Hoedspruit, Limpopo

History

The farm was acquired by Dawid Johannes Joubert in 1844 and registered at Ohrigstad in 1848; the name ('hat creek') is said to come from Joubert losing his hat in a flood. Construction of the Selati Railway began in 1892 and the town grew around its siding, serving cattle and citrus farms. A WWII training airstrip was built in the early 1940s, and Air Force Base Hoedspruit was commissioned in 1977, turning the village into a service town. The surrounding private reserves later made it a safari and conservation centre.

Getting there

Eastgate Airport (HDS), about 5 km from town, has daily flights from OR Tambo (around 1 hour, Airlink and Federal Airlines). By road Hoedspruit is about 480 km (5 h) from Johannesburg, 220 km (2.5 h) from Polokwane and 130 km (1.5 h) from Nelspruit/KMIA, on the R40 and R527. Kruger's Orpen Gate is about 60 km and Phalaborwa Gate about 70 km away; the Panorama Route is about 45 km.

Weather & climate

Hot, humid summers (Oct–Mar) with days of about 30–35°C and short afternoon thunderstorms; dry, sunny winters (Jun–Aug) with mild days around 25°C and cool mornings. Hoedspruit is a seasonal low-risk malaria area, with risk highest in the wet summer months.

Things to do

24 Degrees SouthFormer Silk Farm complex with craft, leather and clothing shops, Godding & Godding silk products and day spa, a café and a private classic car and motorbike display.
Big 5 game drives in the private reservesShared morning and evening game drives with pickup in Hoedspruit into the Timbavati, Klaserie, Balule, Kapama or Thornybush reserves, which do not admit self-drive day visitors.
Blyde River boat cruiseCruise on the Blydepoort Dam beneath the canyon walls.
Elephant Moments at JabulaniA 90-minute early-morning encounter with members of the rescued Jabulani elephant herd and their carers on the Kapama reserve, including coffee and biscuits; minimum age 6.
Helicopter and microlight flightsScenic helicopter flights over the Blyde River Canyon and microlight flights over the Big 5 reserves from Hoedspruit.
Hoedspruit Farmers MarketMonthly market with roughly 70–90 stalls of local fruit, vegetables, bread, cheese, preserves, crafts, coffee and street food, run by the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere.
Horseback safari on the Hoedspruit Wildlife EstateGuided horse rides among plains game on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, offered by local equestrian operators.
Hot-air balloon flightSunrise balloon flight of about an hour over farmland and riverine forest near the Blyde River with the escarpment as backdrop, ending with bubbly and a flight certificate (Suncatchers).
Kruger National Park day trip (Orpen / Phalaborwa gates)Self-drive or guided day safari into Kruger; Orpen Gate is about 60–70 km and Phalaborwa Gate about 70–75 km from Hoedspruit. Guided full-day trips leave around 05:00.
Panorama Route day tripEscarpment road linking God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and the Lisbon and Berlin Falls; a full-day outing from Hoedspruit (about 45 km to the route).
Quad bike trails (Buffaloland & Franklyn Park)Guided quad-bike trails through bushveld near Hoedspruit.
The WaterParkWeekend family waterpark with slides and pools for all ages plus bring-and-braai facilities.

Things to see

Blyde River Canyon & Blyde Dam (Swadini side)One of the largest canyons on Earth, with green forested slopes; the Blyde Dam at its foot is reached from Hoedspruit via the R527/R531 to Swadini.
Daktari Bush School & Wildlife OrphanageWildlife orphanage caring for injured, orphaned or habituated animals, combined with a week-long environmental education programme for local children.
Hoedspruit Reptile Centre (Khamai)Reptile park on the R527 with mambas, cobras, crocodiles and other reptiles; self-guided visits or guided tours with live snake demonstrations, good for children and the hottest part of the day.
Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate bird hideBird hide on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate for birding and game watching.
MariepskopAt 1 947 m, one of the highest peaks of the northern Drakensberg escarpment, towering over Hoedspruit and Kampersrus.
Nyani Cultural VillageCultural village visit near Hoedspruit introducing local Shangaan/Tsonga culture.
Old Hoedspruit railway stationThe town's original Selati Railway siding building, now home to Sleepers restaurant and railway pub under large mahogany trees.
Three Rondavels viewpointThree round-topped peaks that form the Blyde River Canyon's best-known view, seen from the escarpment lookout or from below by boat or helicopter.

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