No place in the world compares with Serengeti - and its neighboring wildlife havens - for the sheer exhilaration of its wildlife experience. It is so spectacular that it deserves more time to explore and absorb its full-blown beauty.This is the kingdom of predators, while the huge herds of the Migration thunder across the plains in countless numbers.A unique way to see the Serengeti is by hot air balloon.

Leaving your lodge in the central Serengeti at 5 am, this is the one time to drive in the Serengeti in the pre-dawn. Night drives are not allowed inside Tanzanian National Parks. Take off is at dawn, ascending as the sun rises and floating silently in whichever direction the winds of the morning takes the balloon; sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below. At times, ascend to 1000 meters or more to see the enormity and wonderful panorama of the Serengeti. From time to time the pilot must put more heat into the balloon with the powerful whisper burners.

In between these burns, there is silence apart from the natural sounds below. Questions to consider when planning an African safari.One is cost and a major consideration for most people. The Serengeti is not cheap ? with park fees alone doubling to US $60 per person per day from January 2006.

There are some lodges that cater for budget safaris and if you also travel in low season then costs are reduced considerably. How long should a safari be - the Serengeti alone is so vast months could be spent exploring. Five days spent in the central and southern Serengeti or the central and northern Serengeti depending on the time of year is the minimum time to get any real feel or enjoyment for the area.What time of year is best: The dry season is July to December with the short rains in November. The long rains are from March to mid June. However, the weather does not always act predictably.

Some years we have had more rain in January and February that the whole of the wet season. It may be better to say the rains are from November to June with a drier period from December to mid March. Low season is both cheaper and the parks have less tourists. This depends on what you want and to work closely with your tour operator will help. I would try to avoid late July to the end of September for the sole reason it is just too busy.Getting here: If you are a seasoned traveler, there is no reason why you should not arrive here and organize your safari with a local operator.

This way your itinerary may be more interesting and you will save money. However if you do this late July to September you may be disappointed as the lodges at this time are fully booked [in some cases up to one year in advance]. The safest option is to book through and agent or tour operator. To join a group or a private safari. Joining a group will be cheaper; this being the only advantage if cost is an issue.

Always to have a vehicle to yourself will give you more privacy, is more relaxing and there will be more flexibility with the itinerary.What to take - travel light or dress for dinner. This depends on your itinerary, what time of year you travel.

Your tour operator will give you all this information. The more questions you ask the more successful will be your safari. The quality of the answers you receive to your questions will also indicate how interested your operator in Tanzania is on the success of your safari verses simply making a profit.One last remark will be to relax whilst on safari ? take off you watch as it simply will not be needed.

There is not the same urgency in Africa ? hakuna matata.

co.uk go into the Patmos Community Initiative, which is a Non-Governmental Organization in Northern Tanzania - no. 11778. We are currently building a nursery school in Sokon One - Arusha.

We offer and encourage voluntary positions vacations to our charitable projects. Swahili Language courses are available twice per year, in March and in November.

By: Ian Williamson