Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park Rwanda offers lifetime experiences to all visitors. This activity allows aerial views of the entire national park and its respective attractions. Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park was officially launched in January 2022, and has since gained attention from numerous visitors that make it to Akagera National Park. Akagera National Park is Rwanda’s home of big five game and no one would wish to miss this experience.
This savannah grassland park offers visitors who engage in hot air balloon safari a premium chance of admiring aerial views of elephants, buffalos, Masai giraffes, hippopotamus, lions, zebras, leopards, waterbucks, rhinos, among other animals. Tourists also get an opportunity to view vast landscapes of the savannah vegetation, woodlands, wetlands, streams and lakes.
Visitors also get a glance at the high sky flying birds such as eagles, Senegal lapwing, and the African wattle plover. In addition to these, there’s a wide stock of over 500 other bird species to spot while in the hot air balloon.
Where is Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park carried out?
In the southern part of Akagera National Park is where the magical hot air balloon commences from. The southern part of Akagera National Park still, is where the park entrance is situated when coming from Kigali. Therefore, navigation to the respective offices is easier. The actual place where the activity commences is “Kayitaba” and it is a distance of about 5 minutes from the park’s entrance.
Time and duration of Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park.
Hot Air balloon safari in Akagera national park commences as early as 5:00am. This is especially for visitors that desire to have a view of nocturnal animals as they roam in the national park. The other shifts take off after 7:00am, which is the national park’s official opening time. The balloon goes up to altitudes between 100 to 1,000 meters above the ground.
The minimum duration of a hot air balloon safari is usually 45 minutes. However, the flight can last over 2-3 hours. At the end of a balloon flight, visitors are offered a rewarding safari drive through Kilala plains until they head to the exit point of the national park whose road leads back to Kigali.
Booking a Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park.
The activity is carried out only once each day. This means that prospective tourists have to make advance bookings to avoid any inconveniences. Additionally, there are only 10 slots for grabs on the flight daily and minimum required number for the flight to kick start is 2 people.
Age requirements and eligibility.
Age is an important requirement for most of the tourist activities, and as such, the hot air balloon activity has a special age requirement too. Minimum age required is 6 years old.
Best time to do a Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park.
Just like any other Safari in Rwanda, Hot air balloon safari can be carried out any time of the year. However, visitors need to be aware that rains can cause delays in the activity and also affects the visibility of some areas while they fly over the national park. Therefore, a recommendation is made to engage in the activity between July – September or December – February.
Cost of participating in a Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park.
Rwandan and east African nationals pay $250, Rwanda foreign residents pay $350, while foreign non-residents pay $450 per person.
Other activities to do in Akagera National Park other than Hot Air Balloon Safari.
- Boat cruising along Lake Ihema.
- Night safari.
- Game drives in Akagera national park.
- Walking safaris.
- Behind the scenes experience.
What to carry?
- A jacket or sweater comes in handy during cold mornings.
- A backpack to carry any other necessities.
- Sunglasses to counter the effects of strong sunlight.
- A camera to recreate the memories.
- Pair of binoculars to have a closer look at the attractions within Akagera national park.
- Safari hat, and other personal requirements.
