Limpopo’s Great North is SA’s hottest property play

• Hoedspruit sales are soaring while average prices remain under R2 million.
• Rentals grew 10.9% year-on-year, the fastest in SA, per PayProp.
• R296 million in residential completions in five months signals momentum.

Why Limpopo is outperforming

Lifestyle, value and jobs. Bushveld living and estate security meet comparatively affordable pricing, while mining and agriculture keep pulling people north. Infrastructure signals (notably the Pretoria - Polokwane high-speed link) add future upside.

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“Known as the ‘safari capital of the world’, Hoedspruit offers semi-rural living surrounded by wildlife,” says Bradd Bendall, BetterBond National Head of Sales. “It’s fuelling demand and prices.”

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House-price inflation in Limpopo is running at 6.82% (Lightstone), supported by a clear demand mix: retirees and second-home buyers, families seeking the “slow-veld” lifestyle, and international purchasers targeting wildlife estates and game farms.

What the data says

‍Property24 data (Hoedspruit): 504 sales so far in 2025 vs 383 in 2024; majority of buyers are 65+, followed by 50 - 64, with around 16% aged 36 - 49.

Pricing: Hoedspruit average sale price remains < R2 million; Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate around R4 million; game farms > R42 million; farm sales up from R2.3 m (2024) to R2.9 m (2025).

Building activity: First five months of 2025 saw R296 million of residential buildings completed off a low base, but a decisive pickup.

Rentals (PayProp): Limpopo led SA with 10.9% annual rental growth in June, ahead of the Western Cape’s 9.6% (off a higher base).

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“This province has a thriving mining and agricultural economy, which makes it appealing to people moving for better opportunities,” says Bendall.

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Demand drivers in focus

• Lifestyle value: Estate and bushveld living at sub-R2 m entry points is rare nationally.
• Foreign capital: Notable inflows from the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and France into lodges, estates and game farms.
• Balanced migration, rising rentals: Wise Move’s 2025 report shows balanced in/out-flows, but double-digit rental growth implies net in-migration, especially among younger tenants.
• Infrastructure optionality: The proposed Limpopo - Gauteng speed train could compress commute times and expand commuter belts.

What this means for buyers, sellers and investors

• Value pockets remain: Sub-R2 m freehold and sectional title stock still offers pricing leverage amid strong demand.
• Yield story improves: Double-digit rental growth supports stronger income returns, watch operating costs and levies on estate stock.
• Estate/game-farm premium: Expect price stratification to widen; trophy assets command global demand and scarce supply.
• Build-cycle tailwind: Rising completions suggest developer confidence; track approvals and bulk-services constraints.

Summation

‍Limpopo has moved from “holiday-home niche” to bona fide growth market. Sales are up, rentals are ripping, and build activity is climbing from a low base.

If infrastructure lands, the Great North’s mix of lifestyle + affordability + employment nodes sets it apart. In short: value today, optionality tomorrow and the data backs it.

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