ROYAL BALLOON LAUNCHES RWANDA’S FIRST HOT AIR BALLOON
KIGALI, 19 January 2022: Royal Balloon Rwanda, in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board and Akagera Management Company, is pleased to announce the start of its operations in Rwanda by offering a hot air balloon experience in Akagera National Park, the first of its kind in the country.
Royal Balloon Rwanda operates two hot air balloons that can accommodate 4 to 6 guests. The Hot Air Balloon climbs 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 species of wildlife.
Commenting on the new tourism experience, Clare Akamanzi, CEO of Rwanda Development Board, said:
“We are pleased to partner with Royal Balloon Rwanda to add yet another exciting product to Rwanda’s adventure tourism experiences. We are committed to continue forging new partnerships and enable more investments in the tourism sector to exceed travelers’ expectations while sustainably contributing to conservation.”
Atilla Turkmen, Managing Director, Royal Balloon Rwanda, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Akagera Management Company and start the hot air balloon activity in Akagera National Park. This is an outstanding example of how conservation can transform the natural habitat and lives of surrounding communities. With our experience in tourism of more than 30 years, 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 said:
“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.”
Royal Balloon Rwanda is part of a tourism group which has been operating in the industry for more than 30 years. It operates hotels in Turkey and operates hot air balloon activities in several natural parks in Eastern and Southern Africa. Countries have embraced this activity to expand the itinerary of tourists and extend their period of stay.
ENDS
For RDB media inquiries, please contact:
Doreen Ingabire, Head of Communications
Tel +250789525598
For Royal Balloon Rwanda media inquiries, please contact:
Atilla Turkmen, Managing Director
Tel +250783453068
For Akagera National Park media inquiries, please contact:
+ 250 786 182 871
About Royal Balloon Rwanda
Royal Balloon Rwanda is the first hot air balloon company in Rwanda operating in Akagera National Park with more than 30 years of experience in the tourism industry. For more information, visit www.royalballoonrw.com
About RDB
Rwanda Development Board is a government agency responsible for leading the country’s transformation to a dynamic global hub for business, investment, tourism and innovation. Its mission is to fast track economic development in Rwanda by enabling private sector growth. For more information visit www.rdb.rw.
About Akagera National Park
Akagera National Park is located in Eastern Rwanda. The park hosts Central Africa’s largest protected wetland and is the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda. Akagera spans 1,122 km2 and has a rich diversity of habitats, including wetlands with forest-fringed lakes and papyrus swamps in the east, rolling Mutumba hills in the west and vast savannah plains in between. This produces a variety of wildlife with 485 recorded species of birds and, after a series of re-introductions, the Big Five. Plains game roam throughout in good and growing numbers, and some of Akagera’s more elusive species include the swamp-dwelling sitatunga, shoebill stork and roan antelope. For more information visit https://www.africanparks.org/the-parks/akagera/visit-akagera
