MONDAY November 25,2024
By Adam Ihucha
The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania
Serengeti Balloon Safaris, the trailblazer of ballooning adventures in Tanzania, has soared to new heights by being named the world’s best balloon ride operator.
This groundbreaking achievement marks a momentous milestone for Africa, making Serengeti Balloon Safaris the first from the continent to claim such a prestigious global accolade.
This announcement was made at the illustrious World Travel Awards, often dubbed the Oscars of the travel world, during the weekend’s grand celebration in Funchal, Madeira’s cultural heart.
Amidst an audience of luminaries and trailblazers from the tourism industry, the moment was electrifying.
“Congratulations to Serengeti Balloon Safaris for delivering an elevated standard of service that has captivated the hearts of adventurers globally,” said the awards’ organisers.
The Managing Director of the celebrated company, Mr John Corse, expressed immense pride, noting that the honour not only acknowledged the exceptional standards and experiences Serengeti Balloon Safaris offers, but also signified Tanzania’s emerging influence on the global tourism landscape.
Renowned for their breathtaking rides over Serengeti National Park, Serengeti Balloon Safaris offers a unique confluence of stunning aerial landscapes and intimate encounters with wildlife that remain etched in passengers’ memories.
This distinguished award is a testament to their unwavering commitment to safety, innovation, and excellence, setting the gold standard for ballooning experiences and highlighting the vibrant potential of African tourism.
With a legacy rooted in pioneering spirit, Serengeti Balloon Safaris continues to elevate the adventure-seeking experience, ensuring each flight offers a journey beyond expectation and a perspective unmatched in beauty.
Their commitment to exceptional service ensures a passenger leaves with not just vivid memories, but stories to share for a lifetime.
We have firmly positioned ourselves as the foremost partners in conservation across the parks we operate, consistently earning accolades from Tanzania National Parks as the Best Balloon Operator,” Serengeti Balloon Safaris Managing Director John Corse.
“We have firmly positioned ourselves as the foremost partners in conservation across the parks we operate, consistently earning accolades from Tanzania National Parks as the Best Balloon Operator,” explained Mr Corse.
The company diligently maintains strict safety protocols and works closely with the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority to continually refine industry standards.
“Our pilots, celebrated for their unparalleled expertise due to their comprehensive understanding of weather dynamics, have flown over 250,000 guests through the enchantment of the Serengeti,” he noted.
In June 2024, Serengeti Balloon Safaris expanded their awe-inspiring journeys with a triumphant inaugural flight over Tarangire National Park, marking this vital wildlife sanctuary as their fourth operational site.
The inaugural flight, which accommodated 22 guests across two balloons, began its journey from the northwest Silale swamp and concluded with a lush landing in the Tarangire valley.
Highlights of the flight included sightings of elephants, buffalo, and an array of bird species. Upon landing near the Tarangire River, guests indulged in a sumptuous ‘Out of Africa’ breakfast beneath an acacia tree.
This new Tarangire route offers a diverse and picturesque alternative to the Serengeti, further cementing Serengeti Balloon Safaris’ reputation as leaders in providing unique and captivating adventures.
Both balloons lifted off just after sunrise from the northern edge of the Silale Swamp, gracefully ascending to approximately 800 feet.
This altitude not only offered expansive views but also allowed increased speed as they glided over vast woodlands and crossed the ridge.
“On our descent over the woodland canopy on the western side of the ridge, we had an incredible wildlife viewing experience and continued past Tarangire Sopa Lodge towards the open areas near the Tarangire River,” said Ms Claire Warner, one of the inaugural passengers.
The adventurers were treated to sightings of diverse wildlife, including elephants, buffaloes, porcupines, waterbucks, bushbucks, white-headed vultures, hornbills, African green parrots, and reedbucks.
“Both balloons made gentle landings, maneuvering at a mere 2 knots, in an open area graced with baobab trees near the riverbank,” added Ms Warner.
The morning concluded with a delightful breakfast under a tree on the river’s eastern side, followed by a celebratory champagne toast by the roadside—celebrating a successful inaugural flight for Tarangire.
Mr Pascal Kirigiti, the Marketing Manager of Serengeti Balloon Safaris, emphasized: “We’re continually striving to enhance customer experiences, and this new route over Tarangire is a testament to our commitment to innovation.”
Tarangire has now joined the ranks of national parks in Tanzania where Serengeti Balloon Safaris operates, along with the Serengeti, which they cover year-round to track migration patterns, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority, operational from December to March, and Ruaha, from June to October.
As safari-goers increasingly turn their attention to Tarangire, Manyara, and Ngorongoro, guests can now enjoy the magic of a balloon safari right in the heart of Tarangire from March to JuneΩ
The Tranquility News Reporter/Sub Editor, Tanzania
Patty Magubira is an experienced environmental and business editor whose career started at the Tanzania's state-owned newspaper - The Daily News. He is a man of perfection. Aided by his extensive training as a community forestry expert before joining Tanzania School of Journalism. Magubira had successfully held various key posts in newsrooms, giving him an unmatched connections in media fraternity. Having worked as a bureau chief in Arusha and Mwanza, he managed to build a team work, boosting sales to the highest level ever. He was then promoted to a sub-editor after completing a training in Nairobi, Kenya. His incredible experience, critical thinking and exposure are critical to the quality of any media outlet.
