Beyond the Game Drive
Specialized Safaris
Balloon flights above the migration. Honeymoon escapes on the open plains. Family journeys built for wonder at every age.
Above the Plains
Hot Air Balloon Safaris
A balloon safari over the Serengeti changes your understanding of scale. From altitude, migration columns stretch end-to-end across the plain. Predator kills are located by circles of descending vultures. The silence of the Serengeti from above at first light is unlike anything available at ground level.
Flights depart at dawn — typically 5:30 to 6:00 am — and last approximately 60 to 75 minutes following the wind. The basket carries 12 to 16 passengers. A ground crew vehicle follows and sets up a champagne breakfast at landing.
The balloon follows prevailing winds, not a fixed route. The exact flight path cannot be pre-planned. Book through your camp — they manage the connection with the balloon operator directly.
Cost
Per person · Champagne breakfast included
~$650
Duration
Plus transfer and breakfast: ~4 hours total
60–75 min
Departure
Followed by crew vehicle and bush breakfast
Dawn · ~5:30am
Capacity
Per balloon basket
12–16 pax
Best Season
Dry season · best visibility conditions
June–October
Drones
TANAPA prohibits drone use in all national parks
Not permitted
Honeymoon Safaris
Romantic Escapes in the Serengeti
The Serengeti offers its own kind of romance — not manufactured or theatrical, but quiet and spacious. A private camp on the open plains, dinner under a sky undiluted by light pollution, the sound of hyenas at midnight.
The Serengeti works best as a honeymoon when combined with contrast. Three to four nights on Zanzibar completes the journey — beach and bush, the classic pairing that gives you both the intensity of game drives and the recovery of Indian Ocean coast.
Best Properties
Singita Grumeti · Nomad Lamai · Namiri Plains
Add Zanzibar
Park Hyatt · Zuri · Baraza Beach Resort
Best Months
Jun–Oct (dry) or Dec–Feb (green · calving)
Private Experiences
Bush dinners · spa · sundowners · star beds
Family Safaris
Planning with Children
The Serengeti works well for families when planned thoughtfully. The experience is shaped significantly by the ages of children involved — most camps require a minimum of five or six years for standard game drives, though private vehicle arrangements can sometimes be made for younger children.
A family journey typically works best when built around the calving season (January–March) — the action is intense, the plains are open, and the story of predator and prey is visceral enough to capture any child's attention.
Young Explorers
- › Game drives (morning only — shorter)
- › Bird identification books
- › Star gazing at camp
- › Nature journaling
Private vehicle strongly recommended. Select camps with family tent configurations.
Junior Adventurers
- › Full game drives
- › Walking safari (at select camps)
- › Night game drives
- › Maasai culture visits
Most activities now accessible. Great age for the calving season — the wildlife story makes sense.
Teen Travellers
- › All activities
- › Photography-focused drives
- › Migration tracking
- › Balloon safari
Full engagement with all experiences. River crossings in the north are particularly compelling for this age group.
Classic Family Itinerary Framework
Tarangire
High elephant density works at any age
Ngorongoro
Compact, concentrated, dramatic crater floor
Serengeti
Position based on month and migration stage
Zanzibar
Beach recovery — essential for all ages
Plan Your Special Journey
Tell us who is travelling and what matters most. We'll design an experience around it.
Start Planning