EDITED BY EDITORIAL TEAM :: PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
Living in Africa offers an unrivalled experience of spectacular landscapes, wildlife and sunsets. Here’s why you should consider moving to a beautiful town in the bushveld
People love living in Hoedspruit. They say you can go on a game drive here while staying on your patio; that giraffe come around to nibble on an acacia tree in full view of where you are relaxing, sundowner in hand. Who wouldn’t be tempted to buy a home in what locals refer to as the “slow-veld”’ or the “safari capital of the world” in the Limpopo province?
Pam Golding Properties area principals Engela van Staden and Belinda Barkas echo these sentiments: “Residents here experience a host of wildlife in scenic and tranquil surroundings and are witness to spectacular sunsets only found in the bushveld. This we call ‘bushveld TV,’’ says van Staden. “The area offers some of the best wildlife and adventure experiences in the world, and is becoming increasingly popular as a haven of country living for the well-heeled.”
GAME CHANGER
A major eco-tourist destination with game lodges and private reserves surrounded by a pristine, natural environment, Hoedspruit is all about the wildlife experience says van Staden, with Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon right on our doorstep. All set against the majestic backdrop of the Northern Drakensberg mountains.
“Moreover, a wide variety of properties from private homes to agricultural and game farms, as well as commercial lodges, afford the opportunity to live in the bush amongst Africa’s big and plains game, while still in close proximity to amenities including shops, restaurants, schools and medical facilities.”
CHOICE OF HOMES
According to Lightstone statistics, 84.6% of homes here are freehold while 71% are in estates. While prices of freehold homes and vacant plots have been rising gradually since 2018, there was a marked increase in median sales prices last year, rising from R2.1m in 2021 to R3.15m in 2023 to date.
Says Barkas: “Prices of homes in estates range from an entry level of approximately R3m and upwards in Elephant Rock Eco Estate, Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate and Raptors View Wildlife Estate, while residences in Zandspruit Bush and Aero Estate start from around R5m for a three-bedroom home. Big game estates such as Leadwood and Moditlo are more expensive, with homes ranging from R9m to R20m, and from R4m to R10m respectively.
“Space is of the essence here as our smallest stands in popular wildlife estates are 2,500m² and larger. Here you will certainly not be overlooking someone’s entertainment area from your upstairs patio.” “Elephant Rock Eco Estate offers off-grid living and is situated next to the Olifants River. Their boreholes are strong with fauna, flora and birdlife thriving.
“With the new hospital on track, we believe there will be a shift with older residents staying longer and more new retirees,” says Barkas. “Older houses will either be demolished to make way for new or renovated homes as the choice of stands in prime locations is becoming more challenging.
Elephant Rock Eco Estate
SMALL TOWN BIG DEVELOPMENTS
While retaining its village appeal, Hoedspruit has growth considerably over the last 20 years. Many new schools have been established – mostly private and offering excellent tuition. A new private hospital is also on the cards, with construction due to start soon. Moreover, a new shopping mall with major national retail tenants is under construction and a new Radisson Hotel is almost completed.
“Once the local Eastgate Airport, only 13km from the centre of town, achieves international status, the prices of property here are bound to increase,” says Barkas. “This area is already home to numerous owners of private aircrafts, who simply fly in, park their aircraft and drive off or walk home. There are also scenic flights for tourists and flying lessons available. Zandspruit Estate has its own landing strip.”
Hoedspruit home
BUYERS FAR AND WIDE
Buyers are from all over the country, mainly from Gauteng, the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, and also overseas – mostly from Europe, and some from America, according to Van Staden. “Currently, we estimate a ratio of 60:40 of permanent owners versus leisure buyers, which reflects a marked change in trend from previously, when there were more leisure buyers,” she says. “They love the lifestyle, the bushveld and wildlife, security and sunshine – with mild winters that more like crisp spring mornings. There is no traffic congestion, short distances to drive to shops and schools and numerous sports clubs and activities.”
