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Rhodes

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Discover Rhodes, a historic mountain hamlet for fly fishing the Bell River and hiking Ben Macdhui in the wild Drakensberg.

Best Of Rhodes

About Rhodes

Rhodes, Eastern Cape Highlands

The village of Rhodes sits in the shadow of Ben Macdhui, the second-highest peak in South Africa at 3001 metres, a fact that defines the area’s clear, high-altitude character. This part of the Eastern Cape, with the Bell River flowing through it, positions you within practical reach of other distinctive destinations like the forested Hogsback, the historic village of Nieu-Bethesda, and the winter slopes of Tiffindell Ski Resort.

A local legend provides an insight into the village’s early aspirations; it is said the settlement was originally named Rossville after a local minister, Ds Ross, before the name was changed to Rhodes in the hope that the famous mining magnate Cecil John Rhodes would bring investment and prosperity to the area.

The landscape here is one for active engagement. On Ben Macdhui, you can undertake high-altitude hiking with expansive views, while the Woodcliff Cave Hiking Trail offers routes for walkers interested in rock art and mountain flower viewing. The Bell River is a noted destination for fly fishing, and the open terrain is suited to mountain biking and horse riding. For a different kind of activity, the Clay Cafe provides a creative space for hands-on pottery.

With a subtropical highland climate, the most reliable period for long, hot sunny days falls between June and September, when average temperatures are a pleasant 18.6°C to 21.6°C; this also coincides with the time for grass skiing and mountain boarding on the summer-dry slopes. This window is ideal for hikers, photographers, and those entering events like the Rhodes Trail Run. The village suits travellers seeking a base for outdoor pursuits rather than urban amenities.

Rhodes forms a natural hub for exploring the surrounding towns of Barkly East, Maclear, Ugie, and Elliot. A journey here is as much about the travel through the highland scenery as the destination itself, with the option to extend a trip towards the coast at Port Saint Johns or the city of Makhanda. Planning a stay allows time to visit the Barkly East Museum and simply absorb the pace of mountain life.

Places To Visit

Aberdeen Addo Adelaide Alexandria Alicedale Aliwal North Barkly East Bathurst Baviaanskloof Beacon Bay Bedford Bhisho Boknes Strand Burgersdorp Bushman’s River Mouth Buyskloof Cala Cannon Rocks Cape Saint Francis Cathcart Centane Chintsa Coffee Bay Cofimvaba Cookhouse De Vlakte Despatch Dordrecht Dutywa East London Elliot eMaxesibeni Flagstaff Fort Beaufort Fort Brown Gcuwa Gonubie Gqeberha Graaff-Reinet Grahamstown Gxarha Haga Haga Hamburg Hankey Hluleka Hofmeyr Hogsback Humansdorp James Calata Jansenville Jeffreys Bay Kareedouw Kariega Kei Mouth Kei Road Keiskammahoek Kenton-on-Sea Khowa Kidd`s Beach Kirkwood Klipplaat Komani Kougadam Kromriver KwaBhaca KwaMaqoma KwaNojoli Kwelerha Lady Grey Loerie Lusikisiki Maclear Makhanda Malalane Maletswai Matatiele Maxambeni Mbizana Mdantsane Mdumbi Middelburg Molteno Mount Frere Mthatha Ncanarha Ndabakazi Ngcobo Ngqeleni Nieu-Bethesda Nomlengane Nqanqarhu Nqweba Ntabankulu Nxuba Oyster Bay Patensie Paterson Pearston Port Alfred Port Elizabeth Port Saint Johns Qamata Qolora Mouth Qonce Queenstown Qumrha Qunu Rhodes Riebeek East Saint Francis Bay Salem Selborne Seymore Sidbury Sterkspruit Sterkstroom Steynsburg Steytlerville Storms River Stormsrivier Stutterheim Sunland Tarkastad Thornhill Tsitsikamma Tsomo Ugie Uitenhage Umtata Venterstad Willowmore Xesi