How to get Go Safari Balls in Pokémon Go

You can get Go Safari Balls as part of Pokémon Go “Wild Area: Global”, and can only be used during event hours. No, seriously — they disappear after the event ends.

These balls are based off of the regular camouflaged-print Safari Balls from the mainline games. Usually, you can only use Safari Balls in the Safari Zone, a special area where wild Pokémon roam and you can’t actually battle them. You can throw treats and rocks at them to try to increase their catch rate, but ultimately, you just had to huck Safari Balls at them to catch some of these rare critters.

Pokémon Go has its own take on Safari Balls, and we explain what Go Safari Balls do, and how to get more.

What do Go Safari Balls do?

Image: Niantic

Go Safari Balls are special Poké Balls that have a higher catch rate. While the catch rate isn’t 100% known, it is known to be much better than an Ultra Ball.

They are particularly effective against “mighty Pokémon”, which also debut as part of the Go Wild Area event, but know you can use them for anything. This includes Galarian birds, which have a notoriously low catch rate, so make sure to use your Daily Adventure Incense during the event period to increase your chances if you haven’t got them yet.

For those with a paid Go Wild Area ticket, during the raid’s catch phase Premier Balls will also be swapped out for Go Safari Balls in raids and Max Battles — but know any left over will be discarded and not kept for other encounters.

Remember, these are an event exclusive ball and will disappear at the end of the event on Sunday, Nov. 16 — so be sure to use them before 6 p.m. in your local time on Sunday rolls round.

Finally, Pokémon caught in Go Safari Balls cannot be transferred to Pokémon Home yet. Niantic has announced that players will be able to do so in the future, but to “stay tuned for more information.”

How to get Go Safari Balls in Pokémon Go

There are a few ways to get more Go Safari Balls during the event, though not very many options for players looking to avoid spending. That being said, you’ll want to start playing early to complete the research if you want to get and use your allotment of Go Safari Balls before they vanish.

Free methods to get Go Safari Balls

• Spin PokéStops (if you’re really lucky)

Paid methods to get more Go Safari Balls

• Claim the supply drops every hour if you have the $11.99 Wild Area ticket (15 Safari Balls per hour)
• Buy bundles in the web store ($9.99 for 250 Safari Balls or $14.99 for 500 Safari Balls)
• Buy Safari Balls in the shop for Poké Coins

Note that even the paid balls will disappear on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. in your local time, so make sure you use them up.

For more on Pokémon Go‘s Wild Area 2025 event, you can check out our hub page with the schedule and perks, as well as our page on mighty Pokémon, and our explainer on which Special Research path you should pick: dark or fairy?