Here Are 5 Must Do Tours For Travellers
With so much to choose from in the Hoedspruit area, just listing 5 can be a challenge. But we have put our best people on it, and this is our list of 5 must do tours for travellers making their way through!
Our 5 Must do List
- Exploring the Mariepskop summit
- Going on a game drive through Kruger Park
- Panning for gold in Pilgrims Rest
- A visit to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
- The Blyde River Canyon boat cruise
Of course there are dozens of other things to do but these five can be fit into a 4 day period, potentially even 3 if you happen to have the energy levels of a teenager! Each trip is one that will leave you with memories for a lifetime and will surely bring you back for another round at your soonest convenience.
The Breathtaking Vista At The Top Of Mariepskop Mountain
Mariepskop Mountain, named after the chieftain Maripe Mashile, whom with Chiloane leading the Pulana of the Pedi tribe stood their ground against the formidable Swazi raiding party under King Mswati II. The story includes a stand off for days whilst the raiding party waited for a mist to cover them all and they could sneak up the mountain but Chief Maripe had prepared for this and his people had prepared a great number of boulders at the top and at first sight of the soldiers sent a tumult of death down the mountain face. This battle known as ‘Moholoholo’ (we will speak about another name related tour later) which means ‘the great battle’ was the motivation for the naming of many features in this area.
Besides the history, the view is magnificent. In fact magnificent doesn’t encapsulate. The feeling is akin to standing at the end of the world. As if the entirety of existence stands behind you and at the bottom of the deadly drop begins an untouched paradise. Make sure to take the drive on a clear day in fair weather conditions as the dirt lumber roads up are untamed. Stay for a while, watch the clouds pour into the basin that is the lowveld, the sun dazzle the green fields and if you’re in just the right spot on just the right day they say to stretch your eyes east and though you can’t see over the horizon the Indian Ocean in Mozambique may glint into your eye if you’re lucky.
We of course know our histories, we know the stories and we know the safest way up and down.
Investigate into our awe inspiring tour below:
Go On A Game Drive Through Kruger Park
Kruger Park is busy but it’s beautiful. It’s a highly touristy spot and honestly if the season is far too busy we’ll recommend another game reserve outside of the Kruger Park for your convenience. If, however, the season is just right so you won’t be too bothered by the thousands of tourists that visit Kruger Park, attracted by its name and cultural significance, it is well worth a day trip even if it’s just to say you’ve been. The animals are plentiful, the roads well maintained and the animals are very used to the vehicles (so long as you don’t drive over their toes of course).
The tour lasts from early in the morning where you will be picked up from as near to your location as possible and will go all day until the late afternoon when you need to be dropped off. The vehicles are open safari ones so be sure to grab an extra bottle of water and some lip balm because the wind in your face all day in the heat of the African sun is quite draining but such is the price to pay for the up close experience of African wildlife. To see anything is a blessing from the land but you can be almost guaranteed some phenomenal elephant and buffalo sightings that will give you a true sense of these magnificent creatures.
Be sure to ask us about the bustle of the season so we can make sure you have a fulfilling experience.
Contact us for availability:
Find Out If All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Ol’ Bilbo knew just what he was talking about and so did the voortrekkers that first found gold in these mountains. Not only are they magnificent, bold, beautiful and bathed in the blood of generations but they drip with gold. This area has been panned for gold since the early 11th century as far as archeological digs can tell but the beginning of Pilgrims Rest and one of the largest gold rushes in South African history sparked on the 22nd of September 1874. Although it’s been through thousands of hands there’s still a chance to find your own nugget in this tiny little town.
During this tour you’ll be bathed in history about the area which speaks of tribes, of voortrekkers, of fighting, of friends, of betrayals and power grabs that’ll make you think it was an inspiration for Game of Thrones.
Of course you will have the opportunity yourself to pan for gold using the same tried and tested techniques of the first gold pilgrims and you’ll be allowed to keep whatever you find! Make sure that a visit to this historical town doesn’t fill you with the same gold fever that leads all pride and greed in the cold dark Earth.
Sign up below for a family friendly tour or if you’re just a wandering history buff:
The Conservation Efforts Of Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre
Within Hoedspruit are numerous animal rehabilitation centres all specialising in specific kingdoms through species (think back to class if you can remember what 5 terms come between, answer's at the bottom of the article). The reason we’ve particularly chosen the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre is because they have no qualms. For the big or the small, the adorable or the straight up terrifying all creatures in need of help have a hope here. Since 2019 they have stopped their animal interactions so as to support the South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA is a non-profit membership-driven organisation that stands for ethical animal tourism within South Africa) for the safety of animals and tourists across the country.
Be assured that going on one of their day tours, having a midday meal or simply interacting with the team that runs the sanctuary is a life changing experience for certain. Getting to know animals, how they live and operate and shedding a tear for the hardships they suffer under the human hand is a humbling experience that makes you question the superiority of our species. All animals are helped with the intention and using practices that keep them wild enough so that they may return to their natural environment. Unfortunately a few have been so badly injured, or often poisoned, that they cannot survive in the wild and have become ambassadors for their species under the care of the centre.
They do two tours a day and we suggest an afternoon tour so you can start the day with a boat cruise which you’ll read about next.
Floating ON The Bosom Of Blyde River Canyon
Amazing how poetic this land is, no?
The Blyde River Canyon is one of the most remarkable features of the world, never mind the lowveld. It’s the largest vegetated canyon in the world (imagine the grand canyon with trees) and the third largest canyon in the world. It is home to unique flora and fauna, and a special species of butterflies for aspiring lepidopterists. The dam itself was originally built in 1974 as a means of maintaining a reliable water source all year round for the farmers and mines that lie further downriver. Unfortunate. But it does however give visitors an opportunity to float up the gentle water source into the mountains and gaze up at the beautiful ancient faces.
The 90 minute tour is a favourite. You float between the valley faces, crocodiles and legevans soaking up the last of the sunlight on the banks as buck both big and small zip between the undergrowth lest a leopard spots them. The birds swooping high between mighty tree branches that have been allowed to grow since the reserve became protected in 1965, the only nearby equivalent being the forests of Magoebaskloof. Glide out and back and be sure to take a strong camera so you can capture the majesty of the ancient sentinels.
If you in fact want to spend a few hours on foot hiking the trails for a different intimate experience we do stunning guided hikes for the sure footed.
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4 REMAINDER OF PORTION,
55 SPRINGBOK STREET,
HOEDSPRUIT, 1380
LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA