Hot Air Balloon Safari in Uganda is an activity where tourists sit in a hot air balloon to view wildlife, land features, and different landscapes. It is a great experience, especially in the early morning, which lets you see beautiful sunrises. The Hot Air Balloon experience in Uganda was first started in 2011 by the Dream Balloon Company, which was allowed to run Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Uganda. The Hot Air Balloon experience in Uganda is one of the best things to do while on your safari in the country’s most popular places, like Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Watching wildlife and all other land features from above is really an amazing experience that will leave you wanting nothing more.
Hot Air Ballooning in Queen Elizabeth National Park
It’s one of Uganda’s treasures and most visited tourist places in the country,y and the only place to find the famous tree-climbing lions not found anywhere else in Uganda. The park is split by the famous Kazinga channel, with elephants, hippos, and giant Nile crocodiles. However, it feels good to view these beautiful creatures from the sky rather than from a Game Drive.
The hot air balloon safari starts in the morning with beautiful views of the sun rising from the East as if it were coming out from Lake George, which is East of the park. This hot air balloon safari is special as you fly through the quiet of Africa’s wild land in the endless Ishasha plains. The flight lasts for about an hour, and the trip starts at 5:30 am.
The flight usually starts at Kasenyi gate, where you meet for a briefing. The take-off sites often change daily because of the weather and wind. During the briefing, you’ll meet your pilot, get safety gear, and learn about landing steps, while also having access to coffee and tea. The balloon can hold about 16 people with a size of 300,000 cubic feet. The pilot flies at different heights during your flight to give you different views, using the different wind flows.
What to expect on a balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
The flight gives riders great photo chances and an experience that is truly unique and different from a normal game safari on the ground. As you slowly drift over the park, you can watch the sunrise as the grassland below comes to life with birds and animals. After a hot air balloon ride, there is a tasty bush breakfast served by Mweya Safari Lodge staff. The hot air ballooning safari is the best way to view wildlife, as you can spot hyenas coming back from catching prey and other animals with hippos going back to the water, especially in the Kazinga channel area. It’s a journey of finding things to enjoy, and a flying certificate is also given after the flight. After the flight, riders celebrate with a glass of wine followed by the big bush breakfast from Mweya Safari Lodge.
Hot air ballooning in Murchison Falls National Park
Dream Balloons runs hot air balloon safaris in Murchison Falls National Park. The company was first allowed and started in 2007 to run hot air balloon safaris in Egypt,t but later grew its work to East Africa and then Uganda. In Uganda, Dream Balloons Company was registered in 2011 to run hot air balloon safaris, and it is fully licensed by groups such as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and other responsible government groups.
What you need to know
Dream Balloons Company employs certified pilots approved by both the Uganda and Egyptian Civil Aviation Authorities, each with over 1,000 flying hours. Trained instructors also guide all ground crew members, guaranteeing passenger safety.
The park operates two balloon sizes. A medium balloon carries eight people and reaches 10,000 feet. A larger balloon carries sixteen people, making it ideal for private groups, honeymooners, and wedding proposals.
Hot air balloon activity in Murchison Falls National Park has two sessions: the sunrise session, which starts at 5:00 am and lets you see early morning animals eating, and the sunset session, which starts at 4:00 pm and ends at 6:30 pm. During the hot air balloon activity, the company picks up visitors staying in the northern part of the park and takes them to the starting point. Uganda Wildlife Authority speed boats take those staying in the southern part to the starting point in the northern part. Upon arrival, they will watch the balloon fill with air and hear a safety briefing from the pilot; the two-hour flight typically runs from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.
What to expect
During the ride in the hot air balloon, visitors will have amazing views of the park, sunrise, animals, birds, grassland plants, tree tops, Lake Albert, and the mighty Murchison Falls, among others. After that, you will land on the ground and get your certificate for taking part in the hot air activity. Afterward, you’ll enjoy a bush breakfast with a bottle of champagne made by the Paraa Safari Lodge chef. Afterward, the company will take you back to your lodge. You can also choose to go on a game drive within the park.
Another hot air balloon session begins at 4:00 pm and ends at around 6:30 pm. The company will take visitors to the starting point and give a briefing about what to expect and safety steps. After landing, the company will give people a certificate for taking part in the activity, but the flight fee does not cover the cost of a bush dinner.
Cost of Uganda Balloon Safari
The cost of a hot air balloon safari in Uganda depends on the park, the number of people, and the reason for the flight.
In Queen Elizabeth National Park, the cost per person for a hot air balloon safari is USD380. It is half the price for kids up to 12 years of age. The cost includes the balloon, drinks before and after the flight, a certificate, and a bush breakfast.
In Murchison Falls National Park, the cost of a hot air balloon safari for foreign non-residents is USD380 for staying in the southern part and USD300 for foreign non-residents staying in the northern part, including boat crossing, sunrise view, and bush breakfast, but not including bush dinner in case of an evening flight.
East African Residents pay USD250, including sunset or sunrise view and boat crossing.
For the old use of the hot air balloon, for example, wedding proposals, VIP guests, and photo shoot sessions, among others, one has to pay USD 2,000.
Note: Children between 6 and 12 years pay 50% of the adult fee. Those below 6 years do not pay, though they should be able to stand on their own without parents’ help, and if you book with a group of 8 people, there’s a discount.
What’s the best Safari time for Hot air ballooning in Uganda Safaris?
Visitors can do hot air ballooning, an exciting activity in the park, at any time throughout the year, although the best times are during the dry season from June to August and December to February. During the dry season, there is less rain, shorter grass for clear viewing, and good weather. Therefore, you will have wide views of the park, tree tops, plant types, sunset, and sunrise. You’ll see animals eating in the open grassland plains, where short grass and other features are visible. This choice is better than the wet season, which brings heavy rain and leads to ride cancellations with refunds for riders.
How to book for yourself?
Are you ready for such an exciting safari experience? We’re here to help you. Anthill Safaris plans custom hot air balloon safaris, gorilla trekking safaris, horseback riding safaris, birding safaris, and many others, and we are 100% sure that if you book with us, you will have an amazing tourism experience that you will always remember.
