How we support guests with their first South Africa Adventure

This time, a personal blog from me, Miriam. As you may have already read at About Us Leon and I run our villa in Hoedspruit together. I, Miriam, am responsible for this website and for communicating with our (potential) guests. Leon takes care of all the technical matters related to the villa and, if guests wish, he also arranges car rentals. Together we make a great team! We share a deep love for South Africa – every trip to South Africa still feels just as special to us.

We always love helping people who are traveling to South Africa for the first time. For many of our guests, it can be quite exciting – it’ can be far away, on another continent, and a completely different culture.

Every now and then, we get a call or message from friends — or even friends-of-friends — who’ve heard that we have such a beautiful huis in Hoedspruit They’re eager to hear all about it: what to expect, the best things to do in the area, and all the little tips that make planning a trip so much easier.

Sometimes we arrange to meet – at home or online – to share more about South Africa. Leon and I call these our ‘travel get-togethers’ meetings. We really enjoy sharing our enthusiasm for what makes traveling to South Africa so special. We’re happy to help plan their trip and give tips on a route that fits the available time and interests – whether it’s the highlights or the lesser-known spots.

Over the years, we’ve had the chance to explore many wonderful places ourselves, and we’ve put together a selection of travel suggestions for South Africa based on our favorite stops. This way, we can help you create a South Africa trip that perfectly matches your interests and dreams.

For us, it’s not just about renting out a villa – it’s truly a way to share our love for South Africa. Every time we can help a guest, we are reminded of our own first visit here: the excitement, the wonder, and the sense of adventure.

o, are you seriously considering a trip to South Africa and a stay at our villa, but still have some questions? Let us know via the contact form! We love to share our ideas – and who knows, we might organize a friendly travel chat to go over your plans.

If traveling on your own still feels a bit intimidating, it might be reassuring to know that I also organize guided trips (mostly in Dutch). Besides running our villa, I’m a passionate photographer and run my own travel agency, specializing in photography tours: The Travel Captains.

South Africa, of course, is a regular highlight on our travel calendar. We stay in charming, small-scale lodges and take plenty of time to observe and photograph wildlife – from the Big Five to the tiniest details in the bush. No prior photography experience is required, and I’m happy to guide you with tips on camera settings, composition, and capturing those truly unforgettable moments.

And if you don’t have a camera with a long zoom, no worries – you can rent one from us. That way, you’ll still capture stunning photos without making a big investment in expensive lenses that you might rarely use afterward. It’s a simple way to get amazing shots and fully enjoy your safari experience!

In addition to South Africa, we explore other incredible wildlife destinations like Botswana. And for those looking for something completely different—or planning a future adventure—I also organize photography trips to stunning places such as Italy, Iceland, and Morocco, each offering its own unique landscapes and endless opportunities for capturing beautiful photos.

Whether you prefer to plan your own route or join one of my photography trips, I’m happy to help make your South Africa adventure truly unforgettable. If you have any questions or want to brainstorm your plans together, feel free to contact me .

More information about the photography trips can be found at www.thetravelcaptains.com . There, you can also sign up for the newsletter to stay updated on new dates and destinations.