Nitrogen pressurisation in the Serengeti

Nitrogen is a colourless, odourless and inert gas used to pressurise flight cylinders. It is an essential tool for those hot-air balloon operators working out in the African Bush or in Outback conditions. Cameron Balloons now supply a NEW super-fast Nitrogen generator for those that have to add a pressurising gas to their flight cylinders but now without the stress of buying, storing and handling lots of Nitrogen ‘bottles’.

Balloon flying, in these remote areas and the incredible wildlife observed during the lighter-than-air flights combine to make amazing passenger memories that last a lifetime - but in practical, running a business terms the wilderness can make things not quite so easy…

Tony Pascoe of Serengeti Balloon Safaris explains, ‘Being more than 300 miles from the nearest town with much of the journey on dirt roads in the famous Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, makes pressurising flight cylinders a bit of a challenge, not to mention cumbersome and costly.
Driving to the nearest town to collect tanks of the pressurising gas, involves sending a truck hundreds of miles in both directions, which means it a rather unreliable service. We can also warm the cylinders which although helps - with no electricity source apart from generators, makes this a noisy and far from trouble-free system.

After having my tyre repaired in the UK and it being filled from the tyre shops' onsite Nitrogen machine – I thought, this is what we need!’

Cameron Balloons researched, investigated and developed the prototype, completing all the tests to check that the idea, process and equipment not only worked but would withstand the conditions in Africa. 

The system which has been installed for the 2013 season has proved a great success.
‘The first generation Nitrogen Generator installation in Serengeti in 2013 has worked very well. It is fast, safe, cost effective and very convenient.’ Tony Pascoe reports. 

Serengeti Balloon Safaris were awarded The Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in 2013 (www.balloonsafaris.com) and they predominantly fly Cameron Balloons built aerostats tailor-made to ‘safari specifications’, which includes high basket walls, divided passenger compartments for comfort and security, each providing a wonderful passenger view. Serengeti Balloon Safaris are easy to spot as their balloon envelope colours are acacia green and savannah gold which blend harmoniously with the colours of the National Parks in Africa and with a choice of 8, 12 and 16 passenger carrying hot-air balloons there is something to suit every group.