Balloon safaris in Uganda
are a not so-common activity that has recently been introduced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Hot air ballooning can only be found at the Murchison Falls National Park and the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda and are handled by the Dream Balloons who were registered and certified fully in 2011 by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, the National Environment Management Authority, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the UgandaCommunications Commission before they could to run this particular activity in Uganda’s National Parks.Its pilots also have to go through the Ugandan and Egyptian Aviation Authorities for certification before they are accepted to operate these balloons. Something to note about these balloons is that its size does not matter mainly because the more it is filled up with air, the more the weight it can carry. However for now only 8 passengers are permitted to fly up in the balloon. Excluded are the little children of the age of 6 and below because the Hot air balloon goes as high as 10000 ft. above sea level which might leave them uneasy.
If one is to opt for a safari at the Murchison Falls, then Hot air ballooning is one of the things you should not miss out on. The Murchison Falls National Park is said to be the largest protected area that has so much to see when it comes to nature and all that which is around it, that’s to say all kinds of wildlife can be seen in this area not forgetting the famous River Nile.
You are taken to the launch site for the hot air balloons somewhere near the Paraa Lodge which is the Wildlife side of the park. While here, you will be able to watch them do last minute preparations like pumping air into the balloon before you could soar high during the morning sunrise then given a brief on the safety precautions, rules and regulations as you get ready to hop aboard the balloon. When up there, you will be able to have a great view of the Savannah below you teaming with all kinds of wildlife. Most of this happens above the treetops to make it much easy for you to see the majority of the wildlife. After you are through with your hot air balloon tour, you are handed certificates that show your participation in the above activity and then later, you finish off with a special bush breakfast and a bottle of Champagne all organized and provided by the commis chefs from the Paraa Lodge, thereafter carry on your morning with a game drive around the park and them return to your place of accommodation. There is also a sunset balloon flight that starts exactly at 4pm however, this one does not come with any special offers like the bush meals after the ride.
Hot air ballooning is the kind of activity perfect for those on honeymoon, the adrenaline junkies and those seeking a once in a lifetime adventure. The scenes up there are spectacular and the air fresh and soothing. This for you will be an experience made of thousands of memories you will reminisce every time you think about your Safari in Uganda.
Hot Air Ballooning at the Murchison Falls National Park comes along with these features; the general scenic view of the Murchison Falls Park, the Off-road animals hidden somewhere, the Lake Albert and Victoria Nile views, the bush breakfast experience in the wild, the pickups from the different destinations, the participation certificates, crossings by ferry and the ride on the hot air balloon that lasts an hour among many others.