Serengeti Balloon Safaris strides in sustainability carbon offsetting & community impact

From Balloon Flights to Community Impact: The Story of Ntakata Mountains

Since Serengeti Balloon Safaris (SBS) was founded 34 years ago, it has continued to work towards ensuring it has a long term positive environmental and social impact as a business. It is key to our ethos as a company.

At SBS, we offset our entire Scope 1–3 carbon emissions through a partnership with Carbon Tanzania. These offsets directly fund the Ntakata Mountains REDD+ project, empowering eight farming communities in western Tanzania to protect their forests in exchange for carbon revenue. The Ntakata forest borders on Mahale Mountains NP, thus protecting its north east border.

 Forests Saved and Carbon Emissions Prevented

• 216,000 hectares of Miombo woodland are safeguarded, protecting approximately 1.25 million trees annually.
• This prevents over 550,000 tCO₂ from entering the atmosphere each year

Community Benefits Powered by Carbon Revenue

The impact of these funds goes far beyond forests:

1. Vital Social Infrastructure

• Builds and renovate classrooms, teacher housing, and sanitation facilities in local schools.
• Funds dispensaries, village clinics, staff housing and even health insurance covering thousands.
• Builds and renovate village offices and bridges in the community

• Over 100 Village Game Scouts (VGSs) are employed to patrol forests, removing snares and protecting wildlife.
• Carbon Champions train community members on climate, conservation, and project operations.

3. Economic Empowerment Through COCOBA

• • Community-run Conservation Banks (COCOBA) offer micro loans to fund local businesses.
• • So far, 32 COCOBA groups support over 500 members, resulting in nearly 190 women-owned businesses in 2023.

Carbon offsetting is often seen as a climate solution, but it is also a pathway to inclusive development. Our investment in forest conservation through Carbon Tanzania has become a catalyst for education, health, jobs, and entrepreneurship. When you fly with us, you don’t just experience the wonder of the Serengeti from above. You also help uplift rural communities, empower women, and protect critical ecosystems like the Ntakata Mountains. Thank you for flying with purpose. Your journey supports so much more than carbon reduction it supports a better future for Tanzania.

This project is part of a company wide range of activities which SBS is developing. Visit our 2024 sustainability report HERE