Guidebook for Hoedspruit
Food Scene
Sleepers is the perfect place for tourists & locals. It is an old train station turned into a restaurant. The staff is nice, the food good, and the price affordable.
The food is really good, i recommend the Specialty of the Day, the Burgers & Pizzas.
The place is nice & quiet during the day, there is a big decking and beautiful big trees.
On Friday night you can expect a party to happen at the bar after 9pm.
One of my favorite place to go eat or go for a drink!
46 locals recommend
Sleepers Railway Station Restaurant
1 Python StSleepers is the perfect place for tourists & locals. It is an old train station turned into a restaurant. The staff is nice, the food good, and the price affordable.
The food is really good, i recommend the Specialty of the Day, the Burgers & Pizzas.
The place is nice & quiet during the day, there is a big decking and beautiful big trees.
On Friday night you can expect a party to happen at the bar after 9pm.
One of my favorite place to go eat or go for a drink!
Hat & Creek
R527Really good food! Little play ground for the kiddies, nicely spaced!
Delicious pancakes & home made limonades! This quiet little restaurant on a farm offers a amazing view of the mountains.
It is ideal to go eat there after the visit of the Kinyonga reptile park, Jessica the hippo or the rehabilitation center of Moholoholo.
Visit the Giant Baobab which unfortunately splits not long ago because of its massive size. But it’s still worth it to check it out!
6 locals recommend
The Baobab Restaurant
Essex RoadDelicious pancakes & home made limonades! This quiet little restaurant on a farm offers a amazing view of the mountains.
It is ideal to go eat there after the visit of the Kinyonga reptile park, Jessica the hippo or the rehabilitation center of Moholoholo.
Visit the Giant Baobab which unfortunately splits not long ago because of its massive size. But it’s still worth it to check it out!
Just a 5min drive from town, the Thirsty Giraffe serves the tastiest steaks! All the food is good and affordable. Nice scenery.
And the funniest thing, is when the 3 donkeys come inside the restaurant to say "hello"!
The Thirsty Giraffe is situated on the Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit camp, which protects the South African Wildlife against poachers.
29 locals recommend
The Thirsty Giraffe
R40Just a 5min drive from town, the Thirsty Giraffe serves the tastiest steaks! All the food is good and affordable. Nice scenery.
And the funniest thing, is when the 3 donkeys come inside the restaurant to say "hello"!
The Thirsty Giraffe is situated on the Protrack Anti-Poaching Unit camp, which protects the South African Wildlife against poachers.
Perfect stop, after going to Moholoholo, Hike in the mountain... A bit out of town, you can either go to the snack bar, or the restaurant.
The food is great, and they have a local shop for beauty products, and an exposition of old cars.
12 locals recommend
24 Degrees South Self Catering
R531Perfect stop, after going to Moholoholo, Hike in the mountain... A bit out of town, you can either go to the snack bar, or the restaurant.
The food is great, and they have a local shop for beauty products, and an exposition of old cars.
Parks & Nature
You can book a morning walk with cheetahs & breakfast. It is an amazing experience to follow the cheetahs through the bush or dirt roads of the reserve.
The cheetahs are free and hunt for themselves on the reserve, so there is a 10% chance that the guides can't find them. Don't be sad if it happens to you, think that they have a dream life for a cheetah. You will still go for a walk on Big5 and might see some interesting things from a dung beetle to a rhino!
You can also book an AM game drive in an open vehicle or a PM game drive with diner.
The guides are nice, the food very good, the sightings generally good (but once again it's wildlife, so you can't bet on it) and it is always to be driven on a game reserve.
You can also sleep at the lodge, but you will need a good budget.
Tshukudu Game Lodge
You can book a morning walk with cheetahs & breakfast. It is an amazing experience to follow the cheetahs through the bush or dirt roads of the reserve.
The cheetahs are free and hunt for themselves on the reserve, so there is a 10% chance that the guides can't find them. Don't be sad if it happens to you, think that they have a dream life for a cheetah. You will still go for a walk on Big5 and might see some interesting things from a dung beetle to a rhino!
You can also book an AM game drive in an open vehicle or a PM game drive with diner.
The guides are nice, the food very good, the sightings generally good (but once again it's wildlife, so you can't bet on it) and it is always to be driven on a game reserve.
You can also sleep at the lodge, but you will need a good budget.
Entertainment & Activities
At 15min from Hoedspruit, you can either visit this park on your own, but i recommend that you book a tour with a guide (about 2hours).
It is very interesting, interactive, and informative!
They explain everything about snakes (types of snakes, venoms, what to do if you have been bitten, demonstration with snakes…), and also crocodiles, lizards, spiders, scorpions…etc. They can also take out a python for you to touch and feel how a snake feels like.
If you are afraid of snakes, it will help you to understand more about them.
The guides are really helpful and knowledgeable! One of my favourite activities close to town!
14 locals recommend
Kinyonga Reptile Centre
At 15min from Hoedspruit, you can either visit this park on your own, but i recommend that you book a tour with a guide (about 2hours).
It is very interesting, interactive, and informative!
They explain everything about snakes (types of snakes, venoms, what to do if you have been bitten, demonstration with snakes…), and also crocodiles, lizards, spiders, scorpions…etc. They can also take out a python for you to touch and feel how a snake feels like.
If you are afraid of snakes, it will help you to understand more about them.
The guides are really helpful and knowledgeable! One of my favourite activities close to town!
Moholoholo is well-known for their rehabilitation of many raptors into the wild as well as some mammals.
The introduction speech of the guides is great, it explains clearly the challenges of the preservation of the wildlife in South Africa.
And the rest of the tour looking at the animals is nice. They will explain how the animals got here, you might be able to get in some raptors cages, and touch some other animals. Just keep in mind that some of the mammals in the park are ambassadors of their species to educate people.
It is worth it to go there!
58 locals recommend
Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre
333 Sadie StMoholoholo is well-known for their rehabilitation of many raptors into the wild as well as some mammals.
The introduction speech of the guides is great, it explains clearly the challenges of the preservation of the wildlife in South Africa.
And the rest of the tour looking at the animals is nice. They will explain how the animals got here, you might be able to get in some raptors cages, and touch some other animals. Just keep in mind that some of the mammals in the park are ambassadors of their species to educate people.
It is worth it to go there!
Hippo Jessica
Get the chance to touch a hippo.
Getting Around
At Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, rather book in advance.
13 locals recommend
AVIS Rent a Car - Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport
At Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, rather book in advance.
Bidvest Car Rental Hoedspruit
Koedoe StreetIn Hoedspruit Town, rather book in advance.
Airport at about 15min from Hoedspruit Town.
Book tickets in advance.
Expensive tickets.
Daily flights to Johannesburg & Cape Town.
8 locals recommend
Hoedspruit Airport - Eastgate Airport
R40Airport at about 15min from Hoedspruit Town.
Book tickets in advance.
Expensive tickets.
Daily flights to Johannesburg & Cape Town.
Sightseeing
Visit of the panoramic route: Blyde river canyon, 3 Roundavels, God’s window, Potholes, Pilgrim rest, and other beautiful view point and waterfalls! The landscapes you will look at are amazing!
For the ones who aren’t scared, there is the opportunity to do a bridge swing in Graskop!
It will take you a day to visit all those view points taking your time.
20 locals recommend
Three Rondavels View Point
Visit of the panoramic route: Blyde river canyon, 3 Roundavels, God’s window, Potholes, Pilgrim rest, and other beautiful view point and waterfalls! The landscapes you will look at are amazing!
For the ones who aren’t scared, there is the opportunity to do a bridge swing in Graskop!
It will take you a day to visit all those view points taking your time.
Essentials
SPAR Hoedspruit
53B Koedoe StFood shopping
Pick n Pay Hoedspruit
Food Shopping
Le Bamba
Get your fresh vegetables and fruits from Le Bamba