The Wildlife Estates around Hoedspruit.

Wildlife Estates are synonymous with the bushveld town of Hoedspruit. This small town has grown rapidly over the past few years. Admittedly it’s grown off a small base and in relative terms is still a small town. There is no Woolies or McDonalds, no movies or night clubs. The growth has largely been as a result of several Wildlife Estate developments that have taken place in the area. The better known estates are

Raptors View,

Blyde Wildlife Estate,

Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate,

Canyon Game Reserve,

Zandspruit bush & aero Estate.

Of late a few newer estates have started to come online, such as Leadwood and Zandspruit. But let’s explore at the concept of wildlife estates, the role they play, the profit potential, the pitfalls and pleasures of owning in such an estate.

What is a wildlife estate?
The meaning of Housing Estate changes from place to place. In Hoedspruit a Wildlife Estate means owning either a 5,000m² or 10 000m² (half a Hectare or 1 Hectare) stand on which you can build a thatched house or lodge as it’s referred to, with predetermined architectural guidelines. Each house is surrounded by bushveld and most houses do not have gardens (although, indigenous plants are permitted). There are no fences or walls around the properties allowing game to move freely between the properties. It’s not uncommon for animals such as Nyala, Porcupine, Kudu or Warthog to make themselves resident around your home.

One of the biggest perks to living on a wildlife estate is that you have usage of the farm and

The poor man’s game-drive: 10 activities in the Hoedspruit-area for R100 or less.

Yeah talking 'bout papa
He was the poor, richest man in town
My dad he was a man who was so fine
My papa he was the only friend of mine
Yeah, papa
He was the poor, richest man in town
And when he brought his money on a saturdaynight for mama
Then sunday was allright

(Jack Jersey – Papa was a poor man songtext).

I am sure we all know those times in our lives when you felt like a poor man (or women). Hopefully those days are gone, but that doesn’t mean we have to to watch our expenses. In an ongoing changing world where prices of fuel, food, insurances etc. keep rising, it is good to know that for R100 or less you can still enjoy some really interesting activities here in the Lowveld.

Take the poor man’s game drive, for free!

Drive the Guernsey road. Take the R40 south of Hoedspruit and turn after 7 km left (Argyle road) to the East gate airport. After 8,5 km. turn right onto the Guernsey road. This 29 km. dirt road is bordered by the famous Kapama and Thornybush game-reserves. There also numerous private game-farms. Often you can see plains   game, sometimes even rhino, elephant or lions! Costs only petrol, no entrance fees.

Visit the Moholoholo rehabilitation centre for R90 per person.

On the daily tours (09:30 and 15:00, closed on Sundays) you get close to the animals

Property prices are dropping

Properties are a good investment in the long term. However, for this investment you need to have a certain 'investment horizon'. In other words the time to recover from dips in the market.

Since 2008 prices of properties in South-Africa have dropped. Inflation, rising costs of fuel, food, electricity and the household debt levels are responsible for this.

I have noticed the changes here in the area. For example the Moditlo Game Reserve, where one could buy a 1 hectare full title deed stand for R450,000 in 2008, now prices come closer to R250,000! So property prices are dropping and this means opportunities for buyers: as you can

Buying a property in South Africa

If you are not a South African and want to buy a property here there are some requirements for immigration. When buying a property for commercial purposes in the tourism industry in South-Africa there are the following requirements:

• Investment required of R2.500.000.
• Employ 5 South-African citizens.
• Apply for a business-permit (so the owners can also work in their own business).
• Apply for a resident-permit. SA will first give out a temporary residence.
• Submit a business, marketing and financial – plan.
• Submit the required applications for immigration – to acquire at your local embassy or consulate.

Investment of 2.5 million rand
One can add all costs made

Hoedspruit

Hoedspruit is an interesting town in the Lowveld. Every year the Wildsfees is organised. Here is the schedule:

The 25th Annual Hoedspruit Game Auction (Wildfees) in on next weekend the 8th, 9th and 10th July

Below is the programme for the festival. We hope to see you there.

25th HOEDSPRUIT WILDSFEES (Game Auction Festival) PROGRAM AT BLYDE WILDLIFE ESTATE

Friday 08 July 2011

08H00 Stalls open

10H00 Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre – Demonstration hourly at the Clubhouse

10H45 Official opening

11H00 Game Auction (Vleissentraal)

15H00 Khamai Reptile Park - Exhibition

16H00 Chris van Dyk show – Beer garden

16H00 Hot Air balloon flights

19H00 Thys die Bosveld Klong en Tzaneen band - show

Saterdag 09 Julie 2011