GO 
Safari Balls have an estimated 32.1× multiplier in Pokémon GO’s catch formula. An 
Ultra Ball’s multiplier is about 2×.
In the main series, Safari Balls are only available in the Safari Zone. In Pokémon GO, they are exclusive to GO Wild Area events.
Use Safari Balls to catch Mighty Pokémon or Galarian Birds, two categories of Pokémon with low catch rates that make them difficult to catch.
Catching a mighty Poliwrath with a Safari Ball
Safari Balls in the items inventory
All trainers have a chance to get Safari Balls when spinning Poké Stops or Gyms during Wild Area event hours. Trainers who buy the official event ticket will get an hourly supply balloon containing Safari Balls.
During the first Wild Area event in 2024, all trainers got a timed research that rewarded a small number of Safari Balls, and ticketed trainers got an hourly timed research that supplied significantly more Safari Balls.
A community analysis estimated the base capture rate of wild Mighty Pokémon at about 0.5%.
The July 2022 Game Master listed a 0.3% base capture rate for all three Galarian birds. However, the October 2025 snapshot omits their wild base capture rates.
Take a level 43 Mighty Pokémon with an estimated base capture rate of 0.5%. On a plain hit with no other bonuses, the catch formula gives roughly:
The formula adjusts the base rate for the Pokémon’s level before applying the ball multiplier.
Yes, it is possible to catch Mighty Pokémon without Safari Balls, but your success rate will be far lower. It may take multiple throws, and Mighty Pokémon will often flee.
To maximize your chances, use an Ultra Ball, Golden Razzberry, and Kyurem’s Adventure Effect 
Ice Burn, and then land a Great or, preferably, Excellent throw.
No, you can't use Safari Balls outside of the Wild Area event hours. You can only obtain them once the event starts in your local time, and they disappear from your inventory at the end of each day, usually around 6 pm local time.
Yes, you can further increase your catch rate by using 
Golden Razz Berries, one of Fused Kyurem’s Adventure Effects (Ice Burn or Freeze Shock), and curveball throws that result in Nice, Great, or Excellent throws.
GO Safari Balls debuted during Pokémon GO Wild Area 2024. They were first introduced on Saturday, November 16, as part of the in-person Wild Area event in Fukuoka, Japan, and then globally on Saturday, November 23.
