Combined Expertise

Anthony Battaliou founded Hoedspruit Online after working 40 years in the Hospitality industry. Coming from a family of hoteliers, his journey started back in the early 1980’s working in a few hotels in Hillbrow Johannesburg. In 1985 he started working for Protea Hotels at the then Braamforntein Protea Hotel. Born in Zimbabwe, he moved back in 1987 and worked at the Churchill Arms Hotel in Bulawayo. An unfortunate car accident in Zimbabwe resulted in him going back to South Africa for medical treatment. He then spent 2 years a Mmabatho Sun Hotel before moving back to Protea Hotels at their Regional Office in Johannesburg. An opportunity came up to move back to Zimbabwe with Protea Hotels who got a Management Contract in Masvingo to manage 2 hotels.

A few years later....

A few years later he moved to the Glenlivet Hotel, a small village next to Lake Mutirikwi (Kyle) and leased a 11 bedroomed country hotel for 4 years where he got married to Louise. They bought a house in the area and built a 7-chalet self-catering Lodge. In Masvingo, they opened a Tourist Information Centre for the Great Zimbabwe Ruins area. Due to the economic situation in Zimbabwe, they moved back to South Africa in May 2000 and again worked for Protea Hotels at Aventura Resorts. Two year later they moved to Millstream Farm (trout holiday resort) in Dullstroom for 5 years. Anthony was offered the position as Resort Manager at Magaliesburg Country Club however a fantastic opportunity at Umngazi Rive Bungalows and Spa lured them to the Wild Coast after a few months.

And after that...

They stayed at Umngazi River Bungalows for 11 years before moving to Cheetah Ridge Lodge on the Nambiti Private Game Reserve for 2 years. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they were retrenched and decided to make Hoedspruit their new hometown. After a short stint working in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, they decided to open a Hoedspruit Online and Fern Boutique at the Kamogelo Tourist Centre, promoting Hoedspruit as a tourist destination of choice and to find you the most suitable accommodation for your stay in Hoedspruit and Greater Kruger National Park area.