This weekend, visitors to the world-renowned Longleat Safari Park can look forward to experiencing an alternative animal encounter on a safari with a difference.
For years, the 16th-Century mansion house and grounds in Wiltshire have hosted all manner of animals, including elephants, lions, tigers and zebras. This weekend, however, Longleat’s Sky Safari promises to feature up to 150 hot air balloons congregating on the sumptuous estate for the UK’s largest hot air balloon festival.
The safari animal hot air balloons remain firm favourites with visitors to the event. This year, balloons in the shape of a lion, a cheetah, a panther, a wolf, a fox, a parrot, an owl, and a guinea pig will be joined by Adelaide the Koala balloon, who is being launched to mark the opening of the Koala Creek at Longleat Safari Park.
The fiesta will also feature balloons of an array of other shapes and sizes. A Brandenburg Gate balloon, an emoji balloon and a balloon paying homage to the iconic balloon image in the film Up! have all been promised.
The celebration starts today, although the Longleat website notes that the current slightly windy conditions may mean that not all pilots will fly. Visitors will be able to watch the balloon displays taking place morning, noon, and night. At the weekend, they will be able to marvel at the ever-enchanting nightglow.
Hot air balloons are always magical to experience. If you would like to set off on your own voyage of discovery, we offer hot air balloon flights in Bath, Bristol, Gloucester and other parts of the South West.
