activities

Hoedspruit Reptile Centre (HRC) is one of the oldest and most well-known reptile centres in Africa. The Centre teaches about the conservation of all reptile & amphibian species and also rescues and relocates vulnerable and endangered species.

There is a possibility to explore the property on your own, but they also offer guided tours which give you the opportunity to get a deeper understanding and appreciation of the animals in an up-close and personal setting through interactions with live and museum specimens. There is a chance to visit between the hours of 8:00 and 17:00.
Guided tours need to be pre-booked.

Have a look behind the scenes at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre.

The Centre is the world’s most important player in the conservation and breeding of cheetahs, as well as the preservation and expansion of the already limited gene pool. The HESC rescued countless numbers of orphaned and injured wild animals and tries to release them back into the wild when possible.

HESC offers a fascinating insight into rare, endangered and threatened species as well as animal conservation efforts in general. It offers entertaining and informative guided tours and other special excursions for visitors. Funds are raised through tourism activities.

During a two-hour tour of the property, a knowledgeable guide gives an overview of HESC’s conservation programmes and shows the different species in their care up close. 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.

The tours start at 9:00 and 11:00

You will travel accompanied by a guide, who will show you the way to the most beautiful places and will take you on a search through the bush, search of African wildlife. Spot giraffes, buffaloes, rhinoceroses, and many other animals from your quad. 

Go on this adventure and feel completely free on your quad while you go on a journey of discovery.

Are you already excited about the idea? Then this is an experience to tick off your bucket list!

What better way to enjoy one of the best things that South Africa has to offer than a game drive?

There’s very little that can beat the thrill of going on a search for the well-known Big five.
That’s why we offer our guests the chance to experience both morning and afternoon/night drives in a nearby Big Five private game reserve, where experienced qualified guides will share some of their amazing bush knowledge with you as you explore the African wilderness with them.

When you are lucky you could see animals like the buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard, and lion – and learn about them and the other inhabitants of the greater Kruger area.

Most of all, game drives are the best way to surround yourself with nature and learn und about the plants and animals and how we, as humans, have such a critical role to play in helping to protect and conserve these last remaining wilderness areas.

Collection times for the morning and afternoon game drives are usually 05:00 and 15:00. 

The morning game drive includes a stop for coffee and tea
And the afternoon game drive includes a sundowner drink.

The animals at the Wildlife Estate in Hoedspruit make good use of the constructed mountain bike trails. This allows you to spot a lot of wildlife and also from up close when you go on safari by mountain bike. The zebra’s literally block the road! You will also see many small animals crossing the road just in front of your tyres and all kinds of colourful birds flying away.

Daypart (the route takes about 3-4 hours)

What could be better than 2.5 hours of ziplining around the fantastic nature of the Magoesbaskloof? Here you will not shy away from action, excitement and challenge!

You will embark on an unforgettable adventure as you zipline from one platform to the next in fantastic surroundings across rivers, treetops and beautiful waterfalls. The platforms all overlook the spectacular Great Letaba River.

The Letaba River Gorge is home to a wide variety of plants, animals and birds. The range of colourful wildflowers and orchids that drape the surrounding rocks are sure to grab your attention and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Giant Kingfisher down the river.

Suitable for everyone between 7 and 70 and up to a maximum of 120 kg.

Great for the whole family, nature lovers, thrill seekers and business groups.

It is possible to drive to this location yourself, but of course The Baobab Bush Lodge can organise this tour for you.

Bucket List Experience. Enjoy the Kruger National Park region and the spectacular Drakensberg from a high altitude in a three-axis microlight known as the BANTAM. You fly over the town of Hoedspruit and the surrounding game reserves and the Blyde River Canyon. Different types of aircraft and duration of the flight are available. Choose between 20 minute, 30 minute, or 60 minute flights.

The 180° panoramic view makes you feel as free as a bird.

Please note that this activity is very much dependent on the weather.

20 minutes	Big 5 gebied
30 minutes	Hoedspruit and Klaserie Nature Reserve
60 minutes	Blyde River Canyon and Olifants River

Nyani Cultural Village is located just outside Hoedspruit. Here you can learn everything about and from the native population. As a guest, you will be immersed in the story of the San bushman through a mixture of dance, theater and drum rhythms.

Starting with an hour-long show with the colorful costumes, dances, songs and drums, you will be introduced to all aspects of the Shangaan village. You will have the chance to taste a traditional meal in the traditional African style – that is of course eating with your fingers!

The program is flexible but usually the times of the shows are:

11.30 am	“Limpopo Pathways” Tribal Show
12.30 pm	“Nyani Village” Tour
01.15 pm	Traditional African Lunch

Nothing is more beautiful than seeing the surroundings of Hoedspruit from the air. You will experience panoramas of the Drakensberg, the Blyde River Canyon and several private parks with wildlife. You do not want to miss this trip and so you can check it off your bucket list after the trip.

The views of the area with its nature are endless, so don’t forget your camera! This activity is of course very much dependent on the weather.

The most exciting African safari destination is the National Kruger Park. The most famous and largest nature reserve in the world is 350 km long and 60 km wide. View the map of the Kruger Park here.

This legendary park is home to the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros). In addition, there are special trees and plants, no fewer than 148 species of mammals, and many birds! You have the opportunity to see all animals up close in their own habitat.

It is possible to drive through the park with your own rental car. The roads in the park are both paved and unpaved. Because they are easy to drive on, you don’t need a 4 WD (four wheel drive or 4×4).

The Baobab Bush Lodge offers a full day guided safari in an open game vehicle. With a qualified and experienced guide, you will learn about the wildlife, birds and the African wilderness.

The tour starts at 5.30am from The Baobab Bush Lodge for the Orpen Gate of the Kruger National Park. After a short 40-minute drive you can have a fresh cup of coffee at the Orpen Gate and possibly buy some snacks before the special adventure begins.

During the day safari you travel through the area around Satara, where you also stop for lunch. You regularly stop at lookout and picnic areas for a short break and where you can leave the vehicle. Although it is not guaranteed that you will spot (many) animals, the safari tourguide will make every effort to spot the animals.

If you have a Bed and Breakfast arrangement at The Baobab Bush Lodge, you will of course receive a luxurious and extensive breakfast box before departure.

Satara Camp has a restaurant with a range of light snacks and a well-stocked shop. You will return to The Baobab Bush Lodge around 5:00 PM so you can savour the special, unique and beautiful impressions of the day for a few more hours.

Full day (11 hours) 5.30am for 2-4 people

Full day (11 hours) 5.30am for 5 and more