Drifting silently over the savannah at dawn is one of Africa’s most unforgettable experiences. From Kenya’s game-rich reserves to Uganda’s national parks and Tanzania’s endless Serengeti plains, here are the most amazing locations for hot air balloon safaris in Africa – and what to know before you float.

Hot air balloon safaris in Kenya

Kenya is the continent’s balloon-safari heartland. Flights lift off at daybreak, around 6 am, gliding over savannah grasslands teeming with wildlife – nowhere more famously than the Masai Mara, where the spectacle peaks during the Great Migration. For the full experience, costs, and booking details, read our dedicated guide to the hot air balloon safari in Masai Mara.

Hot air balloon safaris in Uganda

The Pearl of Africa offers a quieter, equally beautiful ballooning scene over its savannah parks. Ugandan balloons are typically the classic cone shape, with capacity dictated by envelope volume – usually up to 8 passengers per flight. Flights can climb to significant altitudes, which is why children aged 6 and under are not permitted to fly.

Hot air balloon safaris in Tanzania’s Serengeti

Ballooning over the Serengeti at sunrise – kopjes glowing gold, migration herds scattered to the horizon – is the stuff of safari legend, and pairs naturally with a Serengeti safari.

Planning your balloon adventure

Book ahead (baskets fill fast in peak season), schedule flights for your second morning or later at each destination, and dress in layers for the pre-dawn chill. Browse our balloon safaris or ask our team to add a flight to any itinerary.

Top balloon safari locations in East Africa

Masai Mara, Kenya: the classic balloon safari destination, superb over the Great Migration between July and October. Serengeti, Tanzania: dawn flights over the endless plains, spectacular during the migration and calving seasons. Tarangire, Tanzania: a quieter option with dramatic baobab-dotted scenery. Akagera, Rwanda: Rwanda’s first balloon safari, floating over savanna and lakes. Each launches at first light and ends with a bush breakfast.

When to fly

Balloon safaris run year-round in most locations, but flying during the migration months adds the unforgettable sight of vast herds moving across the plains below.