The highlights of Baleni Camp, aside from the peace and isolation of the rondavels hidden in hectares of mopani, are watching local women harvest and process salt from the Klein Letaba River, and learning how to respectfully approach the local sacred spring, Ka Mkhulu, said to wash bad luck away. Make sure you bring some Baleni salt home with you, either to cook with – it’s being used by renowned chefs around the world – or for healing or protective purposes.
Guests are housed in traditional rondavels, each with three-quarter beds and en suite toilet, hand basin and shower. Rondavels, colourfully painted with playing-card designs introduced years ago by missionaries, are scattered throughout a grove of mopani trees.
A visit to the Mhombela Cultural Group near the camp offers a traditional meal, traditional dancing and an array of crafts made by the local women. After sampling local traditional food, offered in generous portions, you'll move outside to sit under an old tree for traditional dancing – participatory in the end.
Hut at Baleni campHuts sleep two people. Camp has communal ablutions.
Dining roomCommunal dining room in Baleni camp
Salt harvestersMamma Maria making salt at Baleni
Mountain biking at BaleniCredit: Jacques MaraisCattle paths provide single track MTB routes around Baleni
Tsonga women at BaleniMembers of the local Tsonga community
Learn the Xibelani skirt dancesWatch, and participate in local dancing at Baleni
Parting the bush
Cabin covered by trees
Collected Salt
White Bellied Sunbird
Traditional huts with 2 three quarter beds and mosquito nets. En-suite bathrooms. Linen provided. Communal dining and braai areas. Limited 12V solar electricity with USB charging facilities.
Credit: Baleni Camp
Credit: Baleni Camp
Traditional huts with 2 three quarter beds and mosquito nets. En-suite bathrooms. For self-catering guests, there is a communal kitchen (fridge, crockery & cutlery provided). Communal dining and braai areas. Limited electricity with 12V solar and USB charging facilities.
Adrenaline Activities, Animal Encounters, Big 5, Bird Watching, Catch-and-release Fishing, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, General Sightseeing, Hiking, Historical Tours, Mountain Biking, Safaris, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided)
The main attraction at Baleni is the salt harvesters. These ladies make salt by hand in an ancient tradition that is economically important to the region. Visitors are given a demonstration on the techniques at each stage of the process and are invited to participate. The camp guides provide interpretation.
The camp guides take you down to visit their sacred springs and explain to you the significance of them. After washing away your bad luck you can visit Ka Mukhulu, another important geographical location
Like most of Limpopo, Baleni has a wide range of birds which you can view at your leisure
There are plenty of walks and hikes to do in and around Baleni. You are also welcome to take your bicycle for a spin, although there are no officially demarcated tracks.
