Keeping children busy while on a safari holiday is important for several reasons and keeping them busy with activities that teach them about wildlife and conservation can help them understand and respect the animals and their habitats.

Safari holidays can be a lot of fun for children, but they can also be tiring, boring, or overwhelming at times. Long drives, early mornings, hot weather, and unfamiliar food can affect their mood and energy levels. Keeping them busy with games, stories, crafts, and other entertainment can help them cope with the challenges and enjoy the experience more.

Holidays are a great opportunity for children to learn about nature, culture, geography, history, and more; hence participating in activities that stimulate their curiosity and creativity can help them develop their skills and knowledge. Moafrika Tours offers a Nelspruit to Hoedspruit shuttle service, our comfortable vehicles and experienced drivers ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Here are some kid-friendly activities and attractions in or near Hoedspruit:

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

The endangered species centre is a wildlife conservation centre that focuses on the breeding and rehabilitation of endangered and vulnerable species, such as cheetahs, rhinos, wild dogs, and vultures.

You can visit the centre and see these amazing animals up close, learn about their stories and challenges, and support their conservation efforts.

The centre also offers educational programmes for children and adults, as well as volunteer opportunities.

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

This is another wildlife sanctuary that rescues and rehabilitates injured, orphaned, and poisoned animals, such as lions, leopards, eagles, hyenas, and honey badgers.

You can take a guided tour of the centre and interact with some of the animals, such as feeding the vultures or stroking a cheetah. You can also learn about the threats facing wildlife and how you can help protect them.

Hippo Jessica

A visit to Jessica is a unique and unforgettable experience where you can meet and interact with a tame hippo named Jessica.

Jessica was rescued as a baby during a flood and raised by a human family. She lives in the Blyde River near Hoedspruit and visits her human parents every day.

You can join them for a visit and feed Jessica, hug her, kiss her, or even brush her teeth. You can also learn more about hippos and their behaviour.

Siyafunda Wildlife & Conservation

Siyafunda was established in 2004 to aid the Greater Makalali Nature Reserve with elephant monitoring as part of the contraception programme, which is the world’s longest continuous elephant contraception operation.

This has recently expanded to include tracking of all Big 5 species as well as other predators.

​This is an opportunity for children and adults to experience the African bush in an authentic and immersive way. You can join a wildlife research and monitoring project and stay at a rustic bush camp.

You can participate in game drives, bush walks, animal tracking, data collection, and other activities that contribute to wildlife conservation.

Hoedspruit Reptile Centre

The reptile centre is a place where you can see and learn about various reptiles, such as snakes, lizards, crocodiles, tortoises, and more. You can take a guided tour of the centre and see the reptiles in their natural habitats.

You can also touch some of the reptiles, such as holding a python or feeding a tortoise. The centre also educates visitors about reptile conservation and how to deal with snake bites.

Nyani Cultural Village

The cultural village is a place where you can experience the rich and vibrant culture of the Shangaan people. You can visit a traditional village and see how they live, cook, dance, sing, and tell stories.

Join them for a cultural show that showcases their music, costumes, instruments, and rituals. You can also taste their traditional food and buy their crafts.

Kidz @ Bosveld Village

The Kidz @ Bosveld play and water park is a safe and fun place for children to play, while their parents could relax at one of the many lovely restaurants and shops at the Bosveld Village.

This entertainment centre boasts a spacious and colourful playground under the trees with rubberised Astroturf flooring and a white picket fence for safety.

Kids can enjoy mini climbing walls, slides, a zip line, splash area, mud kitchen, sand pit, scooter race track and ground games, such as hopscotch.