Hot Air Balloon Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth national park is a unique and exciting way to explore the park and admire wildlife species including abundant animals like elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, bird species, beautiful scenery among others. Queen Elizabeth park is the largest protected area that is located in western Uganda in four districts Kasese, Kamwenge, Rukungiri and Rubirizi. The national park was established in 1952 and covers a total land area of 1978 square kilometers which is comprised of vegetation types including savannah grassland, woodland, swamps, forests which act as habitat for abundant wildlife species including the big four mammals (elephants, buffaloes, lions, leopards), other animals like Uganda kobs, bushbucks, waterbucks, giant forest hogs, warthogs, hyenas, hippos, Nile crocodiles, topi, primates like chimpanzees, baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red tailed monkeys, vervet monkeys which are found in Kyambura gorge and more than 600 bird species such as white tailed lark, African wattled plover, oink backed pelican, black bellied bustard among others. Queen Elizabeth national park is famously known for the tree climbing lions which are found in Ishasha sector in the southern part of the park and the tree climbing lions are believed to climb trees due to various reasons like to run away from biting insects, to have a clear view of the prey, to escape ground heat and many others.
Hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth national park
Hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the adventurous activities which gives you an opportunity to experience the wild or explore the park in a hot air balloon. Hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth started in 2014 and the trips are run by balloon tours Uganda Ltd a company that was licensed by Civil Aviation Authority, Uganda wildlife Authority and National Environmental management Authority to conduct hot air balloon safaris in Queen Elizabeth. Hot air balloon experiences in the park start very early at around 5: 30 am where visitors will be picked from the lodge to the launch site for a briefing about the safety precautions and experiences. after the briefing visitors will be served a cup of tea or coffee as the hot air balloon is being prepared to take off by the crew members, you will later start flying up in the skies which takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on the weather conditions, quantity of fuel available and the number of clients on board. Hot air balloons can fly up to 2500 ft or 760m above to the sea level and during flying you will have scenic views of Queen Elizabeth national park, sunrise or sunset, tree tops, crater lakes, Kazinga channel, snow capped Rwenzori mountains, views of animals like buffaloes, elephants, giant forest hog, warthogs, waterbucks, Uganda kobs, views of different bird species among others.
After the hot air balloon safari experience visitors will go for an English bush breakfast which will be served with a sparkling non alcoholic wine from experienced chefs of Mweya safari lodge and after breakfast each visitor will be given a certificate as a souvenir for participating in Hot air balloon and either return back to the lodge for relaxation or go for an interesting game drive.
Cost of hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth national park
Hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth national park costs USD 380 per person and kids up to 12 years are charged half off the grown-ups cost. The Hot air balloon rates include inflatable flight, refreshments before and after the flight, certificate and bush breakfast.
Best time to go for a hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth
Hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth can be done all year round though the best time is during the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February because that’s the best time when you will have spectacular views of animals, sunrise or sunset, beautiful landscape and take great photos.
Information about hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth
- The minimum age of passengers to participate in Hot air balloon safari is 6 years
- Hot air balloon flights are offered daily all year round unless the weather is not favorable
- The maximum carrying capacity of the balloon is 16 people and no minimum number of passengers are required
- When the weather conditions are unfavorable the balloon may not depart and a full refund will be issued to the passengers or reschedule for the nest day in case the passengers have another day in the park.
- Visitors are required to carry a small backpack, binoculars and camera to take photos during flight.
Apart from the Hot air balloon safari, Queen Elizabeth offers other activities like game drives in Kasenyi plains, boat cruise on Kazinga channel a water channel that connects lake Edward and lake gorge, nature walks where you will get up close and personal with wildlife species, birding where you will be able to see different bird species because Queen Elizabeth national park is one of the best birding destinations in Uganda, chimpanzee trekking where you will be able to spend one hour with the endangered chimpanzees in their natural habitat among others.
For aerial or scenic views and unforgettable experiences you should book a hot air balloon safari in Queen Elizabeth national park with Achieve Global Safaris.
