A Perfect Day on a Serengeti Safari

A Serengeti Safari is fascinating and humbling in equal measure – a true definition of Nature’s perfection. But what constitutes a perfect day in the African bush for you? The breathtaking sights? The exciting feeling of being in the wild? Or the ability to savor splendid meals and meet new travelers?

If you’re looking for that perfect day in the Serengeti, then we have the ultimate itinerary for you!

A Perfect Day: A Serengeti Safari & Hot Air Balloon Ride 

The Serengeti is the ultimate safari destination in Tanzania and probably on the African continent. Picture the perfectly red African sun rising up over vast open plains, adorned with spectacular scenery and all the animals of your dreams roaming the lush savannah.

1. Start With Balloon Safari

Covering a massive 30,000 square kilometers, the Serengeti offers so much to see and do that a single road trip is simply not enough to witness all its marvels. So to start your perfect day, take your viewing experience from the best seat in the house – the air.

A hot air balloon in Serengeti is a vantage point unlike any other since you get to see the magnificent landscape below you as well their wild, fascinating inhabitants. This event usually starts just before sunrise so it is the perfect opportunity to rise in the sky with the sun, gliding gently with the morning wind and showcasing the true beauty of Africa. It is an experience of a lifetime and there’s no better way to start your perfect day.

2. Bush Breakfast

Touching back down on land after your exhilarating hot air balloon ride, you will be greeted with a customary champagne reception toasting to “maisha marefu”, Swahili for “long life”. After that, head on to your vehicle as your tour guide drives you to a spacious and beautiful setting in the middle of the Serengeti for your breakfast.

This bush breakfast is part of the balloon safari package so be sure to indulge and eat heartily in preparation for the rest of the day’s exciting activities. The meals are usually cooked fresh and served by uniformed waiters, while the wonders of the natural surroundings continue to astound. The menus are designed to cater to just about every type of palate, including vegan options.

3. Serengeti National Park Morning Game Drive

The morning game drive is one of the main highlights of any safari trip and definitely one of those activities that you will look back on for your perfect day.  

You will usually be driven in a 4×4 vehicle by your guide to choice viewing areas across the Serengeti where you can spot a wide variety of wild animals lazing around, including “The Big 5” – Lion, African leopard, Rhinoceros, African bush elephant, African buffalo.

Everyone should bring their own pair of binoculars in order to get the most out of a safari. 8×40/8×42 is the recommended general purpose binocular specification for both birding and mammal viewing.

The Serengeti National Park is also home to around 270 bird species so you’re in for a full wildlife viewing experience. The scenery is also mesmerizing and you can be sure of a having a field day with your camera.

If you’re here during the dry season, the morning game drive is also an opportune moment to witness the Great Migration where millions of wildebeest, elands, gazelles, and zebras travel yearly from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya and then back again.

4. Hot Lunch In The Wild and An Afternoon Round Of Game Drive Afterward

Sightseeing and driving around in a 4×4 vehicle all morning is hungry work, so settle in for some needed refreshments with a hot lunch. Food is usually served in the wild and you have the opportunity to catch your breath and prep for another foray into the wild.

Afternoon game drives are thrilling and allow you to spot some of the more reclusive inhabitants of the Serengeti. However, if you’re not quite feeling up to it, you can also take the rest of the afternoon off chilling in your room. It is your perfect day after all, so you get to decide.

5. After a Long Day, Relax With a Sundowner Drinks at a Nice Spot

As the day cools and the sky transforms with the red, gold and orange hues of the setting sun, settle into a personal open bar with a scenic view of the savannah stretched across the horizon. Your guide will stop at a suitable vantage point so you can enjoy a sundowner in blissful comfort.

Create your own memories in the wild as you sip on some local or international brew reliving the adventures of the day. With the beautiful African sunset serving as a backdrop, there’s no better way to experience a sundowner in the Serengeti. Check out this sunset drinks video for what to expect.

6. Return to the Camp, Freshen Up, and Relax Around the Bonfire

You are here on a vacation after all, so expect to spend part of your stay relaxing and lounging. After your sundowner in the middle of the bush, take the party back to camp and sit around the bonfire with your companions.

Of course, if you’d like to freshen up first, then by all means, feel free to do so. While around the campfire, you may hear the roar of a lion in the distance or the high-pitched giggles of hyenas fighting over a kill. It is a truly authentic experience in the wild.

7. Candle-lit Dinner

There’s a reason

Many newlyweds flock to the Serengeti for their honeymoon. It isn’t just because of the wondrous sights, but also because it can prove to be one of the most romantic experiences ever and a perfect way to begin their lives together. Candle-lit dinners with menus so diverse and tasty is a good way to go.

After dinner, settle down in the sand and enjoy the cool breeze of the Serengeti while also star-gazing. It is the same set of stars you’ll see even if you were somewhere else in the world, but the feeling is unlike any other and is sure to be a highlight of your trip.

Safari 101: What to Pack

Packing for a safari can be a challenge for the first time. Here are a few helpful tips!

• Khaki and tan are the preferred colors when going on a game walk, but most of the time in East Africa, you are in a safari vehicle and can wear jeans/shorts with T-shirts in almost all colors.
• Avoid shirts that are purple, red or royal blue—bright colors seem to make the animals shy away. 
• Biting insects like tse-tse flies are attracted to striped patterns of royal blue/black, so don’t wear this combination.
• Everyone should bring their own pair of binoculars in order to get the most out of a safari. 8×40/8×42 is recommended.

There you have it! Our perfect day in the Serengeti. What’s yours?

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