This is Part 4 of a several part series documenting our trip to Tanzania for another ‘once in a lifetime’ Safari which includes destinations like Qatar, Arusha, and a hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti.
We decided to charter a Hot Air Balloon ride while we were at Singita. They arranged all the logistics of the experience. All we had to do was wake up and meet our driver at the Balloon. We left very early in the morning before the sun came up. We could see headlights in the distance as we arrived to the take off site. They already had the Balloon laid out getting things ready.
We got out of the vehicle and were given some basic instructions about what was to happen. We could hear Hyenas around us “laughing” in the dark. We could barely even see the movement of nearby Wildebeest.
Just as the sun started to rise, it was time to go. We actually get in the basket while it is on its side. We crawl in and hook on our safety strap. I had a back pack, 2 cameras, a GoPro, and my phone. It was a lot to manage at the time. The Balloon pilot gave the thumbs up and lit the burners to fill the balloon. The basket tipped upright with ease. We slowly ascended and began drifting backwards staring at the sunrise in the distance. Other than the occasional noise from the burners, it was silent, peaceful actually.
As we slowly drifted over the plains, we could hear the wildebeest calls and their trampling feet. Watch and listen to the video below.
We saw a variety of wildlife such as a Hyena with a fresh kill and a Goshawk flying by. I was lucky to get such decent pictures of the Goshawk hanging over the edge of the basket. At one point the wind completely stopped moving us. We were literally hovering over the stake marking the border of the Grumeti Reserve and Serengeti National Park.
Before we knew it, the hour ride was coming to an end. The pilot told us to get ready for landing and sit down into the basket. I read online that if there is significant wind, the basket could tip over. The wind for our ride was very light. We dragged along the ground as the Pilot and crew opened the vents on the balloon collapsing it above us. We stayed upright and didn’t come close to tipping over.
While the crew packed up the Balloon, it was time for Champagne!
Our guide, Medi, followed us the entire trip to meet us at our landing spot. We continued our game drive immediately on the way to breakfast. We arranged to see Singita Sabora Tented Camp. They would show us a room and provide breakfast outside on the deck. Below are some photos/videos of the area.
Singita Sabora Tented Camp
After breakfast was over, we headed back to Sasakwa Lodge for our afternoon break. Below is a 3 minute video of our Hot Air Balloon experience over the Serengeti.
Adam Woods
Take a look below for our next post on our trip to Tanzania.