot air balloon or you are a returning adventurer, the views of natural beauty never cease to amaze you."
"Whether it's your first time soaring in a hot air balloon or you are a returning adventurer, the views of natural beauty never cease to amaze you," Elieza told the Inside Scoop.
For travelers considering this optional tour, Elieza offered some practical advice: "Bring warm clothes, long sleeves, wind breaker, a hat, binoculars, camera," he suggested, ensuring participants are prepared for the early morning chill and the photo opportunities that await.
As the balloon drifts silently over the awakening Serengeti, passengers are treated to a safari experience unlike any other. It's a journey that not only provides stunning vistas but also deepens one's appreciation for the intricate tapestry of life in this remarkable ecosystem. For many, it's the highlight of their African adventure—a moment suspended in time, floating above one of the world's most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries.
Embark on the Sunrise Safari & Hot Air Balloon during our Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari adventure.
