Hoedspruit gets hammered!

So just to see whats happening - send whatever you can to help the folks.  Contact your estate agents such as Century 21, Remax, Engel&Voelkers and Pam Golding to see what you can do to assist these good folks.  I know they need fresh water, lamps, paraffin, food, blankets, bedding etc, so do your thing folks!!

Floods in Hoedspruit area

So today I spoke to my friend Annie from Remax in Hoedspruit and she sounded very worried, with all the rain.

More than 30 people have been airlifted to safety in Hoedspruit, in Limpopo, due to flooding in the region, the SABC reported this week.

"The bridge between the air force base and the town has been washed away, and several roads are impassable," air force spokesperson Pete Paxton told the broadcaster.

"There is a lot of water and there is a lot of areas flooded after heavy rainfalls over the past two days, but especially on Tuesday

"We then embarked on search and rescue operations with helicopters and we rescued about 30 people from either islands or treetops, or the roofs of houses and we evacuated them to safety to the air force base in Hoedspruit."

Kruger National Park spokesperson William Mabasa said the park had experienced heavy rains, affecting roads in the area.

"The most important thing is to avoid all gravel roads in the Kruger National Park. We have issued a statement this morning to warn people about the water situation. Crocodile Bridge is closed because the bridge is overflowing.

"We have closed Phalaborwa Gate as well, and bridges leading to Letaba and Mopani camps are overflowing at this stage."

We now see more closures have been issued today.

Visitors to the park should contact the public relations office to ask about the condition of the roads they intended using.

Mpumalanga community safety department spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said drivers should be extremely careful.

"We received reports that some of the bridges have been affected by rains, so we request all road users to be cautious when using the roads. 

If a driver sees water on a bridge or near a bridge that is partially submerged, we request they assess the situation, whether it is safe to cross, and if there is any doubt, they must not use the bridge and find an alternative route."

Mabuza said heavy rains often created pot holes, which led to accidents as drivers tried to avoid them.

SA Weather Service senior forecaster William Msimanga said the strong downpours had been caused by the sub-tropical depression Banbo, the fourth of the season.

"We had issued a warning for persistent heavy falls in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo for the rest of Wednesday" he said.

Over the past 48 hours, 109mm of rain was recorded around Mbombela, 139mm around Skukuza, and 270.9mm around Hoedspruit.

About 170mm was recorded to have fallen around Phalaborwa over the last 24 hours.

So be cool people!

The new improved Hoedspruit Safari and Travel BLOG

Hi All....
Just to let you know, Hoedspruit Safari and travel BLOG has decided to reinvent the wheel of safari and real estate destinations and happenings in South Africa and throughout Africa. Please keep posted and bare with us as we bring out the new look and feel.

Unfortunately we don't have an experimental BLOG so we're testing everything on our live systems.

STAY TUNED. This BLOG is going to ROCK!!!

Savanha Construction - Leaders in Hoedspruit Developments

Hoedspruit move over! Savanha Construction are making waves in the construction and development markets in Hoedspruit. With their ever growing presence in the Lowveld and their even bigger presence in the net, Savanha Construction have taken turnkey construction and development solutions to a new level.

For a list of what projects they currently have on offer take a look at their recently uplifted and updated development projects pages.

Savanha Construction are specialists in wildlife reserves. They offer full turnkey solutions from vacant land purchases in some of South Africa's most prestigious game parks, to mortgage financing, building, construction and architectural drawings.

If you're looking to invest in Hoedspruit and find yourself the perfect getaway, visiti Savanha Construction @ http://www.savanhacon.com/

Merry Xmas and Happy New year to Hoedspruit

It's been a long year for us all... But from the Hoedspruit BLOG team we'd like to wish all our readers a very merry Christmas (belated) and Happy 2008.

We promise that this BLOG will bring a whole lot more to the fore next year so keepy our eyes open...

Search Engine Marketing in Hoedspruit

There's a hot new company in town and they're claiming to be the new Internet guru's in the South African SEO market. With various clients already under their belt the Ivolution Search Engine Optimisation team are on the ball...

With various customers in Hoedspruit already, including a major property development turnkey solutions company, I'd suggest these guys if you're looking to get your website rankings to number 1 in Google within 3 - 6 months. Not to be confused with web design, search engine marketing involves various intricate techniques and skills.

Not for the faint hearted ladies and gentlemen, but with the tourism marketing in Hoedspruit being such a competitive market, I'd seriously suggest considering giving these guys a call TODAY!

Check out Ivolution SEO - Search Engine Optimisation and Search Marketing.

Hot Air Ballooning - Hoedspruit, Central Lowveld!

In keeping with this weeks flow of Otter Den River Lodge and their offerings, I decided to save the best for last. This is just one of those things that you don't get to experience in life very often. If you're looking for a romantic experience or just a thrill seeking adventure, Hot Air Ballooning is for you.

Otters Den River Lodge

Every morning at sunrise, Otters Den sends the balloons off on their daily departure from several launch sites in the Hoedspruit area. This is one experience that you want to hop onto without a question.

Flights over the African Wilderness

Experience the magic of lighter than air flight over the Lowveld Big Game parks adjoining the Kruger National Park. This flight guarentees you views of the BIG 5, including game such as Elephant, Buffalo, Lion with herds of Zebra and Antelope. Trust me, it's something you don't want to miss.

Otters Den pilots and guides will ensure a safe, enjoyable and informative adventure that will be one of the highlights of your visit to Big Game country. Located near Hoedspruit and offering flights over Kapama Game Reserve and other lodges and game reserves that have suitable terrain this is the only Hot Air Balloon ride available in the Lowveld region.

Expectations

Meeting before sunrise, coffee is served while you watch your eight storey high balloon being inflated and prepared for flight. The pilot gives you a little safety briefing, but trust me while you're waiting for this balloon to get off the ground, the last thing you remember are the safety rules. You are airborne and alive just in time for the sun rise. This trip takes you over the landscape of the lowveld. After roughly an hours flight the pilot selects a suitable landing site where the retrieve crew should be in attendance. Sparkling wine and fruit juice is served after the flight.

See also White Water Rafting
See also Otters Den River Lodge

For more information please contact me on +27 74 444 7592 or email on wizardmidrand @ gmail.com

THRILL SEEKER? White Water Rafting in Africa!

ARE YOU A THRILL SEEKER?

Do you love being in the WILD, better yet, being part of the wild?

Otters Den River Lodge offer exclusive white water rafting for guests who decided to make their way down to Hoedspruit. Otters Den pioneered white water rating in the Blyde River Canyon and Olifants Gorge.

From 3 hours to 3 days, we have the white water trip for you...

Otters Den Rafting Options:

1. Lower Blyde: brief, mild rafting trip
A brief introduction to whitewater rafting. 3 km of mild rapids along the Blyde River just 10 mins from Swadini.
Duration: About 2 1/2 hours, depending on the size of the group.

2. Olifants Gorge day trip
A 10km whitewater trip from the village of Mabinz down to Manousta (just below the strydom tunnel). Class 2 & 3 rapids and sometimes up to class 4 when the water is high. An exciting Trip with great mountain scenery. Lunch and drinks included. Everyone meets at 8am at Otters Den and is back by 3pm.

3. Blyde Canyon day trip
Raft the 3rd biggest canyon in the world! 8km of intense rapids with the odd portage. Class 3-4 (some say 5). Snacks, lunch , drinks and gate fees are included in the price. The day ends with a cruise over the Blydepoort Damon our pontoon boat. Everyone meets at 6am at Otters Den or Swadini and you're back by 6pm.

4. Blyde Canyon overnight trip
This is the same as number 3, except that you spend a night at "Wet Camel", a rustic little bushcamp in the Canyon. Day 2 starts with an early morning coffee, a hike and a swim. Breakfast back at Wet Camel, followed by a mid-morning pontoon boat cruise to Swadini. Done by noon on day 2.

5. Olifants Gorge two or three day trips
An adventurous African River expedition. Paddle 45km(2-day) or 65km(3-day) through remote wilderness. We pitch camp on a secluded beach or under the stars. These trips start off with mild rapids and culminate in exciting rapids on the last day. Class 2-3, up to class 4. Meet 7am on day 1, back at 3pm on the last day.


For more information email wizardmidrand@gmail.com or call me on +27 74 444 7592

Otters Den River Lodge! AMAZING!

Have you ever been a fan of Peter Pan?

Have you ever wished that one day you'd wake up in Wonderland?

Well ladies and gentlemen. I found Wonderland in the form of a Bush Lodge called

Otters Den River Lodge

Otters Den is a exclusive hideaway on the forested island in the Blyde River near Hoedspruit. Offering the most beautiful hiking trails, incredible bird life, loafing like never before and a must DO breakaway for nature lovers.

The camp is designed to accommodate a group of 12 guests comfortably in five wooden chalets. The chalets are a combination of stone/thatch and timber structures with timber decks stilts overlooking the incredible Blyde river.


The central lodge area is where the meals are served and it has a dining room, timber deck, bar, braai and swimming hole.

An experienced field guide is available to take you hiking through indigenous forest and woodland. There are 111 tree species and the list is constantly growing. The bird list tops 240 species including Fish Eagles, Narina Trogon, African Finfoot, Halfcollared Kingfisher, Green Twinspots and Purplecrested Louries.

Small game such as otters, serval, genet, bush pigs, bush babies and small antelope can be spotted if you're patient and observant.

Hippo and crocodile are often seen under the bridge. Otter's den is an ideal base from which to visit the Kruger Park, the Blyde Canyon Nature Reserve, The Cheetah Breeding Project and the Moholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre.

The meals are unbelievable. I had the privilege of trying their WORLD FAMOUS chicken soup and let me tell you, that's a soup for the soul! Due consideration is given to guests with special dietary requirements. Much use is made of home grown fruit (try that orange juice people, you have no idea!), vegetables and herbs.

In summer your ceiling fan can be turned on for a cool nights sleep. Mosquito nets are available but are seldom needed. For a long weekend away, this is the place.

For more information email me on wizardmidrand@gmail.com or call me on +27 74 444 7592.

THE OFFICE - Hoedspruit Comes of Age

I just heard that THE OFFICE is opening soon in Hoedspruit!

I also heard the THE OFFICE will be offering very upmarket serviced actual and virtual offices that are serviced with all facilities for the man and woman on the go.

About time, office space is so scarce and also quite dumpy in most cases, so this is very refreshing. Serviced offices, I like.

So this means I will have offices whenever I'm in Hoedies and places to meet my clients and "I also heard" a place to sleep. This is very cool my dears!!!!!

It also means, skatties, that I can have my personal PA or secretary 24/7 and I can be on the road, while all my worries and business are taken care of - PROFESSIONALLY

Housed In RAPTORS SAFARI JUNCTION - Listen I saw this place the other day and really like what I see.

A stunning looking SPA being built called African Summer Spa. Beautiful new Interior shops, a great bike and outdoor kinda shop and plumbing, a VERY sexy vet practice and more I'm was impressed.

Your Sorceress from the heart!!!

Hoedspruit jou doring jou - You surprise me more and more.

The Road to Hoedspruit!

Introduction

Having had such an experience driving to Hoedspruit and having met alot of people that make that town tick, I've decided to dedicate this BLOG to Hoedspruit!

This is the first part of my trip.

My BLOG will talk you through getting Hoedspruit, my findings on the way. This will be a log of my discoveries of the little shops, businesses, safari's, hunting farms and properties for sale in the town of Hoedspruit and nearby dorps! I want people to share their experiences with US. If you have businesses in Hoedspruit, if you have adventures or stories to share, PLEASE I urge you to send them through to me. I will add them all into my Chapters.

Lets begin the adventure...

Chapter 1

4:30am, dark, cold and dry!

Enough clothing packed for the weekend, a map of the Lowveld (which hopefully you won't need after this journey), a bird book, a tree book - if you're the bunny hugging, tree loving type - and enough coffee and beer for breakfast and lunch. Oh and lets not forget the binoculars and camera!

The road from Gauteng, Pretoria specifically, to Hoedspruit in the Lowveld is incredible. It's a beautiful journey and well, a relatively safe road provided you haven't dropped your suspension by 17 inches. It is however an adventure of note. I unfortunately haven't been able to get hold of the first part of the MAP so let's make it a little treasure map shall we, or rather tell you to take the N4 to Witbank. It's easy... Now there are 2 ways to Hoedspruit that I'd recommend but I'm going to explain just the one for lack of boring you.

The Beautiful Road to Hoedspruit - PASSOP VIR DIE GATTE! (Watch out for the potholes)

On the road to WITBANK you'll drive past a little town called Bronkhorst Spruit. On the right of the highway an amazing site beholds you. It's the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere and goes by the name of the "Nan Hua Temple". It's is open to the public and is a place that's is available for weekends. If you're into Feng Shui and you want to start your trip off with a 2 day RELAXATION, this is the place to do it!

If you're interested or want to read a little more about this majestic (i promise to stop using this word as soon as I find my dictionary) and wonderful place go to http://www.nanhua.co.za/

Chapter 2... Long Tom Pass - The Road to Lydenberg...

Get a little bit of this in your life!!!!!!!!!

BUSH for YOU - There is a bit of heaven out there. 5 Hours by road from the rat race and right in the heart of the true bush of South Africa.

BUSH for YOU. We even found a group of guys who are building their own house and selling it for R 1,9m - 3 bedroom divine pool, industrial kitchen all inclusive - including a 1 year rental agreement covering 50% of the loan.

BUSH for YOU. What a beaut! If you are interested in Hoedspruit and 1 hectare (10000 sq m) pice of the bush on a huge wild life farm full of bokkies and giraffe contact silvex@connectit.co.za and ask them to send you some photos.

I am busy looking at all the places out there and will let you know.

Your friendly semi-bush ranger......

Hoedspruit.blogspot.com - TAKEN!

Well I'm going to start off by saying that I was rather cheesed off to see that the Hoedspruit.blogspot.com was taken and nothing has been posted on that blog since June 2006.

If there's anything I can do to get this changed or removed and moved into my name I'd love it so please people help me out...

Well I've been blogging for 3 months now and I'm loving it so much that I've decided to start a BLOG for the amazing little "dorp" called Hoedspruit. It's an awesome place and the growth and changes that have happened in this town calls for some greater effort from South Africans to help get Hoedspruit on the MAP.

So that's my objective, to help market Hoedspruit and I think a BLOG is a great way to start. Chris Green and Wizard Home Loans are actively involved in the development and financing of alot of the Hoedspruit new developments and we want to give something back to the community to show our appreciation.

I currently run a property blog called the South African Property Blog and this will officially be BLOG Number 2.

WATCH THIS SPACE LADIES AND GENTS. THIS PLACE IS GONNA BLOW YOUR MIND AWAY!