Exploring the Blyde River Canyon: A Gateway to Nature’s Majesty.

Nestled in the heart of Hoedspruit, Moditlo River Lodge offers a gateway to some of South Africa’s most magnificent natural wonders. One such wonder, the Blyde River Canyon is just a scenic drive away.  

The journey from Moditlo River Lodge to the Blyde River Canyon is an enthralling drive, there are 2 alternate routes to choose from one spanning 54,6 km (approximately 1 hr 26 min) via R40 and the other 48.1 km ( 1 hr 13) min via Klaserie Rd/R40 . The scenic route takes you through the picturesque landscapes of Hoedspruit, offering glimpses of wildlife and the unique flora that characterizes the region.

Photo credit: Blyde Canyon adventure centre

What you can expect:

  • Panoramic Views: As you embark on the journey, be prepared to be captivated by the panoramic views that unfold around every bend. The Blyde River Canyon boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa, with towering cliffs, lush greenery, and the meandering Blyde River itself.
  • Three Rondavels: One of the highlights of the Blyde River Canyon is the iconic Three Rondavels. These towering rock formations, resembling traditional African huts, provide a perfect vantage point to soak in the vastness of the canyon and the surrounding landscapes.
  • Bourke’s Luck Potholes: Nature’s artwork is on display at Bourke’s Luck Potholes, where centuries of water erosion have created a series of cylindrical rock sculptures. The unique geological formations make for a fascinating stop during your canyon exploration.
  • Boat Trips and Hiking: Depending on your preference, boat trips on the Blyde Dam or hiking trails along the canyon rim offer different perspectives of this natural wonder. The boat trips provide a serene journey on the dam, while hiking allows you to immerse yourself in the diverse ecosystems surrounding the canyon. See details here: https://blydecanyon.co.za/boat-trips/

The Blyde River Canyon excursion from Moditlo River Lodge is one of many that is available to you as our guest [ https://moditlo.com/about-us/activities/ } . This excursion isn’t just a trip; it’s an immersive odyssey, a dance with nature that leaves an indelible mark on your soul. In Hoedspruit, the adventure is not merely a destination – it’s a way of life, and the Blyde River Canyon is a testament to the boundless wonders waiting to be discovered.

 

Hoedspruit Airport

Hoedspruit Airport

Just 20 minutes by car ( 13,6km ) from Moditlo River Lodge is the Hoedspruit airport. In fact, the actual name of the airport is Eastgate Airport.

In the late 1990s an unused portion of Air Force Base Hoedspruit was converted into a civilian airport now known as Eastgate Airport. It was also an emergency landing site for the Space Shuttle.

When you land at Eastgate Airport, you are 18 minutes away from the town of Hoedspruit and 50 minutes from the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park.

Some of our guests choose to drive to Moditlo from Johannesburg to enjoy the scenery and culture on the way here. In that case a flight back home or on to your next destination from OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg makes a lot of sense. That is 445km or just under 5 and and a half  hours by car from Moditlo.

Eastgate airport serves a number of charter flights for private flights, small groups or package holidays. If it is a scheduled flight you are after, then try one of these airlines:

  • Airlink flying non-stop from Johannesburg in 55 minutes.
  • Cemair flying non-stop from Cape Town in 2h45

The airport also offers car rental, a restaurant licensed to sell alcoholic beverages a gift / curio shop and a small convenience shop.

To learn more about Eastgate Airport see there website: https://eastgateairport.co.za/directory/

Moditlo Birthday Feature: What our employees say

Moditlo Birthday Feature: What our employees say

In celebration of our fifth birthday we asked some of our most loyal employees that have been with us since we opened our doors in 2013 to tell us more about their experience with Moditlo for the past five years. This is what they had to say:

What is the best part of working at Moditlo River Lodge?

Dorah: I love working with the guests, they are very friendly!

Hilda: The people are very kind and we get promotions if we work hard. I love my job.

Forgive: The promotions I got throughout my time here.

What is the most memorable moment you experienced at Moditlo River Lodge?

Ntswaki: The management organized a game drive for us and our families. We had a wonderful safari and it was the first time we saw the wild animals. Afterwards we swam in the swimming pool and had a braai. Even today we are still talking about it.

Komano: The best memory I have is when Mr Gary threw us a bog party. It made everyone very happy.

What is your favourite animal and why?

Dorah: Yes, the nyala because they are always around, and they are not shy animals.

Thomas: I love the leopard. I have witnessed many leopard sightings and one stuck by me when the male leopard took the impala up the tree to safely eat without any disturbance. They are so clever!

Ntswaki: The elephant! It is the largest mammal in the bush that can push everything over especially the trees.

What are your career goals at Moditlo River Lodge?

Thomas: I would not have believed that oneday I would be where I am today. I started as a waiter in 2013 and today I am a field guide and I train the other guides. Wow, I am still looking forward to becoming better in this industry. I really love my job.

Janet: I want to improve where I am. I love my job and want to end up my career at Moditlo on a higher level.

Serry: I want to become manager. I want to be responsible for controlling a group of staff.

Forgive: To become a lodge manager and to own something

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park, The Jewel of African Wildlife

Kruger National Park, The Jewel of African Wildlife

Established in 1898, the park spans an impressive 19,485 square kilometres, making this larger than some countries. This exclusive park is a testament to South Africa’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

One of the most enchanting features of Kruger National Park is its staggering diversity of wildlife. Within its boundaries, you’ll meet not only the famous Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino) but also an overwhelming number of other captivating creatures, including cheetahs, hippos, crocodiles, zebras, giraffes, and numerous bird species. It’s a haven for both professional wildlife photographers and amateur supporters.

The park is further increased by its extensive network of camps, which serve as hubs for visitors to rest, refresh, and enjoy the park’s natural beauty. With numerous options to choose from, these rest camps offer a range of accommodations, from rustic bushveld huts to more luxurious lodges. Each camp has its unique charm and is strategically located for optimal wildlife viewing.

For individuals who seek a more in-depth experience, Kruger National Park provides two distinct ways to explore its wilderness: guided game drives and self-guided safaris. Guided game drives are led by experienced park rangers who possess extensive knowledge of the park’s flora and fauna. They offer an educational and thrilling journey into the heart of the African wilderness.

If you prefer a self-guided adventure, you can embark on a self-drive outing. These excursions allow you to explore the park at your own pace. The park’s well-maintained roads are accessible to most types of vehicles, and the network of tracks provides ample opportunities for wildlife encounters. Traveling from the southernmost gate to the northernmost, the park spans approximately 360 kilometres, which translates to a driving time of roughly 6-7 hours without stops. The park’s extensive road system offers flexibility, and you can choose routes tailored to your interests.

While Kruger National Park is a remarkable destination in its own right, it’s also the gateway to the Moditlo Private Game Reserve. Located just west of the park, Moditlo offers an exclusive and intimate safari experience. It’s a mere 30-minute drive from the nearest Kruger gate ( Orpen gate ) to the Moditlo entrance.

The Moditlo experience includes thrilling game drives guided by experienced rangers who share their knowledge and passion for wildlife. Expect close encounters with the Big Five and other fascinating species. A stay at Moditlo includes all meals and luxury lodging within the private Moditlo reserve, creating a well-rounded safari experience.

In conclusion, Kruger National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty and biodiversity. Whether you opt for a guided adventure within the park or an excursion from to a Moditlo, the experiences here will leave you in awe of Africa’s remarkable wildlife.

Photo courtesy of Sanparks.

The Fives

The Fives

The Big 5 have been mesmerising travelers to South Africa for many years, but these five big and exotic animals are not the only news worthy animals on this beautiful continent. South Africa boasts with a diverse and abundant wild life that also includes the Small 5, Ugly 5 and Shy 5. Let’s meet them.

The Small 5:

The lesser known small five won’t have travelers plan their holidays for the sole purpose of spotting them, even so they play a vital part in the ecosystem of South Africa. They are also, very cleverly, named after their big five counterparts namely the elephant shrew, the antlion, the buffalo weaver, the leopard tortoise and the rhino beetle.

Getting its name from the lengthened snout that resembles an elephant’s trunk, the elephant shrew is the most adorable, and hardest to spot, of the Small 5. Weighing in at around 28g the soft, furry rodent has a head and body length of only 10 cm. So cute!

The ferocious antlion is named for its lion-like method of ambushing prey. It uses a heightened sense of vibration (transmitted through the hairs on its body and legs) to detect the passing of insects. Waiting in its pit, with its jaws opened wide and barely visible under a thin layer of sand, the antlion strikes and drags its prey into the sand. Small, but tough!

Buffalo weavers live in the dry savannah and acacia woodland areas, where they forage omnivorously on the ground, often following the trail of buffalo herds. A beautiful find among bird watchers, these social birds tend to form large, loosely ordered colonies. Weavers build massive communal roosts in tall acacia and baobab trees, which can be easily spotted for their untidy appearance.

The large leopard tortoise gets its name from its attractive black and yellow speckled shell, clearly resembling a leopard’s spots. With a general lifespan of 100 years, it is the world’s fourth largest species, growing up to 70cm long and weighing over 50kg. The slow-paced tortoises are one of the easiest to spot of the Small 5.

The last Small 5 insect is the rhino beetle, which gets his name from the distinctive horn-like structure on its head. Both sexes have horns, which makes it difficult to distinguish between them. The horn makes an excellent digging and climbing tool, while the males also use them in combat during mating season. Adult rhino beetles are an impressive 5cm long. Not only are they one of the largest beetle varieties in the world; they are also proportionally the strongest animal in the world, known to lift 850 times their own weight.

The Ugly 5:

The exclusive Ugly 5 club consists out of the five underdogs only a mother could love; the warthog, the wildebeest, the hyena, the vulture and the Marabou stork.

Warthogs are day animals and spend most of their time looking for food. They are normally found in family groups and has the peculiar habit of kneeling on the front knees while feeding and foraging in a localised area. They are promiscuous as both sexes will mate with more than one partner. Warthogs can frequently be found at waterholes where they dig in the marsh and wallow in the mud with obvious enthusiasm.

The wildebeest looks as if it’s made from spare parts – a buffalo head, antelope body and horse’s tail. The large head and heavy front end are out of proportion to the slender hindquarters and spindly legs. One term for a herd of wildebeest is an implausibility, an apt description indeed. We might find their looks and feeding habits repulsive but they are the biological waste controllers, clearing up after others.

Associated with African myth and folklore, the hyena’s reputation as a backstabbing opportunist often gets him a bad rap. His sloping back and short hind legs add to the negative image of a permanently skulking creature. He prefers to scavenge rather than hunt and has the strongest jaws on the African continent. The only parts of a kill not fully digested are hair, horns and hooves.

Vultures are the villains of the piece; ugly, squabbling and  filthy. It’s true that when vultures are at a kill it’s every bird for himself, but they don’t circle dying animals waiting to cash in. They soar on thermals looking for their next meal. Many vultures have featherless heads and necks which prevent bacteria and parasites burrowing into their feathers and causing infection due to feeding on rotting carcasses.

The marabou stork is also known as the undertaker because of his cloaked appearance from behind, his long skinny legs and tufts of white hair. He has a bare head and neck and a distensible pouch. He stands around a lot and has the particularly unattractive characteristic of defecating on his legs which gives them a whitish colour. In terms of ugliness, he should take first place.

The Shy 5:

The Shy 5 are a completely different set of animals highlighting those more elusive and lesser-known species which include the largest rodent in Africa. They are the meerkat, the aardvark, the porcupine, the aardwolf and the bat-eared fox. All are nocturnal animals except for the meerkat which makes seeing these animals even more difficult to spot yet rewarding when you actually do see them.

Standing to attention at number one is the squirrel-sized meerkat. You’re unlikely to meet a lone meerkat as they live in groups known as mobs – each member of the mob is responsible for gathering food, looking after babies and keeping a keen eye out for predators.

Arguably the strangest looking of the bunch, the aardvark resembles an odd mix between a rabbit, piglet and kangaroo. This member of the elusive Shy 5 group possesses serious digging powers that are used to break open ant hills, create escape routes and gain access to delicious snacks found within termite mounds. Although destructive, the holes created are often given a renovation and used by other members of the Shy 5.

Although happy to travel alone, a group of porcupines is aptly named a prickle. With up to 30 000 quills, this is not an animal you want to cross! When feeling threatened porcupines rattle their quills to ward off predators; if that fails, these prickly rodents go into reverse, ramming their assailant.

At first glance, this dog-like animal could pass as a small, striped hyena. The main difference being their diet, where the hyena is a meat scavenger, the aardwolf feasts on termites. As their food source cannot be shared or transported, aardwolves tend to be solitary foragers who love to use burrows created by other Shy 5 members, particularly the aardvark. When feeling threatened the aardwolf puffs up its mane – much like a cat would raise its hackles – and produces a roar of sorts.

Although you may be imaging something along the lines of “all the better to hear you with my dear”, this member of the Shy 5 uses its satellite-sized ears for thermoregulation and to detect insect movement underground. The bat-eared fox is an insectivore as their diet mainly consists of beetles, ants, grasshoppers, termites and other creepy crawlies most of us would rather avoid!

Now you are all caught up on the fives! Be sure to be on the lookout for them on your next visit to Moditlo River Lodge.

Things you didn’t know about the majestic giraffe

Things you didn’t know about the majestic giraffe

Giraffes are extremely curious and sure to steal your heart with their long necks, beautiful patchwork coat, and lovable nature. Despite that they are one of the most recognisable animals in the animal kingdom, there are a lot of unknown facts about them. Here are 5 things you might not know about giraffes, including how to tell whether they are male or female.

Giraffes can go a really long time without drinking water.

Until you see it, you don’t realize how hard the world’s tallest animal has it. Sure, they may be able to reach the best leaves at the very top of the trees. But imagine the effort that giraffes have to go through just to get a drink of water. They have to get into a pretty awkward position, spreading their front legs wide and craning their neck downward. Not only does it strain their neck, but the awkward position leaves them extremely vulnerable to predators like crocodiles. To help with this, their digestive system can obtain almost all the water that they need from the leaves that they eat. Adult giraffes only need to drink once every couple of days.

You can tell if a giraffe is male or female by looking at the horns.

Both male and female giraffes have horns, but the tops of the horns on a male are almost always bald while a female’s horns will be completely covered with hair. This is because males establish dominance by fighting with other males and the hair on top of the horns gets torn off. Females don’t fight, so they never lose the hair on their horns.

Giraffes and birds are friends.

Giraffes have a symbiotic relationship with some birds, who help giraffes keep clean by eating mites and dirt off of them. What do the birds get in return? A tasty meal and a free ride!

Giraffes can run. Fast.

Though most of the time you’ll see giraffes walking leisurely around, they can run. Their long legs help them run up to 56 kilometers per hour over short distances or to cruise comfortably at around 16 kilometers per hour over longer distances. A majestic site indeed!

No two giraffes’ spotted coats are alike.

While the different sub-species of giraffes can appear to be similar, all giraffes have a unique pattern. Their spots also darken with age, and scientists have said that they can calculate their age from this darkening.

Impress your guide on your next game drive by sharing these interesting facts with them ????

Disease free Buffalos at Moditlo River Lodge

There is no denying that the buffalo is one of Africa’s most beautiful and unique animals. Lovers of the Big 5 will know first-hand what it means to want to conserve these creatures for future generations to enjoy and experience Africa in all its glory.

Moditlo River Lodge happens to fall into the Blue Canyon Conservancy area, which means we are moving forward with efforts to protect our buffalo as best we can. In recent years there has been an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, as well as Tuberculosis that affects the buffalo. To eradicate this problem, conservationists have identified a controlled area in which healthy, disease-free buffalo can breed and live protected against threats. This double-fenced area was built in 2017 and to date hosts 20 buffalo.

As the project grows, it is important to Moditlo that the buffalo are continuously protected and able to grow to a large and sustainably-sized population before they can be released into the greater reserve with predators, and we hope to someday have the controlled area expand to cover the entire greater Kruger. This holds immense promise for buffalo moving forward into the future, as the reality with many of Africa’s indigenous species is the threat of extinction, weakening numbers due to disease, and poaching.

The buffalos are tracked and treated just as any other animal in the bushveld, and special care is taken to ensure they remain a beautiful part of our wildlife. Safari visitors are still able to see the buffalos while visiting the park areas, and efforts to educate guests are made to drive home how important the longevity of this part of nature is to Moditlo River Lodge.

What is a Boma?

What is a Boma?

There is something so life-altering about relaxing in a Boma under the magical African sky, surrounded by nothing but the soothing melodies of nature in the heart of the African bushveld.

Let’s dive a little deeper into the Boma:

What is a Boma?

As defined in the Oxford Dictionary:

Noun – (In eastern and southern Africa) an enclosure, especially for animals.

The word Boma dates back to pre-colonial Africa and was used in many parts of the African Great Lakes region, including Central and Southern African. The word actually originates from Swahili and is traditionally known as an enclosure, a stockade or fort used to protect people’s livestock (usually sheep and cattle). It was typically built out of branches knit together.

The Boma has long become a part of the African culture, where a fire is lit, delicious foods are prepared and friends and family gather around the fire to eat, drink and share in storytelling.

What is the Boma used for today?

Today, at many different safari lodges around Africa, including Moditlo River Lodge, the Boma is an exceptionally unique gathering place where special tribal dining experiences are hosted. After an adventurous day spent in the bush, this is the place for the coming together of people, storytelling and unforgettable African wine & dine experiences.

Be sure to mark us as your next travel destination and expect to indulge in authentic South African dishes, luxury accommodation, Big 5 Game Drives and Safari experiences, our luxurious Moditlo Spa and so much more! Book your safari at Moditlo River Lodge today and prepare to be transported to a world of unspoilt beauty, where luxury meets rustic splendor . Follow the link to book – https://www.nightsbridge.co.za/bridge/book?bbid=17107

We look forward to welcoming you ????

About us
Moditlo River Lodge sits at the heart of the Blue Canyon Conservancy, a stretch of protected land in close proximity to the world-renowned Greater Kruger National Park, and is home to an astonishing array of fauna and flora.
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