Frequently asked Questions
Everything you want to know about the location, safari in general, the climate, malaria, and much more.
South Africa has a warm climate all year round and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe. Hoedspruit is located in the province of Limpopo and is known for its warm summers and dry, mild winters with lots of sunshine.
In the African winter you can expect temperatures between 7 and 22 ° C. In the evenings, it is wise to wear a warm sweater, fleece jacket and long pants, as the temperature can drop to 5 degrees. In the summer months, temperatures vary between 16 and 40 ° C.
| Spring: | September and October |
| Summer: | October to March |
| Autumn: | April and May |
| Winter: | May to September |
In Limpopo, most rain falls in the summer (November-March). The Baobab Bush Lodge is located in an area where it rains regularly in summer. When it rains, it is often with shorter, heavy showers at the end of the day or at night. Thunderstorms usually pass quickly.
Outside the rainy season (March and April) humidity is relatively low in the African wilderness. In winter it can be quite cold early in the morning and after sunset. We advise to bring warm clothes when you visit us in the winter months.
It is also always useful to have in the your suitcase:
- Mosquito repellent with a high DEET percentage
- T-shirts with long sleeves and long trousers (for the evening)
- Sunscreen with high protection factor
- Hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Diarrhea inhibitors, ibuprofen and aspirin
In South Africa people speak Afrikaans, which is quite similar to Dutch. When speaking slowly, one can understand each other. In addition, English is an official language.
There is no time difference during European summer time. During the European winter season South Africa is one hour ahead.
Please note that when visiting South Africa you must have a passport that is still valid for at least 30 days after the day of departure from South Africa.
New regulations from the South African Ministry of Internal Affairs as of 1 June 2015 stipulate that all minors (children under the age of 18) traveling to or from South Africa must, in addition to their passport, also submit a full birth certificate stating the details of both parents’ standing. For complete information, please refer to the national government
It is wise to contact the GGD, Travel Clinic, travel doctor or vaccination center well before departure. They can tell you exactly what are the requirements for a stay in South Africa at that moment. It is also wise to consult your health insurance. Vaccination costs are reimbursed at some vaccination centers (which are linked to your health insurance).
Basically, this part of Limpopo province, where The Baobab Bush Lodge is located, is malaria free. The Kruger National Park, however, depending on the time of the year, is not. The vaccination centers can tell you more about this.
The voltage in South Africa is 220 volts. All sockets in South Africa have 3 pins. For Dutch appliances you need an adapter plug or adapter. Most 'world plugs' that you can buy in the Netherlands are not suitable for South Africa. These adapters can be purchased anywhere in South Africa at supermarkets and many other stores
Cell service is well organized in South Africa. Reception may decrease in remote areas and nature parks. At the airports in South Africa you can buy local SIM cards to make domestic calls cheaper.
We have 100MB fiber optic internet and at The Baobab Bush Lodge you can use the free wifi of the lodge.
South Africa has the South African Rand. There are many ATMs in cities or at the airport where you can withdraw cash. Note: your debit card must be activated in advance at “Africa” at your own bank. For credit card payments, a PIN code is also regularly requested in addition to the signature.
Most guests fly to Johannesburg airport. There are several options to continue to The Baobab Bush Lodge. People drive here on the left side of the road. Many flights are at night and you arrive tired in the morning. Keep in mind that you are tired and driving on the other side of the road requires a lot of effort at first. If you plan to drive yourself, it is wise to spend the first night in Johannesburg and pick up your car the next day.
- Take a domestic flight to Hoedspruit.
- A shuttlebus runs from Johannesburg airport to Hoedspruit twice a day. And vice versa.
- Rent a car yourself at the airport. This is possible in Johannesburg, but also in Hoedspruit.
We always recommend staying a minimum of 3 nights to see as many of our wildlife as possible. The ideal length of stay is 5 nights, because then you have enough time to experience "your unique safari experience" in our area.
A safari is an adventure where you can view wildlife from the comfort of a 4x4 open Land Rover for up to 10 people. A great, animal-friendly way to experience the classic safari feeling. You can also spot the animals from your own car. At The Baobab Bush Lodge you stay in the bush and the giraffes and zebras come to the terrace.
Like many places in the world, South Africa also has its dangerous places and it is best to avoid them. In general, South Africa is a safe destination to travel to if you take the necessary precautions. The Baobab Bush Lodge is located on the secured Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.
We advise to take the Orpen Gate. This is about a 30-minute drive from The Baobab Bush Lodge