Kaapsehoop: Mist, Magic, and a Hamlet That Thinks It’s a Town

Kaapsehoop - Day One: Welcome to the Hamlet You Didn’t Know You Needed

So apparently, Kaapsehoop isn’t a small town. No, no. It’s a "hamlet". Which is basically just a pretentious way of saying tiny cluster of houses where everyone knows your business.

I was ridiculously excited to visit this place I’d hyped up in my head for a while, as some misty, magical, out-of-time fairyland. And wouldn't you know it.....I wasn’t wrong.

The Tribe Assembles

The tribe for the weekend was a mixed bag: me, Munchkin (my munchy, but mighty hiking pal), the Sassy Siblings, and three other hiking buddies I’d met on previous hiking trails.

Wild Horses & Wild Assumptions

On the way in, we spotted what can only be described as a National Geographic moment: wild, majestic horses casually chilling among the forest, like they were hired to make the place look whimsical. I half-expected a unicorn to wander past.

Munchkin points at a handful of houses and goes, “Is that Kaapsehoop?”Me, brimming with confidence: “Pfft, that’s probably PART of it.”

It was not part of it. That was literally all of Kaapsehoop.

Munchkin and I were the early birds, arriving in Kaapsehoop first. Naturally, we decided to “walk the town.” Well, to be fair, you can literally walk the entire hamlet in about ten minutes flat.

Stepping Into Another World

You drive through a gate and—bam—you’re not in 2025 anymore. You’re in some quirky, misty, postcard where every second building could double as a set for a period drama or an indie film about eccentric artists.

Shops? Cute.

Restaurants? Quirky.

Every corner? Screams take a photo of me, tourist.

Honestly, I had to lock myself indoors on the Saturday just to avoid the shame of filling my camera roll with yet another “charming corner” or “misty lane.” There’s only so much fabulousness I can handle.

Panda’s Guest Cottages

For the weekend, we checked into Panda’s Guest Cottages—and honestly, 10/10 recommend.

Leticia, our host at Panda’s Guest Cottages, was the kind and welcoming.

Our questions started weeks before we even arrived (sorry, Laeticia), and not once did she sound irritated or impatient.

Our room? Spotless, neat, and super comfortable, well equipped with all the essentials, making it easy to settle right in.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Kaapsehoop, stop Googling—Panda’s Guest Cottages is the place.

Thank You, Kaapsehoop

So yes, thank you Kaapsehoop, you misty, magical hamlet. You were exactly what I imagined—and more.

Horses, fog, old-world vibes, and just enough quirk to keep me reaching for my camera every five steps.

And that was only Day One!!