During a much-anticipated summer, our family embarked on our first home exchange adventure to the town of Hoedspruit, South Africa! Excitement buzzed in the air as we imagined ourselves amidst the rich wildlife and stunning landscapes!
Upon arriving at the wildlife estate were our home for the next 7 days were, we were in for a surprise. Instead of the expected warm human greeting, we found ourselves face to face with a lively troop of baboons right in the driveway. They eyed us with curiosity, seemingly inspecting our car as if to say, “Welcome to the neighborhood!”
As evening descended, we were treated to a symphony of nocturnal sounds, the most thrilling being the haunting laughter of hyenas echoing through the night. It felt like we were living inside a nature documentary!
The days that followed were filled with unexpected journeys, which weren’t always easy since we travelled with a one-year-old and an 8 year old! the game drives sometimes took its toll on them,especially when we didnt see too many animals.
We explored the vibrant local markets, tasted delicious South African dishes, and of course went for a self-drive by Kruger National Park. Each safari drive offered awe-inspiring encounters, from playful zebra foals to majestic lions lounging in the shade, and not to mention the sunrises!
As dusk settled and the stars began to twinkle, the chorus of the night grew even more intriguing. The eerie calls of hyenas pierced the stillness, sending chills down our spines. The kids huddled close, both terrified and exhilarated by the wild symphony outside. It was both unnerving and thrilling to be so close to nature in its rawest form.
We stayed in a villa inside of a wildlife estate where we paid with GP, the house was spectacular with everything you needed to have a luxury bush stay : ) the funniest part was when the owner sent us a picture of a leopard in a tree saying ‘your neighbor just sent me this pic’ : ) Thanks to homeexchange, because normally we would not have been able to afford such a special place!
As our adventure in Hoedspruit drew to a close, we realized that the unexpected moments had made the trip truly unforgettable and thanks to the warmth of the community, the thrill of the wildlife, and the humor of our baboon neighbors had given us a summer to remember. As we packed our bags, we knew we were leaving with stories that would keep us laughing and reminiscing for years to come!
That was our first ever home-exchange and def not our last one, especially not in South-Africa!
