Trans-Serengeti Balloon Expedition

Duration
7 days
Price from
$10,079 pp.
Location
Tanzania, Africa
Trans serengeti balloon trip

Trip Highlights

  • Once-in-a-lifetime adventure
  • See Africa's big 5 from the air
  • Led by safari superstar Jean du Plessis

What's Included

  • World-leading expert safari guide
  • All transfers
  • Safari viewing by balloon, car, and foot

Voted Best Balloon Ride Operator Worldwide 2024 by the World Travel Awards.

A rare opportunity to experience the drama of the Serengeti from above on this exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Spaces now open for 2025. Call us on 0203 111 1315 to book your place.

Join this extraordinary safari across the Serengeti to the shores of Lake Victoria - by hot air balloon, 4x4, and on foot - and witness the African landscape from a truly unique perspective.

Our Managing Director and Tanzania specialist, Alistair, says:

"I was lucky enough to go on the first ever trans-Serengeti balloon expedition in 2023. Having been involved in safaris for the past 20 years, I struggle to recall a comparable trip. The allure of the unexplored, the unpredictability, and the sheer exhilaration of the journey have left an indelible mark."

Serengeti Balloon Safaris is the oldest and most respected hot-air balloon company in Tanzania. With over 30 years of experience and more than 250,000 guests flown safely across Africa, they long dreamt of pioneering this full trans-Serengeti route.

Your adventure begins in Arusha, northern Tanzania, with a short internal flight into the Eastern Serengeti. Here, you’ll meet your expert guides and settle into a private mobile safari camp - a fully serviced wilderness camp that travels ahead of you each day, tracking your progress across the plains.

Over the course of this one-of-a-kind expedition, you’ll be in expert hands, guided on the ground by Wayo Africa’s highly knowledgeable safari team, and carried through the skies by Serengeti Balloon Safaris’ experienced pilots.

Each morning, you’ll take off with the sunrise, drifting with the wind over the vast savannah. Upon landing in a remote new location, you’ll continue exploring on foot or by vehicle, discovering hidden corners of the Serengeti far from the usual routes. This unscripted style of travel creates an immersive, ever-evolving safari experience, completely free from the constraints of roads or fixed itineraries.

From sweeping aerial views of wildebeest herds and secret kopjes to peaceful bush walks and off-the-grid game drives, this is your chance to encounter the Serengeti as very few ever do. It’s the ultimate way to slow down, disconnect from the digital world, and reconnect with nature.

You can read more about Alistair's Trans-Serengeti Balloon Safari on our blog.


Dates: November 2025

Small group: 8 people


Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - November 2025 Arusha

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to Rivertrees Country Inn in Arusha. Afternoon activity choice of either Meru Waterfall walk or mountain biking excursion.

Day 2 - November 2025 Arrive in the Serengeti

Wayo Flycamp Tent Serengeti Tanzania

Fly to Seronera airstrip in the Serengeti where you will transfer to your private Wayo Africa fly camp which will be your moving home for the next few nights allowing you to sleep under the stars. Here you will start to enjoy your first wildlife sightings either during an afternoon walking safari or a 4x4 game drive. Overnight in Wayo Africa fly amp.

Day 3 - November 2025 First Hot Air Balloon Flight!

Day 4 - November 2025 Deeper into the Serengeti

Day 5 - November 2025 The Wild West

Day 6 - November 2025 Final Balloon Flight!

Day 7 - November 2025 Arusha & Onwards

Expedition Expert Captain Abeid Soka

Captain Abeid Soka

Captain Abeid Soka - The chief pilot at Serengeti Balloon Safaris who will be flying you on your adventure, started his career as a tour guide and is now one of the most respected ballooning pilots in Africa and Tanzania’s only ballooning examiner. He has also flown over Mount Kilimanjaro. He is expert at reading wildlife from the air along with his impeccable piloting skills.

Expedition Expert Jean Du Plessis

Conservation Conquers Frankfurt Zoological Society

After Detecting A Freshly Laid Snare Line Desnaring Unit 1 Track The Poachers To Try And Find Their Camp Zanne Labuschagne Fzs 12 Scaled 500X400

As part of your journey, you will get the opportunity to help with live conservation efforts on the ground. You will meet the incredible de-snaring team from Frankfurt Zoological Society who work tirelessly across the Serengeti, particularly in the hidden corners which you will be exploring, to remove snares and help them in their mission.

Speak to a Tanzania expert today

and start planning your tailor-made vacation

Call 888 445-2912
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Our Tanzania Experts
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Alistair

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When to go to Tanzania

Find out the best time to visit Tanzania with our month by month guide.

  • Best
  • Good
  • Mixed
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

January

January is mixed when it comes to weather, temperatures rise whilst the chance of rain and humidity increases. It is still a good time to go, as the rates are lower yet the game viewing is still excellent.

  • During this time migratory herds are in the Serengeti for calving season, meaning the Ndutu plains are busy.

February

The weather remains hot with a chance of rain in February.

  • Meanwhile in the Ndutu Plains the migration is still occurring.

March

March is the calm before the storm, before heavy rains and humidity builds. Visitors can take great advantage of lower rates during the low season.

  • Migrating herds start to leave Ndutu, heading West towards Grumeti.

April

April experiences continued periods of heavy rain, we would advise against travel due to the conditions.

May

During may there is periods of heavy rain, we would advise against travel due to the conditions.

June

June heralds the wet season, bringing lush green vegetation which can make spotting game more difficult. It is a particularly great time for birders as parks become populated by migratory birds especially in the South.

  • Migration is still in the Grumeti area, heading north.

July

July is the start of peak season, temperatures reach up to 30 degrees and the surrounding land becomes drier and spotting game is becoming easier.

  • The migration is in the Northern Serengeti moving towards Kenya.

August

August is peak season, with bush land drying out game spotting becomes much easier. If you want to experience Tanzania game at its best, August is the time to travel.

  • The migration still remains in the north.

September

Peak season continues in September, the Northern circuit can be very busy, if you want to avoid crowds it's best to visit the southern parks.

  • The end of the migration is still in the north with herds on both side of the Kenyan and Tanzanian borders.

October

Peak season continues into October with good game viewing in the Serengeti and southern parks.

  • The migration has now crossed over into Kenya.

November

November is the start of the rainy season, the rains tend to be overnight so it is still a popular time to travel. During this month you can take advantage of low season rates.

  • Migration crossing over into the Serengeti can be seen a the Tanzania and Kenya border.

December

Rains continue in December, whilst the temperature and humidity start to build. Venturing out on safari is generally good, with large game still easily spotted.

  • Migrating herds in the north travel south back to Ndutu.
Elizabeth Spells

I have just returned from the most amazing trip to Tanzania, booked with Far & Wild. Everything went so smoothly from the first time I spoke with them. The planning was great, the itinerary was perfect for us, and the lodges were amazing. We spent 10 nights with an amazing guide, travelling through Northern Tanzania and even got to see the migration, which was a lifetime ambition of mine. This wasn't our first safari, so we were nervous as to how it would compare, but it was spot on. We're particularly grateful that she suggested a private 'bush lunch' in the Ngorongoro Crater as the public picnic spot was very busy! I will certainly be using them again to book our next trip....we're thinking of a relaxing beach stay next time to get over the excitement of safari!

Sep 17, 2025
Orla Rhodes

Just back from another amazing F&W organised trip to Namibia with the family (8 adults). Having been there before, Alistair tailored our trip to include our favourite locations and added a new one for us, Okonjima Plains camp, which we loved.The quality of accommodation and guiding, activities, food and drinks was exceptional throughout. Although not inexpensive I felt it was good value for the level of luxury we had. Kwessi Dunes, Shipwreck lodge, Ongava, Okonjima with pit stops Windhoek (city tour recommended ), Swakopmund (Sandwich Harbour and Walvis Bay tour) and Grootberg lodge (best sundowner drive )

Jul 31, 2024
Arnhild Schia

We had a wonderful trip to São Tomé and Príncipe - a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with paradise (almost empty) beaches and jungle forest. It was all well organised by Far and Wild and we stayed at Omali lodge at Sao Tome, then on Roca Sundy, and Sunday Praia at Principe - a great combination of different types of resorts/hotels. Omali is close to Sao Tome town with its colonial buildings, markets, hustle and bustle. Roca Sunday gives an old plantation experience and Sundy Praia a luxury beach experience. Very friendly (from time to time a bit slow) service, great fresh food, specifically if you like fish/seafood, vegetables and fruits (almost all sourced locally). Nice temperature between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius, nice swimming conditions. We really recommend this for those who want to experience a pristine destination with few other tourists and friendly and welcoming people. The islands also feel (and I believe are) very safe. At Principe, there are no dangerous animals, snakes or whatever, and it was great to be able to hike in the jungle without being very conscious of where to put your hands and feet. Go before everyone else does!

Jul 3, 2024
Henri Papenfus

Back home again, basking in the joys of a superb safari. Every aspect you arranged for us, including linking up with Mack Air and Wild Horizons locally to transport us. The choice of camps, Camp Hwange in Zimbabwe and Muchenenje Safari Lodge in Botswana, was spot on and exactly what we had hoped for - ideally situated, comfortable, in good surroundings, and with excellent wildlife on the doorstep and throughout the wider country. The service staff in each looked after us very well, catering was excellent, and the game guides were professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The weather was, as usual for that part of the world, also good at the time of our visit. Blue skies and stunning sunsets. Warm but not too hot during the day, although quite cold at sunrise when viewing game. The viewing started. You made us happy, and we recommend you to similar safari enthusiasts with confidence.

Jun 28, 2024
AC

Far and Wild went above and beyond to make sure my trip to Zambia was special. I would definitely recommend them and their services to anyone wanting to travel to Africa.

Jun 5, 2024
Tiny

Lovely holiday at the amazing Almanara on Galu beach, a beach like no other. Far and Wild excelled themselves from beginning to end of our holiday in beautiful Kenya.... What a country!,

Jun 5, 2024
Stodge

Wow! These guys are amazing. Can’t recommend them highly enough. Friendly AND efficient! Sorted out our trip (last minute and lots of different family member needs, sorry!) in record time and everything worked like clockwork. Trip of a lifetime to the Masai Mara. Will be back (and use F&W again!)!

Jun 5, 2024
Fiona C

It was a dreamy holiday on the Kenyan Coast - Far and Wild, their efficiency and professionalism allowed us to relax and be the happiest family alive !! We cannot fault them, their care and understanding of what we wanted from a holiday ensured we had the most memorable trip. We will be booking with them again for sure!

Jun 5, 2024

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