Hot Air Balloon Safaris: A Unique Perspective on Tanzania’s Wild Beauty
WHAT IS THE HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI?
If you’ve always wanted to experience a wildlife safari in the heart of the forests of Tanzania, then there has never been a better time for it. Wrapped in the lush greenery of trees, dotted with wildlife that you’ve probably never seen before, the best safari tours in Tanzania leave an indelible mark of joy on your memory. But the road is not the only way to experience it, you can also do that via the sky above the forest, in the comfort of a hot air balloon that flies above the forest, giving you the experience of a lifetime. Your chance to get a real life aerial view of the antelopes galloping in the wild, along with leopards and buffaloes, or ferocious lions chasing their prey is finally here!
HOW IS THE HOT AIR BALLOON FLIGHT POSSIBLE?
Safari tours in Africa are quite common, but a hot air balloon safari tour often leaves people with questions. One of the most common of these queries is how exactly does the flight happen? Well, we’ll break it down for you. The hot air balloon safari is likely to begin early in the morning, because it is then that most animals are active, as opposed to the day when they seek shade under trees, or night, when they are usually asleep.
On a typical day, a hot air balloon safari is likely to begin no later than 6 a.m. in the morning. After all the tourists are assembled at a spot, people begin to board the balloon basket. Most balloon baskets can accommodate a maximum of sixteen people. You are expected to stand throughout the trip, and once the balloon basket is full, the air is pumped into the balloon. This air is then heated slowly and as a consequence it becomes lighter and begins to rise. The balloon rises with it, and in no time, you are lifted many feet above the ground. A common question at this point is- how high are the hot air balloons in Serengeti? Well, commonly a hot air balloon flies at a height of about 650m, while the maximum allowed altitude is about 5900m. But there is no point in flying too high above the forests, so much that the forest goes beyond the view of the tourists. Tourists may want to carry a pair of binoculars to be able to view the forests and the wildlife residing in it better. With minimal prep, you can get a chance to experience one of the best safari tours in Tanzania.
PRE– FLIGHT PREP: DO YOU EVEN REQUIRE ANY?
It is quite understandable if you think you need to prepare things well before you take one of the safari tours in Africa, but the case is actually not so. You do not need to prepare extensively at all, before you take on a flight at the hot air balloon in Tanzania. You may however, want to dress a little warm, since people are generally expected to reach the assembly spot before the flight in the early hours of dawn, roughly around 5 a.m. The Savannah is usually somewhat cool during\ this time, but any chilly weather is highly unlikely. No other specific preparation is required, as the wind speed or altitude are usually not problems for tourists in the balloon at all.
WHERE EXACTLY ARE THE FLIGHT SPOTS LOCATED?
While it is largely true that the Savannah and other forests span over large areas of land in the country, and are popular for best safari tours in Tanzania, it is not possible to raise a hot air balloon from any spot in the greenery. Serengeti National Park is one of the most popular choices for a hot air balloon safari, while other spots like Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Reserves are also important sites for hot air balloon safaris. Huge herds of wild beasts as well as zebras can often be spotted galloping in the dense grasses of Serengeti and Tarangire Many carnivores can often be found preying on the smaller animals, while wildcats fight for territory constantly. Serengeti is also home to one of the largest number of predators. The many wildlife patterns and activities can be observed by tourists on the hot air balloon, bringing to them the experience of the best safari tours in Africa.
WHY THE HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARI?
There are several reasons why you should take a safari tour in Africa, but all the more reasons why you should go on an off road, hot air balloon safari experience, making your wildlife safari even more unique.
The experience of being in the air is thrilling in itself, and it elevates the overall safari experience by multiples. The aerial view of the forest also allows interesting angles and different perspectives, which may not be possible on an on-road safari, as routes are strictly prescribed in advance, with little to no room for changes owing to safety restrictions. An on road safari also only allows restricted angles to be viewed, while the view from a hot air balloon allows an overall evaluation of the events and animals on the ground. The hot air balloon also allows unrestricted movement, and therefore you may get stealthy close to animals or spots in the forest too, so long as the sound from the burner in the balloon does not make a sound and disturb the animals. Overall, the hot air balloon safari is generally considered a more exciting and thrilling experience, attracting tourists from all over the world and swiftly making a name in the list of best safari tours in Tanzania.
IN CONCLUSION:
If you’ve been asking yourself if the hot air balloon in Tanzania is worth it, this comprehensive guide is likely to help you make up your mind.Safari tours in Tanzania are not only a geological or geographical experience, but are also likely to give you a cultural insight into the world of wildlife, and the country of Tanzania itself. Whether it is antelopes drinking water at the brink of a pond or river, or lions and leopards chasing after them, or whether it is buffaloes, zebras or giraffes galloping in the wild, the safari tours in Tanzania are likely to have something for every tourist. So whether you are a researcher, a wildlife enthusiast, a geography student, or from any other walk of life who simply wish to enjoy a safari in the wild forests of Tanzania, the hot air balloon safari is likely to make your experience much more thrilling!
