Hoedspruit is a small town in the heart of the Limpopo wilderness. There are so many memorable things to do in Hoedspruit – it’s located in the foothills of the northern Drakensberg, close to the Kruger National Park and a variety of other much-loved Lowveld nature reserves. This makes it an incredible place to visit, if you’re looking to experience the best of African wildlife and take in the most magnificent landscapes.

Hoedspruit is an easy distance from Klaserie, Timbavati, Selati, Balule, Thornybush and Sabi Sands. These beautiful bushveld surroundings make the town a good base from which to explore a diverse range of eco-tourism adventures, from game viewing, birding and hiking to river rafting and mountain climbing.

The Hoedspruit Airport provides a gateway to the world-famous Kruger National Park, as well as the towns of Tzaneen and Phalaborwa. In addition to scheduled flights to and from Johannesburg and Cape Town, Hoedspruit Airport is ideally suited for private charter flights.

Top Hoedspruit Attractions

The name Hoedspruit is a direct translation from the Afrikaans words meaning “Hat Creek”. Legend says that an early pioneer was so delighted to settle in the town that he tossed his hat into a nearby creek!

Over the decades, Hoedspruit has grown into a hub of agriculture and conversation. The town has solid tourism infrastructure, with a hospitable spirit and a strong environmental ethos.

Hoedspruit is also part of the Valley of the Olifants tourism route, which spans local wilderness and mountain areas.

Here are some of the top things to do in and around Hoedspruit:

Visit the Kruger National Park

Orpen Gate

The closest Kruger Park gate to Hoedspruit is Orpen Gate, which takes you into open grasslands, populated by large herds of grazing animals, as well as majestic African lions. The Timbavati Road in central Kruger has a reputation as one of the park’s most scenic routes, and one of the top spots for wildlife photography.

Kruger National Park Safari Day Tours

KPS is a Kruger Park safari and charter company, run locally in Hoedspruit. They provide a speedy, reliable shuttle service and a wide range of safari services for travellers looking to experience the Kruger Park.

Explore the Local Wilderness Reserves

With so many wilderness reserves and bushveld conservancies on your doorstep, there are endless opportunities to discover the local flora and fauna – including the famous Big 5.

Be sure to visit the following wildlife attractions around Hoedspruit.

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

Moholoholo offers a sanctuary for abandoned, ill or injured animals and birds, which are released back into the wild after rehabilitation wherever possible. Those that cannot be released become “permanent residents” at the centre, acting as ambassadors for their species in a caring environment.

When visiting Moholoholo, you can expect to meet leopards, lions, cheetahs, honey badgers, servals, hyenas, vultures, eagles and more.

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) is all about making a difference to the planet and supporting the survival of its endangered animals. This African wildlife facility focuses on conserving rare, vulnerable and threatened species such as rhinos and cheetahs. HESC also educates local communities about wildlife tourism, breeding, rehabilitation and anti-poaching.

Daktari Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage

Daktari works to inspire and educate children about their natural environment, with fantastic interactive educational experiences in the middle of the bush. The organisation cares for orphaned and abandoned animals, while also running outreach programmes and community development projects. 

Jessica the Hippo

Jessica the hippo is a local celebrity, who can be spotted in the river of Hoedspruit. Jessica was separated from her mother shortly after birth during a disastrous flood in 2010, and was taken in and raised by the Joubert family. She is now fully grown and roams free in the river, but she chooses to stay close to her human family and even sleeps in their house! She has become a very famous hippo indeed, and has inspired many films and documentaries.

Kinyonga Reptile Centre

Kinyonga (from the Swahili word meaning “chameleon) is home to many fascinating creatures, including snakes and lizards, amphibians, and other creepy-crawlies like spiders and scorpions. The centre aims to conserve these misunderstood critters, and educate more people on why they should be respected and not feared.

Camp Jabulani Elephant Experience

Observe the gentle giants of African in their national habitat when you visit Camp Jabulani. There are so many things to learn about these amazing animals, and this reserve offers you the opportunity to get closer to them.

Stay at a Private Hoedspruit Nature Rese

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve

This is one of the country’s largest privately owned nature reserves, spanning 60 000 hectares. Klaserie is part of the greater Kruger National Park. KPNR is a non-government organisation committed to local conservation initiatives. Within the reserve, you’ll find a choice of accommodation from rustic bush camps to luxurious game lodges, all in a pristine environment.

Baobab Ridge

This beautiful five-star venue is situated within the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Baobab Ridge provides a memorable bushveld experience in an intimate private lodge, accommodating a maximum of 16 guests.

Klaserie Drift: Misava Safari Camp

Misava Camp is also part of the KPNR. This is a fully inclusive luxury 10-bed camp with incredible views over the Klaserie river and the African savannah. Guided game viewing takes place twice a day, giving guests the chance to spot the area’s most famous wildlife and bird species.

 Timbavati Game Reserve

Located between Hoedspruit and Acornhoek, Timbavati offers a variety of safari lodges in unspoilt natural surroundings. The reserve protects many threatened species, and is also home to a natural history museum.

Make Hoedspruit your next holiday destination, and discover some of Africa’s most exquisite gems.