Going to Tanzania in October with OAT and wondered if anyone has taken the balloon safari optional tour. Is it worth the money to do this early morning trip? thanks

We've been in the Mara on one twice - and although not everyone would agree with me, I'd go again a third time!

I am going on the balloon safari through OAT in early September, so hopefully I'll be able to post my opinion of it in mid-September when I get back. From the pictures, it looks incredible.
Martha

I have just returned from my Tanzania trip with 2Afrika. One of the many highlights of my trip was a balloon flight over Serengeti on the morning of my birthday (Aug. 1). It was a memorable experience. And that evening at the camp, the staff prepared a special bush dinner for me, made me a cake, and sang to me. It was very touching.

Some of my friends back home could not understand why I wanted to do this and how I could take such a trip alone. But I have to say that it is the best thing I have ever done in my life and it was everything that I had wanted the experience to be and more! And dealing with 2Afrika was absolutely wonderful. They are kind and very caring and made my special birthday an experience I will never forget.

We did this at Seronera in January 2007. I suspect it was a bad day, and we were unimpressed. Disorganized and late start to flights (two balloons), inattentive pilots (chief pilot was in our balloon with new guy, neither focused on passengers and our experience), and less-than-desired wind direction (we didn't go along river.) Otherwise, the breakfast was well done, and the whole experience over-the-top. We were glad to be returned to our guide and off to our game drives.

Jim

We chose not to do a balloon trip because we didn't want to miss out on a game drive with so (relatively) few days in Africa. I've heard mixed views about the experience itself. You are at the mercy of the winds which may carry you over large herds of animals, or may not. Jim represents one view that I have heard, but in fairness others have described it to me as the experience of a lifetime.

Good luck with your decision.

I've done the balloon trips in both the Mara and the Serengeti. I think it's a magical experience, but you'll have to look at, budgetwise, and decide for yourself. You'll see wildlife from the air and will probably get a chance to see the sunrise over the Serengeti from the balloon. Safari vehicles will be stopping to take pictures of YOU, in a role-reversal. After the crash landing (all balloon trips end in a crash landing!), you'll get to partake in the customary champagne salute and a bush breakfast. The mornings can be quite chilly so be prepared (our trip was in June... maybe it won't be so cold in October). If you'll go to my Smugmug gallery from this link, you can see photos from our Serengeti balloon trip. http://sharontaylor.smugmug.com/gall...1_5ZMps#P-2-20

Interestingly... I expected the crash landing (meaning hit-bump-drag-fall over). But the inattentive pilots in our balloon were able to drop the sucker so soft that it hit and settled without falling over. We (16 of us) arose from our cubby-holes with the basket vertical, and crawled out over the top vs. slithering out sideways like the other balloon. In spite of my general whining, I was very impressed by that landing!

Otis72, how nice! When coming in for a landing in the Mara back in 1998, we hit a mound of some sort and my friend really whacked her head on the basket frame. She was seeing stars for a while!

In Sept. 2007 we did a balloon ride in the Masai Mara and I am very glad we did it, inspite of the extra cost. It was really neat seeing the sun rise and floating over the plains. We were there during the migration and saw herds of wildebeest and zebras. We also saw lions, topis and a crocodile on the banks of the river.

Julie