Howzit Hoedspruit – The Tourism Hub of Greater Limpopo
Celebrating World Elephant Day
Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (Herd) is once again rallying global support for elephants with the return of its popular initiative, Trails for Trunks, in celebration of World Elephant Day on August 12.
Taking place from August 11 to August 15, the five-day event encourages people across the globe to get moving, whether walking, running, cycling, or engaging in any physical activity they enjoy, to honour and raise awareness for elephants. Participants are invited to download and print a Trails for Trunks 2025 stamp, take a photo or video of themselves during their chosen activity while displaying the stamp, and share it on social media using the hashtags #TrailsForTrunks2025 and #WorldElephantDay.
“This campaign is a fun and active way for people to show their support for elephant conservation, no matter where they are in the world,” Herd said in a statement. “Each movement made during the challenge week helps amplify the message that every elephant matters.”
New to this year’s event is a Global Participation Map hosted on the Facebook event page, showcasing supporters from around the world. Daily challenges will also be introduced throughout the week, offering participants additional ways to get involved and a chance to win spot prizes.
Participants who post their stamped photos by August 15 will be entered into a draw to win a Herd Online Shop Gift Voucher.
To join the movement and download the official stamp, follow the official Facebook event at Herd-Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development.
Written by Anwen Mojela
Magic above Hoedspruit
One of Hoedspruit’s most memorable experiences is a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the scenic Drakensberg mountains, offering a serene, bird’s-eye view of the African wilderness at dawn.
Suncatcher’s Hot Air Ballooning has been providing these unforgettable journeys, floating above the Kruger-to-Canyons Biosphere, since 2003, thanks to Hoedspruit’s calm winds and breathtaking landscapes.
“Starting this in Hoedspruit felt like destiny,” says Natalie Rabie, the company’s reservations and happiness manager.
“There’s magic here, and we get to share it from the sky.” Each flight is a peaceful glide through silence, broken only by the occasional whoosh of the burner.
Passengers take in sweeping views of rivers, bushveld, and changing seasonal landscapes, from golden winter plains to lush, green summer scenes.
Ideal conditions in both dry and wet seasons make year-round flights possible, with crisp sunrises in winter (May to September) and vibrant scenery during the summer rains (October to April).
Suncatcher’s plays a key role in local tourism, partnering with lodges and tour operators to welcome visitors from around the world, many combining the flight with trips to Blyde River Canyon or Kruger National Park.
Locals also join in, especially during school holidays and long weekends.
Safety is a top priority.
All flights are operated by licenced, highly trained commercial pilots following strict safety standards, Rabie concluded.
Written by Anwen Mojela
Braai to rebuild Lowveld’s admin block
In true Heritage Day spirit, the community of Hoedspruit is coming together for a meaningful cause at the upcoming Flames of Heritage fundraiser, set to take place on September 24 at Bosveld Village.Hosted in partnership by Inside Africa Tours and Bosveld Village, the event is being organised in support of Lowveld Academy, which recently lost its administrative block to a devastating fire.
With the theme “braai for a cause”, the fundraiser seeks to raise money for the school’s rebuilding efforts.Teams of local foodies and braai masters will battle it out over the coals for impressive prizes valued at over R100 000. Among the top prizes are a guided Kruger Park safari for four, an Olifants River boat cruise, and a custom braai set and apron courtesy of Inside Africa Tours.
Teams can enter the braai contest for R600, with vendor stalls available at R250. Judging begins at 13:00, and all participants are expected to bring their meat and a side dish. As a gesture of kindness, each team is also asked to prepare five additional plates for the learners staying at the LA school hostel.
The day promises a festive, family-friendly atmosphere with live music and entertainment, a variety of food and drinks, kids’ activities and much more
Entry to the event is completely free, and members of the public are encouraged to attend, support the stalls, and enjoy the vibe.
Organisers have set September 10 as the closing date for team and stall registrations.
“This is not just about celebrating our heritage; it is about standing together as a community in a time of need,” said a representative from Inside Africa Tours. “We invite everyone to come and braai with heart.”
For more information, call 072 653 7237 or send an email to [email protected]
Written by Anwen Mojela
WagtersFees returns with a star-studded line-up
The ever-popular Wagtersfees is set to return to Hoedspruit on Saturday, August 16, promising a full day of music, entertainment, and community fun at Lowveld Academy. Presented by BUCO and friends, this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest yet, with a stellar line-up of local artists and a variety of activities for the whole family.
Top-class entertainment
Festivalgoers can look forward to live performances from some of South Africa’s favourite musicians, including Monique Steyn, Refentse, Droomsindroom, and Ricus Nel. The musical programme will run throughout the day, bringing a mix of genres to keep the crowd dancing well into the evening.
Adding a cultural flair to the stage will be the Roots of Rhythm Tribal Dancers from Nyani Cultural Village, known for their energetic and authentic African performances.
Family-friendly activities
The day’s programme is packed with entertainment for all ages. Children can enjoy jumping castles, face painting, and horse rides, while adults can browse the vintage car display, take part in the lively auction, or relax in the popular beer tent.
Animal lovers won’t want to miss the Protrack K9 demonstration, showcasing the skills and discipline of trained working dogs in action.
Foodies are in for a treat, with food stalls offering a wide selection of local and international dishes, from boerewors rolls to Thai noodles. A variety of clothing and jewellery stalls will also be available, offering unique shopping opportunities ahead of the festive season.
Ticket information
Entry costs R350 per adult and R150 per child under 13, while children under 2 enter free. Gates open at 09:00, and the event will continue until late.
With its blend of top entertainment, local flavour, and family activities, Wagtersfees 2025 promises to be a highlight on the Hoedspruit calendar.
For more information, follow the official Wagtersfees social media pages or contact the event organisers directly on WhatsApp at 072 560 1918.
Written by Anwen Mojela
Drive supports children in need
Donut lovers have more than just a sweet treat to look forward to at Spar Hoedspruit. For a limited time, every donut purchased will help support children in need through a special fundraising initiative. For each donuts sold, R1 will be donated to Friends of LA, a local organisation providing counselling and support services to children.
The campaign combines the joy of indulgence with the opportunity to make a difference, one delicious bite at a time. As an added incentive, the customer who buys the most donuts during the campaign stands a chance to win a R500 SPAR shopping voucher. To enter, participants must place their till slips, with their name and contact number, into the entry box at the tills.
The initiative encourages the community to come together for a good cause. “It’s a small act of kindness that adds up to something meaningful,” said Spar in a statement. To treat yourself and contribute to a worthy cause, visit Spar Hoedspruit before the promotion ends.
Article by Anwen Mojela
Drakies spread Mandela Day joy
In the spirit of Mandela Day, learners from Laerskool Drakensig Primary School, in partnership with the Drakie Hands of Hope initiative, visited Shekinah Academy to deliver school supplies and spend quality time with the children.
The outreach was inspired by a heartfelt appeal shared by Benediction Moropane Mania on the Hoedspruit Town Facebook group, requesting basic educational items for the academy. The post quickly caught the attention of Drakie Hands of Hope, who rallied support and collected donations for the cause.
On Mandela Day, the team delivered boxes filled with colouring books, stationery, and essential classroom supplies. Learners from Drakensig Primary spent their 67 minutes of service colouring, sharing sweets and refreshments, and engaging in joyful activities with the younger children at Shekinah Academy.
The group was warmly welcomed by founder Billy Jones Mahiya and his dedicated team of educators, who continue to create a nurturing environment for learners despite facing severe resource constraints.
“This initiative was more than just a once-off visit; it marked the beginning of a long-term partnership to support Shekinah Academy in their ongoing needs,” said Jenique Bornman from Drakie Hands of Hope.
The organisation has called on the wider Hoedspruit community to join their mission to uplift the academy and ensure every child receives a fair start in life.
Article by Anwen Mojela
Rare plant rediscovered in canyon
A plant species not seen in over 70 years has been rediscovered in the Blyde River Canyon, bringing new hope to conservationists and scientists.
The rare species, belonging to the genus Thorncroftia, has now been identified as a new and unique species, endemic to the canyon and likely unknown to science until now.
The rediscovery was made possible through the ongoing ecological restoration work led by the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere (K2C).
The area surrounding Mariepskop, once home to natural grasslands and forest patches, was transformed in the 1960s by commercial pine plantations. This severely damaged the ecosystem, pushing many native plant species to the brink of extinction.
The story of this remarkable find dates back to 1954, when botanist Dr Leslie Codd collected a specimen, he believed to be Plectranthus succulentus.
He later reclassified it as Thorncroftia in 1961. However, no further sightings of the plant were recorded, and it gradually faded from scientific memory.
In recent years, K2C’s catchment restoration programme began clearing invasive pine and gum trees from the area to rehabilitate the degraded landscape. These efforts, carried out by local teams, helped restore natural light and nutrients to the soil, conditions essential for the return of indigenous plant life. In September 2024, Prof Kevin Balkwill, alongside K2C project manager Simon Attwood and members of the Mpumalanga and Limpopo Plant Specialist Group, set out to find the lost species. Using historic herbarium records and aerial imagery, the team retraced Codd’s original expedition. Despite heavy degradation of the site, a few Thorncroftia plants were discovered growing on rocks recently cleared of pines.
“This plant would have been lost forever if the alien trees weren’t removed,” said Attwood. “Restoration made the difference between extinction and survival.” Originally thought to be Thorncroftia succulenta, a species found only in the Soutpansberg mountains, the Blyde River Canyon population displayed unique floral features and occurred far from known populations.
This, along with clear morphological differences, led to the conclusion that the Blyde plant is a distinct species.
In April 2025, during peak flowering season, the team returned and found the plant in full bloom, confirming its uniqueness. Balkwill has now formally described the species as Thorncroftia coddii, in honour of Codd’s role in its discovery.
The plant is characterised by vibrant purple and pink flowers and a distinct floral structure. It typically blooms at the end of summer, lighting up the rocky hillsides where it grows.
“This discovery is more than a scientific milestone,” said Attwood. “It symbolises nature’s resilience and the power of restoration work.”
The rediscovery highlights the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. The K2C Biosphere’s work not only protects biodiversity but also secures critical ecosystem services for nearby communities, such as water supply and tourism opportunities.
As the landscape continues to heal, Thorncroftia coddii stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through persistence, restoration, and a commitment to protecting South Africa’s natural heritage.
Written by Anwen Mojela
