As the estate living trend continues to dominate real estate sales, those on the home hunt in South Africa are spoilt for choice. According to the latest Africa Wealth Report, estates with natural indigenous wilderness are rising to the top of buyer lists. Rob Severin, Principal Property Practitioner at Century 21 Wildlife Properties, says buying in a wildlife estate in Hoedspruit will definitely reward buyers with natural beauty, safety, a host of amenities, and plenty of other perks. He shares his expertise, having lived and worked in the scenic town for several years.
When to consider a wildlife estate
Living in a wildlife estate is an invitation to embrace the wonders of nature, to awaken your senses to the sights, sounds, and fragrances of the wild. If you have a passion for the outdoors, wildlife estates will definitely appeal to you.
"The common thread is that wildlife estate buyers have a love for the bush and wildlife, and come from all ages," Severin says. "The type of buyers are diverse; there are retirees or people planning for pension, holidaymakers, foreigners, and people who are able to work from a remote location.
"However, prices have increased significantly over the years, so you will also need to be financially strong," he adds. "You find the advantages of living in an estate do make up for the initial investment."
Benefits of living in a wildlife estate
While ever sought-after, the bush lifestyle of wildlife estates became more desirable since the COVID-19 lockdown. As people were confined to their homes, they realised the value of putting down roots in a spacious estate home surrounded by nature. Severin outlines the six pros of wildlife estates you should keep in mind:
1. Open space: With properties spanning hectares, you'll have unspoiled bushveld to explore at your leisure. This is ideal to escape the hustle and bustle of city living and recharge in Hoedspruit's balmy sunny weather. The estates are far away from urban areas so you'll be able to lead a healthier lifestyle, away from pollution and surrounded by nature.
2. Proximity to nature: Hoedspruit is known for being rich in wildlife, with elephants, leopards, giraffes, and more spotted on a regular basis. It's perfect to nurture a love for fauna and flora in your children and also have plenty of inspiration for your wildlife photography or painting.
3. Estate amenities: Besides having beautiful properties, these estates ensure you have everything you need to live comfortably such as restaurants, conference facilities, picnic areas, bird-watching hives, as well as cycling and hiking trails.
4. Sustainable living: If you're an eco-warrior, these estates align with your values. The majority of Hoedspruit estates are dedicated to preserving the environment from pollution, while steps have been taken to assist in the conservation of rare and endangered animals. Properties on estates often boast environmentally friendly features from water tanks to solar panels.
5. Safety and security: With Hoedspruit being a safe town and estates boasting the best in security features, you can have peace of mind. Measures include perimeter fencing, fingerprint access, visitor check-ins, CCTVs, security patrols, and guards depending on the estate.
6. Investment opportunities: Over the years, wildlife estates have seen great demand (especially by local and international high-net-worth individuals) and this has bumped up the price. By getting your foot in the door now, you can have an asset with a proven history of yielding a higher resale value over time.
Best wildlife estates in Hoedspruit
According to Severin, Hoedspruit has over 10 wildlife estates, many bush estates and game reserves which also offer residential property, as well as property within the Greater Kruger with the whole "Big Five game".
For vacant land and the option to build, Moditlo Wildlife Estate is currently a buyer favourite. Moditlo Wildlife Estate is situated 15 km from Hoedspruit and only a 45-minute drive from Kruger National Park's Orpen gate. The estate is home to lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyaenas, jackals, giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, wildebeests, kudus, impalas, warthogs, and other small game. A one-hectare vacant stand can start from R635,000 at this estate.
There also are plenty of homes for sale at Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate, a more established choice that also has the advantage of being pet friendly. This 680-hectare wildlife estate is located conveniently close to town yet offers secure and peaceful bushveld living. It is attractive for its range of activities; there are game drive routes, bird hides, mountain bike, and walking trails as well as horse stables. You can buy a 4,900m² vacant land for R1,200,000 at this estate.
"All wildlife estates are popular and each offers its own unique selling points," says Severin. "This can vary from terrain, wildlife, proximity to town, rules and building guidelines to exclusiveness, and cost of ownership. It's best to work with a local property professional who can help you find a good fit."
Buy with Century 21 Wildlife Properties
Finding wildlife estate property for sale in and around Hoedspruit is easy with Century 21 Wildlife Properties. "Our office has the largest team of qualified practitioners in the area," says Severin. "We are well trained and our knowledge of the area, estates, and reserves means we are able to help the buyer navigate the multitude of rules and types of ownership in each location. We are committed to open disclosure and communication so that clients know where they stand so as to act in their best interests."