Trans-Serengeti Balloon Expedition a World First Adventure
Original post: Another World Adventures
Up up and away! Let your dreams take flight.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it comes with rather short notice.
Between the 1-7th November 2023 the first group to ever traverse the world’s most famous national park – the Serengeti – by hot air balloon will take flight. And there’s a place in the basket if you’re able to make it happen!
It’s a six night adventure with 5 days of safari, 4 hot air balloon flights and a max team size of 12.
The Adventure
Join the first ever safari across the Serengeti to the shores of Lake Victoria by hot air balloon and experience the hidden magic of the Serengeti from the air, by 4×4 and on foot.
Flying with the oldest and most respected hot air balloon safari company in Tanzania, they have flown over 250,000 guests in their 30+ years of operating and have always been the pioneering company. Never before has such a journey been done however for years they have dreamt about flying this route.
Your journey will start in Arusha in Northern Tanzania from which you will take a short internal flight into the Eastern Serengeti. From there you will stay in a private mobile safari camp which will travel ahead of you daily across the Serengeti tracking your flight path in the balloon.
Over the course of this unique adventure you will be in the safest of hands being guided by Wayo Africa’s expert safari guides on the ground and Serengeti Balloon Safari pilots in the air. Your journey will see you traverse the entire Serengeti flying by hot air balloon then landing on the Eastern shores of Lake Victoria. Each morning you will fly into a new location from which you can then explore the hidden safari landscape on foot or by 4×4. This is the ultimate way to slow down, enjoy a digital detox and reconnect with nature and its wildlife.
This is quite simply a once in a lifetime adventure you will never forget!
The Plan
DAY 01 – Arrive Kilimanjaro International airport. Transfer to Rivertrees Country Inn in Arusha. Afternoon activity choice of either Meru Waterfall walk or mountain biking excursion.
DAY 02 – Fly to Seronera airstrip in the Serengeti where you will transfer to your private Wayo Africa Safari Flycamp. Here you will start to enjoy your first wildlife sightings either during an afternoon walking safari or 4×4 game drive. Overnight in Wayo Africa Fly Camp.
DAY 03 – Early morning departure for your first leg of your Trans- Serengeti ballooning adventure from Gol Kopjes. You will take off just as the sun is rising and fly for around 1-1.5 hours westward landing in time for breakfast. From here you will continue with your day either walking safari or in a vehicle. Overnight in Wayo Fly Camp.
DAY 04 – Continuing your adventure you will fly further in your hot air balloon departing from Central Serengeti heading west. Land for breakfast then either game driving or walking safari. Overnight in Wayo Africa fly camp.
DAY 05 -Continue further west departing in the balloon from Mareo landing in Kirawira. Afternoon game driving and or walking safari, overnight in Wayo Africa Fly Camp.
DAY 06 – Final balloon flight from Kirawira to the shores of Lake Victoria where you will do your final landing in a community which will not have even seen a balloon before! Transfer to air strip for flight back to Arusha. Overnight Rivertrees Country Inn.
DAY 07 – Transfer to the airport return travel home.
CAMPING IN STYLE
Sleep under the Serengeti night sky in cocoon star-tents.
The focus here is about going back to what safari was always about, being in nature, away from the crowds under an endless night sky.
It is about feeling immersed within the landscape around, sharing sundowners with friends and cooking around a camp fire. You will sleep each night in a newly designed flycamp where comfortable beds are fashioned on the old-style swag rolls sitting on the ground.
Sleep in Star Tents which are complete gauze with a fly sheet overhead should it rain meaning you can fall asleep whilst star gazing!
Authentic bush showers in non-attached bathrooms. Dining will be done around a campfire everynight where you can share stories of the day.
Due to its light operation and minimal driving in vehicles, this camp can reach areas normally unused by other tourists.
EXPEDITION EXPERTS
Captain Abeid Soka – the chief pilot who will be flying ou 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.
Jean Du Plessis – Is one of Tanzania’s most respected safari guides and anti-poaching experts. Jean owns Wayo Africa which is Tanzania’s leading walking safari company specialising in authentic safari camps located in exclusive areas. Jean has guided safaris across Africa for the past 25 years and has presented many TV series about Africa’s wildlife and biodiversity. Under Jean’s expert guidance your safari will be brought to life, you will effectively act as foot patrols into the hidden corners of the Serengeti sharing information and data with the National Parks Rangers and anti poaching teams.
Frankfurt Zoological Society – De-snaring team – As part of your journey you will get the opportunity to help with live conservation efforts on the ground 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.
Steve Wilson – Travel advisor with a niche in sabbatical and experiential travel I’ve long worked with Steve on some truly exceptional travel experiences for our most adventurous community.
PRICE:v £7995 per person sharing (not including International flights)
Single Supplement of £960
Includes: All transfers, all meals apart from lunch on arrival; 4 nights accommodation in an expedition camp; 2 nights
accommodation at Rivertrees Inn; All drinks whilst on safari; 4 extended balloon flights; guided safari walks and drives in the Serengeti; guided activity on arrival in Arusha; 2 internal flights Arusha to Serengeti return.
Hi I’m Larissa, Founder of Another World Adventures. Welcome! If you’re planning an adventure you’re in the right place. Get ready to discover epic travel inspo and a collection of hand-picked trips from my trusted network of experienced adventure experts. Think unusual destinations, expeditions, slow, solo and sustainable travel and epic journeys on land and at sea! Ever got a question? Just get in touch, I answer every enquiry myself. Enjoy!
