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Hoedspruit

A safari town near the Kruger's Orpen gate and many private game reserves.

About Things to do & see Businesses Property

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.

Businesses in Hoedspruit

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JW Jakkals & Wolf Café in the Hoedspruit area. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo KP Kalimambo Pub, Indian Restaurant and Grill Pub with Indian restaurant and grill in Hoedspruit town. Restaurants Hoedspruit, Limpopo KM Kampvuur Meat, Deli & Boma Butchery and deli selling meat from its own farm, including European wild boar. Bakeries & Delis Hoedspruit, Limpopo KC Keystone Cafe Café near the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo KH KFC Hoedspruit KFC fried-chicken takeaway in Hoedspruit. Takeaways Hoedspruit, Limpopo KK Klaserie Kombuis & Pizzeria Restaurant and pizzeria. Restaurants Hoedspruit, Limpopo KC Kuka Coffee & Bakes Coffee shop serving baked goods. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo LB La Baguette Café Bakery-café near Raptor's View, Hoedspruit. Bakeries & Delis Hoedspruit, Limpopo MA Mamore African Cuisine Restaurant serving African cuisine. Restaurants Hoedspruit, Limpopo MB Maroela Bar Bar in Hoedspruit town. Pubs & Bars Hoedspruit, Limpopo MB Mugg & Bean On The Move Total Hoedspruit Mugg & Bean On The Move outlet at a Total forecourt. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo PC Platō Coffee Hoedspruit Branch of the Platō Coffee chain in Hoedspruit. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo PB Potluck Boskombuis Bush restaurant at Kampersrus. Restaurants Hoedspruit, Limpopo RR Roast Republic Hoedspruit Coffee shop in Hoedspruit. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo RC Rooster Cafe Café in Hoedspruit. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo SS Safari Supply Co and Deli Deli and supply store near Raptor's View. Bakeries & Delis Hoedspruit, Limpopo SW Silver Wings Spur Spur family steakhouse in Hoedspruit. Restaurants Hoedspruit, Limpopo SR Sleepers Railway Station Restaurant Restaurant in Hoedspruit's old railway station building with deck seating under mahogany trees and a railway pub. Restaurants Hoedspruit, Limpopo SC Spif Chicken Hoedspruit Spif Chicken takeaway outlet. Takeaways Hoedspruit, Limpopo ST Steers Total Drakensig Steers burger outlet at the TotalEnergies Drakensig forecourt. Takeaways Hoedspruit, Limpopo SO Stoned Olive Cafe Café in Hoedspruit town. Coffee Shops Hoedspruit, Limpopo SS Sugar & Spice Hoedspruit Bakery and eatery in Hoedspruit. Bakeries & Delis Hoedspruit, Limpopo TC The Clubhouse Hoedspruit Restaurant in Hoedspruit. Restaurants Hoedspruit, Limpopo TD The Deli in Hoedspruit Deli near Raptor's View. Bakeries & Delis Hoedspruit, Limpopo

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