Uganda Safaris In Top 2016 Up And Coming Tourist Destinations In The World.

Uganda as a tourist destination has once again been listed among the top 16 up and coming tourist destinations for 2016 by CNN. This tells you how much potential Uganda has got as a safari and holiday destination for anyone looking to visit Africa!

In 2012, Lonely planet listed Uganda among the top destinations and in 2013, National geographic also listed Uganda on its top 20 list. So, this consistency really proves Uganda safari as a bucket list adventure. National Geographic described Uganda as “Africa’s new frontier” and this time, CNN’s Anisha Shah describes it as “an outdoor sanctuary of crater lakes, white-sand beaches on lake islands, thundering waterfalls and national parks”! But I will tell you one thing she forgot; the friendliest people on the African continent!

Among the top highlights of a safari in Uganda is a visit to Ngamba Island Sanctuary where orphaned and rescued chimpanzees are habituated on Lake Victoria where you can cross the equator by boat, slicing through Africa’s largest fresh water lake.

Uganda tourism continues to grow and this can be attributed to the recent efforts by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) to promote tourism in Uganda by organizing a football match between Football Club Barcelona legends and former Uganda cranes players where ex Bercelona legend Patrick Kluivert scored a spectacular goal and later visited the various national parks including Gorilla trekking in Bwindi.

Mountain gorilla trekking stands out as the key attraction but Uganda safaris have so much more to offer including game viewing and boat cruises in major national parks, adventure activities like white water rafting on the Nile, walking safaris, birding tours and new products being developed including agricultural tourism and religious tourism in Uganda spurred by the recent Pope’s landmark visit.

With the country looking to achieve a middle income status by 2040, tourism will be one of the key earners and infrastructure developments are underway to support the sector so you can expect things to keep getting better while planning a safari in Uganda.

Contact Gorilla Holidays (U) ltd for more about a safari in Uganda. Click here

Hot Air Balloon Safaris in Uganda

Visitors to Uganda can now enjoy hot air balloon rides in Queen Elizabeth national park. The hot air balloon experience that has long graced the parks of Kenya and Tanzania has finally been introduced to Uganda.

The hot air balloon flying over Queen Elizabeth National Park

The hot air balloon rides have been introduced by Balloon Tours Ltd; a newly established company in Uganda and licensed to operate hot air balloons over Uganda by the Ugandan Civil Aviation as the designated authority for this activity thus becoming the first and only company that got approval from Uganda’s Civil Aviation Authority to manage hot air balloon rides around the Uganda safari zone. The company is reputable with over 10 years experience and has got professional pilots with flying experience in Egypt and Turkey.

Hot air balloon rides grant you the opportunity to explore and experience Uganda’s wilderness in a unique way as you fly over the magnificent plains of Queen Elizabeth national park; high enough above the trees and close enough to nature as you enjoy the serene tranquility of the African Savannah and admire the vast herds of wildlife including giant African elephants, buffaloes, and lions among others.

This is your best chance to view all wildlife as the balloon floats above and moves in no specified direction compared to the tracks that you follow during the game drives with the vehicles.

Hot Air Balloon Rides Program

The hot air balloon safari starts as early as 5:30am with pick up from the Kasenyi gate and transfer to the take off site where you will be served with a cup of tea / coffee and receive safety briefing while the crew unloads and inflates the balloon.

You will take off by 6:15am and fly for approximately 1 hour. Hot air balloon rides range from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on a number of factors including the fuel on board, the passengers’ combined weight, the balloon temperature and when the pilot finds a suitable landing site. The balloon can fly from as low as tree tops and as high as up to 2500 feet which presents a unique opportunity for photography and remarkable panoramic views.

The balloon will land by 7:15am with a sparkling glass of non alcoholic wine for each passenger to celebrate the experience and later enjoy full English bush breakfast. Every passenger is also honored with hot air balloon safari certificate to keep as souvenir of this incredible adventure!

Costs

The price of the hot air balloon safari is 380 USD per person.

Children of up to 12 years will receive 50% off the adults’ price.

Rates include the balloon flight, refreshments before and after the flight and a balloon certificate.