PLACES TO STAY
There are lots of places to stay in Rhodes and the surrounding farming district. A self-catering house is usually the best option for a bigger group or a family, but make sure you bring all your food as there are no shops in town.
Self-catering houses
A few people in town handle bookings for these, or contact Margie Murray at the Rhodes Information Office. The office also sells souvenirs like postcards (R4), stickers (R20) and Rhodes-branded fleeces (R175) and windcheaters (R300). You can also borrow a tennis racquet if you want to play on the courts across the road ( 045 971 9003; rhodesinfo.co.za).
AGENTS • Elizma den Heyer manages 13 houses in town. Rates from R200 per person per night ( 083 659 3271; edh@cnx.co.za). • Jill and Fred Steynberg manage 15 houses. Rates from R250 – R400 per person per night ( 072 499 4569; linecasters.co.za). • Susan Kölz and Dave Walker manage eight cottages; rates from R225 per person ( 045 974 9290).
Rubicon
This sandstone building was the local school until 1972. Six classrooms have been converted into self-catering units: R250 per person or R500 per night for a family room that sleeps two adults and up to three kids under 12. Where? On the south-eastern edge of town. Contact: 083 659 3271 (Elizma); edh@cnx.co.za
Walkerbouts Inn
Stay in one of the six en suite rooms for R765 per person sharing, including dinner and breakfast. Children under 10 get a discount. If you’re not staying over, drop in for pizza or a toasted sandwich for lunch. Book in advance if you want dinner. Vegan and vegetarian options available. Where? On the south-western edge of town. Contact: 045 974 9290; walkerbouts.co.za
Rhodes Caravan Park
This municipal campsite is basic but centrally located. Camping costs R65 per person. There are hot showers but there’s no electricity. No booking required, just check in at Walkerbouts Inn. They administer the campsite. Where? In the middle of town. Contact: 045 974 9290
Steepside Campsite & Cottage
This self-catering cottage sleeps six in three en suite rooms. Book out the whole place for R850 per night; R750 for up to four people; R600 for up to two people. Meals are available by request. Another cottage will be available in 2017. The campsite doesn’t have electricity, but it does have hot showers. Camping costs R80 per adult; R40 per child aged 12 – 18; free for children under 12. GPS: S30.84203 E27.81389 Contact: Cottage 045 974 9240 (Karin); Campsite 076 388 5803 (Petri); steepside.co.za
Gateshead Lodges
Farmers Basie and Carien Vosloo manage three self-catering lodges on different farms: Branksome (sleeps 12), Birkhall (sleeps two) and Gateshead (sleeps six). All three are near trout dams and streams. Rates from R300 per person. Bring your own food. GPS: S30.90513 E27.78209 (Birkhall, the reception for all three lodges) Contact: 082 920 9084 (Carien); gateshead.co.za
Lovedale & Bothwell Guest Farms
These two self-catering places are owned by the Reeders family and are quite far apart: Lovedale is 5 km east of Rhodes and Bothwell is 25 km in the other direction. Lovedale sleeps 12 people (R320 per adult; R250 per child under 13). Meals are available: breakfast (R60); home-cooked dinner (R180). The more rustic Bothwell sleeps 10 people and is nicely situated for fishing in the Bokspruit (R200 per adult; R100 per child under 13). It doesn’t have electricity. GPS: S30.78723 E27.99852 (Lovedale); S30.94469 E27.97889 (Bothwell) Contact: 072 291 5128 (Caroline); lovedaleguestfarm.co.za