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A hot air balloon safari is often one of the most memorable moments of a honeymoon in Africa. In the Maasai Mara and Serengeti, balloon flights operate from fixed launch sites, so choosing a lodge within easy reach of those locations is essential to ensure you have a relaxed morning in the lead up to the flight.
The properties below are those we regularly recommend for couples who want to include a balloon safari as part of their honeymoon.
Angama Mara, Kenya
Angama Mara is one of the best-positioned lodges for balloon safaris in the Maasai Mara.
Set above the Mara Triangle, it offers direct access to one of the main balloon launch areas. This avoids the very early wake-up times often required when staying further away.
As Vanessa, our Head of Product, notes from recent travel, some guests staying further afield need to leave camp as early as 3:00am to reach a launch site. Here, the morning feels far more manageable, with a later start and a smoother transition into the experience.
The lodge itself is great for honeymoon travel, as suites are spaced out along the escarpment, with wide views across the plains.
Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp, Kenya
Kichwa Tembo is another strong option in the Mara, particularly for couples who want to stay close to the balloon launch site while still having access to varied terrain for game drives.
The camp sits at the base of the Oloololo escarpment, within easy reach of balloon departure points. That proximity removes some of the pressure from the early morning start.
It suits honeymooners who want a relaxed camp environment with consistent wildlife viewing and straightforward logistics.
Mara Plains Camp, Kenya
Mara Plains offers a different angle on a balloon safari.
Located within the Olare Motorogi Conservancy, it gives you access to both the main reserve and private conservancy areas. Balloon flights still operate from nearby launch sites, but your time on the ground feels more exclusive, with fewer vehicles and a quieter setting.
For honeymoon travel, that balance works well. You can include a shared experience like ballooning, but return to a camp where the pace feels more private.
Serengeti Under Canvas, Tanzania
For couples travelling in Tanzania, Serengeti Under Canvas offers a way to align balloon safaris with the movement of the migration.
The camp relocates seasonally, which means you will be based where wildlife is most active at that time of year. Balloon flights operate in several parts of the Serengeti, and staying in a mobile camp allows you to position yourself accordingly.
This works well for honeymooners building their trip around the migration rather than a single location.
Namiri Plains, Tanzania
Namiri Plains sits in the eastern Serengeti, which is known for open plains and strong predator sightings. As a result of the remote location, Namiri Plains offers a more contained, quieter setting for a balloon safari.
It is important to note that balloon safaris only operate in this region during certain seasons. When available, they offer a different perspective on the landscape, particularly across the grasslands that define this part of the Serengeti. When ballooning is available here, it tends to feel less busy than in other parts of the Serengeti.
The quieter airspace, as well as the remote feel of the camp, suits couples who want a more secluded experience while still including one of the Serengeti’s most recognised activities.
What the Experience Actually Feels Like
A balloon safari is very different from a game drive.
As Vanessa explains from her time in the Mara, what stays with you is the stillness. Once you are airborne, there is very little sound beyond the occasional burst from the burner. The rest of the time, it is quiet and steady.
From this new perspective, you get to experience wildlife in a completely different way. Rather than moving through the landscape, you get to survey it from above. For many couples, this shift in perspective is what makes the experience memorable as it gives them a more complete understanding of their surrounding environment.
Why Lodge Choice Matters
Balloon safaris begin early, usually around sunrise, and the practical side of the experience is often underestimated. Staying close to a launch site means shorter transfer times and a more relaxed start to the day. It also allows the experience to feel like part of your stay rather than something separate.
It is also worth considering how the morning ends. While standard balloon breakfasts are often served in shared settings, many of the lodges we recommend offer more private alternatives back at camp. For honeymoon travel, that makes a noticeable difference.
Planning Your Honeymoon Around a Balloon Safari
Balloon safaris are not available everywhere, and availability depends on both location and time of year. They are most commonly offered in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, and in the Serengeti in Tanzania.
This makes early planning important. Lodge selection, seasonality and wildlife movements all influence how and when you include the experience.
If you are still deciding between destinations, our guide to Kenya or Tanzania for Your Honeymoon Safari explores how these regions differ.
You can also read more about the experience itself in Hot Air Ballooning on Your Honeymoon Safari.
Planning Your Stay with Mahlatini
At Mahlatini, our Travel Experts draw on first-hand experience across Kenya and Tanzania to recommend properties that align with both the experiences you want to include and how you prefer to travel. Our recognition in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards reflects the care taken in shaping each journey.
If a hot air balloon safari is part of your honeymoon plans, speak to one of our Travel Experts or begin outlining your ideas through our Trip Planner.
