Hoedspruit, which serves as one of the key gateways to the Kruger National Park, is known as the “Safari Capital.”

Hoedspruit is a small town in South Africa that is well-known for the variety of animals that can be seen there making it a top destination for Hoedspruit tours and wildlife experiences. Moafrika Tours offers Hoedspruit to Nelspruit shuttle services so you can enjoy the journey.

In Hoedspruit, visitors have the option of going on safari to get up close and personal with the local wildlife or simply taking in the town’s natural scenery.

Hoedspruit has a large number of lodges to choose from.

You will have a lot of leeway in deciding where to stay to be able to enjoy all the things to do in Hoedspruit:

Hoedspruit Hot air Balloon Rides

A hot air balloon ride is one of the best things to do in the Hoedspruit area!

Gliding over the African plains as the sun rises is a sensation that will stay with you lifelong.

Sun Catchers Hot Air Ballooning has been offering one hour long flights over a mixture of farmland and private nature reserves at the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment in the Blyde River area since 2003.

The Escarpment forms an amphitheatre here, providing safe shelter from prevailing winds.

Visit Kruger National Park

One of Africa’s biggest game reserves, Kruger National Park and home to a wide variety of species, including lions, elephants, and rhinoceros, is on Hoedspruit’s doorstep. The park is easily accessible for day trips but there is also affordable accommodation in Kruger National Park for every type of traveller.

Visit Tshukudu Game Reserve

The Tshukudu Game Reserve is the ideal place to unwind and take in the wonders of nature. Giraffes, lions, and elephants may all be found in the reserve. In addition to safari drives and bird watching, Tshukudu provides a broad selection of other activities to its guests. The reserve is near to the Kruger National Park in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre was founded as a non-profit organization in 1991 and provides care for injured, orphaned, and abandoned wildlife with the ultimate goal of reintroducing them to the wild.

Among the animals that have been treated at the centre are lions, leopards, cheetahs, vultures, and eagles an visitors to Moholoholo can participate in wildlife rehabilitation programmes, go on game drives, and learn about the centre’s work.

Meet Jessica The Hippo

Jessica is a 23-year old female hippo who lives near Hoedspruit and has a remarkable story about how she touched the hearts of many people.

Jessica’s story is special and unique, because she is a wild animal that interacts with humans in a very different way than nature has intended.

Tonie Joubert discovered her starving along the banks of South Africa’s Blyde River after severe flooding in 2000, took her in and rehabilitated her.

Since then, she stays in the area, receiving a snack and 2 bottles of tea each day and welcoming a back rub and attention from guests.

Explore Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon, at 26,946 hectares, is the world’s third-largest canyon, after Arizona’s Grand Canyon and Namibia’s Fish River Canyon. It is often referred to as “the green canyon” because to its rich subtropical vegetation.

Go on a Blyde River Dam Boat Cruise

The Blyde Dam Boat Tour is a 90-minute boat ride that takes guests to admire the rare living Kadishi Tufa waterfall and the Three Rondawels mountain formation. A variety of wildlife on the banks of the dam will entertain you while you learn more about the natural history of Blyde Canyon.

Drive the Panorama Route

The Panorama Route connects the eastern Highveld with the western Lowveld via an escarpment carved by the Drakensberg Mountains.

The Panorama Route is a scenic highway that winds through the Drakensberg Mountains, offering magnificent views of canyons, waterfalls, and rivers.

You can stand on the edge of a canyon and gaze down at a river snaking through the valley below or feel the mist of a waterfall on your face as you stand at its base.

The Panorama Route is a feast for the senses with deep greens of the forests and reds and oranges of sandstone cliffs.

The Panorama Route’s starting point is 30 minutes away from Hoedspruit and towns on the route are Sabie, Hazyview, White River, and Nelspruit.

Visit the Hoedspruit Reptile Centre

The Hoedspruit Reptile Centre is located just outside of Hoedspruit and houses several snakes from this area, which makes this a great location for research and education on snakes.

Staff is available to answer any questions that visitors may have during tours of the centre.

Visit Pridelands Conservancy

Hoedspruit is home to Pridelands Conservancy, which previously was a 4500-acre buffalo hunting estate.

As part of the Greater Kruger National Park, Pridelands now is home to the Big 5, cheetah, and wild dogs.

Tall knobthorn woods, bushwillows, and open areas are interspersed with waterholes where elephant herds drink and swim.

Pridelands prioritises wildlife welfare, so animals feel safe enough that leopards, lions, cheetahs, and hyenas have lately produced cubs in the conservancy, while wild dogs have previously denned there.

Wander Through the Kamogelo Tourism Centre

Visitors enjoy visiting the over 30 shops in the Kamogelo Tourist Centre in town or have a drink or meal at one of the 5 restaurants.

The centre also houses a well-equipped camera shop, several curio shops, clothing shops, a lady’s boutique, second-hand bookshop, 2 jewellery shops, and many other shops to browse around in.

Admire Art at the Warren Cary Wildlife Art Gallery

The Warren Cary Wildlife Art Gallery is a prestigious wildlife art gallery owned by renowned artist Warren Cary..

He abandoned the Gauteng rat race to pursue a career as a full-time wildlife artist in town he felt South Africa needed a venue to present great Wildlife Art. Hoedspruit, as the gateway to some of South Africa’s top wildlife safari parks and game reserves, was the ideal place for that.

Over 350 pieces of artwork, sculptures, prints, and fine art photographic prints are on display at the gallery.

Wine and Dine in one of Hoedspruit’s Many Fine Restaurants

Hoedspruit is home to a number of good restaurants, from fast food places to fancy restaurants, taverns to disco bars.

Hoedspruit Brewing Co.

Some of the best sour dough pizzas in town and a fresh range of hamburgers and hot dogs can be enjoyed at the Hoedspruit Brew Co while its selection of specialty brews, gin cocktails, and other libations get just as much attention.

The Hat and Creek Restaurant

The Hat and Creek restaurant provides exquisite cuisine, as well as an extensive wine list. The menu features mouth-watering grills and seafood delights, all produced with fresh seasonal ingredients from local sources.

Hoedspruit Cafe

Hoedspruit Café at the Kamagelo Centre is an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or supper, exquisite coffee and freshly baked treats. For children there is a very nice children’s play area.

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