Afrika Rundreise- Safari im Kruger Nationalpark

The 12 best things to do in Hoedspruit

Activities In and Around Hoedspruit

Hoedspruit is so much more than a quiet little town in South Africa’s lowveld.

It’s the Rainbow Nation’s Big Five safari capital and the gateway to the legendary Kruger National Park, being positioned bang smack in the middle of the Greater Kruger region.

It’s also geographically blessed, with its western horizon dominated by the impressive peaks of the northern Drakensberg escarpment, carved by the wind and rain of untold millennia into the spectacular vistas of the world’s third largest green canyon – the Blyde River Canyon.

Hoedspruit has the looks and the landscapes, the wildlife and the wilderness. What more could it offer to travellers hungry for adventure and excitement.

Plenty is the simple answer.

Here are a few of the absolute “must do” things on offer:

A Kruger National Park Safari:

Safari_ im_kruger-national-park-südafrika-Moya Safari Lodge

Safari_ im_kruger-national-park-südafrika-Moya Safari Lodge

Seeing wildlife in its natural habitat is one of the most rewarding and satisfying experiences.

No visit to Hoedspruit and the Greater Kruger Region would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Kruger National Park.

This legendary game reserve is home to the Big Five – buffalo, rhino, elephant, lion and leopard – and is the oldest and most iconic national park in Africa.

Take advantage of a full-day guided safari experience in an open game vehicle, and immerse yourself in the African wilderness while learning about its precious ecosystem, from your qualified and experienced safari guide.

The closest entrance to Kruger National Park, Orpen Gate, where your adventure begins is only a 45 minutes’ drive from Moya Safari Lodge.

 

The Panorama Route:

Voyage de rêve en Afrique du Sud - Moya Safari Lodge

Voyage de rêve en Afrique du Sud – Moya Safari Lodge

The Panorama Route with the Blyde River Canyon is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in South Africa.

It is located in the province of Mpumalanga (which means the rising sun), in South Africa and offers some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country.

The Panorama Route owes its name to the brilliant views of bizarre rock formations, gushing waterfalls, spectacular escarpments and one of the largest canyons in the world.

This full-day trip is packed with incredible experiences.

Morning and afternoon game drives in a private Big Five game reserve:

Pirschfahrten Südafrika Moya Safari Lodge

Pirschfahrten Südafrika Moya Safari Lodge

There’s very little to beat the thrill of big game encounters in an open vehicle.

In fact, game drives are the best way to immerse yourself in nature and stand the chance to see the legendary Big Five wildlife species – buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard and lion – and learn about them and the other inhabitants of this wonderful region of South Africa.

Our morning and afternoon/night drives take place in nearby Big Five private game reserves, where experienced qualified guides will share some of their amazing bush knowledge with you.

 

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre:

Moholoholo Wildlife Auffangstation in Südafrika

Moholoholo Wildlife Pflegestation in Südafrika

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is about a 35 minutes’ drive from Moya Safari Lodge.

Moholoholo has become a center for the rehabilitation and care of abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife.

Wild animals are brought to the center from all parts of South Africa to get re-introduced into their natural environment.

Animals that cannot be returned to the wild due to the extent of their injuries are becoming ambassadors of their species to educate the many people who visit Moholoholo each year.

It’s a non-profit organization, relying completely on the support of the public.

 

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC):

Centre des espèces menacées en Afrique du Sud

Centre des espèces menacées en Afrique du Sud

The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is about a 20 minutes’ drive from Moya.

HESC offers a fascinating insight into rare, endangered and threatened species as well as animal conservation efforts in general.

It offers entertaining and informative 2-hour guided tours and other special excursions for visitors. Funds are raised through tourism activities.

Seeing the cheetahs and rhinos is always a highlight. Equally popular is the vulture restaurant, where vultures turn up in their hundreds when food is laid out for them.

 

Blyde Dam Boat Trips:

blyde-river-canyon-Zuid-Afrika

blyde-river-canyon-Zuid-Afrika

The Blyde Dam is about a 45 minutes’ drive from Moya Safari Lodge.

Cruising the Blyde Dam is one of the best ways to view the incredible Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world and one of the greenest, thanks to its unique microclimate.

Enjoy the overwhelming scenery as you pass by some of the most photographed mountains in South Africa.

The dam itself is home to hippos and crocodiles, which you may be lucky enough to spot on the leisurely 90-minute cruises that depart each morning and afternoon.

 

HERD- Elephant Orphanage in Hoedspruit:

Olifanten Wees Centrum Zuid-Afrika Hoedspruit Moya Safari Lodge

Olifanten Wees Centrum Zuid-Afrika Hoedspruit Moya Safari Lodge

The HERD Elephant Orphanage is about a 40 minutes’ drive from Moya Safari Lodge.

It was established in 2021 following a 24-year journey in caring for elephants that have been displaced or orphaned due to human-elephant conflict.

The elephant herd are a unique and close-knit family that started with Jabulani, an orphaned elephant who was rescued in 1997, and a herd of elephants that were rescued from Zimbabwe in 2002.

Guests can enjoy a respectful 90-minute experience and will be inspired, educated and enthused by this memorable opportunity to meet these gentle giants.

All proceeds will go towards HERD Trust- South Africa’s first elephant orphanage to help look after the elephants.

 

Jessica The Hippo:

Jessica_Hippo_Hoedspruit_Zuid-Afrika_Safari_Lodge

Jessica_Hippo_Hoedspruit_Zuid-Afrika_Safari_Lodge

Jessica the hippo is approximately a 25 minutes’ drive from Moya Safari Lodge.

The year 2000 started with devastating floods in Mozambique and South Africa.

Where the Blyde River (near Hoedspruit) joins the Olifants River, a baby Hippo girl, Jessica was found on the banks of the terribly flooded river and rescued by Tonie Joubert.

During your visit you can feed and touch the very tame Jessica and you will learn a lot about this amazing species.

This is a perfect family activity, so why not go and make friends with Jessica, the hippo, who lives on the banks of the Blyde River.

The Hoedspruit Reptile Centre:

Reptile_Centre_Hoedspruit_Moya_Safari_Lodge

Reptile_Centre_Hoedspruit_Moya_Safari_Lodge

The Hoedspruit Reptile Centre is about a 20 minutes’ drive from Moya Safari Lodge.

The Centre is one of the most well-known reptile centres in Africa and offers an incredible display of reptiles and amphibians from all over the world.

This is a self-guided visit where you can walk through the Centre on your own and view the many spectacular animals on display.

On these tours experienced guides will show you some of southern Africa’s most poisonous snakes including Black and Green Mambas, Boomslang, Mozambique spitting cobras and vine snakes.

 

Exploring Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate:

walking-safari-Zuid-afrika-Moya-Safari-Lodge

walking-safari-Zuid-afrika-Moya-Safari-Lodge

Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate (HWE), home of Moya Safari Lodge & Villa, literally offers you a wilderness in your back yard.

The centre of the estate was designated as a green belt and has been left as a wilderness area with its own network of roads, hiking and mountain bike trails.

Don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars with you as the bird life on the estate is truly spectacular with fish eagles and other large birds of prey as well as the smaller, more colourful species, from woodpeckers to sunbirds and canaries.

You’ll also see lots of game, from grey duikers and warthogs to impala and kudu. There’s also giraffe, nyala, bushbuck, zebra, waterbuck and wildebeest on the estate.

Hot Air Balloon flights:

Montgolfière à Hoedspruit en Afrique du Sud

Montgolfière à Hoedspruit en Afrique du Sud

There’s very little to beat the magic of a lighter-than-air flight in a hot air balloon, so combining it with the magnificent landscapes of Hoedspruit and its surrounds is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience and one that’s not to be missed.

The hour-long flights take in the beauty of South Africa’s Greater Kruger lowveld region and its ranging farmland, private nature reserves and wildlife estates as well as the magnificent Drakensberg Escarpment that dominates the western horizon.

The photographic opportunities are endless so don’t forget your camera!

Please note, this activity is very dependent on the weather.

Microlight and Helicopter Flips:

Microlight-Flight-Hoedspruit-South-Africa

Microlight-Flight-Hoedspruit-South-Africa

Experience the Greater Kruger region and spectacular Drakensberg Escarpment in a uniquely exciting way courtesy of a microlight flight.

Taking off from just outside Hoedspruit, you will soar over the town and its surrounding game reserves and wilderness areas, viewing the edge of the escarpment and the magnificent mountain peaks that call it home.

Try your hand at game viewing from above as you fly low over the breathtaking landscapes and breathe in the amazing fresh air in this open-to-the-elements flying experience that’s a definite tick on your “to do” list!

Top Things to do in Hoedspruit South Africa

Top Things to do in Hoedspruit South Africa

So there you have it – a host of things to do and see while you’re our guest at Moya Safari Lodge.

And don’t worry about getting here or getting to any of these amazing activities, because we can sort that out for you too.

Let us arrange hassle-free road transfers for you during your stay with us.

We can organize transfers from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit, Skukuza Airstrip in the Kruger National Park and Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport.

Or simply have a look at our tailormade Safari Packages

Our Packages are specifically designed to ensure you get to experience the absolute best our area has to offer at the best price.

Contact us today-we will gladly assist you in planning your ultimate safari and dream journey to South Africa.

We hope to see you soon!

Wunderschönes Südafrika - Moya Safari Lodge.

Wunderschönes Südafrika – Moya Safari Lodge.