Rwanda on Wednesday introduced air ballon rides in Akagera national park (East) and that will operate two hot air balloons that can accommodate 4 to 6 guests.
The deal is a result of an agreement between Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and Royal Balloon as well as Akagera Management Company, the statement obtained by APA in Kigali said.
Tourists will also be able to soar as high as 100m to 1000m above the park’s scenic savanna-covered landscapes inhabited by the big 5 – namely, elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and buffaloes – and other vast varieties of wildlife.
“We are pleased to partner with Royal Balloon Rwanda to add yet another exciting product to Rwanda’s adventure tourism experiences,” Clare Akamanzi, CEO of RDB said in a statement.
She added, “We are committed to continue forging new partnerships and enable more investments in the tourism sector to exceed travellers’ expectations while sustainably contributing to conservation.”
Akamanzi shared similar sentiments with Atilla Turkmen, Managing Director, Royal Balloon Rwanda, who commended the organization’s partnership with Akagera Management Company.
“This is an outstanding example of how conservation can transform the natural habitat and lives of surrounding communities,” he said.
With our experience in tourism of more than 30 years, Turkmen added, we would like to align ourselves with Rwanda’s long-term sustainable tourism strategies.
“We hope that by introducing this new tourism activity, we will support conservation efforts and contribute to tourism in Rwanda.”
Ladis Ndahiriwe, Park Manager, Akagera National park is convinced that Hot air ballooning will give visitors an exciting new perspective of Akagera’s beautiful and unique landscapes while contributing financially to the conservation of the park.
“New jobs and forms of income are being brought to the community as well,” he pointed out.
Royal Balloon Rwanda is part of a tourism group, which has been operating in the industry for more than 30 years.
CU/abj/APA