Balloon Safaris in Uganda
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East African region is made up of 5 countries which include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. However, the best destinations to visit and take a ride in a hot air balloon are Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. In Uganda, hot air balloon safari is available only in Murchison Falls National Park, Kenya offers hot air balloon safaris in its famous Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve, while in Tanzania the activity is done in Serengeti National Park.
Without considering reasons why visit Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania, the hot air balloon safaris will allow visitors and wildlife enthusiasts to fly above breathtaking landscapes. And a chance to spot wildlife as well as interact with friendly local people.
TOP PLACES FOR A HOT AIR BALLOON SAFARIS IN EAST AFRICA.
Murchison falls National Park – Uganda
Unlike Kenya and Tanzania, hot air balloon safaris are new to Uganda. The activity was introduced in 2017 and has created curiosity among travelers to visit the park. Dream Balloons, Egyptian based is the first hot air ballooning company in Uganda to have been authorized by the Uganda civil aviation to operate commercially. Dream balloons operates under globally recognized safety standards and consists of a team of experienced pilots from Egypt who work along with professionally trained Ugandans staff.
With that in mind, you are guaranteed a safe and exciting adventure, off-the beaten path into the heart of Uganda’s largest conservation area. Murchison falls national park is located at the end of the Albertine rift valley. The park’s spectacular attraction is the Murchison falls, which are formed as the Nile river flows through a narrow gorge. The Nile River continues to flows through the park creating spectacular scenery of habitats ranging from palm dotted savannah, tropical and riverine forests to delta wetlands.
The rich wildlife of Murchison falls includes elephants, cape buffalo, Rothschild’s giraffe, lion, leopard, hippos, Nile crocodiles and more than 441 bird species. The hot air balloon launch site is located in the northern sector of the park. Visitors must not stay in the south because, there will be no ferry to cross you over the Nile by 6:00am.
The balloon lasts for 1 hour and will allow visitors to see areas of the park that are hard to reach by vehicle. For instance, you fly over the Nile river with aerial views of the landscape. Wildlife you may spot include elephants, buffaloes, lions roaming in the park.
Upon landing safely, you will get to enjoy a champagne and breakfast in the bush. Explore more of the park during the afternoon by going for a boat cruise on the Nile and hike to the top of the falls.
Masai Mara Wildlife Reserve, Kenya.
Kenya’s classic wildlife destination is home to big 5 mammals as well as the wildebeest migration. With hot air balloon ride, you will float over miles of rolling plains that stretch for 1,510 km2 as part of the greater Serengeti ecosystem.
Hot air balloon rides in Masai Mara offer a chance to see wildebeest migration between July to October. As the wildebeest are crossing the Mara river, the balloon ride gives you aerial view. Plan to stay in the park for at least 3 days for greater chances of seeing the migration as well as big 5 mammals including black rhino.
The balloon ride lasts for 1 hour and can accommodate 16 people at once. Children below 4 years are not allowed and those that 5 years old must have a guardian. Of course, at the end, visitors get to enjoy breakfast in the bush plus champagne. Visitors staying in Mara reserve or in private lodges outside don’t have to worry. Your operator will pick you up on time depending on the distance from the lodge to the launch sites found near Governor’s camp.
Serengeti National Park – Tanzania
Seeing the migrating wildebeests from the hot air balloon, as the sun rises and turns the Serengeti plains into golden landscape is a sight you won’t ever forget. You also have an aerial view of big cats (lion, leopard, cheetah) and larger mammals that call Serengeti home including rhinos, elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, grant’s gazelle and many more.
A number of tour ballooning operators run hot air balloon rides in three parts of Serengeti National Park. They include the central Serengeti also known as Seronera valley, western Serengeti that include Grumeti river and southern plains near the shores of Lake Victoria.
The area you pick will depend on the time of the year when wildebeest are migrating through. Make sure to book your hot air balloon safari in advance because you can’t just visit on a day trip. Timing of the great migration in central Serengeti is between May and June. The wildebeests continue to cross the Grumeti river in western Serengeti from July to August. Here the wildebeests are in a die or survive situation trying to cross the crocodile-infested river.
Finally, the loveliest event of the great migration arrives in December to February when most of the wildebeests are giving birth. It’s estimated that over 800 wildebeest calves are born every single day. However, many of them perish at the hands of unforgiving predators.
