Wildlife watching

On the tracks of the beaver by packraft

April to September

1 day

Eco-score 5/5

What you will experience

Look out for the tracks of the beaver in the heart of the Dyle valley with a biologist guide who is an expert on the local fauna.

Observe the wildlife of the Dyle valley from your packraft, a calm and discreet way to blend in with nature and navigate through a territory of active beavers.

An afternoon to discover the habitat and way of life of the beaver, the symbol of wild reintroduction in Belgium

Activity times specifically chosen to increase our chances of observing the beaver in its natural habitat

Itinerary

DAY 1 / 1

Distance :

7km

kayak :

We'll meet at the parking lot next to Fablab Leuven at 3.30pm, where Mathias, your guide, will give you a briefing and distribute the packraft equipment you'll receive in a compact backpack.

On the first part of our excursion, we'll be walking through the Dyle valley. A 7 km walk through a territory of active beavers. We'll take to the heights of several observation towers to spot as many animals as possible.

At Korbeek-Dijle, we'll inflate the packrafts, set sail and discover the beaver territory from the water. From our packraft, we'll have a unique view of the tracks left by these rodents in the landscape.

We'll disembark on land at the Château d'Arenberg and then return to the starting point to collect our cars.

The tour will finish at around 9.30pm.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Mathias

Nature guide

Dutch

French

English

Hello, my name is Mathias and I'm very passionate about nature. During all the nature activities I lead, I try to show the different groups the beauty and vulnerability of the natural world around us. I'm convinced that experiencing nature and marvelling at what surrounds us encourages everyone to take better care of nature.

Find out more about Mathias

What's included in the price

Included

The guide: Mathias is a biologist with a passion for studying beavers.

Packraft equipment hire: For this activity, we provide you with a two-seater packraft (2 people/packraft), paddles, one lifejacket per person and a waterproof bag.

Bagpack rental: On site, you will receive 1 bagpack for 2 people, containing all the packraft equipment you need.

Not included

Your vening picnic and water bottle (min. 1.5 litres).

Sailing in a single-seater packraft: If you wish to be alone in your packraft, simply choose this option at the next stage of your booking (€10 extra).

Transport to the meeting point.

What level should you expect

Level 1

You can walk 7 km easily and you want to switch off in a natural and relaxing setting.
You want to try your first microadventure with family or friends (open to children from 8years old).
You are looking to spend your day out in the heart of nature.
You want to learn more about beavers, their reintroduction and their way of life thanks to the guidance of a biologist and nature guide.
No previous experience in packraft is needed.

Getting there

Start: Leuven (15h30)

End: Leuven (21h30)

Transport

How to get to Heverlee station (sncb)

Brussels > Leuven
Leuven > Heverlee

Our meeting point is a 1-minute walk from Heverlee station.

➡️ Plan your journey (carpooling, train, etc.) in the most economical and ecological way with Tictactrip

No car?

You should know that we are encouraging car-pooling between participants by creating a WhatsApp group 7 days before departure: an opportunity to get to know each other before you even start your expedition!

How to register

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 474 97 09 38 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior to departures of less than 4 days.

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

Frequently asked questions

Can children take part in this family getaway?

Yes, of course! This getaway is designed for families and is accessible to children aged 8 and over accompanied by an adult. No physical or technical level is required.

What equipment is provided?

For this activity, we provide you with a two-seater packraft (2 people/packraft), paddles (1 paddle/person), a lifejacket per person and a waterproof bag for 2. You will also receive a rucksack for 2 people, in which all the packraft equipment will be stored.

Will we have room for our picnic in the rucksack provided?

Yes, on site we'll give you a rucksack (for 2 people) containing all the packraft equipment. You'll still have room in it for your picnic and a water bottle.

Can I take part if I want to be alone in my packraft?

Yes, of course. By default, we provide two-seater packrafts for 1 adult and 1 child. If you would like to be alone in your packraft, simply choose this option at the next stage of the booking process (allow an extra €10).

Can we be 2 adults in a two-seater packraft?

No, two-seater packrafts are intended for an adult/child duo. For children over 15, we recommend the single-seater packraft option.

Will there be on-site parking?

Yes, with 7 days to go, we're setting up a WhatsApp group with all the participants and the guide. In this group, we'll give you all the practical information you need to know, including our tip for finding free parking in Leuven.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.

35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.

10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.

25% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or mountain expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful brea some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

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Selected from 4 departures

From € 80 /pers.

Want to choose your own date with your own group?

Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed

Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure

Instalment facility available