Baleni Cultural Camp

I have stayed at Baleni only for a night, but it was a wonderful stay, full of new experiences. First of all, the chalet was more spacious and comfortable than expected. The toilet and shower were very clean. Unlike other Ivory Route camps, the chalets have light and it is possible to load phones and cameras. What makes this camp special, is the local culture and the people working here. Personia, Prudence and Richard made sure we had a great time. They introduced us the local traditional beliefs when visiting the hot spring nearby. We enjoyed a demonstration of traditional salt production by local ladies, which was truly fascinating. The next morning we saw and also had the possibility to take part in a traditional dance performance, which we really enjoyed. The local culture is wonderful to explore and I can only recommend to book both the salt demonstration and the dance performance. In the evening they lit a fire and we all sat around it, sharing stories about our countries and lives. We learned a lot about the local culture during this time as well. In addition, Richard shared exciting stories from his experience as a wildlife guide, which we still remember and retell. Baleni is a peaceful and tranquil spot, full of culture and tradition. The people working at the camp are some of the most friendly and welcoming we encountered during a three-week trip to South Africa. I can only recommend to visit this wonderful place. We hope to return one day.