2-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari & Bush Breakfast
Experience the Serengeti from two perspectives — a wildlife safari across the plains, then a sunrise hot-air balloon flight and champagne bush breakfast in the heart of Tanzania's most iconic park.
2-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari and Bush Breakfast
Experience the Serengeti from two completely different perspectives on this 2-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari and Bush Breakfast. Your adventure begins with a wildlife safari across the famous Serengeti plains, followed the next morning by a sunrise hot-air balloon flight over the wilderness. As the sun rises, you will float silently above the savannah, looking down over wildlife, acacia trees and the vast landscapes that make the Serengeti one of Africa's most iconic safari destinations. After landing, celebrate with a traditional bush breakfast served in the Serengeti, often accompanied by champagne and surrounded by the sounds of the African wilderness.
A normal game drive shows you the Serengeti from ground level. A balloon safari gives you an entirely different perspective. From above, you can appreciate the enormous scale of the plains and observe patterns in the landscape that are difficult to see from a safari vehicle.
The experience is also remarkably quiet. Rather than following roads, the balloon drifts with the wind above the savannah. The experience normally begins before sunrise and finishes early enough for travelers to continue with a game drive afterward.
Yes. A Zanzibar to Serengeti Balloon Safari is one of the best ways to fit this experience into a short Tanzania holiday. You fly from Zanzibar to the Serengeti, enjoy game viewing and stay overnight inside the park. The following morning you take the balloon flight and bush breakfast before your onward flight.
The exact flight schedule depends on airline availability and the Serengeti airstrip used.
A Serengeti balloon safari can be enjoyed throughout the year, but the best time depends on what you want to see. The June to October dry season generally provides favorable safari conditions, and wildlife can be easier to locate around water sources. This is also a popular period for travelers interested in the Great Migration.
The January to March period can be particularly interesting for travelers hoping to experience the wildebeest calving season in the southern Serengeti. The November to December short rains can transform parts of the Serengeti into a greener landscape, with visitor numbers lower than during peak periods.
The balloon safari operates subject to weather and aviation conditions. Balloon flights require suitable conditions, so the activity can occasionally be delayed or cancelled for safety reasons.
| Location | Property |
|---|---|
| Central Serengeti | Serengeti Safari Camp · Safari Haven Serengeti Camp · Tukaone Weavers Camp · Similar Central Serengeti tented camp |
Your overnight stay is normally arranged in or around Central Serengeti so that you can reach the balloon launch area early in the morning. For a luxury version, accommodation can be upgraded to a premium Serengeti lodge or luxury tented camp. The exact property depends on balloon launch location, availability and your preferred budget.
Detailed 2-Day Itinerary
From Arusha or Zanzibar by air to the Serengeti, then a sunrise balloon flight, bush breakfast and return. Follow the day-by-day timeline below.
Your 2-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari and Bush Breakfast begins with a morning transfer to the airport. Depending on your chosen departure point, you can fly from Arusha or Zanzibar toward the Serengeti.
For travelers coming from Zanzibar, the fly-in option is particularly convenient because it eliminates the long overland journey and allows you to spend more of your limited time inside the Serengeti.
Upon arrival at the Serengeti airstrip, your safari guide will meet you and begin your first game drive. The Serengeti is famous for its huge open plains and abundant wildlife. During your game drive, your guide will search for lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, cheetahs and, with luck, leopards.
Enjoy a picnic or lodge lunch before continuing with your afternoon game drive. As the afternoon progresses, the changing light creates excellent conditions for wildlife photography. Your guide will then drive you toward your accommodation. Dinner will be served at the camp or lodge as you prepare for the early start the following morning.
Today is the highlight of your safari. You will wake before sunrise and leave your accommodation while the Serengeti is still dark. The early morning temperatures can be surprisingly cool, so warm clothing is recommended.
You will arrive at the balloon launch area where the crew prepares the balloon for takeoff. Before the flight, you can enjoy coffee and a light snack while the balloon is inflated. After a safety briefing, climb aboard the basket and prepare for one of Tanzania's most memorable wildlife experiences.
Sunrise Hot-Air Balloon Flight: As the sun begins to rise over the horizon, the balloon lifts above the Serengeti. From the air, the landscape looks completely different. The enormous plains stretch toward the horizon while rivers, woodland patches, kopjes and wildlife trails become visible below. Depending on your location and the season, you may see herds of wildebeest and zebra moving across the plains, elephants wandering through the savannah or predators beginning their morning activities. The balloon flight typically lasts around one hour.
Bush Breakfast in the Serengeti: After landing, celebrate your balloon adventure with a traditional bush breakfast. A table is prepared in a carefully selected location in the Serengeti, with breakfast, coffee, juice and champagne available. The combination of sunrise, champagne and breakfast in the Serengeti makes this one of the most memorable experiences of the safari.
Morning Game Drive and Departure: After breakfast, continue with a game drive through the Serengeti. This is a valuable opportunity to explore areas that you may not have visited on Day 1. Your guide will focus on recent wildlife sightings and may search for big cats, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest and other wildlife. After the game drive, proceed to the appropriate airstrip for your onward flight.
Wildlife sightings depend on season, weather and animal movements. During the safari, you may encounter:
Rates & Pricing
The suggested price is based on two travelers sharing a private safari vehicle and mid-range accommodation. The exact price depends heavily on the flight route, accommodation, season and balloon availability.
| Number of Travelers | Price Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 Traveler | From US$2,500 |
| 2 Travelers | From US$1,850 |
| 3 Travelers | From US$1,650 |
| 4 Travelers | From US$1,550 |
| 5–6 Travelers | From US$1,450 |
Important: The balloon itself is a significant part of the package cost. Current SafariBookings guidance puts a shared Serengeti balloon experience at around US$600 per person, including transfers and the champagne breakfast but excluding park entry fees. For that reason, this package should not be marketed as a budget Serengeti safari.
| Location | Property |
|---|---|
| Central Serengeti | Serengeti Safari Camp · Safari Haven Serengeti Camp · Tukaone Weavers Camp · Similar Central Serengeti tented camp |
For a luxury version, accommodation can be upgraded to a premium Serengeti lodge or luxury tented camp. The exact property depends on balloon launch location, availability and your preferred budget.
What's Included in Your 2-Day Safari
We believe in full transparency. Below is exactly what is included in your 2-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari and Bush Breakfast — and what is not.
- Private Tanzania safari
- Airport/airstrip transfers
- Domestic flight to/from Serengeti, according to selected package
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Private 4×4 safari vehicle
- One night accommodation in Serengeti
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner as specified
- Serengeti National Park entry fees
- Game drives
- Hot-air balloon safari
- Pre-flight coffee and light snack
- Champagne celebration after balloon flight
- Bush breakfast
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel insurance
- Tips
- Personal expenses
- Alcohol outside the balloon breakfast
- Laundry
- Souvenirs
- Personal shopping
- Additional accommodation
- Optional activities
- Private balloon flight upgrade
- Additional flights not specified in the itinerary
- Any increase in park fees, flight costs or balloon charges after booking
Getting There
This 2-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari begins and ends in Arusha or Zanzibar, depending on your chosen itinerary. Flying into the Serengeti is the most practical way to fit the balloon safari into a short Tanzania trip.
Yes, subject to availability. Most balloon flights operate as shared experiences with other guests because the balloon basket accommodates multiple passengers. A private balloon arrangement may be possible at an additional cost.
The standard package should therefore be described as a private safari with a shared balloon flight, unless a private balloon has specifically been booked.
The game-drive portion of this safari is private. Your group travels in a dedicated 4×4 safari vehicle with an experienced driver-guide. This gives you more flexibility during game drives and allows the itinerary to be adjusted around your interests.
Meet the Tarec Gorilla Safaris Team
We are a locally owned and operated safari company based in Kampala, Uganda. Our team of experienced driver-guides, primate trackers, and travel planners is passionate about sharing the beauty of East Africa with travellers from around the world. Every safari we run is personally designed by someone who has walked the trails, tracked the gorillas, and knows the lodges by name.
At Tarec Gorilla Safaris, we can organize private Tanzania safari experiences alongside our Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya safaris. Our cross-border safari planning allows travelers to combine destinations across East Africa rather than treating each country as a separate trip.
For this 2-Day Serengeti Balloon Safari and Bush Breakfast, we focus on:
The safari can also be extended into a longer Tanzania itinerary or combined with Uganda, Rwanda or Kenya depending on your travel plans.
Tarec Gorilla Safaris
We are a full-service safari operator offering custom itineraries, group tours, and self-drive packages. Our fleet of well-maintained 4×4 vehicles and our network of trusted lodges ensure a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable safari experience.