Hot Air Balloon Safaris Uganda- Murchison Falls National Park

Several activities can be undertaken in the beautiful Pearl of Africa and hot air balloon safaris in Uganda are one of them. Hot air balloon safaris in Uganda are not one of the popular activities undertaken by tourists but offer such a great experience and are much recommended especially for honeymoon travelers.

Murchison Falls National Park is the top destination for hot air balloon experiences. Balloons for the hot air experience come in many shapes and sizes, most of them are regular cone-shaped balloons, and the size is quantified with the amount of air the balloon can carry. The bigger the volume of air, the more weight the balloon can hold, and thus the higher number of passengers it can accommodate.

At Murchison Falls National Park, Dream Balloon operates with a medium-sized balloon that can accommodate 8 passengers. This suits small groups, honeymooners, wedding proposals, and private tours. The balloon can fly to up to 10,000 ft above sea level.

The hot air balloon safari experience

For the hot air balloon safari experience, you are taken to the launch site on the wildlife side of the park by around 5:00 a.m. Here you have the briefing on safety precautions, rules, and regulations as you get ready to board the balloon and the team makes final preparations. Once aboard, the pilot will launch for set off and the blowing wind will help the balloon rise to several feet off the great then soar above the treetops.

While above the ground, you will have an experience of having an aerial view of the savannah below teaming with all kinds of wildlife including large numbers of animals that crowd the banks of the Nile River. The experience takes about 1 hour then you land on the ground. After the experience, you finish off with bush breakfast which is also another experience.

For those interested in having an afternoon hot air balloon experience, there is one that starts exactly at 4 p.m. This does not have any special offers or meals after the ride.

What to wear? – hot air balloon safaris

Wear comfortable clothing that is warm for the morning rides and cameras as well as binoculars to record all the great memories. For adrenaline junkies, this is a Uganda safari activity not to be missed.

If one is wondering whether the hot air balloon experience is safe, it indeed is. The balloon at Murchison Falls National Park is an ultra magic type M-160 manufactured Sin pain and registered with CAA under registration mark 5x-JBH.

The hot air balloon has an airworthiness certificate and is serviced after every flight regularly maintained by a certified specialized hot air balloon Engineer as per manufacturer’s regulations and is inspected by CAA on a regular basis. The pilots operating the balloon are licensed by Egyptian and Ugandan Civil Aviation Authorities. The ground crew was trained on ground operations by a specialized certified instructor.

Hot air balloon safaris in Murchison Falls National Park can be booked with options including sunrise or post-sunrise hot air balloon safari with or without bush breakfast, sunset hot air balloon safari, and short rides for large groups and students.

Other Activities in Murchison Falls National Park

Being the largest national park in Uganda, Murchison Falls National Park has much more to offer on top of hot air balloon safaris. Here are the top activities;

A launch trip or boat cruise

A launch trip or boat cruise is such a perfect way to experience the Nile River. The boat cruise takes off from Paraa jetty to the bottom of the mighty falls. The trip takes about 2 hours and during this time you can see several wildlife species quenching their thirst at the shores of the river.

You can also see several bird species and hear the sound of the roaring falls. For birders, the Delta cruise is such a perfect way to spot several bird species. A boat cruise can be undertaken as a group or book a private boat for your excursion.

Game drives

Game drives are the best way of seeing wildlife. A game drive is perfect on an open-roof safari vehicle that offers an all-round view of the park. During the game drive, you can see several wildlife species up close and take as many photos as you can. Depending on your schedule, you can take a morning or evening game drive through the trucks of the park.

Hike to the top of Murchison Falls

Hike to the top of Murchison Falls is the best activity to experience the flow of the Nile River through the 7-meter gorge. The hike starts from below the falls after the boat cruise and lasts about 1 hour. The walk takes you high up where the river squeezes through the 7-meter gorge with perfect photography options.

Adjacent to the park is the Budongo forest where you can have a chimpanzee trekking experience. This place is also good for bird watching. On a tour to Murchison Falls National Park, you can add in a visit to Budongo forest for a chimp-tracking experience.

For activities beyond the park, tourists can undertake Uganda gorilla safaris, wildlife tours in Uganda, bird watching, white water rafting, nature walks, cultural tours, zip-lining, and many more.