Packrafting with Packraften.be – Yugeneration

About Yugeneration

Yugeneration is Yugen’s non-profit project. For every bottle or can sold, 2 cents goes to the foundation. Our mission is to reconnect people with nature — while helping to restore it at the same time.

The name says it all: YUGENeration. Yugen is a Japanese concept — the sense of wonder you experience when faced with the beauty of nature. That moment when the vastness of the world around you gives you goosebumps.

We believe that people who truly experience nature are more likely to take care of it. That’s why Yugeneration funds free nature experiences in collaboration with strong local organizations. This time, we’re joining forces with Packraften.be and heading out onto the water for a unique packrafting and white-tailed eagle safari.

Discover nature from both land and water

Packrafting is a unique way to discover a river landscape by combining hiking and paddling.

With a lightweight inflatable raft in your backpack, you first explore the surroundings on foot, giving you a broader view of the landscape. Once you get onto the water, your perspective changes completely: you move right through the river’s microclimate, close to the plants and animals that live there.

During this white-tailed eagle safari, we’ll spend a full day exploring the wetlands around De Blankaart. We’ll alternate between packrafting and hiking while discovering the stories and nature surrounding one of the area’s most impressive inhabitants: the white-tailed eagle.

At the beginning of the winter migration, there’s plenty to discover both on land and on the water.

A day to move, slow down and experience nature from a different perspective.

About our partner: Packraften.be

Packraften.be is the go-to reference for packrafting micro-adventures in Belgium.

Through a network of rental locations and local partners, you can discover Flanders through more than 30 different packrafting adventures. Their guided trips aren’t just about hiking and paddling, but also about discovering the stories behind the landscape and the unique species that depend on our rivers and wetlands.

For Yugeneration, their guide will take you on a guided adventure through the area around De Blankaart.

What can you expect?

A full day outdoors where we’ll combine hiking and packrafting to discover the habitat of the white-tailed eagle.

Program:

10:00 – 10:30 Introduction at VZW De Boot
10:30 – 11:15 Inflating the packrafts and getting on the water
11:15 – 12:30 Packrafting to Knockebrug (± 2 km)
12:30 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 16:00 Hike through De Blankaart, including an ice cream stop at ’t Madeliefje
16:00 Local bus from De Blankaart to Merkem
16:30 – 17:00 Walk to the next launch point
17:00 – 18:00 Packrafting back to VZW De Boot

We’ll be out for approximately 8 hours, experiencing the landscape alternately on foot and from the water.

Practical information

📅 Date: 13/09/2026
🕑 Time: 10:00 – ±18:00
📍 Start and finish: VZW De Boot
🎟 Ticket price: Free*

*A reservation fee is required to register and ensure that the limited number of places is distributed fairly. This amount will be fully refunded upon attendance.

Additional information

• Maximum number of participants: 15

• Event language: Dutch

• Packraft and necessary equipment are provided

• Bus ticket during the trip is included

• The activity takes a full day

What to bring:

• Sturdy walking shoes

• Comfortable clothing suitable for the weather

• Rainwear

• A bottle of water

• Lunch for the day

• A small backpack

You’re more than welcome to join us on this adventure!

FAQ

Do I need to register for the event?
Yes. As we work with a limited number of places, advance registration is required.

Why do I have to pay a reservation fee if the event is free?
To avoid no-shows, we ask for a small reservation fee. This amount will be fully refunded after you attend the event.

Do I need any packrafting experience?
No. You don’t need any previous packrafting experience. The activity is guided, and you’ll receive instructions on-site about the equipment and how to use the packraft.

What ages are the events suitable for?
Our events are accessible to different age groups, unless otherwise stated on the event page. Children up to the age of 15 can use a duo packraft together with an adult.

What if I can no longer attend?
Can’t make it after all? You can cancel free of charge up to 7 days before the event. Let us know via [email protected], so someone else can take your place. In case of a no-show without prior notice, your reservation fee will be donated to Yugeneration.

What should I bring?
Bring sturdy walking shoes, clothing suitable for the weather, rain protection, enough water and your own lunch. Packrafts and all necessary equipment will be provided.

Where exactly does the event take place?
We’ll start and finish at VZW De Boot. If you have any questions about the starting location, please contact [email protected].

Will the activity still take place in bad weather?
Yes. Weather is part of the nature experience, so rain is not a reason to cancel. Please dress accordingly. The event may only be cancelled for safety reasons in case of storms, dangerous conditions or extreme weather.

What happens if an activity is cancelled?
The organization closely monitors the conditions and will communicate any cancellation as soon as possible. If possible, we’ll arrange a new date.

Any other questions?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Questions about the activity:
[email protected]

Questions about registrations, payments, Yugen or Yugeneration:
[email protected]