Top Safari Activities in Tanzania Destination

Fly above the Serengeti at sunrise and see wildebeest, other animals, golden skies, and wide open land on a balloon safari you’ll never forget.

1. Hot Air Balloon Safari (Serengeti)

🕓 Timing & Duration

• Departs before sunrise (around 5:00 AM). Pickup is usually from your lodge or camp.

• The actual flight lasts about 1 hour, followed by a bush breakfast and a short game drive.

• The entire experience, including transfers and breakfast, takes around 4–5 hours.

🌅 What Happens During the Experience

1. Early Morning Pickup

You’ll be picked up in the dark—before the animals and even the sun are awake—and driven to the balloon launch site.

2. Safety Briefing & Inflation

At the site, the balloon crew will inflate the balloon with massive fans and hot air burners. Your pilot gives a safety briefing before you climb into the basket.

3. Lift-Off at Dawn

As the sun begins to rise over the Serengeti plains, your balloon silently lifts off—floating into the golden sky. It’s peaceful, magical, and surreal.

4. Aerial Wildlife Viewing

From the air, you can see herds of wildebeest, zebras, elephants, giraffes, and antelope from a unique perspective. Depending on the season, you might even spot lions or cheetahs in the grass or witness part of the Great Migration from above.

5. Smooth Landing

After about an hour, your pilot guides the balloon to a gentle landing—sometimes on its side depending on wind conditions.

6. Champagne Bush Breakfast

Following tradition from ballooning’s early days in France, you'll be served champagne and a full English breakfast—cooked and served under the open sky, often with acacia trees and wildlife nearby.

🛡️ Is It Safe?

Yes. Operators are licensed and highly trained, and balloons are regularly inspected. Flights depend on safe weather conditions, and pilots will cancel if it’s not safe to fly.

💵 Cost & Booking

• Prices range from $500–$600 USD per person, depending on the operator and location.

• Must be booked in advance, especially during high season (June–October and December–March).

• Available in Central, Southern, and Northern Serengeti.

📸 Why It's So Special

Photographers love the golden light, bird’s-eye perspective, and ability to capture vast landscapes with animals moving below.

Couples and honeymooners appreciate the romance and exclusivity.

Families and first-time safari-goers often say it’s the highlight of their entire trip.

2. Walking Safari (Manyara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro Highlands)

Explore the Tanzania National Park on foot and get up close with nature. See animals, tracks, and plants in a walking safari you’ll always remember

🚶 Join a guided walking safari for an up-close encounter with the bush. Accompanied by an armed ranger and a local guide for safety and insight. Learn to read animal tracks, identify medicinal plants, and spot smaller wildlife often missed from a vehicle. Best experienced in the Tarangire and Lake Manyara buffer zones or the scenic Crater Highlands.

✅ Best for: Nature lovers, active travelers, bird watchers.

3. Cultural Visits

Experience the vibrant Maasai culture and connect with local traditions while exploring the wild beauty of the Tanzania National park

Cultural Visits – Maasai Boma

• Visit authentic Maasai communities near Ngorongoro or Lake Natron.

• Learn about warrior traditions, dress, and daily life.

✅ Best for: Culture lovers, families, students.

Visit the Hadzabe & Datoga Tribes (Lake Eyasi)

• Spend time with the Hadzabe, one of Africa’s last hunter-gatherer tribes.

• Join a hunt or learn about the Datoga blacksmithing culture.

✅ Best for: Off-the-beaten-path travelers, anthropologists, immersive cultural seekers.

4. Hike to Empakaai Crater (Ngorongoro Highlands)

Step by step, discover the mountain’s hidden wonders on an unforgettable walking safari

• Trek through forested paths to this lush volcanic crater. Embark on a scenic hike through dense forests filled with birdsong and wildlife, leading you to a dramatic, vegetation-rich volcanic crater. The trek offers a peaceful immersion in nature and a rewarding sense of adventure.

• Views of Lake Natron and Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai on clear days.At the crater's rim or higher viewpoints, hikers are treated to panoramic vistas of Lake Natron's shimmering pinkish waters and the striking cone of Mount Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano considered sacred by the Maasai. Visibility varies, but on clear days the view is truly breathtaking.

• Often combined with trekking in the Crater Highlands.This hike is frequently part of a longer journey through the Crater Highlands region, which includes dramatic escarpments, volcanic landscapes, and traditional Maasai communities. It’s a great way to explore the geological and cultural richness of northern Tanzania.

• ✅ Best for: Hikers looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, nature lovers drawn to unique landscapes, and photographers in search of dramatic scenery and vibrant colors.

  4. Canoeing at Lake Duluti (Near Arusha)

  
  

  Enjoy a Peaceful Paddling Experience on Lake Duluti Drift across the calm waters of Glide across the tranquil waters of Lake Duluti by canoe or kayak, with views of Mt. Meru and lush forest all around. Spot birds like kingfishers and fish eagles as you enjoy this quiet, scenic escape into nature.

  A perfect light activity to relax before or after your safari adventure.

  ✅ Best for:• Light activity lovers, Birdwatchers & nature enthusiasts, Pre/post-safari day trips

  5. 🗺️ Suggested Itinerary Activity Flow Example

  

  The balloon’s ready to take flight as breakfast is served back on the ground. Adventure and deliciousness await

  Day 1–2: Arusha + Lake Duluti canoeing

  
  

  Day 3: Tarangire + walking safari

  
  

  Day 4: Lake Manyara + night game drive

  
  

  Day 5: Mto wa Mbu cultural tour

  
  

  Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater descent

  
  

  Day 7–9: Serengeti game drives + hot air balloon

  
  

  Day 10: Lake Eyasi tribal visit or Lake Natron trek