We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

901 Reviews

#2 of 9 things to do in Hoedspruit

Features Animals

Nature & Parks, Nature & Wildlife Areas

Closed Now: 08:00 - 17:00

R40 Between Hoedspruit and Klaserie | Kapama Private Game Reserve, Hoedspruit 1380, South Africa

Open today: 08:00 - 17:00

Book In Advance

Full-Day Endangered Species Tour from Hazyview

Day Trips

from US$80,15*

Endangered Wildlife Private Tour from Hazyview

Private Sightseeing Tours

from US$230,83*

Full-Day Endangered Wildlife Tour from Hazyview

Nature & Wildlife

from US$81,22*

See More Tours

413

All photos (413)

Full view

Certificate of Excellence

Traveller Overview

4.5 901 reviews

Excellent64%
Very good27%
Average6%
Poor2%
Terrible1%

Travellers talk about

“endangered species”(74 reviews)

“king cheetah”(44 reviews)

“wild dogs”(81 reviews)

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...more

Closed Now

Hours Today: 08:00 - 17:00

See all hours

Suggested duration: 2-3 hours

Contact

R40 Between Hoedspruit and Klaserie | Kapama Private Game Reserve, Hoedspruit 1380, South Africa

Website

+27 15 793 1633

Call

Improve This Listing

Ways to Experience Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre

Full-Day Endangered Species Tour from Hazyview

from US$80,10

More Info

Endangered Wildlife Private Tour from Hazyview

from US$230,80

More Info

Full-Day Endangered Wildlife Tour from...

from US$81,20

More Info

Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Tour from...

1 Review

from US$102,60

More Info

Most Helpful Positive Review

Steph C

Blackpool, United Kingdom

Reviewed 8 September 2012

Truly amazing!!!

HESC is a must see! The passion and dedication they put into the work they do is truly inspiring. When visiting you firstly watch a half an hour video of the Centre, which is very educational and shows you the hard work they do and...More

4 Thank Steph C

Hi Steph, Thank you for the excellent review and recommendation, we highly appreciate it. We pride ourselves in being one of the most respected and most successful Cheetah conservation programmes in South Africa, as well as committing ourselves to many other conservation initiatives such as...More

Most Helpful Critical Review

Moritz J

Munich, Germany

1117

Reviewed 14 December 2013

Obnoxious tourists and idiotic guides – spend your money on a bushwalk instead

First, let me make one thing clear: I completely support what they do at Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC), however, I do not support HOW they do it. The reserve is dedicated to protect cheetahs and other endangered species. You will hear more about this...More

10 Thank Moritz J

1 - 10 of 668 reviews

Frances T

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Learned so much about the animals.

The visit was so informative. We saw baby cheetas and many other animals. Learned about African animals and how this location tries to preserve animals who are facing extinction.More

Thank Frances T

Hi Frances Thanks for the 5star review! We are delighted to hear that you found the tour informative, and that you learned a lot about conservation, and our African wildlife. Please keep up with our activity, by following us on social media. Thanks for the...More

FrancoisB704

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Awesome experience

We had an amazing time here. The Guide (Jassie) was awesome and we learned alot from him. Definately worth visiting again.More

Thank FrancoisB704

Hi Francois, Thank you so much for the 5star review, and the awesome photos that you posted on social media too, we saw them! We really appreciate your support in visiting us, and we will pass on the comment about Jassie, he is a gem!...More

Melissa L

Houston, Texas

17441

Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

Up close with endangered species!

We had a fantastic tour guide Jasse take us through to see the vultures feed then all the animals. It was nice because there were a few species we didn’t see on safari like wild dogs that were there. The amount of knowledge he had...More

Thank Melissa L

Hi Melissa, Thank you for this superb feedback, we also ready your comment on Facebook, which we were very excited about. We have passed on your comments about Jassie to management, and to Jassie too, he was delighted, thank you. It would be fantastic to...More

Seaside798844

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

A definate must for conservation minded people

I must compliment this centre. Clean, tidy and well run. For R 165.00 for an adult you get bang for your buck. The tour was excellent and nice to see rhino, leopard, lions, wild dogs as well as plenty cheetah and many other animals. A...More

Thank Seaside798844

Hi Seaside79844 Thanks for the excellent review, and sincere recommendation. We pride ourselves in giving good value for the fee charged, and we are grateful that you have recognised that. Please do follow us on our social media accounts to keep up to date with...More

Barbara B

Ballwin, Missouri

4018

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Stay at Khula Cottage is a must!

We booked two nights in the charming Khula Cottage and had dinner arranged and set up in the boma for us. It was all amazing, besides taking the Cheetah Tour one morning, and going to the Drakensburg mountains for tours one day. We also, though...More

Thank Barbara B

Hi Barbara, Thank you so much for the lovely review about Khulas Cottage and our HESC experience We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay with us, and that you also got to experience the wildlife of Kapama Game Reserve. We are so grateful for...More

Mogens I

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

Great place - with an important task

Helping endangered species is a important job, and here we met the finest animals getting a new hope and life, in the hands of dedicated people.More

Thank Mogens I

Hi Mogens, It certainly is an important job, and we cannot do it without the support of visitors like yourself, to HESC! By visiting you are helping to fund the work that we do. Thank you for taking the time, and choosing to visit our...More

Voyager444957

Reviewed 1 October 2018

Great place to visit

What an interesting place to visit, the time flew and we learnt so much about the wonderful animals that they look after and try to release back when possible. I would highly recommend that you make time to visit this place.More

Thank Voyager444957

Hi Voyager444957, We are delighted that you found the visit so interesting! Thank you for the 5star review and the recommendation. Please follow us on our social media accounts, to keep up to date with our various activities at the centre. Thanks once again, The...More

Lospixel

Italy

Reviewed 28 September 2018

Amazing experience we'll never forget!

My Boyfriend and I had an amazing time. Our guide Shaun was incredible, he even stopped a Rhino attack! Beautiful animals and each with their own story and path. The centre does an astounding job in conservation and release of various species, especially cheetahs. We...More

Thank Lospixel

Hello Bier & Loxpixel (interesting nicknames!) Thank you very much for the positive and comprehensive feedback, we really appreciate it. We will pass on the complement about Sean the guide. Please keep in touch with the centre activity, by following our social media pages, if...More

D0nzi

White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa

123

Reviewed 28 September 2018

Exquisite Rustic Comfort in the Bush

Khula Cottage is one of our favourite places to stay in Hoedspruit area. Tucked away on the HESC property bordering Kapama Lodge, the bushveld experience and close encounters with endangered species is unsurpassed. The cottage itself is equipped with all the comforts of a 5Star...More

Review collected in partnership with this attraction

Thank D0nzi

Hi Donzi, Thank you for staying at Khulas Cottage, and for the fantastic review. We are delighted that you rate it so highly! We hope to see you return again soon, the HESC team

janeandbotts02

Brisbane, Australia

Reviewed 21 September 2018 via mobile

Highly recommend the standard day tour

Very special place doing valuable work to save vulnerable wildlife. Clifford our guide was informative and entertaining. Reasonably priced.

Thank janeandbotts02

Hi Janeandbotss02 Thanks very much for the 5star review, and the recommendation. We will pass on the comments about Cliffort, thank you. Please do keep up with our centre activity on our social media platforms. Take care, the HESC Team.

View more reviews

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5 6 …67

Nearby

See all 3 nearby hotels See all 33 nearby restaurants See all 44 nearby attractions

See all

Questions & Answers

Ask a question

See all 5 questions

Smitha S

Hi, i am looking to spend 3 nights & 4 days in Kruger area in May. We are a family of 2 adults & 2 kids aged 8 & 11 yrs. HESC seems very interesting. But we would also like to experince the game drives inside Kruger park. Can we do this even if stay at HESC? Are there any hindrances for us going for game drives if we stayed with you rather than at one of the rest camps inside Kruger? Smitha

13 January 2017|

AnswerShow all 8 answers

I don't think you can stay at HESC...I visited with my kiddos and did not see any accommodations. You simply do a drive through their property and see the animals in their care.

PR-Hesc

We would definitely suggest the Cheetah Focus Tour. To see a cheetah in the wild is really spectacular, but seeing a cheetah's running abilities up close is even more spectacular. You will also be able to see other rare animals species, such as the African Wild Dog. If you will be spending time in the Kruger, you will no doubt already have hours worth of experience under your belt within the reserve itself. We look forward to welcoming you!

18 July 2016|

Answer

I agree. The Cheetah Focus Tour is worthwhile, plus you'll also be able to see endangered vultures feeding.

Phch

Hi, We have booked a night's accommodation at Sebeka cottage next month and I was wondering which activities to book. We will be spending some time in Kruger so is it worth doing the Kapama game drive or would you suggest the cheetah focus tour? Many thanks

3 July 2016|

AnswerShow all 10 answers

Both are excellent. I would choose a game drive as it is a more authentic experience but if you want to see endangered king cheetahs, wild dogs and rare sable antelope up close then do the HESC tour - better still, do both!!

Previous Next

1 2

Related to items you viewed