Filming in Hoedspruit: A Guide for Film Crews
Hoedspruit has wildlife, conservation stories and the Blyde River Canyon within an hour. What crews need to know about permits, drones and private reserves, and how we can help.
By Wild About Hoedspruit · Updated 5 October 2026
The short answer
Hoedspruit is a good base for wildlife and travel filming: the Greater Kruger, wildlife conservation centres and the Blyde River Canyon are all within an hour, and Eastgate Airport has scheduled flights. Commercial filming in the Kruger National Park needs a SANParks permit, drones are not allowed in any SANParks park, and private reserves and centres each need their own permission. Tell us what you are filming and we will help with stays, transport and local contacts.
- Kruger filming
- SANParks permit for commercial work
- Drones in SANParks parks
- Not allowed
- Private reserves
- The reserve's own permission
- Fly in
- Eastgate Airport (HDS)
Film crews come to Hoedspruit for the same reason visitors do: the Greater Kruger's wildlife, some of the country's best-known conservation work, and the escarpment and the Blyde River Canyon on the doorstep. Here is what crews need to know, checked on 5 October 2026.
Why Hoedspruit
- Wildlife: the Kruger National Park and the private reserves around town hold the Big 5.
- Conservation stories: wildlife rehabilitation, endangered species work and anti-poaching are all part of life here, in the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere. See conservation in Hoedspruit.
- Landscape: the Drakensberg escarpment, the Panorama Route and the Blyde River Canyon.
- Access: Eastgate Airport (HDS) has scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Permits and rules
The Kruger National Park
Filming or photography for commercial or professional use in the Kruger, or for gain, needs a permit from SANParks. You apply with your itinerary, locations, crew and what the footage is for, and fees depend on the size of the crew. Casual, handheld photos for your own social media are usually fine. Apply well before you travel.
Drones
Drones are not allowed in any SANParks national park. Elsewhere, flying a drone commercially in South Africa is regulated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority, and private reserves and estates set their own rules: ask before you fly.
Private reserves and centres
Private reserves, lodges and wildlife centres each give their own permission, and many have rules about access, vehicles and particular animals. Never film or publish the location of a rhino.
Seeing it from the air, legally
For aerial views without a drone, our helicopter flight over the Blyde River Canyon and microlight flights over the Big 5 reserves fly from Hoedspruit.
How we help crews
Tell us what you are filming, when and how many of you there are through our contact form (choose Filming). We can help with places to stay for the crew (stays), transport and airport transfers, guides and operators (tour operators), and contacts in the local conservation community.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to film in the Kruger National Park?
Yes, for commercial or professional filming or photography, or anything for gain. Apply to SANParks with your itinerary, locations and crew well before you travel. Casual handheld photos for personal use are usually fine.
Can I fly a drone in the Kruger?
No. Drones are not allowed in any SANParks national park. Private reserves set their own rules, and commercial drone flying in South Africa is regulated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
Can Wild About Hoedspruit help a film crew?
Yes. Tell us your plans through our contact form and we will help with stays, transport and local contacts.
More on live
Planning a trip to Hoedspruit?
Tell the local team what you are after, or put the days together yourself and send them over.