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tips & tricks

Practical Tips for Your Internship in Hoedspruit!


1. Embrace the local culture

  • Be open-minded and respectful towards cultural differences. South Africans are warm and welcoming, and showing interest in their traditions and customs will help you build strong connections.
  • Learn a few basic words in Afrikaans or Tsonga—it’s a great way to bond with the children and locals.

2. Classroom & teaching advice

  • Flexibility is key – Lesson plans may change last minute, and you often need to improvise due to limited resources.
  • Use storytelling & sensory activities – Children love interactive learning, especially through songs, movement, and play.
  • Visual support is essential – Since many children struggle with English, using flashcards, drawings, and real-life objects helps them understand concepts better.
  • Observe and adapt – Watch how local teachers engage students and adjust your teaching approach accordingly.
  • Try not to change everything in the Belgium way, but embrace your knowledge with how they work.

3. Preparing for limited resources

  • Many classrooms lack basic learning materials, so if you can, bring your own supplies, such as:
    • Flashcards
    • Markers, colored pencils, and craft supplies
    • Stickers (kids love them as rewards!)
    • Printable worksheets and laminated materials (they last longer)
  • Don’t rely too much on technology—electricity and internet connections can be unstable.

4. Daily life & safety

  • Accommodation & transport
    • If staying in a lodge or shared housing, be mindful of safety rules (e.g., keep doors closed to avoid wild animals).
    • Public transport is limited; most people use private cars. If you plan excursions, organize transport in advance. Try to avoid this transport and take you're own car. Much safer, because the public transport buses are overfull. 
  • Weather & clothing
    • The climate is hot! Bring light, breathable clothing, but also pack a jacket for chilly mornings or when it rains a little bit.
    • Comfortable, closed shoes are a must, especially for bushwalks and outdoor activities.
  • Wildlife awareness
    • Never walk alone at night; wildlife like hyenas or snakes can be nearby.
    • Respect animal safety rules—never approach or feed wild animals, even if they seem harmless.

5. Emotional & personal growth

  • Expect emotional challenges, especially saying goodbye to the kids. It’s okay to feel attached, it means you made an impact!
  • Journal your experience. Writing down your thoughts helps process everything and creates a lasting memory.
  • Stay in touch. Build lasting relationships with teachers and assistants. A simple message after your internship can mean a lot.

Final words

Going to Hoedspruit for your internship is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Embrace every challenge, connect with the people, and take in all the beauty South Africa has to offer. You’ll return home with incredible memories, new perspectives, and a stronger passion for teaching!


Tips & tricks for traveling in South Africa


  • Always bring mosquito spray to protect yourself from bites.
  • Hiking shoes are a must for all the beautiful trails. 
  • If you fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit, you must collect your luggage yourself!
  • Rent a jeep instead of a small car—you will need a car to get around.
  • Visit Maroela Bar, The Thirsty Giraf, and Had en Creek restaurant for great food and atmosphere.
  • Bring lots of sunscreen to protect yourself from the strong sun.
  • Every restaurant has WIFI.
  • You can pay everywhere by creditcard. 


Lovely stays in South Africa

  • Air and bush Estate! 
  • Raddison Hotel Estate
  • Ledwood Estate 
  • Wildlife estate


Activities and restaurants in and around Hoedspruit/Zandspruit


Organized game drives

  • Concept: AM drive or PM drive—around midday, it is often too hot, making animal sightings less likely. A stop will always be included to stretch your legs and have a drink.
  • Different options available:
    • Tshukudu (direct booking)
    • Khaya Ndlovu (direct booking)
    • Pridelands (via MyAfrica)
    • Rietspruit (overlapping with Khaya Ndlovu - booking via MyAfrica)
  • Pricing: Approx. 1,000 ZAR per person (+ a standard tip of around 200 ZAR per group). If you're a group of six, it's worth inquiring about the additional cost for a private drive.
  • If desired, I can book a few private trips in advance (ensuring a good guide).

Self-drives

  • A full-day tour in Kruger National Park is very doable. If you’d like, I can prepare a (or multiple) route(s) in advance that go along scenic roads (via Orpen Gate). This is a full-day activity, best started very early (especially during this season). Let me know if you’d like me to create some interesting routes in advance.
  • Self-drive in Manyeleti (next to Kruger) – a more authentic experience, but the roads are more challenging to navigate, and there is little to no (relevant) signage or maps. However, I can provide an app that will help you navigate perfectly (even without a signal). For smaller trails in Manyeleti, you need to be prepared for some 4x4 driving, especially in rainy conditions.
  • These do not need to be booked in advance, but I would recommend avoiding weekends in Kruger to escape the crowds.
  • You can also do a self-drive within the estate (no Big 5, except for leopards, but sightings are rare). A map is available in the house. It’s nice to plan a sundowner at the dam.

Rehabilitation centers

  • Moholoholo
  • HESC – must be booked at least 24 hours in advance; tours are available daily at 09:00, 11:00, and 13:00.

Other excursions

  • Panorama Route – definitely worth a day trip.
  • Boat trip in the Blyde River Canyon.
  • Mariepskop – a slightly adventurous route to the top.
  • Nyani Cultural Village Tour (can be booked via the house host). This belongs to one off the teachers at the SCS. Teacher Maureen of dance and drama.
  • Hot air ballooning – I haven’t done this myself, but I have received positive feedback.
  • Check out the Hoedspruit Hiking Club on Facebook for great hiking experiences. You can ask for LESLEY for more info.

Wellness

  • Various options are available @ 2 min from the gate.
  • For the ladies: you can get your nails and eyelashes done in a very clean and affordable way.

Restaurants

  • Hat & Creek – very close (5 min from the gate), always good.
  • Blue Mountain – stunning mountain views on a clear day, but 20 min from the gate.
  • Kalimambo – Indian cuisine, best to ask for an outdoor table as the indoor seating is a bit dull.
  • The Brewery – delicious basic food like pizza or burgers, also great sushi.
  • The Thirsty Giraffe – original but basic, good value for money.
  • The Harvest House – right next door, new and very good, the only restaurant with a website.
  • One of the Radisson SAS restaurants – located right at the entrance of the estate. Needs to be re-tested; beautiful mountain views. Initially had some startup issues, but they might be resolved by now. Wine prices are higher than elsewhere.

Ideal for lunch

  • Stoned Olive Café (5 min, very delicious).
  • Arugula Experience Hoedspruit (3 min, also very good).
  • La Baguette (3 min).

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