Hot air balloon tours in Uganda – Murchison falls National Park
Hot air balloon tours in Uganda are not done in all Uganda’s savannah National Parks and are not common in Uganda. It was previously introduced in Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park but is now done only in Murchison Falls National Park. These Balloon safaris in Uganda are handled by dream Balloons Limited which introduced the activity to the National Parks after registering and being fully certified by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Environment Management Authority and Uganda Communications Commission. It is important to be certified by all these organizations to ensure that the activity is safe for tourists and not dangerous to the environment including the animals in the National Park.
Staffs operating the balloons are well trained. That’s why the pilots working with Balloon safaris in Murchison Falls National Park are allowed to fly these balloons after going through the Uganda and Egyptian Aviation Authorities. Hot Air Balloon Safari in Uganda is one of the best ways you can explore Uganda’s beauty in Murchison Falls National Park. It is a thrilling experience flying up in the air to watch wildlife like the Lions, Elephants, Buffalos and Antelopes right from above them. It offers beautiful aerial views of the open grasslands of Murchison Falls National Park.
The Hot air balloon tours in Uganda’s Murchison falls national park carries a maximum of eight (8) people. However, these balloons are capable of carrying more than eight people as long as they are filled with more air because the more the air filled in the balloon, the more the people it can carry. The minimum age for participation in the activity is six (6) because of the height at which the balloon raises to. Flying up to about 10,000 feet above the sea level in an open space may trouble kids below the age of 6. The experience of the Hot Air Balloon in Uganda offers value for money as it gets you to the best location of viewing wildlife in Uganda’s largest National Park which is also well known for its dense population of mammals.
Hot air balloon tour is done in the morning and evening hours, just like the time for game drives when the weather is favourable for animals to wander around the savannah grasslands. It therefore offers an opportunity to spot a lot of animals. The driver guide transfers the tourists to the starting point near Paraa lodge on the Paraa side of Murchison Falls National Park. You have the chance to see the staffs in charge of this tour do some of the things done to prepare for the experience. For example you could have an opportunity to see how they pump air into the balloon and other things.
Before getting on the balloon, tourists are given a briefing about safety precautions and the rules and regulations. This helps to stay safe on the safari and also keeps the name of the company clean. The hot air balloon makes it easy to spot a number of animals that rarely roam in open areas such as lions. You just have to carefully look around till you spot your favourite spot or sightings.
At the end of the flight, you are served breakfast in the bush. Breakfast is well prepared and set by the restaurant staffs of your lodge. It also includes Champagne and this is one of the most wonderful moments you can have on your Uganda safari. However, the evening hot air balloon is not accompanied with a meal.
You can book for a Hot air balloon safari in Murchison Falls National Park together with other activities such as boat cruise, hiking to the top of the falls and chimp trekking among others.