Tourism
The Hoedspruit area is synonymous with big game and nature reserves. With easy access to two of the Kruger National Park’s gates (Orpen and Phalaborwa), it is the gateway to some 160 000 hectares which make up the Greater Kruger Park area - the Timbavati, Klaserie and the Balule Private Nature Reserves are home to both privately owned game farms and a myriad of private game lodges. Here guests and visitors can immerse themselves in the local culture, the wildlife and the dramatic bushveld of Southern Africa. Other attractions include the Blyde Canyon, the only green canyon in the world, offering spectacular hiking trails as well as a must-do boat trip which showcases this magnificent green Canyon perfectly. The Panorama Route, featuring magnificent views from the escarpment, looking down into the Blyde Canyon, and panoramic attractions such as God’s Window, the Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, numerous waterfalls, Graskop (with its world famous Harry’s Pancakes, Bridge Swinging and Canopy Tour attraction), the picturesque and forested Sabie area and the historical mining town of Pilgrims Rest form part of this much-loved tourist Route.
Cuisine
Dining out is a pleasure for those wishing to partake in a vast range of gastronomic delights –Fig n Bean can wow with a sensational “in season” salad or cocktail; Hat and Creek are renowned for their steaks; Sleepers has simply the best burgers; Anne from Cotton Club will wow you with her dramatic setting and fusion food; Bruhouse, Cala La Pasta and Upper Deck are known for their great Pizzas; Blue Mountain offers diners delightful fare whilst gazing out on the splendour of the vast Northern Drakensberg Mountain range with its ever changing faces; Safari Wine Club offer an extensive range of world-class wines and cheese platters to accompany your personal wine choice, whilst Gavin at Bruhouse offers an amazing range of local and imported beers and ciders, and is a great meeting spot for all those wishing to watch our national heroes bring home the glory!
Things to do
The area offers wildlife in abundance which one can experience in different and exciting ways – by game viewing vehicles, in a hot air balloon, taking a flight over the Lowveld at dawn or dusk or on foot by means of guided walking trails. Rehabilitation Centers like the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre and Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre are a firm favourite. Thrill seekers can satisfy their need for speed and extreme sports at the ever popular Blyde River Adventure Centre which offers, amongst other things, white-water rafting, kloofing, tubing and paintball. For the golf enthusiasts, Drakensig Golf Club is conveniently located on the outskirts of Hoedspruit and offers spectacular views coupled with the added sizzle of playing 9 or 18 holes under the watchful eye of a variety of plains game. Sports lovers can join Sports Club at Drakensig and have access to tennis, badminton, squash, cricket, rugby, bowls and swimming. Hoedspruit offers a variety of sporting clubs and events – plenty of options to suit all; enjoy a cycle or run amongst plains game with the Pam Golding running and cycling club; Birders can join the bird club and be wowed by the amazing variety of birds in the Lowveld area whilst Horse riding enthusiasts take outrides to a new level, going on trails leading through game viewing areas.
Lifestyle
Big Game Estates offer the owner the option of living and traversing in a big game area and co-habiting with four of Africa’s Big Five– the thrill of sitting on the deck sipping a sundowner and watching elephant amble past or happening upon a leopard or lion whilst on a game drive. The Plains Game Estates cater for those wishing to enjoy the more energetic life; what could be better than going for a morning walk, run or cycle and enjoying a game experience at the same time? Soak up the magnificence of the Northern Drakensberg Mountain range and the splendour of the pristine Blyde river, meandering past beneath the awe-inspiring riverine canopy trees.