About Colonel Ludwig Steinaecker

 Colonel Ludwig Steinaecker was an interesting man. He was a flamboyant, eccentric character who spoke broken English with a strong Bavarian accent. He claimed to have been a Persian Guard on a secret mission sent by the Germans to gain more insight about South Africans.

Steinaecker was described as “small”, only measuring 1,5m (5 feet) tall, dressed in a flamboyant uniform he designed himself. The uniform consisted of an officer hat bejeweled in silver piping and a broad green band around it. He wore a double-breasted khaki-colored mantel that hung to its knees, equipped with shoulder pads, a slender waistline and finally rounded off with huge silver buttons and soldier epaulets.

He wore a pair of long brown soft leather boots with metal spurs. He had plain riding pants, but the most impressive part of his extravagant outfit was his huge sword, resembling that of a medieval soldier.

His sword was carried in a massive girdle that had two big silver tassels. Besides for his unique uniform, he had an even more unique long mustache that was somewhat 10 cm long, protruding from either side of his slender bony cheek structure. In addition to that, he had a goatee growing on his chin.

Steinaecker’s Horse

During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) a voluntary British military unit called Steinaecker’s Horse, operated in the Lowveld and Swaziland. The unit was made up of a collection of approximately 300 men, all sourced from the Lowveld and some from British origin. They were paid 10 shillings, pickles, fresh milk and whiskey per day. The unit established several outposts in an area today known as the Kruger National Park.

One of these outposts near Ngotsomouth situated at the confluence between the Ngotso and Olifants Rivers was archaeologically investigated by Archaeologist Dr. Anton van Vollenhoven and his team in search of findings associated with the Horse unit and to form some idea of their lifestyle and to unravel the doings of Steinaecker’s Horse unit at the turn of the 19th century.

Colonel Ludwig Steinaecker

Not sure how he got his promotion as Colonel though. Now Colonel Steinaecker established his headquarters in Komatipoort as well as several outposts along a 200km stretch along the Swazi and Mozambiqican border. When the British started to withdrew troops for military missions elsewhere, Steinaecker crowned himself King of the area. He took the black people’s cattle to look after it and for milk production. The war had little impact on his area and he could easily visit Lourenco Marques and even Durban. Even his men in the outposts could hunt freely and live comfortably.

The archaeological site of Steinaecker’s Horse in Kruger National Park

The archaeological site is close to Tshokwane in the Kruger National Park. Archaeological research on the Ka-Nwamuriwane site of Steinaecker’s Horse forms part of Steinaecker’s Horse historical-archaeological research project. It is the next site to be excavated of the series of military outposts manned by Steinaecker’s Horse during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).

Read more here about other Famous Historical Figures that played a part in the History of Kruger National Park

History of Joao Albisini

About Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger – PAUL KRUGER

History of James Stevenson-Hamilton

History of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick

About Harry Wolhuter

History of Jock of the Bushveld

The 3 founders of Kruger National Park

About J.H. Orpen and Eileen Orpen

YES! We offer affordable Kruger National Park safaris

Our rates include the following:

Please note:

Our area of operation covers Nelspruit and surrounding areas, White River | Malelane | Hazyview | Komatipoort | Marloth Park | Kruger National Park | KMI Airport | Skukuza Airport.

Please contact us if your accommodation falls outside of our area of operation.

We also conduct safari tours in the North of Kruger upon request and need. You also have the option to hire the safari vehicle privately, email us to find out more. Additionally, you have the option to add your Kruger entrance/conservation fees when you make your booking so you don’t have to go to the office on the morning of the safari to make payment for entrance fees.