Each day at dawn over the Serengeti Plains, a fortunate few enjoy this ultimate safari experience. An exclusive excursion over the Serengeti plains, offering unparalleled panoramic views of the awe-inspiring landscape. It includes a pre- dawn collection for the trip from your lodge to the launch site near Maasai Kopjes. Here you will meet your pilot, receive a briefing and watch the inflation of the balloon. This is the only time you will be allowed to move about the Serengeti during the hours of darkness and you may just glimpse some nocturnal animals and unusual sights.

Two balloons, capable of carrying 12 passengers each, fly once every day. At dawn they take off, rising as the sun rises and floating in whichever direction the wind of the morning takes them. The pilot can control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes taking you up to 1,000-foot altitude for a breathtaking panoramic view of the plains or flying at treetop height, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below. More often than not, the early part of the flight is along the course of the Seronera River, an ideal location to catch a sight of some animals taking an early morning drink. Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, hippo, cheetah, vultures, eagles, wildebeest, zebra, baboon, wart hog, monkey, giraffe and many others. The pilot will help you spot and identify the animals below.

From time to time, the pilot will need to put more heat into the giant envelope, and there is a gentle roar from the burners. Between burns there are periods of peaceful silence as you drift onwards. The whole trip is one long photo opportunity. You are traveling on a totally stable vibration-free platform with a unique perspective and nothing to block your view.

All good things have to come to an end and your pilot will let you know when it is time to put away the cameras and crouch down in the landing position. Once everyone is out of the balloon the cork is popped and the chilled champagne is poured for a toast on this unique experience.

After the champagne, it is off to the breakfast table, which will have been set up under a fine umbrella tree selected by the crew, close to the landing spot. Serving a full, cooked English breakfast with some tropical additions, "Out of Africa" style- a fine spread served on bone china with silver cutlery and crystal glasses.

Enjoy the food, the scenery and your companions' company. You'll receive your Serengeti Balloon certificate before being driven back to your Lodge or campsite, viewing game en route. You'll still have most of the day ahead for game drives.

NOTE: This adventure will fit in with all safari itineraries that include a night in central Serengeti (Serena Lodge, Seronera Lodge or Sopa Lodge or any of the central Serengeti camp sites).