Eco friendly building: with sandbags!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaUdrnCy4yE&feature=share

Amazing!

Regards from cloudly Hoedspruit,

Corné van Dongen.

The Wildlife Estates around Hoedspruit.

Wildlife Estates are synonymous with the bushveld town of Hoedspruit. This small town has grown rapidly over the past few years. Admittedly it’s grown off a small base and in relative terms is still a small town. There is no Woolies or McDonalds, no movies or night clubs. The growth has largely been as a result of several Wildlife Estate developments that have taken place in the area. The better known estates are

Raptors View,

Blyde Wildlife Estate,

Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate,

Canyon Game Reserve,

Zandspruit bush & aero Estate.

Of late a few newer estates have started to come online, such as Leadwood and Zandspruit. But let’s explore at the concept of wildlife estates, the role they play, the profit potential, the pitfalls and pleasures of owning in such an estate.

What is a wildlife estate?
The meaning of Housing Estate changes from place to place. In Hoedspruit a Wildlife Estate means owning either a 5,000m² or 10 000m² (half a Hectare or 1 Hectare) stand on which you can build a thatched house or lodge as it’s referred to, with predetermined architectural guidelines. Each house is surrounded by bushveld and most houses do not have gardens (although, indigenous plants are permitted). There are no fences or walls around the properties allowing game to move freely between the properties. It’s not uncommon for animals such as Nyala, Porcupine, Kudu or Warthog to make themselves resident around your home.

One of the biggest perks to living on a wildlife estate is that you have usage of the farm and facilities. This includes facilities such as hiking trails, cycling trails, picnic spots, game drive areas through to restaurant, gym, horse stables and sports facilities. In most estates this portion of the property common is for the pleasure of home owners. What makes a wildlife estate special, is that it gives owners the freedom to enjoy the bush beyond just the one hectare of ownership.

To read more go to: Property consultant in the bush.

The poor man’s game-drive: 10 activities in the Hoedspruit-area for R100 or less.

Yeah talking 'bout papa
He was the poor, richest man in town
My dad he was a man who was so fine
My papa he was the only friend of mine
Yeah, papa
He was the poor, richest man in town
And when he brought his money on a saturdaynight for mama
Then sunday was allright

(Jack Jersey – Papa was a poor man songtext).

I am sure we all know those times in our lives when you felt like a poor man (or women). Hopefully those days are gone, but that doesn’t mean we have to to watch our expenses. In an ongoing changing world where prices of fuel, food, insurances etc. keep rising, it is good to know that for R100 or less you can still enjoy some really interesting activities here in the Lowveld.

Take the poor man’s game drive, for free!

Drive the Guernsey road. Take the R40 south of Hoedspruit and turn after 7 km left (Argyle road) to the East gate airport. After 8,5 km. turn right onto the Guernsey road. This 29 km. dirt road is bordered by the famous Kapama and Thornybush game-reserves. There also numerous private game-farms. Often you can see plains   game, sometimes even rhino, elephant or lions! Costs only petrol, no entrance fees.

Visit the Moholoholo rehabilitation centre for R90 per person.

On the daily tours (09:30 and 15:00, closed on Sundays) you get close to the animals which have been wounded, poisoned or got orphaned. Moholoholo is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1992.

To read more go to: Property consultant in the bush.

Property prices are dropping

Properties are a good investment in the long term. However, for this investment you need to have a certain 'investment horizon'. In other words the time to recover from dips in the market.

Since 2008 prices of properties in South-Africa have dropped. Inflation, rising costs of fuel, food, electricity and the household debt levels are responsible for this.

I have noticed the changes here in the area. For example the Moditlo Game Reserve, where one could buy a 1 hectare full title deed stand for R450,000 in 2008, now prices come closer to R250,000! So property prices are dropping 

To read more go to: Property consultant in the bush.

Buying a property in South Africa

If you are not a South African and want to buy a property here there are some requirements for immigration. When buying a property for commercial purposes in the tourism industry in South-Africa there are the following requirements:

• Investment required of R2.500.000.
• Employ 5 South-African citizens.
• Apply for a business-permit (so the owners can also work in their own business).
• Apply for a resident-permit. SA will first give out a temporary residence.
• Submit a business, marketing and financial – plan.
• Submit the required applications for immigration – to acquire at your local embassy or consulate.

Investment of 2.5 million rand
One can add all costs made to find and acquire the property....

To read more go to: Property consultant in the bush.