White Lions of Timbavati!

It's an unusually satisfying day today as Wizard Midrand become proud sponsors of the White Lions of Timbavati.

As a monthly offering, Wizard Midrand will be donating a percentage of their profits to the White Lions foundation. In addition to this, each month, 10 Wizard clients will become members of the White Lions re-introduction program. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FREE!

It's a great initiative by the SA Home Loans team and we hope many companies in South Africa will start following suit.

For more information and to see some of the amazing stuff that's been done so far, please go to the Official White Lions website.

Congratulations Wizard Team!

Hot Air Ballooning - Hoedspruit, Central Lowveld!

In keeping with this weeks flow of Otter Den River Lodge and their offerings, I decided to save the best for last. This is just one of those things that you don't get to experience in life very often. If you're looking for a romantic experience or just a thrill seeking adventure, Hot Air Ballooning is for you.

Otters Den River Lodge

Every morning at sunrise, Otters Den sends the balloons off on their daily departure from several launch sites in the Hoedspruit area. This is one experience that you want to hop onto without a question.

Flights over the African Wilderness

Experience the magic of lighter than air flight over the Lowveld Big Game parks adjoining the Kruger National Park. This flight guarentees you views of the BIG 5, including game such as Elephant, Buffalo, Lion with herds of Zebra and Antelope. Trust me, it's something you don't want to miss.

Otters Den 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. Located near Hoedspruit and offering flights over Kapama Game Reserve and other lodges and game reserves that have suitable terrain this is the only Hot Air Balloon ride available in the Lowveld region.

Expectations

Meeting before sunrise, coffee is served while you watch your eight storey high balloon being inflated and prepared for flight. The pilot gives you a little safety briefing, but trust me while you're waiting for this balloon to get off the ground, the last thing you remember are the safety rules. You are airborne and alive just in time for the sun rise. This trip takes you over the landscape of the lowveld. After roughly an hours flight the pilot selects a suitable landing site where the retrieve crew should be in attendance. Sparkling wine and fruit juice is served after the flight.

See also White Water Rafting
See also Otters Den River Lodge

For more information please contact me on +27 74 444 7592 or email on wizardmidrand @ gmail.com

THRILL SEEKER? White Water Rafting in Africa!

ARE YOU A THRILL SEEKER?

Do you love being in the WILD, better yet, being part of the wild?

Otters Den River Lodge offer exclusive white water rafting for guests who decided to make their way down to Hoedspruit. Otters Den pioneered white water rating in the Blyde River Canyon and Olifants Gorge.

From 3 hours to 3 days, we have the white water trip for you...

Otters Den Rafting Options:

1. Lower Blyde: brief, mild rafting trip
A brief introduction to whitewater rafting. 3 km of mild rapids along the Blyde River just 10 mins from Swadini.
Duration: About 2 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the group.

2. Olifants Gorge day trip
A 10km whitewater trip from the village of Mabinz down to Manousta (just below the strydom tunnel). Class 2 & 3 rapids and sometimes up to class 4 when the water is high. An exciting Trip with great mountain scenery. Lunch and drinks included. Everyone meets at 8am at Otters Den and is back by 3pm.

3. Blyde Canyon day trip
Raft the 3rd biggest canyon in the world! 8km of intense rapids with the odd portage. Class 3-4 (some say 5). Snacks, lunch , drinks and gate fees are included in the price. The day ends with a cruise over the Blydepoort Damon our pontoon boat. Everyone meets at 6am at Otters Den or Swadini and you're back by 6pm.

4. Blyde Canyon overnight trip
This is the same as number 3, except that you spend a night at "Wet Camel", a rustic little bushcamp in the Canyon. Day 2 starts with an early morning coffee, a hike and a swim. Breakfast back at Wet Camel, followed by a mid-morning pontoon boat cruise to Swadini. Done by noon on day 2.

5. Olifants Gorge two or three day trips
An adventurous African River expedition. Paddle 45km(2-day) or 65km(3-day) through remote wilderness. We pitch camp on a secluded beach or under the stars. These trips start off with mild rapids and culminate in exciting rapids on the last day. Class 2-3, up to class 4. Meet 7am on day 1, back at 3pm on the last day.


For more information email wizardmidrand@gmail.com or call me on +27 74 444 7592

Otters Den River Lodge! AMAZING!

Have you ever been a fan of Peter Pan?

Have you ever wished that one day you'd wake up in Wonderland?

Well ladies and gentlemen. I found Wonderland in the form of a Bush Lodge called

Otters Den River Lodge

Otters Den is a exclusive hideaway on the forested island in the Blyde River near Hoedspruit. Offering the most beautiful hiking trails, incredible bird life, loafing like never before and a must DO breakaway for nature lovers.

The camp is designed to accommodate a group of 12 guests comfortably in five wooden chalets. The chalets are a combination of stone/thatch and timber structures with timber decks stilts overlooking the incredible Blyde river.


The central lodge area is where the meals are served and it has a dining room, timber deck, bar, braai and swimming hole.

An experienced field guide is available to take you hiking through indigenous forest and woodland. There are 111 tree species and the list is constantly growing. The bird list tops 240 species including Fish Eagles, Narina Trogon, African Finfoot, Halfcollared Kingfisher, Green Twinspots and Purplecrested Louries.

Small game such as otters, serval, genet, bush pigs, bush babies and small antelope can be spotted if you're 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 Blyde Canyon Nature Reserve, The Cheetah Breeding Project and the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre.

The meals are unbelievable. I had the privilege of trying their WORLD FAMOUS chicken soup and let me tell you, that's a soup for the soul! Due consideration is given to guests with special dietary requirements. Much use is made of home grown fruit (try that orange juice people, you have no idea!), vegetables and herbs.

In summer your ceiling fan can be turned on for a cool nights sleep. Mosquito nets are available but are seldom needed. For a long weekend away, this is the place.

For more information email me on wizardmidrand@gmail.com or call me on +27 74 444 7592.