ABOUT OTTERS DEN RIVER LODGE
Otters Den is a River Lodge on an island in the Blyde River. It is situated at the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment, near the Orpen Gate to the Kruger National Park. The nearest town is Hoedspruit.
We offer fully catered accommodation and a variety of activities for nature lovers or adventure seekers.
Though many other activities and excursions are available in the area, our own speciality is HOT AIR BALLOONING. We are happy to offer advice on the best activities as indicated by season, weather and your own interests.
ACCOMMODATION AT OTTERS DEN
Otters Den is an exclusive hiking, birding, fishing, loafing break-away for nature lovers. The accommodation is rustic chalets in a riverine forest on an island in the Blyde River. Sumptuous meals, guided hikes, birding and fishing. Easy distance from the Kruger Park and Blyde Canyon - but why go there if you can stay and relax on your own island?
One reaches the camp by crossing the Blyde River by suspension bridge, symbolizing your escape into wilderness.
The camp is designed to accommodate a group of up to ten guests comfortably in five chalets. The chalets are combination stone/thatch/canvas structures with timber decks on stilts, overlooking the river.
The central lodge area has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, sundeck, bar, braai, plunge pool and mini-conference area.
The island is 50ha of forest, veld and wetland and has 2km of river front on the main channel of the river. Anglers can try for a variety of fish species including Largescale Yellowfish, Catfish, Tilapias and even Largemouth Bass.
An experienced field guide is available to take you hiking through indigenous forest, field and stream. There are 110 Tee species and the list is growing. The Bird List tops 220 species, including African Fish Eagle, Narina Trogon, African Finfoot and Purplecrested Turaco (Lourie). Small game like Otter, Serval, Genet, Bush Pigs, bush babies and small antelope can be spotted if you are patient and observant. Hippo and Crocodile are often seen under the bridge.
Otter's Den is an ideal base from which to visit the Kruger Park, the nearby Reptile Park, the Blyde Canyon Nature Reserve, the Cheetah Breeding Project and the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre.
The meals are sumptuous. Due consideration is given to guests with special dietary requirements. Much use is made of home grown fruit, vegetables and herbs.
Mosquitoes are seldom a problem and in summer, your ceiling fan can be turned on for a cool night's sleep and also to fend off any mosquitoes that might want to visit.
Anglers: We encourage catch and release, but guests are welcome to keep a fish or two for consumption in the camp.
TARIFFS
Accommodation at Otters Den River Lodge
All Season Rates:
Dinner, Bed & Breakfast: R930 per person per day
sharing
Optional Lunch: R50 p.p.
Single supplement (if not sharing a room): R120
Under 12's half price, under 6's no charge
Notes: DB&B tariff includes two
sumptuous meals a day, snacks and teas, guided walks,
bedding and towels. Beverages from the bar are not included.
All tariffs quoted in South African Rand.
BALLOONING - FLIGHTS OVER AFRICAN WILDERNESS
Otters Den is the operational arm of a Balloon Airline flying over the largest block of private nature reserves in the World.
Experience the magic of lighter-than-air flight over the Lowveld Big Game areas adjoining the Kruger National Park. Our pilots and guides will ensure a safe, enjoyable and informative adventure that will be one of the highlights of your visit to Big Game Country.
Where?
We are located near Hoedspruit, and we offer flights over Kapama Game Reserve, Makutsi, Thornybush, Tshukudu and other lodges and game reserves that have suitable terrain.
Depending on forecast wind directions, we select a launching site that will place us upwind of a good game spotting area. The decision is usually made the evening before the flight. Self-drive passengers are provided with a detailed map showing the locations of our 12 regular launching sites.
For lodge guests who don't have their own transport, we can help arrange a transfer to the launch site.
What to expect
We meet before sunrise and coffee is served while you watch your eight-storey high balloon being inflated and prepared for flight.
After a safety briefing you should be airborne in time to witness the sunrise. Then a change in altitude to search for a favourable wind that will allow you to drift gently over the landscape.
Game spotting cannot be guaranteed but on most flights we see giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, nyala, impala, bushbuck, waterbuck,duiker and warthog. Rhino, buffalo, elephant and lion are more difficult to spot, but there is always a good chance.
After about an hour’s flight, the pilot will select a suitable landing site where the retrieve crew will be in attendance.
Passengers don't have to be physically fit, but be prepared to stand in the basket for at least an hour. Youngsters are welcome but should be at least 1.2m (4 foot) tall, so they can see over the rim of the basket.
Sparkling wine and fruit juice are served after the flight. Passengers are then also invited to have breakfast at Otters Den.
What to wear and bring along
Though winter dawns can be nippy, once you're up in the basket, it will be surprisingly warm. Warm clothes will be useful during pre-flight. Cameras and binoculars can be brought along.
Staff and equipment
Your pilot is, of course, fully qualified and is also an environmental interpretation expert.
We fly a Kavanagh 210 that carries pilot plus 8 passengers, a Cameron 180 that carries pilot plus 6 passengers and a Head 120 that carries pilot plus 4 passengers.
Bookings and terms
Bookings and enquiries can be made at Otters Den River Lodge: (015) 795 5488. A minimum of two passengers and a maximum of 18 per flight. If weather conditions don’t allow a flight on the day of your booking, you are entitled to a full refund, or you can choose to carry your ticket over to another day. VISA, Master Card, Diners and American Express accepted.
TARIFFS
Hot Air Ballooning
All Season Rates:
R2600 per person.
Youngsters under 45kg (90lb) in weight qualify for a
50% discount.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Otters Den owner, Wynand Uys, was instrumental in developing whitewater rafting on the Blyde and Olifants Rivers.
Liaising with co-operator Steve Hardy of Hardy Ventures and with the Southern African Rivers Association (Now African Paddling Association), safety standards were developed and guides were trained.
As a result the Blyde Canyon has become one of the best known rafting destinations in South Africa and the Olifants Gorge section has gained the same popularity.
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