Balloon safari are evocative way of experiencing the wilderness of East Africa, as you silently fly over the plains full with herds of wildlife in one of the early morning of the safari. Generally balloon safari start at 6am and last for about 1to 2 hours, which is enough time to give a chance to see the magnificent wildlife bellow over several square kilo meters of game park.Maximum of 16 adults can fit in a balloon at once and balloons safari are regularly in Serengeti, take off from designed site (Seronera area) where the disturbance to the animals is kept to a minimum.
Near a river like Seronera or Grumeti, you may meet grazing hippo. On the plains, a lioness may return from her kill, a hyena slinking in her wake. In the cool early morning, a light-weight long-sleeved jacket and long trousers are a wise idea, with sturdy shoes. Remember to take your binoculars and DSLR camera to make the most of this highlight of your Serengeti excursion. The huge balloon inflates swaying impatiently as it lifts. The intermittent roaring of the burner reminds you to put on your hat as it can get quite warm overhead. Assistants hold the basket steady, ensuring it remains level during take-off. Then comes the heart-stopping moment when you lose touch with the earth and become part of the dawn.
As you ascend, the sky lightens from purple to pink. The sun clears the horizon, flooding the Serengeti plains with golden light. Your stomach clenches as you look out over your unobstructed basket side to the receding earth. Losing contact with the ground or the feeling of being totally at the mercy of the wind can cause an atavistic shudder. For an hour, you will have no control over where you go or what you see. However skillful your pilot, he can only go where the wind takes him, so you need to accept your helplessness, let yourself experience the enriching sights, sounds and sensations of your flight as well as the emotions it arouses.
This adventure fit in with all safari itineraries that has a night in central Serengeti lodges or campsites.
