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Important Notice for Travellers Booking Accommodation on Zandspruit Estate

Planning to book a holiday villa on Zandspruit Estate in Hoedspruit through Homes of Africa or another operator? There is an important municipal land-use issue travellers should be aware of before making payment.

On 21 August 2026, Maruleng Municipality issued a formal circular concerning properties in Zandspruit Bush and Aero, Hoedspruit Extension 12. The municipality states that several properties zoned “Rural Residential” are being used for business purposes and advertised as accommodation online.

According to the municipality, where a Rural Residential property is used inconsistently with its permitted land-use rights, this use will be classified as Illegal Land Use.

The municipality further states that it is reviewing websites where affected properties continue to be advertised and will use additional mechanisms to identify future transgressions and non-compliance.

What does this mean for travellers?

If you are considering a short-term holiday rental on Zandspruit Estate through Homes of Africa or another operator, we recommend asking the accommodation provider to confirm that the specific property has the necessary municipal permission for its advertised use before making a non-refundable payment.

The municipal notice does not state that existing reservations will automatically be cancelled, nor does it specify what action will be taken against individual bookings. However, given the municipality’s stated enforcement activity, travellers may wish to verify the status of their accommodation before booking.

Read the original Maruleng Municipality circular dated 21 August 2026 below.

Maruleng Municipality Notice on Homes of Africa/Zandspruit Rentals
Maruleng Municipality

Frequently Asked Questions about Zandspruit Estate holiday rentals

Understand the municipal zoning regulations, land-use policies, and how they apply to short-term tourist accommodation within the Hoedspruit Extension 12 area.

Are holiday rentals allowed on Zandspruit Estate in Hoedspruit?

Not necessarily. Maruleng Municipality’s circular dated 21 August 2026 states that several properties in Zandspruit Bush and Aero, Hoedspruit Extension 12, are zoned Rural Residential but are being used for business purposes through online advertising. The municipality states that land must be used in accordance with its permitted land-use rights, and that Rural Residential properties used inconsistently with those rights will be classified as Illegal Land Use. This does not mean that every property in Zandspruit is automatically operating illegally. The status depends on the land-use rights applicable to the individual property.
Yes. On 21 August 2026, Maruleng Municipality issued a circular addressed to property owners in Hoedspruit Extension 12. It follows notices that the municipality says were already issued in June 2026 concerning several properties in Zandspruit Bush and Aero being used for business purposes despite their Rural Residential zoning. The municipality also states that it will review websites where these properties continue to be advertised during August and September 2026 and use other mechanisms to identify further non-compliance.
No. The municipal circular does not state that every holiday rental or every property in Zandspruit is illegal. The issue identified by the municipality is the commercial use of properties where that use is inconsistent with the property’s permitted land-use rights. Travellers should therefore verify the status of the specific property they intend to book.
The municipality states that where a Rural Residential property is used in a way that is inconsistent with its permitted land-use rights, it will classify the property as Illegal Land Use in terms of its Property Rates Policy. The circular also refers to the Maruleng Land Use Scheme 2021 and the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Bylaw.
We recommend checking the land-use status of the individual property before making a non-refundable payment. Ask the accommodation provider to confirm that the property has the necessary municipal land-use rights or approval to operate as the type of short-term accommodation being advertised. The municipal circular does not say that existing bookings will automatically be cancelled or that guests will lose their money. However, because the municipality has stated that it is actively identifying and addressing non-compliant properties, travellers may reasonably want confirmation before booking.
The Maruleng Municipality circular does not specify what will happen to existing guest reservations, deposits or future bookings if action is taken against a particular property. For that reason, we do not suggest that guests will automatically lose their money. However, if you are booking a property affected by the land-use issue, it is sensible to establish its legal operating status before making significant or non-refundable payments.
We suggest asking the provider to confirm in writing that the specific property you are booking has the required municipal land-use rights to operate as short-term tourist accommodation. If you are concerned, you can also ask the provider for details of the relevant municipal approval or land-use authorisation rather than relying only on a general statement that holiday rentals are permitted.
The circular states that affected properties are being advertised on various websites, “including but not limited to Homes for Africa and others.” It is important to note that the document uses the wording “Homes for Africa”. We therefore reproduce the municipality’s wording as written rather than changing or interpreting the name on its behalf. Following the municipal notice, we stopped offering Homes of Africa villas through our platform in August 2026.
We decided to stop offering these villas after becoming aware of the Maruleng Municipality notice concerning the use of Rural Residential properties in Zandspruit for commercial accommodation purposes. Until the land-use position of individual properties is sufficiently clear, we prefer not to direct travellers towards accommodation where there may be uncertainty regarding the property’s authorised use.
There is no need to assume that your reservation is invalid. Contact your accommodation provider and ask them to confirm that the property you have booked has the required municipal land-use rights for its advertised use. If you have paid a substantial deposit, we recommend requesting that confirmation in writing. The municipal circular itself does not provide instructions to guests with existing reservations.
The most reliable approach is to obtain confirmation relating to the specific erf or property, rather than relying on a general statement about Zandspruit Estate. The Maruleng circular directs questions regarding the communiqué to the municipality’s Town Planning Division.
This particular circular concerns properties in Zandspruit Bush and Aero / Hoedspruit Extension 12. It should not be interpreted as saying that holiday rentals throughout Hoedspruit are prohibited. Different properties and developments may have different zoning, land-use rights and operating permissions.
The notice was issued by Maruleng Municipality on 21 August 2026 and is titled as a clarification relating to notices issued for contraventions of the Maruleng Land Use Scheme and Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Bylaw. We recommend reading the original two-page municipal circular rather than relying solely on summaries or social-media discussions.