Tanzania Safari Aerial Photography — Africa from Above

A hot air balloon safari is the most accessible aerial photography experience in Tanzania. Floating silently over the Serengeti at sunrise, you see the landscape in a way impossible from the ground — herds moving in patterns, rivers snaking through plains, and the scale of the ecosystem revealed.

• Location: Serengeti only (various launch sites depending on season)
• Duration: 45-60 minutes flight
• Cost: $550-$650 per person
• Photography: Bring a wide-angle lens (24-70mm) and a telephoto (70-200mm)
• Best for: Landscape shots, herd patterns, sunrise photos

The basket is stable, but space is tight. A camera with a neck strap is safer than changing lenses mid-flight.

For serious aerial photographers and filmmakers, helicopter charters offer flexibility that balloons cannot match. You dictate the altitude, location, and duration.

• Location: Arusha and Serengeti
• Cost: $3,000-$5,000 per hour
• Photography: Best with doors-off (if permitted) and image-stabilized lenses
• Best for: Documentary filming, unique angles, following specific herds

Helicopters are expensive but unmatched for cinematic aerial footage.

Drones are banned in all Tanzanian national parks — including Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, Ruaha, and all others. The fine for flying a drone in a national park is severe, and rangers have the authority to confiscate equipment.

If you want aerial photography in Tanzania, your options are:

• Hot air balloon (over the Serengeti)
• Helicopter charter (outside park boundaries or with special permits)
• Fixed-wing scenic flights (Arusha and Zanzibar)

Do not bring a drone expecting to fly it in the parks. It will be confiscated or you will face a heavy fine.

Aerial photography in Tanzania is spectacular but limited by regulations. The hot air balloon is the best option for most travelers — accessible, legal, and genuinely magical.

Read our balloon safari guide or add a balloon flight to your safari.