Otters Den River Lodge & Hot Air Ballooning

We offer fully catered accommodation and a variety of activities for nature lovers or adventure seekers. Whether you prefer more peaceful pursuits like birding and hiking, or the romance and excitement of Hot Air Ballooning, our qualified and experienced staff will arrange it.

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 is where the meals are served and it has a dining room, timber deck, bar, braai, TV lounge and plunge pool.

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 and woodland. There are 111 tree species and the list is growing. The bird list tops 220 species, including Fish Eagle, Narina Trogon, African Finfoot and Purplecrested Touraco. Small game like otter, serval, genet, civet, 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 National 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. Mosquito nets are provided but are seldom needed.

Though many other activities and excursions are available in the area, our own specialty is hot air ballooning. We are happy to offer advice on the best activities as indicated by season, weather and your own interests.