Hoedspruit Reptile Center

Just ten minutes down the road from Nkanyi House is the Hoedspruit Reptile Centre. More than your average snake park, the center provides education and conservation work for the areas unique reptile and arachnoid (spider) populations. They have worked with film crews from National Geographic and the Discovery Channel, among others. The expert staff at Kinyonga are the ones that local farmers and towns people can call to remove an unwanted snake from their area. The snakes are captured and then relocated to a nearby, less populated area.

Most of the area’s most dangerous snakes are on display: puff adders, cobras, mambas as well as others. Snakes and other reptiles from around the world can also be found. There is also an assortment of lizards, frogs and spiders. Many are either former house pets that have been donated to the center, or injured animals that are not able to return to the wild. For the reasonably priced entrance fee, you can wander the exhibits on your own. Each displayed animal has extensive information posted about its native habitat and characteristics.