Things to do in Hoedspruit

Things to do in Hoedspruit

Boat cruises, Quad bike safaris, Big5 safaris, Hot air balloon rides, Elephant interaction….

What happens in Hoedspruit?

There are plenty of activities and things to do in Hoedspruit Limpopo, South Africa. This small Lowveld town is one of the best places to visit in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. It is near the Kruger National Park, The Panorama Route, and the Blyde River Canyon. Below is a list of fun things to do in Hoedspruit. There are a lot of activities to do in Hoedspruit, South Africa. Hoedspruit is often misspelled as hoetspruit as the direct translation in English is Hat Creek. If you want affordable self-catering or B&B accommodation in Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, click here. There are a lot of adventure activities in Hoedspruit, I hope you find something to do in Hoedspruit.

Hoedspruit adventure activities

Boat Cruise on Blyde Dam

Boat cruises from R340 per person and R190 per child under 12 years old. The boat cruise is 90 minutes. Daily departures are at 7 am, 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. The Blyde Dam is often referred to as the Hoedspruit Dam. For more information click here to make a booking.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

 

Hot air balloon safari from R4800 per person for a 1-hour ride. Departure at sunrise 25 km from Hoedspruit South Africa. For more information click here or email Anthony at info@hoedpruitonline.co.za to check availability.

Quad Bike Safari

Go on a quad bike safari from R550 per person (passenger R225) for a 90-minute ride in a private game reserve 35 km from Hoedspruit on the R527. Check availability and book now. For more information about your quad bike adventure, click here.

Elephant Moments

Nothing quite prepares you for your first encounter with the Jabulani elephants. Their mammoth size and vibrant presence are always humbling. Arrive at sunrise for your introduction to a very special elephant family.

Daily tours from R1320 per person. For more information and to book a tour, click here

BIG Five GAME DRIVES

Pridelands Hoedspruit or Kruger National Park

Cost of a Big5 Game Drive

Pridelands Game Reserve – morning and afternoon 4-hour game drives

Cost from R990 per person

Kruger National Park – full-day safari

Cost from R1750 per person

For more information and bookings, click here

Educational things to do in Hoedspruit

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre strives to support conservation within a sustainable ecosystem by focusing on the survival of endangered species through the maintenance of diverse bloodlines of cheetahs, rehabilitation of rhinos, education of both local and international communities about the necessity of conservation, and, focussed research for long term sustainability of endangered species.

Daily tours from R1100 per person. For more information and to book a tour, click here.

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

A team of highly dedicated conservationists committed to preserving Africa’s wildlife. Get an up close and personal experience of incredible creatures at the center.

Daily tours from R180 per person. For more information and to book a tour, click here

 

Jessica the Hippo

Jessica is a 20-year-old female Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) who lives near Hoedspruit – South Africa. Daily tours from R100 per person. For bookings and more information click here

Hoedspruit Reptile Centre

Hoedspruit Reptile Centre strives to conserve through education and research to save and relocate vulnerable and endangered reptiles, and to establish viable captive populations of vulnerable and endangered reptiles and snakes.

Daily tours from R110 per person. For more information and to book a tour, click here

Nyani Cultural Village

Feel the rhythm of the African heartbeat with the sound of the beating drums, in the colorful tribal dances and tastes of traditional aromatic African food. Awaken your senses at the Nyani Cultural Village – a Traditional Shangaan Cultural experience. The tour starts from R500 per person. For more information on this cultural experience click here

Things to do in

Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate

MTB Trails

There is a 21 km mountain bike cycle path through Green Belt (dedicated nature wildlife section) on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. There is a Green Route and a shorter and easier Blue Route. The single track is not very technical and can easily be ridden by all levels of MTB riders.

Running Trails

Trail runners can also use the same route for the MTB riders. There are 25 km of gravel roads through the Green Belt that you can use for Trail Running while viewing the wildlife that roams around freely on the Wildlife Estate

Walking Trails

If you don’t want to use the MTB routes, there are about 20 km of gravel roads where you can walk and enjoy the game that roams freely on the HWE

Horseback Trails

Enjoy a horseback safari on the HWE. They offer a 1-hour trial at R420.00 per person and a 2-hour trial at R750 per person. For more information and bookings click here

Hoedspruit Golf Club

Hoedspruit Golf Club/Gholf Klub is located within the Drakensig Estate of the AFB Hoedspruit. For more information and bookings click here

Self-drive or guided game drives

If you prefer to do your safari drive in the Green Belt, your Lodge can provide you with a map of the area. However, if you prefer to take a guided safari in an open game vehicle, your Lodge can assist. Guided tours to Kruger National Park are also available. You can email Anthony at info@hoedspruitonlone.co.za, and I will be able to organize a wildlife safari tour.

Bird watching – bird list

There are over 240 birds on the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate Bird List. Click here to access the HWE Bird List

Restaurants in Hoedspruit

There are over 20 restaurants in the Hoedspruit area. For a comprehensive listing of all the restaurants click here

Day visit lodges in Hoedspruit

There are not many lodges in and around Hoedspruit that allow day visitors. however, Khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor has day packages. They offer safari game drives, meals, and spa treatments. Click here to find out more about their day visitor promotions.

Romantic things to do in Hoedspruit

Pridelands Game Reserve is a Big Five private game reserve and part of the Greater Kruger Park on the northern boundary of the HWE. Daily game drives can be arranged but if you would like a private sundowner safari drive or an engagement proposal, this can be arranged with your lodge. If you need assistance with the planning and costs, contact Anthony at info@hoedspruitonline.co.za

A romantic dinner on your private deck at the lodge can be arranged.

khaya Ndlovu Safari Manor, 7 km from Hoedspruit town offers day visitors spa treatments, High Tea, dinner, Sundowners, and game drives. This romantic lodge will spice up your love life with all its romantic specials.

There is a Day Spa in Hoedspruit for all your spa treatments and a romantic Couples Massage. Click here for more information

Bush Weddings and Celebrations

Many Hoedspruit safari lodges in the area can cater small bush weddings, engagement parties, or other celebrations. If you need assistance with the planning and costs, contact Anthony at info@hoedspruitonline.co.za Hoedspruit Wildlife accommodations are plenty, so if you want to do any of these adventures click here for accommodation

More activities to do in Hoedspruit

Free things to do in Hoedspruit

Warren Cary Art Gallery

Warren Cary left the rat race of Gauteng and set up life in “The Hoed” as a full-time Wildlife Artist. With a lack of Wildlife Galleries worldwide, Warren felt South Africa needed a space to showcase quality Wildlife Art. Hoedspruit, being the gateway to some of the best wildlife safari parks and game reserves in South Africa, was the perfect location for a Prestigious Wildlife Art Gallery The gallery has over 350 pieces of artwork, sculptures, prints, and fine art photographic prints. Situated in town on the R527 next to the Medical Centre. For more information about Warren Cary Art Gallery, click here.

Vanessa Lomas Art Gallery

Vanessa Lomas is very versatile in the medium she uses a selection of subject matter. Her favorite medium is Indian Ink, which is not widely used in South Africa. This technique affords her to paint and produce fine works of art. She also paints with oils and pastels. ​Her art gallery is at the Rock Fig Centre near Pick n Pay Hoedspruit. For more information about Vanessa click here

Munene Art Gallery – for real African memories

Peter Kiramba is an artist at Munene Art Gallery, which deals in African Art, Crafts, and Curios. Home to original crafted art, paintings, sculptures, souvenirs, and gift collections. Peter has many artists displaying their art at the Kamogelo Tourist Centre Hoedspruit. Peter has opened a second shop at Karongo House on Zanspruit Boulevard. For more information click here

Kamogelo Tourism Centre

The Kamogelo Tourist Centre has over 30 shops, including five restaurants, a camera shop, curio shops, clothing shops, a Fern lady’s boutique, a second-hand bookshop, two jewelry shops, and many others.

Shopping in Hoedspruit

There are two shopping centers in Hoedspruit. The Pick n Pay shopping center has three banks (FNB Bank, Standard Bank, and Capitec Bank), an MTN cell phone shop, Sheet Street, Crazy Stores, Mr. Price, Pick n Pay clothing, Pick n Pay Liquor, a chemist, a beauty shop, and Spur Restaurant.

The Spar shopping center has an ABSA Bank, chemist, biltong shop, cell phone repair shop, stationery shop, and Spar Tops Bottle Store.

Hiking Trails

There are numerous hiking trails in the Hoedspruit area and in the Blyde Dam Nature Reserve. Click here to find Trails in the area.

Leading Edge Flight School

Daily flights in a microlight. Click here for more information and bookings

Hoedspruit Day Trips

Are you looking for Adventure Travel in Hoedspruit? Below is a list of adventure activities in Hoedspruit and other activities near Hoedspruit.

Self-drive day trip to Kruger National Park

A self-drive safari from Hoedspruit to Orpen Gate Kruger Park offers you the opportunity to plan your route and find the Big Five on your own. Different routes take you to picnic sites to stop over for breakfast or lunch.  Orpen Gate is only 65 km from Hoedspruit. For more information about your safari day trip click here

Guided full-day or half-day safari to Kruger National Park

Many registered safari companies can take you on a full-day or half-day safari in an open safari vehicle in Kruger National Park. Ask your host lodge for advice or contact Anthony at info@hoedspruitonline.co.za and I will get you the best deal available for your Kruger National Park Safari.

Mariepskop Nature Reserve

Mariepskop is the highest point of the northern Drakensberg mountains on the border of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. At 1945 meters above sea level, the views from here are spectacular. You can self-drive to the top with a vehicle with high clearance. It is not advisable to travel to the top if there have been recent rains. For more information on this magnificent drive to the top of the world, click here

The Panorama Route self-drive or guided

Panorama Route Map

The Panorama Route is a full-day outing. With spectacular views from God’s Window, the Three Rondawels, Blyde Canyon Dam, 7 different waterfalls, Graskop Gorge, and Zipline, you will be kept busy all day. A visit to the Historical mining town of Pilgrims Rest is a must. On your way back to Hoedspruit, stop over at the curio stall next to the JG Strydom Tunnel. Get out of your car and have a look down at the valley below and the yellow moss growing on the rocks towering above the valley. For more information on this route click here

Blyde Dam and Blyde Canyon

The Blyde Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world. Blyde Dam (often referred to as Hoedspruit Dam) was built in the 1970s to service the growing number of citrus farmers below the Blyde River Canyon. The 90-minute boat cruise on the dam allows you to see the sheer cliffs of the canyon that rise 750 meters above the dam. For more information about the Blyde Dam Boat Cruise click here

Hoedspruit Waterfalls

There are many waterfalls in the Hoedspruit area. There are 5 waterfalls on the Panorama Route.

Lisbon Falls is 94m high just outside Graskop

Lone Creek Fall is 68m high outside Sabie

Bridal Veil Falls is 70m high outside Sabie

Berlins Falls is 80m high outside Graskop

Mac Mac Falls is 65m high outside Sabie

The Klaserie waterfall at Mariepskop and, the Blyde Dam waterfall in the Blyde Nature Reserve are both worth a visit.

Picnic Sites in Hoedspruit

Blyde Dam – a picnic and braai site at the Blyde Dam next to the Interpretation Centre.

Klaserie Dam – pay as a day visitor and have a braai or picnic. You can also fish at the dam.

Mariepskop – there are three places where you can have a picnic. The two sites are on the way to the top of the mountain and the other side overlooks the valley below.

Safaris in Hoedspruit

You can always get a full-day safari to Kruger National Park, however, if you don’t have the time, you can always do a morning or evening guided safari game drive at Pridelands Game Reserve or Khaya Ndlovu Game Reserve, both just outside Hoedspruit. Contact Anthony at info@hoedspruitonline.co.za for bookings and availability

For any other inquiries about affordable Hoedspruit Lodges and other attractions in Hoedspruit South Africa, contact Anthony at info@hoedspruitonline.co.za or go to www.hoedspruitonline.co.za