At the foot of Klein Drakensberg sits Hoedspruit lies a well-known area for safari excursions, crazy wildlife cocoons and the best South African landscapes. If you love the great outdoors and find yourself in the Limpopo Province craving the harsh kiss of the African sun, Hoedspruit can meet all your needs.
Kruger Park is a stone’s throw away from various other game reserves, such as Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, and Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. Moreover, there is a small airport which you can fly to: Hoedspruit Airport! So, let’s travel to the gates of wilderness exploration, enter with our hearts full of wonder and sense of adventure and determine what the best safari lodge in Hoedspruit might offer. Welcome to the WILD!
Unembeza Boutique Lodge & Spa
Taking the boutique safari lodge experience to a new level, the Unembeza Boutique Lodge & Spa is a superb safari lodge in Hoedspruit to consider when in the mood for something wild. They have an extensive list of activities to assist you in making the most of your time in Hoedspruit. They exclusively use external safari companies to ensure your ultimate adventure goes as smoothly as possible. From full-day safaris in the Kruger National Park and exploring the world’s largest green canyon, The Blyde River Canyon, to guided nature walks and beyond, there is something for everyone at Unembeza Boutique Lodge & Spa. You can even let Unembeza organise a hot air balloon trip for you!
Unsurprisingly, you want to be pampered when you’re on holiday, right? At least Unembeza has a spa named TheraNaka, which means ‘Beauty of Africa’. Go on a sense soothing safari with the finest natural ingredients that honour the eco-system too. From warming full-body massages to African Wood Massages, TheraNaka can easily soothe any busy mind.
Book with Unembeza Boutique Lodge & Spa here on Booking.com
Safari Moon Luxury Bush Lodge
In Safari Moon Luxury Bush Lodge’s backyard, you can experience a world of bird hides, cycle tracks, horse riding, self-drive game excursions, and the Big 5. It is a highly-rated safari lodge in Hoedspruit, and it’s easy to see why that is. This safari lodge in Hoedspruit is the perfect base for exploring the wonders of what the Lowveld has to offer. We’re talking about a full-day Kruger National Park safari, Maripskop Mountain Walks with local guides, hiking, quad biking, horse riding, and much more!
Safari Moon has ten uniquely styled suites and a couple of deluxe suites for you. They even have honeymoon and presidential suites too! This safari lodge in Hoedspruit is so exclusive that it hosted the infamous Tom Cruise in 2023! So, if you want to snap a pic with a celeb and a lion, this is your all-in-one-stop!
Book with Safari Moon here on Booking.com
Bushbaby River Lodge
Bushbaby River Lodge sits a short distance from Kruger Park and Blyde River Canyon. It’s a unique safari lodge in Hoedspruit, offering a different perspective for those who have visited this town before. Showcasing wildlife and landscapes as you’ve never seen before, the Bushbaby River Lodge is perfect for those who love quiet surroundings, nature, privacy and luxury. Rated four stars by the Tourism Grading Council, the Bushbaby River Lodge offers your stay on a bed-and-breakfast basis. They do provide lunches, but they suggest you dine at one of the many fine-dining restaurants a mere 7-minute drive away.
The estate has many walking trails, two mountain bike tracks, and various game drive tracks for the perfect safari. You can also take a boat trip through Blyde River Canyon, which is organised several times a day every week. The Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre also provides walking tours to see lions, leopards, vultures, and honey badgers that are currently being rehabilitated. There is so much to do when staying at BushBaby River Lodge.
If you enjoy this article, be sure to read about the Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve in Graaf-Reinet
Book with BushBaby River Lodge here on Booking.com
That’s Wild, Bruh!
If you’re looking for a sign to book that safari vacation, this is it. With Hoedspruit Airport providing the means to get to these lodges, luxury safari experiences, fine dining restaurants, acres upon acres of nature and bliss at its purest, Hoedspruit is the best thing since sliced cheese. Finding the perfect safari lodge may also seem daunting, but every lodge has something different to offer, and it’s all about what features are non-negotiable and what intrigues you when it comes to certain safari lodges.
So, set forth on your safari expedition, guided by the allure of golden sunsets, the calls of exotic birds, and the rustle of leaves as wildlife meander through the bush. The best safari lodge is not merely a destination but a gateway to an extraordinary odyssey, where the rhythm of nature harmonises with the beat of your heart.
