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