Pokémon GO Teases Safari Ball for Upcoming Wild Area Event

A brand-new type of Poké Ball, the Safari Ball, is set to make its debut in Pokémon GO during the global Wild Area event, which kicks off on November 23. This addition will mark the seventh Poké Ball introduced in the game, though only three of the existing six are widely available to players.

The Wild Area event will first be launched regionally in Fukuoka, Japan, from November 16-17 before rolling out worldwide from November 23-24. While the event dates have been known since late August, Niantic has been tight-lipped about what players can expect from the two-day event. However, the introduction of the Safari Ball is sure to be one of the event's biggest highlights.

Safari Ball Teased on Social Media

On October 3, Pokémon GO’s official Twitter account hinted at the upcoming arrival of Safari Balls. The announcement didn’t offer many details, only showcasing a circular silhouette next to the Wild Area event logo. The design of the Safari Ball in the mobile game remains a mystery, though it is expected to feature the classic green forest camouflage seen in previous Pokémon games’ Safari Zones.

It is also unclear whether players will only be able to obtain Safari Balls during the event or if they will be available after it ends. What has been confirmed is that these balls will be particularly effective, making it easier for trainers to catch powerful Pokémon. However, Niantic has yet to reveal the exact stats of the Safari Ball in comparison to more commonly used balls like the Great Ball or Ultra Ball.

Pokémon GO Finally Introduces Safari Balls

Surprisingly, Safari Balls are being introduced during the Wild Area event and not the Pokémon GO Safari Zone or City Safari special events. Since their introduction in 2017, Safari Zone events have given players with digital event tickets the opportunity to catch region-specific Pokémon that wouldn’t typically appear in their areas. A total of 23 Safari Zone events have taken place, with the most recent ones held in September in South Korea and Indonesia.

The addition of a new ball type in Pokémon GO is a significant development. Currently, players have access to just three regularly available Poké Balls—the Poké Ball, Great Ball, and Ultra Ball—which can be earned through level-up rewards or by spinning PokéStops.

Other special balls include Premier Balls, which are limited to use after raid or Team GO Rocket battles, and Beast Balls, specifically designed for capturing Ultra Beasts. The Master Ball, introduced more recently, offers a guaranteed catch but has been extremely rare, with players only given three chances to obtain one so far.

As the Wild Area event draws closer, excitement is building around the Safari Ball and its potential to help trainers catch some of the game’s most elusive Pokémon. Keep an eye on Pokémon GO's official channels for more updates as November 23 approaches!