On Saturday we attended the Wild Horse Festival in the small arty town of Kaapsehoop which is about 15 minutes outside of Mbombela, perched on top of a mountain.
This sleepy village boasts amazing views over the Lowveld as well as some beautiful wild horses that freely roam around town, over the hillsides and in the nearby forests of pine trees.
Gold was discovered here in 1882 but the deposit was poor and most miners moved off towards the richer areas of Pilgrims Rest and Barberton. This led to the decline of the small town until it was repopulated by artists and folk looking for a peaceful weekend retreat.
This weekend’s festival was held to raise money to take care of the horses as well as a road fund to repair their roads. It was very well attended and we had a wonderful day browsing the market stalls, watched horses getting shod by blacksmiths, eating a most delicious mutton curry and watching rugby before heading home.
There is a good choice of accommodation in Kaapsehoop as well as many things to do in the surrounding area including horse trails, hiking, a visit to the nearby Kruger National Park, or a trip along the Panorama Route to name a few.
If you are ever in the area it is well worth a visit.
The Slowvelder 
Sounds fantastic Jackie! Will put it on the the list of places to visit when we get there!
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Hello – I will certainly take you up on that suggestion for our february-trip!
I have a question : I am in the organising stages of our trip, and so far we have mainly put “white places” on our wishing-list (I hope this doesn’t sound politically incorrect : but Pilgrim’s Rus, Barberton, Lydeburg, Kaapsehoop are mainly of white historical interest – if you know what I mean.) I have been trying to get in touch with people from Ndebele-villages or with people from Swaziland, but it’s very tough to get serious information. I suppose I’m not tackling the issue the right way – could you give us any tips?
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Hi Talitha – take a look at these – hope I am on the right track
http://www.krugerlowveld.com/explore/entry/nyani-cultural-village
http://www.sanparks.co.za/parks/kruger/people/heritage/masorini.php
http://www.swaziculturaltours.com/
Let me know if this is what you are looking for?
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Yes! it is what we are looking for!
As you gave us the Swaziland-idea, I found another project : http://www.bulembu.org
As Nyani is near Hoedspruit, that makes it easy for us – as we will be staying there.
I hope the opening of iNyoka went alright. we surely intend to go and have a look!
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