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Volcanoes National Park Nyungwe National Park Akagera National Park Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Mgahinga Gorilla National ParkA sunrise hot air balloon flight over Akagera National Park is one of the quietest, most exclusive ways to see Rwanda’s savanna landscape — the lakes, swamp, and woodland spread out beneath you, with wildlife visible from the air as the morning light comes up. One flight departs per day, so the sky over Akagera belongs to a single group at a time.
Private and fully exclusive charters are available on request for parties who want the balloon — and the sunrise — entirely to themselves.
GOOD TO KNOW
THE MORNING
The day starts in the dark. Balloons launch at first light, when the air is coolest and most stable, so you need to be staying inside or on the edge of Akagera National Park the night before — there is no realistic way to make a sunrise launch from Kigali, about two and a half hours away by road.
After a safety briefing and the inflation of the envelope, the flight itself drifts with the wind over the park’s southern lakes, papyrus swamp and open savanna. Pilots use altitude to steer, dropping low enough over the wetlands to pick out hippo, crocodile and waterbirds, then rising to show the full chain of lakes along the Tanzanian border. Landing sites depend on the wind, and the ground crew follows the balloon to meet you.
Because the flight is over by mid-morning, it pairs naturally with a game drive on the way back to the lodge and an afternoon boat trip on Lake Ihema — a full Akagera day that shows the park from the air, the road and the water.
Is a flight guaranteed?
No. Every flight is confirmed on the morning, and pilots cancel for strong wind, rain or poor visibility. We recommend two nights in Akagera so a cancelled morning can move to the next day.
Is there a minimum age?
Operators set their own age and height rules for safety, and they can change. Tell us the ages in your party and we will confirm before booking.
Can we book the balloon privately?
Yes. Private charters are available on request, so the basket carries only your group.
Where should we stay?
Any of the Akagera lodges works, as long as you are staying in or beside the park. We plan the lodge around the balloon launch time rather than the other way round.
Tell us your dates and group size. We respond with a bespoke proposal within 48 hours.
START PLANNING ↗