Mar 4, 2019 | Things to in and around Nelspruit
While taking a break in Nelspruit, and staying at our lazy Nelspruit accommodation, why not take a trip to Kaapsehoop and indulge in a day of horse riding?
The best place to go horse backing riding is at the Kaapsehoop Horse Trails. Situated just 35km from Nelspruit, the Kaapsehoop Horse Trails is a true gem of a retreat for those who enjoy horse riding or while it is also the perfect place for every nature enthusiast. The retreat is situated on the Drakensberg escarpment, about 7km from the village of Kaapsehoop, which is well known for its wild horses.
The horses at the Kaasehoop Horse Trails are well-trained, with a good temperament and they are safe for novice and experienced riders. While out riding you will always be accompanied and guided by a team.
For the less experienced, those who might be a little nervous, there is an hour-long route, while for the more experienced there is the four to six-hour ride. All rides are through the pine forests and rolling mountains of the scenic escarpment.
One hour rides (for beginners) are a fun, laid-back ride, while the two-hour ride is for the more experienced rider. Regular riders can take the four or six-hour rides. This ride includes a stop at one of the great village restaurants, where you can enjoy a leisurely lunch before heading back to the retreat. Or if you prefer, you can take a ride through the plantation and have a packed picnic lunch before heading back to base.
While out there one can enjoy a refreshing drink or nibble at the Gypsy Caravan Café. The café is run by an eccentric Café Keeper who has many years of culinary experience and therefore you can be assured of a scrumptious treat while enjoying the surroundings. The patio is known as a meeting place where friends enjoy a cup of slow percolated coffee.
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails also has a shop where you can purchase gifts of crafts, books and even photos are available so that you can take a piece of your experience home with you.
Kaapsehoop Horse Trails also offers fun pony camps where you drop your children off for a few days and they can enjoy nature and horses while under constant adult supervision. Daily programmes include horse riding, swimming, hiking and plenty of outdoor fun and fresh air. Three meals a day are included in the package.
Should you be between the ages of 18 and 55, and be physically fit, you can also enjoy a working holiday. Volunteer Programmes are available from one week to twelve weeks. They will teach you basic skills but you are required to have some riding experience. A volunteer will be expected to work from 7-16 daily. Three meals a day are supplied on the working days and you will be allowed to have a day off when required. Accommodation is in the form of a two bedroomed flat for 4 people sharing. Basic laundry and kitchenette facilities are in the flat as well as an en-suite bathroom.
When staying at our Nelspruit accommodation, it is easy to spend a day riding horses in the town of Kaapsehoop. Don’t miss out on this exciting activity!
Jun 29, 2018 | Nelspruit Lodge
Up high in the misty mountains, just a 30-minute drive from Nelspruit, is the old village of Kaapsehoop. It is the ideal place to spend the day if you are looking to escape the city and get outdoors, and with all of the hiking trails and outdoor activities, you’ll find that Kaapsehoop has plenty to offer.
Kaapsehoop attracts all types of people, from creative and eccentric people looking for a haven of solitude to those who love the outdoors and just want to escape for a weekend. And the beautiful thing about Kaapsehoop is that there really is something for everyone.
Things To Do In And Around Kaapsehoop
This quiet mountain village is the perfect place to spend the day or even just an afternoon. Winters spent by the fireplace in a cosy pub, or summers spent exploring the hiking trails and watching distant storm clouds gather are just a few of the things that locals love to do. Other attractions include a visit to the numerous waterfalls found in between the forest tracks, viewing the wild horses as they come into the village for a snack, or simply walking right out to the escarpment and looking down onto the ancient De Kaap Valley.
Horseback riding, for both pros and amateurs, is another very popular past time and a wonderful way to see the surrounding nature. The Kaapsehoop Horse Trails is a famous company offering just such adventures! Recently Scooter Tours opened shop in the area, giving guests to the village an alternative way to get around. They are ideal for the whole family and their tours take you through the most beautiful surrounding areas.
About Kaapsehoop
Kaapsehoop was originally a mining town. But unlike its compatriot villages, this mining town did not explode into a bustling town. It remained the size that it is today, while nearby mining towns such as Barberton continued to grow.
The village that was once known as the “Duiwel’s Kantoor” was founded in the early 1880’s when gold was discovered in the small stream which runs through the village. Much of the plans to build a town was put aside in favour of digging for gold. But with bigger gold veins being discovered at Pilgrim’s Rest and Barberton in earlier years, and later with gold being found on the Witwatersrand, prospectors turned their attention to towns offering more wealth opportunities and interest in Kaapsehoop declined.
However, unlike other former gold mining areas, Kaapsehoop did not become a ghost town. Instead, it remained a small village and today it allows us to enjoy a break away from city life.
When visiting Nelspruit, a trip up to Kaapsehoop is a must. The short drive up the mountains, into that crisp air, is the perfect recipe for a revived mind. Because the climate up there is quite chilly, many prefer to leave the village before dark and spend their evenings at accommodation in Nelspruit, such as Nelspruit Lodge.
Our accommodation is in the ideal location for those wanting to explore other towns close to the city, as we are central and we have all the comforts you could want in a lodge! Book your stay at our accommodation in Nelspruit today!
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