WOODPECKER LODGE – WHAT TO DO
There are a wide variety of activities in and around Hoedspruit.






The Estate itself is great for birding,
cycling, walks, jogging, total relaxation and/or game drives.
The Kruger Park and Panorama Tour Route are easily accessible and make
for good day trips.
Please note: Kruger National Park (KNP) is currently implementing
additional gate access control systems at its entrance gates in the Southern
part of the Park, which will require that as from 1 September 2017, all
visitors who are 18 years old and above must produce a positive identity
document for scanning in order to gain access. For non-South African visitors,
they must produce passports but a South African driver’s licence will also be
acceptable.
Other ideas include:
| African Big 5 Safaris (Open Vehicle) | Kruger Park Trips | 0715142702 | |
| African Dream Horse Safaris | Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate | 0843001748 | |
| African Flame Safaris | Kruger Park Trips | 0762615779 | |
| African Summer Spa | 8 Raptors Safari Junction | 0157931895 | |
| Africology Spa | Pick & Pay Complex | 0763391035 | |
| Airborne African Adventures Flight School | Hoedspruit Central (Civil Airstrip) | 0784176518 | 
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| Antares Guided Walks & Drives | Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate & Grietjie Private Nature Reserve | 0832868281 | |
| Austrian Coffee Estate | R533 about 24km from Graskop | 0833064908 0732770000 | 
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| Blyde Adventure Camp | Jonkmanspruit Rd, Blyde River | 0824561086 | |
| Blyde Canyon Adventure Centre & Boat Cruises | Forever Resorts, Swadini | 0814872267 | |
| Braai Safaris | Kruger Park Trips | 0824306108 |   | 
| Bundox Safari Company | Local Game Drives, Kruger Park Trips/Panorama Tours | 0725232796 | |
| Bushwalks (Guided) on our Wildlife Estate | Ian Owtram. | 0832868281 | 
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| Bushwalks (Guided) on our Wildlife Estate | Adele de Beer | 0845813295 | 
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| Camp Jabulani Elephant Interaction | Kapama Game Reserve | 0157931265 | |
| Crystal Mountain Day Spa | Massages, treatments, etc. | 0729567207 |  | 
| Day Walks - Blyde Canyon | Blydepoort Dam | 0157955141 | |
| Early Morning Walk/Jog/Cycle | DIY on the Estate | 
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| Game Drive on Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate | DIY on the Estate | 
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| Game Drives | Hoedspruit Endangered Species,Centre, Kapama, R40 | 015 793 1633/015 793 1633 | |
| Giant Baobab & Upside Down Restaurant | Essex Road | 0823327887 | 
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| Godding & Godding Silk Farm | R 531 | 0828089203 | |
| Hiking Trails (Franklyn Park) | R531 Near Kampersrus | 0814872267 | |
| Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre | R 40 | 0157931633 | |
| Hoedspruit Helicopters | Civil Airstrip | 0822327638 | |
| Jessica The Hippo | R527 towards Lydenburg | 0157955249 | |
| Kinyonga Reptile Park | R 527 | 0157955203 | |
| Kruger National Park | 70km from Orpen Gate, 75km from Phalaborwa Gate | 
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| Leading Edge Flight School | Hoedspruit Central (Civil Airstrip) | 0834001405 | |
| Little Five Safaris | Kruger Safaris | 0660029214 | |
| Maseke Mountain Biking (Greater Kruger Area) | R 40 | 0615857380 | 
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| Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre | R 531 | 0157955236 | |
| My Africa Safaris | Game drives & Transfers | 0633817738 | |
| Natural Earth Safaris | Bush walks (guided) on Balule or Timbavati Reserve | 0712200466 | |
| Nyani Cultural Village | Orpen Road | 0837855354 | |
| Open Skies Wilderness Expeditions | Kruger Park Trips, walks, etc. | 0722572525 | |
| Sable Flats Safaris | Kruger Park & Panorama Route Safaris | 0726151549 | |
| Shindzela Walking Trails | Timbavati Private Nature Reserve | 0823079493 | 
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| Suncatchers Hot Air Balloons | Hoedspruit & Hazyview | 0878062079 | |
| Tambuzi Safaris (Open Vehicle Kruger Park Visits) | Kruger Park Trips | 072 410 5119 | |
| Timbavati Museum | Timbavati Headquaters (Guernsey Road). | 0157932436 | |
| Trippin Wild Africa Safaris | Tours, Airport Shuttle, Panorama Tours | 0646641532 | |
| White Water Rafting- Mohlatsi Adventures | Jonkmanspruit Road | 0824561086 | 
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| Wild Skies Aviation (Helicopter Flips) | Hoedspruit Civil Airstrip | 0836157605 | |
| Wildlife Body and Fitness Centre (Gym) | Hoedspruit Wildlife Industrial Area | 0793939736 | 
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Some Ideas for Possible “Do It Yourself” Day Trips.
Some DIY options for guests to consider:
Option 1:
Self-drive to Kruger National Park through Orpen Gate or Phalaborwa
Gate.
Could also use a local tour company if desired.
Option 2:
Self-drive the Panorama Route. See Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondawels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, God’s Window, The
Pinnacle, Graskop Gorge (Big Swing), Lisbon & Berlin Falls.
Could also use a local tour company if desired.
Option 3:
Do a horse Safari in the Estate in the morning, visit one of the two
Animal Rehabilitation Centres in Afternoon or The Reptile Park.
Option 4:
Self-drive into bottom of the Blyde River Canyon. See Blydepoort Dam, optional boat cruise on dam, some hiking
trails. (Morning). Visit Reptile Centre (Afternoon).
Option 5:
Self-drive to the top of Mariepskop (1942 m above sea level). A vehicle
with good clearance needed. A diff lock or 4x4 wheel drive essential.
Picnic site also available on Blyde River. At least 6 hours required.