Kaapsche Hoop, well known for it’s Wild Horses which freely roam the streets, is a charming village situated in Mpumalanga, South Africa and about an hour from Sabie, where we’re currently living.  This increasingly popular village has become a tourist mecca and it’s absolutely worth the drive.  As you head into the mist covered mountains you’re struck by the beautiful landscape all around.  The rolling green “bushveld” is reminiscent of Ireland and as the road slowly turns up the mountain you finally come to the gate and enter Kaapsche Hoop.

Most of the buildings are still set in the original period and it’s like stepping back in time.  The streets are mostly unpaved and some are literally dirt tracks through grass.

One of the first buildings you’ll see is probably where you should eat and hang out, The fabulous Bohemian Groove Cafe…

“Artists Charl and Andrea Fourie welcome you to the Bohemian Groove Café in Kaapsche Hoop, where home cooked food, great friends and creative art meet! The Restaurant offers a feast to the senses, with delicious food, vibey music, creative people and beautiful interiors.

The restaurant is an artpiece in itself, with fine art displayed on the walls, handmade furniture and lightfittings created by Charl. Charl’s blacksmith workshop even creates custom design furniture, light fittings or objects d’art!”

This place was so much fun and we spent hours walking around feasting our eyes on all of the art covering both the inside and outside of the place.  It was a Sunday afternoon and they had a local musician serving up great music and the food…  wow…  the food.

We selected the Gypsy Salad and the Pork Eisben, hot off the outdoor smoker! Everything was wonderful and the presentation made us feel like we were eating art.  The ingredients in the salad all come directly from the owners garden including the edible flowers!

Everything is slow in this place and you just meander from place to place and the entire village just breathes peace on your soul.   Time stands still and as we walked through a group of wild horses lazily grazing on the side of the street, we made our way up the hill with our new friend Trudie, she told us the history of the town and stories of when she lived here in the past and was even able to show us the Church she was married in years ago!

There are several other eateries and many bed and breakfasts and little inns as well.   Everything is open and you can literally just walk into any place…  no one locks their doors here or has gates and fences like the rest of the places we have been in South Africa.

Many of the restaurants and bed breakfasts are ripe with history and like little museams and we really enjoyed just strolling from one to the other learning new things.

All around the village are picturesque barns and fields, as well as old historical markers including the first Mayors old stone house.

There are some wonderful art shops there as well and you could spend hours sifting through them looking for a special find to remember your trip.

It was an awesome day and hopefully we’ll return soon!