Kaapsehoop. A small town in Mpumalanga with a large history filled with stories that will leave you asking for more! If a small town, wild horses, misty mornings, and quaint tea spots is what you’re looking for, Kaapsehoop may be what you need.
Originally spelled as Kaapshe Hoop due to its Dutch ancestry, the town of Kaapsehoop can be found just outside of Nelspruit. It was named Kaapsehoop due to it being located very high above the De Kaap Valley. The ‘hoop’ comes from this being a gold rush town - ‘hope of the Cape’ is the English translation - and got tagged as all the eager miners came up from the Cape to see if they could strike it rich!
When standing in the town itself and looking down into the valley, one can easily see for kilometers - a beautiful, peaceful site that is sure to quiet the busiest of minds. If views like this tickle your fancy, then the Kaapsehoop Escarpment Walk is a hike that you just have to experience for yourself. You’ll make your way through exquisite rock formations and take in the awe inspiring views that you’ll struggle to catch on camera - they are just that perfect.
Why then, is it called the place of wild horses? Depending on who you speak to you may get a different answer as to why there are so many wild horses roaming around. It’s said that around 200 horses find shelter and home in and around the town of Kaapsehoop.
Some say that the British Troops left their horses in Kaapsehoop and that these horses we have the luxury of seeing today, are descendants of those horses. They are indeed free and wild and not owned by anyone - it is quite a site to see, should you encounter a horse or two on your way up the mountain pass.
If you're up for an adventure, why not take up the Kaapsehoop riding trail? You don’t have to be an experienced horse rider to enjoy the natural landscape and beautiful scenery with the wildlife on horseback.
To make your way to this charming little town - head toward Nelspruit, and it’s a mere 30 minutes away.
