Mountain Haven

Guest House
weekend calendar

Attractions / Facilities

Horse riding to helicopter flights and more!
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excursion

Festivals & Happenings

Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 Marathon
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OTHERWORDLY event

The
Ghost Tour

Murmurs now echo through the old buildings of the many colourful characters that flocked here to seek their fortunes.
GHOSTS AND MORE
INFORMATION

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Next to the tarred road that is the scenic route from Ngodwana to Nelspruit (so easy to access) Kaapse Hoop, Kaapsehoop or Kaapschehoop as it is variously known (originally known as Duiwels Kantoor) is ideal for the young and adventurous or those seeking to escape the stress of the big city. High on the mountains that wind their way up through the Lowveld from the Drakensberg, we are central to most major attractions in the old Eastern Transvaal, now Mpumalanga.

Activities

There are many things to do in the immediate vicinity viz.; horse riding, hiking, swim in crystal clear mountain water, explore a forest trail or visit unique pubs, restaurants, arts and crafts shops all in this quaint, historic village of Kaapsehoop. Unhindered by other human habitation, you can take long walks and maybe sight a herd of reedbok or a troop of baboon. Besides many species of game, the area is a bird-watchers’ paradise being adjacent to the Blue Swallow Reserve. There's the stunning, 30 metre high, Battery Creek Falls, 10 minutes walk away and 20 minutes up through galleries of gnarled rocks and caves called Duiwel’s Kantoor, ( the original name of the village ) you’ll find spectacular views from the edge of the escarpment. On a moonlit night, the local pastime is to stroll up, tipple in hand, to see the lights of Nelspruit and Barberton 30 Kms away or early morning to watch the sun rise over the mountains of Swaziland.

The villager’s are a friendly and helpful bunch of artist’s, craftsmen and eccentric’s. They may tell you about UFO’s, ghosts and fairies, but then Kaapsehoop is a magical place, so who can say?

Self-catering

Mountain Haven offers self-catering budget accommodation, no frills but comfortable and clean. 8 X 2, 4 or 6 Sleeper Family Units (For longer stays we recommend a maximum of 4 adults in the 6 sleepers, due to their size and the fact that they only have 1 bathroom they are more suited to 2 adults with children. Likewise for the 4 sleepers unless you are coming for a weekend or short stop over or unless you are close family or friends we recommend that 2 couples take separate units as the 4 or 6 sleepers are only 35 square meters. Please also be aware that for those with very small children and the elderly that most of the larger units contain stairs. Please also note we are fairly close to the main road and the property is not fenced in (a culture shock to some Gautengers) it is not a busy road, we have a rush hour of 5 or 6 cars and occasionally logging trucks if they are harvesting in the area, so please be aware we are not the ideal destination for un-road-wise toddlers. All units have basically equipped kitchenettes and en-suite shower, toilet, etc. with views of the grasslands and forests. We promise to help you find all the most interesting places and be available so that your stay is a pleasant one.
INFORMATION

Village of Kaapsehoop

High on the mountains (remnants of the first continent formed over 3.5 billion years ago, and containing the earliest evidence of life) that cradle De Kaap valley and Barberton, nestles the historic village of Kaapsehoop. Originally called Duiwel’s Kantoor (Devil’s office) it was renamed Kaapsehoop in the 1880’s because the unusual rock formations and swirling mists brought Table Mountain to mind and in the Hope (Hoop) that enough gold would be found to save the Old Transvaal from Bankruptcy. A hope that became reality, as Kaapsehoop was originally the administrative centre of the Barberton Gold Fields so pivotal in the creation of modern day South Africa..

The Swazi’s mined gold and iron ore in the area but no prolonged settlement was established at Kaapsehoop until the early European hunters and traders arrived and used it as a base to escape the heat and malaria of the Lowveld.

With the discovery of gold Kaapsehoop boomed and during the Boer War being in a strategic position the British invested the town. Today you can still see the old encampment and the graves of the soldiers in the graveyard.

From four thousand people during the 1880’s gold rush until the early 1980’s, when the tar road was built, the population dwindled to just sixteen. Now Kaapsehoop has been re-discovered and there are regular fetes and happenings that attract many customers up from the heat of the surrounding Lowveld.


INFORMATION

Wild horses that loom out of the mist

Though the derelict jail and magistrates court can still be seen at the top of the village and the wild horses that loom out of the mist when you least expect them are a living reminder of a bygone era.

The villagers (approximately 120 residents) have imbued a new vitality. The many artists restoring in wood, stone and stained glass have softened the often stark Victorian colonialist with the more esoteric and often quirky.

Enter the Salvador (100 meters from Mountain Haven). The high pressed ceilings and rustic timber blend nicely with works covering the walls. They also do a great pizza, have wild parties on weekends and possess a pool table.

Close by you’ll find Kim’s fired & stained glass and a small café which supplies bread, milk and cigarettes – but little else at that so provision yourself at Ngodwana Spar before you come up the mountain!

By the entrance to the village you will find Bohemian Restaurant, further into the village you’ll find Ingrid's Gold Dust Trading, Antiques and Object D'Art, Rudy's Scooter Tours, the Clay Lady and Mizgooseberry's marvellous cakes and sweets.

Surrounded by forests, waterfalls, unusual rock formations and thousand meter drops with magnificent views you’ll find Kaapsehoop has the ambience that few other places in Mpumalanga or even South Africa have.
The area is a favourite destination among those seeking an adventurous weekend break from the big city.
The villager’s are a friendly and helpful bunch of artist’s, craftsmen and eccentric’s. They may tell you about UFO’s, ghosts and fairies, but then Kaapsehoop is a magical place, so who can say?