About Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa

Century 21 Wildlife Properties is based in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province, South Africa, in the heart of "Big 5" country. This area is one of South Africa's biggest tourist attractions and is on the bucket list of seasoned travelers. Hoedspruit is located in the Lowveld, 50km west and midway between Orpen Gate and Phalaborwa Gate, serving as a gateway to the Kruger National Park. The town is surrounded by renowned game reserves such as Timbavati, Klaserie, Balule, Selati, Karongwe, Makalali, and Thornybush. Numerous private game farms, Wildlife Estates, and residential developments also dot the area. Hoedspruit is the perfect destination for African safaris, thanks to its excellent road, rail, and air transport links. Daily flights are available to Eastgate Airport from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Originally an Air Force Base town built in the 1970s, Hoedspruit has transformed into a holiday and residential hotspot. More and more people are relocating to Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province for retirement or permanent living, attracted by the beautiful scenery, wildlife, favorable climate, good internet access, remote working possibilities, and very low crime rates. The lifestyle here offers a remarkable change for those looking to escape city life.

The climate in Hoedspruit, Limpopo is warm throughout the year, receiving approximately 550mm of rainfall annually and boasting around 320 sunny days per year. Summer temperatures average 31°C, while winter days are pleasantly warm at about 26°C, making the region an ideal year-round destination.

Hoedspruit, Limpopo area is a natural paradise, blending wilderness and scenic beauty. The Northern Drakensberg Mountains, towering up to 1,900 meters, dominate the landscape with their lichen-covered cliffs. The nearby Mariepskop Mountain is notable for its unique biodiversity, featuring hilltop grassland, tropical mist forests, and capensis fynbos species. This mountain hosts more plant species than the Kruger National Park and Table Mountain combined, making it an ecological treasure.

In the region, two of South Africa's most important rivers flow: the Olifants River, which passes through the Kruger National Park, and the Blyde River, home to the world's largest green canyon, the Blyde River Canyon. Both rivers are known for their crocodile and hippo populations. The Blyde River, in particular, supports a wide range of red data trees, birds, fish, and amphibians, while its riverine forest is home to the Pels fishing owl and the Fish Eagle.

The Lowveld bushveld around Hoedspruit is distinct, with large populations of combretum, marula, and acacia trees. Ancient Baobabs, some over 2,000 years old, and Leadwood trees, many over 1,000 years old, are prominent features of the landscape. Fondly known as "the bush" by South Africans, this region's natural environment attracts a wide array of wildlife, making it one of the world's premier game-viewing destinations.

Safari-goers are especially drawn to the "Big 5" — Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo. Additionally, Hoedspruit is home to other fascinating species such as Giraffe, Kudu, Hippo, Crocodile, Waterbuck, Nyala, Cheetah, Wild dog, Warthog, Impala, Wildebeest, Hyena, Baboon, and Zebra.

Besides game drives and bird watching, there are many outdoor activities to enjoy in Hoedspruit, South Africa. Visitors can experience hot air ballooning, microlight flights, elephant encounters, hiking trails, boat cruises on the Blyde Dam, river canoeing, and tubing. The Drakensig residential area also offers a golf course. As the town grows, new arts, crafts, and cultural activities are emerging, enhancing the local experience.

In 2001, the Kruger to Canyons (K2C) Biosphere Reserve was officially registered with UNESCO in Paris. This biosphere reserve encompasses key ecosystems that lie adjacent to human settlements and promotes sustainable solutions for biodiversity conservation. The biosphere is one of the standout features of Hoedspruit.

Hoedspruit is home to several prestigious private schools. Southern Cross Schools, internationally renowned and located in Raptors View Wildlife Estate, is known for its value-based education. This nature-focused institution is the first of its kind in South Africa, offering a unique learning environment deeply rooted in environmental principles. As a result, many families have relocated from cities to Hoedspruit, Limpopo, South Africa for a better quality of life.

Other excellent private schools in the town include Lowveld Academy, Hoedspruit Christian School, and Baobab Montessori. For junior schooling, Drakensig and Mariepskop Primary Schools remain popular, providing a high standard of education. Hoedspruit High School has also recently opened its doors, further increasing the town's educational offerings. A variety of pre-schools and daycare centers are also available for younger children, contributing to Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province's growing appeal as a family-friendly destination.

Hoedspruit has become cosmopolitan safari town with people from many countries visiting and purchasing property in the area. Other activities in the area include trail running, MTB cycling, gym, yoga and taebo, and dance. There are several restaurants offering international and local dishes situated in scenic locations. The local shops sell a multitude of curious and crafts from the area including locally made silk products, Amarula Cream the alcoholic beverage made from the fruit of the Marula tree, wood and stone carvings among others.

There are many excellent restaurants in Hoedspruit offering a wide variety of cuisine for tourists and residents. Favourites are Sleepers, The Hat & Creek, Marula Bar, The Brewery, Keystone Cafe, Hoedspruit Café, Stoned Olive Café, Kassava and Kalimambo with its authentic Indian food and Indian owner. A little way from town you get The Buck & Berg in Kampersrus, Anne's Cotton Club at Bosveld Village, Three Bridges, Blue Mountain Restaurant, Thirsty Giraffe, and Bush Pub & Inn, just to name a few…

Other activities of interest are Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, Jessica the Hippo, and the Blyde Canyon. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest Canyon in the world, and the world's largest “green” canyon. A trip to the Blyde Dam will be rewarded with mountain scenery, abundance of fauna and flora, waterfalls, and hiking trails.

Shopaholics will love the Kamogelo Tourism Centre, with its wooden walkways and quaint thatch roofs. There are a variety of Curio shops and art shops. There is also the Wild Fig Centre which also has food and clothing shops. Hoedspruit is the perfect location for a safari and a great location to explore the area. There are many game farms, game reserves, and lodges to stay at in the area. No matter what your interests, you should not get bored in Hoedspruit.

Hoedspruit a tourist destination, safari destination and residential town. This has resulted in the demand for leisure property which is a mirror image of the environment. The result is private lodges situated on game reserves and on game farms. These lodges have their own modern architecture and combine natural thatch grass for roofs, wooden decks and living space that open onto glorious views of the bush in which they are situated.

Homes are not surrounded by walls or fencing, and animals are free to move between the lodges which offer homeowners privacy from their human neighbours. These wildlife estates differ from place to place, but offer one common characteristic, that being, they share a sense of tranquillity and being in touch with nature.

Going to bed to the sounds of the bushveld and hearing owl, hyena, nightjar and perhaps even lion, then to awaken at sunrise to see a giraffe or wildebeest outside one’s window, as the birds start their morning songs, is something that every person on earth should experience. Hoedspruit is truly a special place, unlike any other.

Many people have bought property and moved to the area since it offers such a great lifestyle. You can purchase property and live on a game farm, wildlife estate or game reserve and enjoy nature on your doorstep. The people are friendly, there is a sense of community, crime is extremely low, and traffic is almost unheard of. Hoedspruit does not even have a traffic light.

Hoedspruit has property owners from all over the world and at the local schools there are often kids from many different nationalities. The town is cosmopolitan in nature with around a third South African English, a third Afrikaans and a third foreign speaking.

Property ownership includes various options such as Full Title, Sectional Title, Shareblock, Syndication, as well as rentals. The size of wildlife estate stands can vary from 3,000m² to 15,000 m². The wildlife estate properties offer privacy and an exclusive wildlife experience with minimal or no gardens and the majority of the land for the usage of the animals. Many estates have Architectural Guidelines and Homeowners Rules to ensure harmonious neighbourly living and consistency within the estates and reserves. All the Estates are well managed by a board of directors and reserve staff.

Call us for a copy of our listings or if you have a Hoedspruit property for sale.

Century 21 Wildlife Properties specialises in all types of property within a 100km radius around Hoedspruit.