Hot Air Balloon Safari in Akagera National Park is one of the most unique ways to experience the conservation area, the park is Rwanda’s only savannah national park situated in the eastern part of Rwanda along its borders with Tanzania, covering an area space of approximately 1,120square kilometers this qualifies the national park as the largest ecosystems of the country most sought after when it comes to savannah species, it is the mostly occupied by water bodies including numerous lakes and rivers for example the Lake Ihema, Lake Shakani and River Kagera after which it is named. The park was first gazette in the 1934 and is managed by the Rwanda development board a government body that takes on all the protected area together with the Akagera management company.
Hot air balloon safari in Akagera National Park launched in 2022 in partnership between 3 entities to see it operate successfully, these include the Rwanda development board, Akagera Management Company, and the Royal balloon Rwanda. The launch is the very first of its kind in Rwanda, it is thrilling to view the park from the above as you watch animals stamping through the grounds, streams and lakes, the balloon takes a maximum of 6 passengers and flies up to 1000 meters above the ground, expect to have breathtaking views of the park and animal views for example elephants, buffaloes, Rhinos, zebras, hyenas, duikers to mention a few with the many bird species some of which will be seen flying into the air and singing swiftly for example the African fish eagle, harrier hawk, crowned cranes.
To be able to participate in the balloon safari in Akagera National Park it is wise to book the experience in time to avoid the inconvenience of missing out as there are a few limited numbers of people allowed, bookings can be done directly from the site of the Rwanda development board or through your ground handler, the activity is sparked off with a morning briefing from the park rangers, they will tell you of how to conduct yourself, how to climb the balloon and what to expect, later you will be transferred to the starting point, it takes a whole hour enjoying the balloon after which you return to meet your guide.
Hot air balloon safari in Akagera national park is best experienced in the dry season when the weather is friendly to fly, this happens in the months of December –February and June- early September, other activities to do while in Akagera national park include game drives, these are done in sessions through the well distributed trails of the national park, in the morning, afternoon and evening times, expect to meet most of the park species using open roof safari vehicles. Boat cruises along the Lake Ihema offer great experiences to travelers expect to see water birds and animals for example hippos and crocodiles and birding in the national park.
Akagera national park can be accessed by road from the Kigali international airport through the country side of Rwanda, it takes 2-3 hours to arrive at the destination.