The hot air balloon safaris are special kind of adventure that allow you to explore the park above the ground. The air balloon safari gives you an aerial view of the wildlife and the landscape of the park. The experience is generally offered at Serengeti national park due to the park’s diverse wildlife, ecosystem and the great view of the wildebeest and other wildlife at the park.
The hot air balloon is often carried out during the morning hours offering the participant a chance to witness the sunrise and view different wildlife with the different perspective from air. The activity last between one to one and half hour and is concluded with the celebration of this great achievement. The departure time might change basing on the weather of the day.
Hot air balloon at Serengeti
As we have already said, the experience is mostly conducted at Serengeti national park. The experience has got designated starting point, landing zone and the management usually offer a bush breakfast to the participants. NYSS tourism holding limited one of the companies responsible to hot air balloon activity also handle the transfer to and from all lodges within Serengeti. However, for the pickup outside the pack, you must ensure that the park entrance fees have been paid fully and include on your air balloon safari permit.
Hot air balloon permit prices in Tanzania northern circuit
For you to participate in the hot air balloon safari, you must secure your permit from NYSSA tourism holding limited. The cost for the permit for the foreigners is 599 dollars for foreigners and 430 dollars for the residents and east African citizens (east African citizens are people with the passports of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and DR Congo).
The permit includes the following
- Pickup from lodge in and around Serengeti
- Drop of at visitor center after the exercise
- Coffee before taking off
- One hour balloon flight through Serengeti
- Celebratory champagne and juice to toast the occasion
- Bush breakfast
- Personalized flight certificate
- Balloon concession fees and VAT
- Insurance and full refund in case of cancelation
Term and conditions to be followed
- The hot air balloon is open for people from the age of 5 years. However, the minors must be escorted by their parents all guardians and the pregnant women are not allowed to participate in this experience
- Anyone above 120 kilogram will be charged for the extra weight as such people will special attention and treatment
- For cancellation 14 days (2 week) prior to the flight, the refund is guaranteed. If you cancel 7 days (1 week) prior to flight, we shall refund you 30% of your total payments
- For someone cancelling 48 hours prior to the flight, only 25 percent is refunded and if you cancel within 48 hours (2 days) no refund will be made to you
Key facts about balloon safaris in Tanzania
Arial view of wildlife
The air balloon safari will provide you with a rare opportunity of witnessing wildebeest migration and other wildlife plus the landscape view of Serengeti national park. The wide variety of animals can be seen moving around the savanna plain of Serengeti.
Quiet and nonintrusive
The quiet and nonintrusive nature of this experience will allow you to observe the animals without disturbing their peace unlike the normal game drive. Observing these animals will give you a much clearer understanding of their behavior
Early morning adventure
The experience is usually done in the morning giving you an opportunity to encounter the early riser before it gets too hot.
Panoramic view
The basket of the hot air balloon experience is designed in such a way that you have a 3600 view of the park which will allow you not to miss out on anything within the park from the wildlife to the breath-taking view of landscape
Champagne and breakfast
A bush breakfast will be served in the morning during your safari.at the conclusion of the experience, you will be celebrated with the bottle of champagne and high-class juice.
Guided by wind current
The root the balloon will take is unpredictable as it is determined by the flow of the wind current. This unpredictability adds to the whole experience of this once in a lifetime experience.
Limited environment impact
Unlike the normal game drive or even the natural walk that takes place on the ground of the park hence affecting the habitat of the park and the impact caused by car fuel, hot air balloon takes place in the space hence causing less impact to the environment.
Limited passenger capacity
If you are a person who highly value your privacy. This experience is for you, the carrying capacity of the balloon is limited giving a room for greater photogenic experience
Photography opportunity
For photo lovers this is the perfect experience. With the rise in the altitude and few people on the balloon, you will really enjoy the photo experience that come with it
Exclusive experience
The number of balloons is very limited in number making the hot air balloon an exclusive event only affordable for the high-end travelers
Where can you do the hot air balloon in Tanzania norther circuit
The hot air balloon as we earlier stated is usually offered in Serengeti national park and some near parks and conservation area as we will see in our next paragraph.
Serengeti national park
Within Serengeti, the hot air balloon in the park is usually conducted around Seronera valley giving you a breathtaking view of wildlife and landscape. Serengeti is the most popular destination for hot air balloon in Tanzania northern circuit region
Central Serengeti
This is usually the starting point of the hot air balloon. Characterized by its huge concentration wildlife most especially the wildebeest. The activity here is all year round
Western Serengeti
Basing on the of the year and the movement of the wildebeest. Between June and November, hot air balloon can be conducted in this are giving you a different ecosystem.
Ndutu region (southern Serengeti)
The best time to go for the hot air balloon in Ndutu conservation area is during the calving season of December to march where you will meet a lot of newborns.
Tarangire national park
Known for its huge population of elephants and diversified landscape. The hot air balloon experience at Tarangire national park will be another one you shouldn’t miss.
For a great experience and to avoid inconvenience, you should arrange with your tour operator for the availability and the right place to have the experience from as the wildebeest keeps moving from one region to another. Therefore, knowing the right place to go will greatly affect your overall experience.
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