Hoedspruit, Maruleng
Hoedspruit is a small bush-town well-situated in the midst of the region's attractions, half way between the Orpen and Phalaborwa gates to the Kruger National Park. The town has a beautiful setting- the towering cliffs of the Escarpment meet endless expanses of bushveld with plains of marula, acacia, combretum and mopane woodlands stretching as far as the eye can see.
Hoedspruit is well supplied with a variety of shops and restaurants, and is growing rapidly with the establishment of new developments such as Raptor's View and Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate.
It is worth picking up some of the local newspapers as you pass through, including the Kruger Park Times (some of whose content we publish in our Kruger news pages), the Hoedspruit Week and Kruger2Canyon.
They carry details of what's on and special events - one particular occasion to watch out for if you are here in Winter is the annual Bush Banquet competition, a fundraiser for the excellent Southern Cross Schools. Here, chefs from the numerous luxury lodges around Hoedspruit compete without the benefit of mod-cons such as refrigerators and cookers, to prepare and present stunning three course meals. A ticket is an essential treat if it is on when you are here.
If it's open, another must-visit is Alex Zamoumis' Tribal Art Gallery . It's a pop-up phenomenon, so please check on its status before you get your hopes up too high.
Shops and facilities
Hoedspruit is the centrifuge for an area extraordinarily focused on tourism, and you can expect to meet a friendly welcome.
Many of the luxury lodges buy in their requirements from this town, and an effective supply chain works throughout (note that some items may need to be ordered in from Nelspruit or Johannesburg).
Hoedspruit acquired its name when, after a long trek over the mountains into the heat of the Lowveld, one of the pioneers removed his hat and threw it into the cool waters of the Sandspruit River and decided to stay (it is now largely dry).
There is a heat-repelling plastic statue to celebrate this on the train station lot (Hoedspruit is on the railway between Phalaborwa and Kapmuuiden, although most trains running are of the goods variety). Here, behind the gas station, you can find the first of a number of traditional Lowveld services including the Lebamba Grocery, the Bosveld Slaghuuis butchery, and excellent dining at Sleepers' Restaurant. There is a Chinese restaurant and take-away here if you fancy a more radical change to bush cuisine.
Opposite, on the other side of the R40, is a newer complex forming part of the Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate. There is a Pick'n'Pay for most of your household needs, the Post Office, and books and outdoor supplies outlets. First National bank is here.
Drive over the railway bridge down into the main part of town and you pass the Spa (ABSA cashpoint) and another gas station offering Steers burgers on your right. In the same Sunset View complex is the lively Sports Bar Fort Copeiba and eponymous (potentially noisy) hotel.
Back on the main drag, take the second right opposite the police station to the Green Door centre to enjoy (unusually, for the region) an authentic curry at Tractors Restaurant. DVDs are for hire here. The town lodge is here, as is the residential area behind where there are a number of small B&Bs.
Further down the strip from the railway bridge is the Kamagelo centre with a number of good eating and drinking outlets, a very good deli (which bakes its own bread), and some nice artisanal shops. Wimpy and a Standard Bank cashpoint are here. A complete list of the outlets is on the Kamagelo Tourism website.
Further still down, immediately on your right as you turn left into Raptors View, Safari Junction serves excellent food and is a great spot for a cold drink in the garden. Raptors is a lovely wildlife estate. The Lodge here offers nice two room cottages, and private accommodation on the main estate is bookable on-line for groups.
There is a hospital on the Drakensig Military Base and Doctors, Pharmacies and a Dentist in town. There are hairdressers and a beautician and spa. Hoedspruit can also do new kit, food, laundry, dry cleaning, fix cars and tyres. Anything more complex will require a trip further afield...
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