Walkerbouts has six en suite bedrooms tastefully decorated with bold colours and furnishings to suit. Four of the bedrooms have showers and two have baths. It is one of only ten houses in Rhodes which can boast of having Eskom electricity and one of five dwellings which has satellite TV reception!

Guests are accommodated in five spacious bedrooms and a smaller "honeymoon suite" (ie with no place to hide). All beds are fitted with duvets as well as electric blankets to ward off the winter chill. The dining room and lounge are heated by an open fire-place as well as an anthracite heater. The cosy pub, whose walls could tell many, many stories, if only they could talk, also has two wood-fired pizza ovens providing an alternative and adding another dimension to the wholesome country fare served in the dining room. More specialised victuals such as vegetarian meals can be prepared by prior arrangement.

Picnic hampers can be made for lunches in the field. In addition to standard washing and ironing of clothing, a tumble dryer can save the day for times when inclement weather makes life difficult. Fax, photocopying and e-mail facilities can also make life easier for guests. Contact reception to make appropriate arrangements. Information on the region and bookings can also be made for unplanned eventualities. Transport for guests landing at the Elliot tarmac airstrip can be arranged. Transport can also be arranged for guests arriving by air in East London or Bloemfontein.

Rainbow trout were stocked in the area shortly after World War I and whose offspring are now well adapted and largely self-regenerating. Browns were stocked at selected places in more recent times.

Reasons to visit Rhodes include the annual Rhodes Ultra Marathon, the Rhodes Mountain Bike Challenge, the Wild Trout Festival and the Skyrun Eco Challenge. The Tiffindell Ski Resort is located on the slopes of Ben McDhui 22km or, alternatively, one hour's drive from Rhodes under normal conditions. A local shuttle service operator collects guests from Walkerbouts door step by prior arrangement.

Rhodes is located in the Eastern Cape Highlands, near the escarpment in the southernmost end of the mighty Drakensberg mountain range in the magisterial district of Barkly East. It is 1840m above sea-level and is 16km due south of the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho. The village is surrounded by the towns of Maclear, Ugie and Elliot below the escarpemnt and Barkly East above this barrier. It is 60km or 60-plus minutes drive from Barkly, which is the closest town, on a gravel road which is narrow, winding and poorly maintained by the authorities. It must be driven with care.

Rates
Inclusive of breakfast. Accommodation-only rates are available on request while prices for a 3-course dinner start at R125pp.

VALID 01 SEPTEMBER 2008 - 30 NOVEMBER 2008; 16 JANUARY 2009 - 14 MARCH 2009; 01 MAY 2009 - 24 MAY 2009
Per Person Per Night Sharing: R350
Per Person Per Night Single: R425

VALID 01 DECEMBER 2008 - 15 JANUARY 2009; 15 MARCH 2009 - 30 APRIL 2009; 25 MAY 2009 - 31 AUGUST 20009
Per Person Per Night Sharing: R425
Per Person Per Night Single: R525

Children Rates
Children under 2: Free
Children under 10: 70%

In addition to Walkerbouts, accommodation can be arranged in the village and environs ranging from rustic back-packer accommodation to en-suite self-catering establishments with electricity. Rates range from approximately R200 to R300 per person per night.