Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), has been in operation for almost 30 years, and is one of South Africa’s leading conservation and rehabilitation centre’s for Rhino’s and Elephants, as well as being respected for one of the longest standing, and most successful cheetah breeding and conservation programme’s in the country too. We have daily tours, which are 2 hours in length. You will have a dedicated guide that gives you an informative and educational tour of the centre on a game vehicle. The "Cheetah Focus Tour" is starts between 7:30 - 8am Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sundays only. Please note we do not allow guests to touch the animals, we always maintain a respectful distance, and never encroach on their space. Only the staff or volunteer students where applicable are permitted, to keep human interaction to the very minimum. Their safety and well-being is our first and foremost concern at HESC. We recommend booking ahead to ensure availability.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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  • Holidays Abroad
    697 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must visit
    We went on the 0900 (17th February tour) with Melissa and it was excellent. Melissa had a real affinity with the animals and was very knowledgeable. We were driven round in a safari vehicle to see the various animals - Boombie the southern ground hornbill, marabou stork, the cheetahs (including king cheetahs), African wild dogs, a leopard and rhinos with a sheep! We got very close to the cheetahs and dogs which was excellent. We would highly recommend a visit here, not only is it enjoyable but you are also helping a very very worthy cause. Put this on your places to visit, you will not be disappointed.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 February 2024
  • Jenny
    8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful ecperience
    An absolute must for anyone visiting Hoedspruit. Tickets seem a bit expensive for local travellers, but when you hear and see what they do, it is well worth it. Our driver/guide, Ryan, was very knowledgeable and his passion for his work was evident in his interactions with us. Seeing the king cheetah was amazing as was having a close encounter with a rhino.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 May 2024
  • Candice P
    Durban, South Africa266 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    King Cheetah
    Having visited here in early 2000, i had high expectations and my hubby is a hobby photographer so i had explained what it was like when we went last. Sadly for the price i was a little disappointed. We went purely due to wanting the see the king cheetah, first time i went they were not available to see as they were nursing cubs. This is extremely tourist orientated. The tour is on a game drive truck, they drive you into the enclosures of the wild dogs and the King cheetah. We got to see the King cheetahs up close as the one came close to the vehicle. We saw the Ground hornbill, as well as where they have a "vulture restaurant" but it was just bones and the smell was a bit hectic with a few odd little hornbills etc. We saw sables as well as their rehab rhinos and calves that have been rescued that will be released back into the wild when they are ready. The experience was lovely, it was a bit rushed. Also they used to have the cheetah run, where they had like a stuffed toy on a line that they used to show how fast the cheetah can run, they don't seem to do that anymore. They have a curio shop as well as a little "Deli" restaurant. The curios were expensive. While i understand that it goes to research and all that, i just felt it was expensive for a local SA. We have been and definitely won't go again.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 October 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1 064 reviews
Excellent
685
Very good
276
Average
63
Poor
23
Terrible
17

moraira
UK871 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre is the place to go if you want to see a functions conservation/rehabilitation project

Unlike another "rehabilitation" project we visited some days later, Hoedspruit does protect and release animals. The place is well run and profession. This is not a zoo, it is reals animals being cared for

If you want to see Cheetahs and how they are rehabilitated for return to the wild then do visit this site
Written 4 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melanie Watson
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
10 years ago I met Lenta at the 2nd International Animal Trainers Conference at Twycross Zoo in the UK. Now I have finally been able to visit the Centre she started so long ago.
Her work inspired me back then and I was so impressed at the work they all do here to help endangered species and how they work inside their local communities too! Helping raise awareness of the plight of wildlife who suffer when farmers poison and snare. They heavily invest in children and we all know that they are the future after all!
This place is awesome and well worth a visit
Written 19 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joel B
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
We booked a 14-day photo safari with Mafigeni Safaris. We visited Hoedspruit and it's local activities, Kruger National Park, Blyde Canyon, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park. It was a spectacular trip. We saw a wide variety of animals in the wild along with geological formations. We had a guide with a vehicle who stayed with just us the entire trip. He helped with the immigration process as we crossed through many countries. He knew his way around all the airports.

Mafigeni guided us through the entire process and took responsibility for all aspects of the trip, particularly airline reservations. This truly was a turn-key trip for us. No way I would I have done this on my own.

We particularly enjoyed our guide Paddy. He was organized and well known everywhere we went. He knew the intricacies of border crossings. People were always glad to see him, even immigration people.

He was extremely knowledgeable of plants and animals everywhere we went.

We have no regrets or complaints. This trip exceeded our expectations.
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

g4pfk
Birmingham, UK102 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
My wife and I were in a party of eleven staying at Camp Bethel who organised this
local visit.
Nice intro film before boarding vehicle then informative by guide. The 6 month old rhino was very active charging the staff when given the opportunity,
Firs call was the 'vulture diner' close encounter as many appear to feed on raw meat
which did not smell very pleasant.
Visits to different enclosures to see, wild dogs, cheetahs, a leopard with more info given at each stop.
Written 23 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AnthonyPM
La Jolla183 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Family
We had a great time at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. We booked a private tour for 4 people in a safari vehicle for approximately 3 hours. We were able to get good photographs of the Cheetahs, Wild Dogs, Rhino's and Vultures. They also have rare king cheetahs, which are exceptionally beautiful. Our guide was excellent and very knowledgable. They also have a good restaurant and gift shop. We also rented a cottage for 1 night that was very clean, nice and good location.
Written 28 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tim0mara
Leeds, UK11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Wow! what an amazing place to visit. We had a great time and our guide was so knowledgable. Their work into saving Cheetahs and endangered species is so worthwhile. You feel safe and get so close to the animals which all look healthy and content. The feeding of the vultures is quite a highlight. Put this on your MUST VISIT list. You will not be disappointed.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

agrobb701421
Boksburg, South Africa1 contribution
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020
I am very happy with the accommodation and the only issue I had was the fact that the roof fan was not effective. Places where it gets so hot really need strong roof fans if they do not have aircons. It was fantastic to hear the lion roar during the night and waking up to birdsong. The sunset was also amazing. The kitchen was very well equipped and everything was very clean.
Written 17 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Graeme Bell
Sandton, South Africa19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020 • Couples
Sean was a gentleman, knowledgeable beyond his years and good fun to share the game drive with. Allowed us as much time as we like with each animal. Loved the term Vulture Restaurant lol.

Information video at the start gets the ball rolling and inspires further questions. Seems like the animals are being looked after.
Staff in Curious shop, at reception, other guides and Sean all exceptional.
Written 30 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mdenison2567
Lagos, Portugal60 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
really wonderful afternoon taking the tour around the centre. a wonderful selection of wildlife, really up close and personal. the guides were extremely personable and friendy and in general it was a really enjoyable afternoon, would highly recommend.
Written 25 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keca66
Uttoxeter, UK319 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
We visited in the afternoon and were on the 1pm tour. Very educational and shows the great work that HESC does and how it is working on breeding cheetahs. Also got to see a King Cheetah.
Vulture restaurant is a must see, just to watch these birds fighting over everything, though it does smell!

Also a good Deli cafe at great prices.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good day Keca66 Happy to hear that you enjoyed the centre. We look forward to seeing you in the future! Kind regards The HESC team
Written 14 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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HOEDSPRUIT ENDANGERED SPECIES CENTRE (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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