There’s something about a hot air balloon safari that makes everything else feel a little too… grounded. Rising with the dawn, we’ve tested and approved some of Africa’s finest places to experience this extraordinary adventure. From wildlife-packed plains to otherworldly deserts, these destinations deliver the best views in a way only Africa can.
An aerial view reveals zebras and wildebeest traversing Africa’s golden plains, Image Credit: Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge
1. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
If you want to talk about bucket-list moments, a hot air balloon safari over the Serengeti National Park sits comfortably at the top. The sheer scale of the park becomes even more striking from the sky. And this is where nature throws one of its biggest parties, namely the Great Migration.
Watching endless columns of wildebeest and zebras navigate the plains, with predators lurking nearby, is an experience that will take your breath away. The tranquillity up high contrasts sharply with the action down below, making it a must-see for any serious safari enthusiast.
Floating over the Serengeti at sunrise offers a perspective few will ever forget, Image Credit: Lemala Kuria Hills Lodge
2. Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Just over the border from the Serengeti, the Maasai Mara National Reserve delivers its own version of epic views. From above, the reserve reveals its rolling hills, snaking rivers, and clusters of animals in a way no game drive can.
If you time it right, the sight of herds crossing the Mara River from your balloon basket is something you’ll tell stories about for years to come. Even without the drama of the migration, the Mara is packed with life – and it’s all the better when seen from the skies.
Floating over the Mara River, the landscape unfolds in stunning detail, Image Credit: Little Governors’ Camp
3. Sossusvlei, Namibia
Let’s get one thing straight: Sossusvlei doesn’t do “subtle.” These towering red dunes are some of the largest on the planet, and their stark beauty is unmistakable. From a hot air balloon, the scene below looks almost alien-like, with sharp contrasts between the sand, salt pans, and scattered greenery.
The silence of the desert is striking, and the shifting light of sunrise brings out colours you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re after landscapes that feel like they belong on another planet, this is the place to go on a hot air balloon safari.
Gliding above Sossusvlei’s fiery dunes, the desert comes into sharp focus
4. Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta is like a giant natural puzzle, and there’s no better way to take it all in than from above. We love how a hot air balloon safari reveals its intricate web of water channels, islands, and wildlife hotspots.
Elephants wading through the waterways, hippos cooling off in lagoons, and the occasional predator on the move – this is a safari with a twist. The bird’s-eye view also helps you appreciate the delta’s seasonal rhythms as water levels rise and fall to create this incredible ecosystem.
Elephants meander through the Okavango Delta’s maze of waterways, a scene best admired from above
5. Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa
For a hot air balloon safari that’s a little off the usual radar, Pilanesberg National Park ticks all the right boxes. Set in an ancient volcanic crater, the park’s landscapes are as unique as its wildlife.
We’re big fans of how the varied terrain – woodlands, open grasslands, and waterholes – makes for diverse sightings from above. It’s compact yet packed with action, and a balloon ride offers an entirely new way to explore it.
Drifting over Pilanesberg’s volcanic crater at sunrise reveals a landscape as diverse as its wildlife
Elevate Your Adventure
When it comes to hot air balloon safaris, these destinations aren’t just good – they’re unforgettable. We’ve been lucky enough to experience them ourselves, so you can trust us when we say this is an experience you don’t want to miss. From the Serengeti’s epic migrations to Namibia’s dune’s surreal beauty, each destination offers its own take on adventure.
At the end of the day (or rather, the beginning), it’s about capturing a moment that feels suspended in time. And when your feet touch the ground again, you’ll know you’ve seen Africa at its absolute best.
So, where will your balloon take you next? Let us help you find out.
Featured Image: Little Governors’ Camp
