Imagine this: Soaring over the worlds most famous national park at sunrise, only metres above some of the most magnificent creatures on the planet. All from the comfort of a hot air balloon.

Well I didn’t just imagine it. I experienced the Serengeti Balloon Safari first hand. And let me tell you right now – it was just as spectacular as you could imagine.

My trip to the Serengeti was certainly budget but splurging on this breathtaking experience was a slice of luxury that even the most frugal backpacker should consider.

The Serengeti may be the most beautiful place in the world to go for a balloon flight (although I am yet to visit Cappadocia…)

The day starts early. After a 5:00am collection from our camp we were transferred to the launch site where we met our pilot for the morning and were briefed on how to jump in and out of the magnificent balloon as the inflation began. The flight launched at dawn, and we rose with the sun, and gently floated over the plains of the magnificent Serengeti.

We started our flight only metres from the ground, witnessing the wildlife up close and personally as we followed the river through the Serengeti. The view was incredible and looking back at my photos from the morning I can hardly believe it was real.

Seeing the sheer size of the wildebeest heads and other grazers took my breath away and watching the birds soar over the land was spectacular but nothing compared to the close encounter with the hippopotamus as we flew over the congested rivers. The large families of these 3000kg beasts was nothing short of glorious from above.

As we continued our flight we got lucky. It was only my second day in the Serengeti and I completed my sighting of the big 5…

The lone leopard probably had no idea of the significance that he played in my African safari but he was the missing piece from my wildlife encounters. To see a leopard run through the Serengeti was all it took to make the morning beyond unforgettable.

Then we really soared. Our pilot ascended up to over 1000’ and we witnessed the sheer enormity of the Serengeti with a panoramic view.

I never wanted the ride to end, but what comes up most go down.

We finally landed, but the highs weren’t completely over yet…

We celebrated the morning with a traditional champagne toast (well, an excellent sparking wine at least) where we learnt a brief history of balloon flying – and why after every flight a toast is an essential ritual… (I wish an essential champagne toast was a tradition in general aviation too…)

We then headed off to our ‘Out of Africa’ breakfast in the middle of the Serengeti. This breakfast added a whole new meaning to ‘breakfast of champions’.

I had never had a meal in a more magnificent location. Prepared and served right in the middle of the bush under an iconic acacia tree the scene looked like something out of a luxury travel magazine, and to be honest, it probably has already featured in one…

Our full English champagne breakfasts was served on bone china, Sheffield cutlery atop linen. Along with beautiful dressed waiting staff, who even assisted in hand washing, and a ‘Loo with a View’ It sure beat the basic camping breakfasts I had been waking up to the past three weeks…

Finally it was time to go. We were presented with certificates (for being upper class tourists for the morning) and we said goodbye to a morning of pure magnificence and luxury.

This is a Serengeti experience that no one should miss out on. You will witness this great land from such a unique perspective, impossible to see from the land.

The experience is not cheap, and I would never have thought that I would say that spending so much money on one morning is worth it, but in this case it definitely is. The price is US$499 pp + US$40 Tanzania National Parks Balloon Fee, the total price is US$539.

The balloon safari itself lasts around an hour depending on the wind on the day. The time flew by and ending the morning with a 5-star Serengeti champagne breakfast was just the cherry on an already extremely delicious wildlife cake.

Each and every balloon safari is unique but you can be assured that you are in for a breathtaking adventure. This is one experience that will leave your spirits soaring (and it’s not just because of the champagne).

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