Looking Out Over the Lowveld
Kaapsehoop may be just a 25 km uphill drive from Mbombela, but it is a completely different world – one of wild horses, blue swallows, beautiful hiking trails, and residents living out their dreams in this quaint village.
If you love the freshness of outdoor life and the intrigue of interesting spaces, you’ll be besotted with Kaapsehoop. Its attractions are unusual and unique, and you’ll be enchanted however long you stay.
In Awe of Wild Horses
This town in the bend of the road which winds along the top of the escarpment is renowned for its wild horses. It’s the only herd of feral horses in South Africa and they freely roam the 17,000 hectares around Kaapsehoop. There are about 160 to 200 horses, said to be the descendants of those left behind by British troops stationed here during the Boer War. The horses are mentioned in documents dating back to 1800, yet some stories still claim that these horses were set free when the Kaapsehoop police station closed many years ago.Regardless, the horses are beautiful and a big draw card for the little town. People come to see them, just to watch them run wild. Others come to ride trails through the rustic evergreen forests in the area. There are long and short horse trails, for old and young, beginner to experienced. Christo Germishuys is Kaapsehoop’s resident eternal cowboy and runs the horse trails, which he established over 20 years ago.
Searching for Blue Swallows
En route up the escarpment to Kaapsehoop is a valley that is a hugely popular spot for bird watchers. Here you can see Reed cormorant, darter, grey heron, blackheaded heron, little egret, Abdim’s stork, hadeda ibis, Egyptian geese, African black duck, African fish eagles, crane, red-chested flufftail and crowned plover – and that’s just a few on the list.
Still, rare Blue swallows are the main birding attraction at Kaapsehoop. They breed on Blue Swallow Plain, a natural heritage site just outside town, after migrating south from Uganda and Kenya. Cleverly, the Blue swallows use old mine shafts in which to nest, and these, along with the surrounding grasslands, have been set aside to provide a natural habitat for them. The swallows appear black when in flight, but are in fact dark blue in colour, hence the name.
Scenic Hiking
If you like stretching your legs out in nature, the Kaapsehoop hiking trail has a 19 km and a 55 km option. The trails meander through breathtaking scenery, including forest, as well as through historical sites. There is a two- and a five-night option with overnight accommodation en route which ranges from a hut in the forest to one in the village, another overlooking a stream, and even accommodation in a train coach. Hikers will likely also meet wild horses en route.
Food for the Soul
After, or instead of, all the outdoor activities, you can kick back in the little village of Kaapsehoop and enjoy replenishment for body and soul. The Bohemian Groove Café is a fine place to start, and offers creative cuisine. Plus there’s often live music on weekends and exhibitions by local artists to see.
Next door, Salvadore Mainstream Bistro is the place for cold beer, pizza, and maybe a round of pool. Then stop in at Koek ’n Pan for dessert. Their sweet pancakes are a winner, but then so are the savoury ones. Or try their pancake platter and order a whole variety of fillings to taste.
Town Tour
Kaapsehoop’s buildings date back to the 1880s, so walking around town is a little like stepping into a time warp. The architecture is Victorian inspired, as the miners of old built their homes from corrugated iron with decorated gables. Since the materials proved to be durable, the building style has been retained in homes and shops today. The town looks particularly otherworldly when the mist rolls in and cloaks the buildings in a white haze.
If you’re seeking quaintness and quiet, something a little different that’s away from the maddening crowd, but close enough to be a day trip too, this is it. Kaapsehoop still has the magic and mystery of an undiscovered gem – even though you now know about it.
<Sidebar> Other Attractions
- Ghost and historical tour: An hour-long tour that takes in the sites and history of Kaapsehoop, and includes a few ghost stories. You will hear all about the gold prospecting days, the missing Kruger millions and other mysteries.
- Escarpment walk: If you hike through the grey ethereal rock formations around the village for about 20 minutes, you’ll find yourself on the very edge of the escarpment. At night you’ll see the lights of Nelspruit about 1,000 metres below.
- Battery Creek Falls: Just a ten minute walk from town, Battery Creek Falls are 30 metres high and you can swim in the pools or stand under the falls and enjoy a natural shower and massage.
<sidebar 2> Help the Horses
Kaapsehoop is famous for its wild horses, but all the attention they receive from visitors may actually be harming these beautiful creatures. People have gotten into the habit of feeding them and so the horses have learnt to beg on the side of the roads and sadly, a number have been hit by cars. If, you spot any injured horses on the side of the road, please contact Reinette van Niekerk at +27 82 333 2073.
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