Hot Air Balloon safaris in the Akagera National Park on January 17, 2022, hosted by the Royal Balloons' hot air balloon tour The Rwanda Development Board, Akagera Management Company, and Royal Balloon Rwanda are proud to announce the beginning of their operations in Rwanda by offering the first hot air balloon experience in Akagera National Park.

Royal Hot Air Balloons operates two hot air balloon safaris in Rwanda’s Akagera national park that can accommodate 4 to 6 people per safari, offering the big five animals such as elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and lions, as well as other unique animal species in the stunning savanna-covered landscapes of the park. The hot air balloon soars above these landscapes to heights of up to 1000 meters.

 

Hot air balloon excursions add so much to Akagera National Park adventure tourism, bringing more options for an exhilarating new development. Additionally, it gives Rwanda the chance to keep forming new partnerships and securing bigger investments in the tourism industry in order to meet visitors' expectations and sustainably contribute to conservation.

 

Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Akagera National Park

In order to launch hot air balloon excursions in Akagera National Park, Akagera Management Company and Royal Balloon managing director Atilla Turkmen joined forces. The incident is a great example of how conservation can enhance the local community's quality of life and the natural environment.

 

At Akagera National Park, hot air balloon rides offer visitors an exhilarating new perspective of the park's stunning and distinctive landscapes while also contributing financially to the park's preservation. In the nearby communities, the hot air balloon safaris have generated new employment opportunities and revenue streams.

Royal Balloon Rwanda is a travel agency with almost 30 years of expertise. It manages hotels in Turkey and provides hot-air balloon excursions at various natural locations in Eastern and Southern Africa. Nations have adopted this practice to diversify travel routes and extend visitor stays.

 

Where do the hot air balloon safaris in Akagera National Park start?

Your journey starts when you arrive at the launch location in Kayitaba, which is nearly five minutes' drive from the south entrance gate of Akagera National Park.

 

The hot air balloon safaris in Akagera National Park require visitors to arrive at 5:15 a.m. (this time will be altered depending on dawn time). As you watch the hot air balloon being prepared, members of the Royal Balloon Rwanda staff will greet you and give you information.

 

Royal hot air balloon expert pilots start filling the balloon while you're having your early-morning coffee and snack, giving you the chance to take stunning pictures.

 

What is there to expect at the end of the hot air balloon safari in Akagera National Park?

The hot air balloon experience concludes with a champagne celebration after your landing, as is customary for hot air balloon safaris, and the receipt of a flight certificate signed by the Royal Hot Air Balloon Pilots as a memento of this amazing day. All travelers are urged to wear closed shoes, and due to the cold temperature, they are also advised to bring a coat.

 

Akagera National Park.

Akagera National Park offers over 2500 square kilometers occupied by mostly Savannah terrain in eastern Rwanda. The Kagera River, which runs along Tanzania's eastern border with Rwanda, is where the park gets its name. The Akagera River feeds Lake Ihema and a number of smaller lakes in and around the park.

 

Akagera national park has sections of open grassland and a dozen marshy lakes typical of the African Savannah. Akagera National Park preserves an acacia and shrub environment. It is a sizable protected wetland with a high level of biodiversity. The majority of the large species, like giraffes and elephants, can only be seen in Akagera National Park. The other parks do contain forest elephants, but it can be challenging to spot them. You can tour the park while on your endless game drive in the comfort of your safari vehicle.

 

Activities offered in Akagera National Park in Rwanda

Game Drives

Akagera National Park game drives offer a chance to see all of the species that live there as well as the expansive environment that surrounds them. Game drives in Akagera National Park are something that most travelers look forward to. You can take a game drive anywhere in the park, and with the help of a professional tour guide, you'll have the best experience in Rwanda. Tourists can also engage in night drives that showcase nocturnal animals such as bush babies, hyenas, nightjars, owls, leopards, and genets. Other wildlife creatures seen in Akagera National Park include elephants, zebras, baboons, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, hippos, and crocodiles. 

 

Boat trips on Lake Ihema

Akagera national park is home to the fauna as well as drained with a number of lakes that act as bird nesting grounds, and, more importantly, Lake Ihema facilitates boat trips through the Akagera national park. Lake Ihema frequently hosts boat safaris and protects a variety of fish species, crocodiles, and other aquatic life. Only 11 tourists are allowed on board, and the boat safari takes place in the mornings and evenings. The price of Lake Ihema boat trips may be $ 180 per trip.

 

Bird Watching

Akagera National Park in Rwanda is famous as a significant bird-watching destination. Akagera National Park offers unique bird species such as the Papyrus gonolek and shoebill. They are among the two critically endangered bird species that can be seen in Akagera National Park alongside other common bird species like weavers, different kingfishers, and egrets. Bird watching can be done on a boat safari on Lake Ihema, on a nature walk with an expert ranger escorting you, or on a wildlife game drive. Travelers can also observe aquatic life while bird watching on Lake Ihema that they wouldn't see while on a game drive through the Savannah grasslands. Overall, we strongly recommend bird watching at Akagera National Park.

 

Fishing at Akagera national park 

Sport fishing on Lake Shakani is available at Akagera National Park. Travelers need to make a reservation with the park if they are interested in sport fishing on this lake. Despite the fact that the goal is to catch and release, you have the choice to keep one catch for dinner if you so choose.

 

Aside from the newly added hot air balloon tours, the park also offers the Behind the Scenes safari, Walk the Line, guided nature walks, and other activities.

 

Contact us directly at info@gorillasafariscompany.com if you would like to book a wildlife viewing safari in the Akagera National Park with an exceptional hot air balloon safari.