Walkerbouts Inn - Rhodes

Walkerbouts Inn - Rhodes is a country inn in the historic village of Rhodes in the Eastern Cape Highlands, 1,821 m above sea level at the southernmost end of the Drakensberg and 16 km south of the Lesotho border. Established more than two decades ago by proprietor Dave Walker on the site of the original farmhouse of Tintern, the farm on which the village was founded in 1891, the inn sits in an elevated position on a quiet cul-de-sac with a stunning view across the village. It holds a 3 star Tourism Grading Council rating and is AA Quality Assured. The six en-suite bedrooms have wall-mounted panel heaters and electric blankets against the winter chill, the dining room and lounge are warmed by a Jetmaster fireplace and an anthracite heater, and the cosy Thankshjalot pub with its wood-fired Queen Anne stove serves the inn's famous pizzas alongside wholesome country fare, with vegetarian and vegan meals by arrangement. A characterful old-world rondawel and a collection of self-catering village cottages sleeping up to 13 complete the offering, and well-behaved pets are welcome by prior arrangement.

The Highlands around Rhodes are a renowned birding area, with around 230 species recorded in the Barkly East district, and Walkerbouts is an ideal base from which to seek the specials: Drakensberg Rockjumper and Ground Woodpecker on the concrete pass up the Carlisleshoekspruit, Drakensberg Siskin and Sickle-winged Chat on the Naude's Nek plateau, Black Harrier on the Ben Macdhui plateau and Bearded Vulture in the Donkerhoek vicinity, all within an easy drive of the village. Ask at reception for the district bird list. Rooms in the inn are per person, bed and breakfast; the cottages are self-catering. Children under 10 stay free and ages 11 to 12 pay half price. Walkerbouts is a BirdLife South Africa affiliated property.