Hasselt – The Kiewit Domain in Hasselt has launched a new bivouac site featuring three tents, accommodating up to eight people each. Aldermen Tine Jans and Rik Dehollogne underscored its focus on providing a family-friendly experience immersed in nature, reports 24brussels.
A newly opened bivouac site at Kiewit Domain, enveloped in a tranquil oak forest between the Amber Garden, the nature garden, and the donkey pasture, caters to a limited number of visitors each night.
The area accommodates three tents with a maximum of eight guests nightly. The site includes two wooden platforms measuring three by four meters, serving as sturdy bases for tents, as well as multifunctional tables or benches.
“You’re literally in the middle of the forest,”
stated Tine Jans (Vooruit), alderman for the Kiewit Estate.
“It’s very basic. You sleep under the trees, but you still have accommodations like the Kiewit Estate’s restrooms nearby. Campfires and barbecues aren’t allowed, but a small camping fire is.”
What makes the Kiewit Domain in Hasselt a new hub for family bivouac?
The bivouac site operates under specific guidelines, allowing camping only from 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. for a single night. Extended stays are prohibited. Visitors can access a sanitary block and running water in the estate’s courtyard, with a caretaker present at all times to ensure compliance with the rules.
The addition of this bivouac site enhances the existing network of camping zones in Limburg, addressing a clear gap in offerings for primitive camping in the region. Prior to its opening, De Wijers lacked a dedicated location for such experiences.
“There was still a blind spot in De Wijers,”
explained Stien Stassen, coordinator of the Kiewit Domain.
“There were already bivouac zones in Haspengouw and Hoge Kempen National Park. We’re thrilled to be the stepping stone connecting the two other regions.”
“I am also going to try it with my son and daughter, who have wanted to camp in nature for a long time.”
noted Rik Dehollogne, Alderman for Tourism (N-VA/Open VLD). City officials emphasized the significance of the site for enhancing tourism in Hasselt.
“It is a great addition to the wide tourist offer of our city,”
said Alderman for Tourism Rik Dehollogne (N-VA/Open VLD).
“It is not only a stop for cyclists and hikers, but also an exciting experience for families with children who want to sleep outside in a tent. I may even try it myself with my son and daughter, since they have wanted to do this for a long time.”
Located near the Pukkelpop festival grounds, the bivouac zone is not intended for festival attendees. The site remains free of charge, accessible only through a reservation system managed by the Agency for Nature and Forests, ensuring availability for nature lovers while safeguarding the environment.
“No, they’re not supposed to camp here for free for four days. And we’ll be monitoring that during the festival,”
added the coordinator.
The Kiewit Domain boasts a history spanning over 300 years, having evolved from a noble estate to an orphanage, a religious refuge, and finally becoming a public nature domain encompassing approximately 130 hectares. The area is currently celebrated for its ponds, meadows, and educational gardens. On August 15, 2025, the estate inaugurated the bivouac zone, inviting visitors to experience overnight stays in nature.
