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

In this blog we will talk about the 10 best things to do in Hoedspruit.

We offer daily Johannesburg to Hoedspruit shuttles.

Visitors can get up close and personal with the local wildlife, simply take in the town’s natural scenery, or indulge in any of the following activities:

1. Hot air Balloon Rides

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

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.

2. Visit Tshukudu Game Reserve

The Tshukudu Game Reserve houses giraffes, lions, and elephants. In addition to safari drives and bird watching, Tshukudu provides a broad selection of other activities to its guests.

3. Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre 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.

4. 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.

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, welcoming a back rub and attention from guests.

5. Explore Blyde River Canyon

Blyde River Canyon is the world’s third-largest canyon, and often referred to as “the green canyon” because of its rich subtropical vegetation.

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.

6. Visit 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.

7. Visit Pridelands Conservancy

Pridelands Conservancy previously was a buffalo hunting estate but is now part of the Greater Kruger conservancy area and home to the Big 5, cheetah, and wild dogs.

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

8. Visit 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.

9. 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.

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

10. Wine and Dine in a Fine Restaurant

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

• 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.
• The Hat and Creek Restaurant provides exquisite cuisine, as well as an extensive wine list.

Hoedspruit Café at the Kamagelo Centre is an excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or supper, exquisite coffee and freshly baked treats.