Hot Air Balloon Safaris

Colorful hot air balloon above Sossusvlei, Namibia scenic desert safari at dawn

A hot air balloon safari is Africa at its most magical. Drift silently above the Masai Mara from Angama Mara or Bateleur Camp as wildebeest stir below, or rise over Sossusvlei’s dunes from Kulala Desert Lodge. From Serengeti Under Canvas, the golden plains unfold endlessly beneath your wicker basket.

Plan Your Journey

Hot air balloon basket ready at Little Kulala, Sossusvlei dunes sunrise - Namibia desert flight

Dawn Above the Wild

The day begins in hushed anticipation. At Namiri Plains, balloons glow against the first light as guests climb aboard. Slowly ascending, the Serengeti spreads into a tapestry of rivers, acacia, and roaming herds. In Tarangire, Oliver’s Camp pairs flights with bush breakfasts, the scent of fresh coffee drifting across the savanna.

QUICK FACTS
Sunrise liftoff
Birds-eye views
Silent flight
Bush breakfasts
Photographic haven

Balloon sailing low over Kenya's Mara River and riverine forest â€“ wildlife panorama

Balloon launch near Chem Chem, Tanzania - Great Rift Valley scenery and baobab plains

Experiences & Highlights

Ballooning adds a calm, unforgettable perspective to safari days. In the Serengeti, early launches near camps such as Sayari, Dunia or Namiri Plains lift you above plains where giraffe and buffalo cast long shadows at dawn. Pilots drift with the breeze, adjusting height for sweeping views or closer looks at herds, before a gentle landing and a celebratory bush breakfast. In the Masai Mara, Angama Mara, Bateleur Camp and Serian The Original pair morning flights with big game viewing later in the day.

Namibia offers a different mood with Sossusvlei Desert Lodge and Kulala Desert Lodge arranging desert flights over glowing dunes and ancient riverbeds. Teams handle transfers, timing and safety checks, and flights are scheduled for the softest light when the air is still. Weather can shift plans, so an extra morning helps. Cameras are easy to use from the basket and guides help position for photographs once back on the ground. The result is a seamless blend of gentle adventure and classic safari.