Walkerbouts Inn

15/07/2024

Anybody for ice-skating? "Loch Ness" yesterday, completely frozen over.

08/07/2024

View of Loch Ness (near the defunct Tiffindell Ski Resort) from the WTA "fishcam". Note the frozen surface from the wall to beyond the island at the highest wild trout fishery in the country!

05/07/2024

When its 9.4*C outside at 14h45, this is where Curry the Cat seeks refuge at Walkerbouts!

30/06/2024

Dave & Dick, 28-6-2024, with a pic dating back to the 1996 Rhodes Trail run, then known as the Rhodes Marathon. We were both not quite as grey - but almost 25 years later, time has taken its toll, albeit marginally!

31/05/2024

Back home again and all too soon but great while it lasted!

28/05/2024

All too soon and we're back home again, nonetheless, a most welcome break indeed but alas, all too short!

21/05/2024

Disappearing for a few days to the seaside. First time in years! Hooray!😀😃😄😁😆

10/05/2024

10/05/2024

The Function room at Walkerbouts Inn – Rhodes accommodated the 12th Rhodes Animal Care Project (RAC) under the auspices of the Primary Health Care programme of the Departments of Rural Development & Agrarian Reform. It was conducted by the listed officials from the following entities;
State Veterinarians : Joe Gqabi District Municipality;
Drs Chanelle Kyle and Mzwanele Bekayeke

State & Community Service Veterinarians: O R Tambo
Drs Ayanda Ngobe and Mngambi Sibogakonke

Community Service Veterinarians: Chris Hani District Municipality
Drs Zipho Satula & SiliziwenMazeke

Animal Technicians: Joe Gqabi District Municipality
Precious Khunyana, Masibonge Mzamane, Zoliswa Mqdikane, Veronica Ngculana, Sakayisa Zipete

The Team went to work and by the end of the campaign, had spayed 4 dogs, neutered 7 dogs and spayed 6 cats and neutered 2 cats. In addition, 12 cats and 61 dogs were immunized against rabies, and also given a 5 in 1 injection for other diseases such as Parvo virus. In addition, 2 horses were castrated, 1aged dog euthanised and 2 dogs had “canine pedicures” – their nails clipped.

The RAC would like to convey thanks to all of the veterinary surgeons and technical staff concerned as well as BKB, Barkly East, who kindly sponsored Trusty dog pellets. The pellets were packaged and a packet given to each of the pet owners with which to feed their pets during their recovery period. Each dog-owner also received a small blanket for their pets’ winter comfort. Thanks also to participants in the annual Dirt Road Wild Trout Association Fly-fishing Festival where hand-knitted blankets from the Rhodes Stoepsitfees were auctioned specifically in support of the RAC project. Knitters used wool kindly donated by Saprotex International, spinners of quality yarns and hand-knitting wool. The Rhodes Stoepsitfees blanket sales raised over R15000 that went a long way towards covering some of the costs of the project!

Lastly, thanks to Walkerbouts & staff for hosting the event, accommodating the officials and providing a vehicle to take the drowsy pets, together with their owners, back to their homes. The delivery service was attended to by Butis Letsika and assisted by Ranger Hlaza and Mlamli Vangqa.

All-in-all, a very well-orchestrated event organized by Susan Koelz on behalf of the RAC.

19/02/2024

The dust has settled on the 2024 Rhodes Stoepsitfees, especially the dust kicked up by the Wellington Boot Throwing Competition held in the field at Walkerbouts Inn on Saturday afternoon!

26/01/2024

The Bell River at Rhodes, view downstream from the bridge. Note the clarity! 😃

31/12/2023

A fine year ahead to you all!

26/11/2023

See you then but booking essential!

28/10/2023

The Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme undertook an aerial survey in the northeastern part of the Eastern Cape province. The survey aimed to determine the current status of Bearded Vulture nests in the region. This was the first complete survey in several years. The team used a helicopter which allows one to access these nest sites that are at high altitudes on basalt cliffs often in very inaccessible areas. The team was happy to observe a quite a number of chicks on nests that will be ready to fledge within the next few weeks.

The Bearded Vulture is a Critically Endangered species that is threatened with extinction, mainly due to the indiscriminate use of poisons throughout its range in the Maloti-Drakensberg mountains of southern Africa. The total southern African population is estimated at only 350 individuals, less than 100 breeding pairs! The Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme is tasked with implementing a Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the species to address threats in an attempt to halt the population decline.

Survey team: Sonja Krueger (coordinator of the Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme and ecologist with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife), Shannon Hoffman (Manager of the Bearded Vulture Breeding Programme), Brent Coverdale (Bird and Animal Scientist, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) and pilot Brett Tungay (ZAR Aviation).

The parking area at Walkerbouts Inn has hosted Vintage Bentleys, overlanders, all makes of 4x4 vehicles, most makes of off-road motor and quad bikes but this visit was a definite first by way of accommodating a helicopter, in particular, a Bell Long-Ranger. Pilot Brett Tungay eased in and landed and took off immaculately, albeit a bit dusty for the curious audience!

Image 1; Bearded vulture and chick photographed in the Eastern Cape Highlands during the survey on 26-10-2023

Image 2; Left to right; Shannon Hoffman, Brett Tungay, Sonja Krueger, Brent Coverdale

28/10/2023

The Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme undertook an aerial survey in the northeastern part of the Eastern Cape province. The survey aimed to determine the current status of Bearded Vulture nests in the region. This was the first complete survey in several years. The team used a helicopter which allows one to access these nest sites that are at high altitudes on basalt cliffs often in very inaccessible areas. The team was happy to observe a quite a number of chicks on nests that will be ready to fledge within the next few weeks.


The Bearded Vulture is a Critically Endangered species that is threatened with extinction, mainly due to the indiscriminate use of poisons throughout its range in the Maloti-Drakensberg mountains of southern Africa. The total southern African population is estimated at only 350 individuals, less than 100 breeding pairs! The Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme is tasked with implementing a Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the species to address threats in an attempt to halt the population decline.

Survey team: Sonja Krueger (coordinator of the Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme and ecologist with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife), Shannon Hoffman (Manager of the Bearded Vulture Breeding Programme), Brent Coverdale (Bird and Animal Scientist, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) and pilot Brett Tungay (ZAR Aviation).

The parking area at Walkerbouts Inn has hosted Vintage Bentleys, overlanders, all makes of 4x4 vehicles, most makes of off-road motor and quad bikes but this visit was a definite first by way of accommodating a helicopter, in particular, a Bell Long-Ranger. Pilot Brett Tungay eased in and landed and took off immaculately, albeit a bit dusty for the curious audience!
Image 1 Bearded vulture and chick at a nest in the Eastern Cape Highlands photographed during the survey on 26-10-2023

Image 2. Left to right; Shannon Hoffman, Brett Tungay, Sonja Krueger, Brent Coverdale

27/10/2023

4 wheels, two wheels, no wheels at Walkerbouts this morning!

25/10/2023

Walkerbouts Inn - Rhodes: Walkerbouts- centre of the universe - See 65 traveller reviews, 89 candid photos, and great deals for Walkerbouts Inn - Rhodes at Tripadvisor.

23/10/2023

Autumn trout by Tom Sutcliffe

Walkerbouts Inn - Rhodes: Walkerbouts- centre of the universe - See 65 traveller reviews, 89 candid photos, and great deals for Walkerbouts Inn - Rhodes at Tripadvisor.

27/09/2023

Tuesday evening, 26th September 2023, saw yet another noteworthy gathering at Walkerbouts Inn where the well-known musician, Mathys Roets, entertained a total of 47 residents from Rhodes, Kwa-Zakhele and farmers and their wives from nearby and as far afield as the Bok- and the Sterkspruit valleys as well as from Barkly East and Clifford. The event generated an amount of R6750.00 for the Cupcakes of Hope initiative and our sincere thanks to all who supported the project and made it a resounding success.

“Mathys Roets is a South African, Afrikaans-language singer who first rose to fame in 1996 in his debut production Nokturne, which had a run at the KKNK festival and in which he sang the music of Koos du Plessis.

He subsequently made a career of singing soulful versions of ballads, in particular the music of Leonard Cohen, Roger Whittaker, Cat Stevens and Neil Diamond.

Originally from Reitz in the Free State, he later made his home Pretoria. In 2009 he was involved in a motorbike accident on his way to the KKNK festival in Oudtshoorn, which left him paralysed from the waist down.

Soon after his accident he landed his first presenting gig, when he co-hosted the kykNET lifestyle show Kamp dit Uit with Alexa Strachan.

In 2014 he guest starred on the kykNET soapie Villa Rosa and in 2016 co-hosted the SABC2 travel series Authentiek, with Portia Moemedi.” – Roets’ Bio per kind favour of TVSA and we hope to be seeing him back in Rhodes during the forthcoming Festive Season.

Cupcakes of HOPE is a Non-Profit Company (NPC 2012/103028/08) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO930053726), and their aim is to raise awareness and funds for families in need of medical assistance. This is done through their love of baking cupcakes.

“Cupcakes of Hope is committed to assisting people where they need it most – in their own communities and homes. Our initiatives are aimed at providing direct support to people in need. Cupcakes Of Hope raises funds through community driven initiatives, which drive community interaction and grassroots cancer awareness, including ‘baking a difference’ for National Cupcake Day and the fundraisers.

Cupcake of HOPE assist more than 230 patients every month by paying for their medical and other day-to-day needs. This year more than 2500 Educational Activity Care Packs have been delivered to all 20 pediatric oncology wards across South Africa. During the past ten years Cupcakes of HOPE has donated several wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs to children who lost their limbs due to cancer. Cupcakes of HOPE has also supplied hospitals with much need medical equipment, PPE equipment, educational toys as well as doing hospital room makeovers. It’s truly amazing to see how the whole community comes together and uses their God given talent to bless these little patients. We will continue to do everything we can to give them HOPE and support, they don’t deserve to fight this battle alone.”

One of many projects is the Seven7 Drive for Kids with Cancer, seven days, seven cities in SA, delivering
supplies and a dash of hope to kids with cancer is sponsored by Kia South Africa which drive includes Rhodes each year. See; https://www.facebook.com/seven7Drive

Several events are organized during the year but the main event is hosting South Africa’s National Cupcake Day 4 Kids with Cancer which will be on the 30th September 2023. This is an entirely community-driven project and an amazing event that brings the whole community together for an awesome cause! In addition, September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and accordingly, leaflets are distributed with the Early Cancer Warning Signs. For more information, see https://cupcakesofhope.org/about/

16/09/2023

Spin-off from the 2023 Rhodes Stoepsitfees resulted in a fine blanket being produced by knitting enthusiasts from the community with wool kindly provided by Saprotex International, spinners of quality hand knitting yarns. This is a fine example of the spirit of co-operation between the residents of Zakhele and neighbouring Rhodes.
A raffle of the blanket was organized by the Rhodes Info Centre where the draw on Friday, 15th September was attended by several ticketholders. The outcome was that Butis Letsika was the beaming recipient of the blanket. The raffle raised the fine amount of R1120! The proceeds were allocated to support the annual Rhodes Animal Care project which is of benefit to the entire community.
This project creates an opportunity for community members including farmers from the surrounding area to all have their cats and dogs neutered and all of the patients are vaccinated. If they have any other ailments, treatment is dispensed accordingly.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’ Primary Animal Health Care vets and assistants are assisted by the RAC team headed by Susan Kólz who organizes accommodation, meals, venue, blankets & transport for the patients with their owners to their homes in Zakhele as well as packets of dog or cat pellets. This initiative is well supported by Margie Murray and Xolelwa Yaleko of the Rhodes Info Centre who provide an advertising and community liaison service. All-in-all, an outstanding combined effort that goes into an ongoing and successful community project that dates back to the first campaign in 2012.

14/08/2023

A brief reminder!

13/08/2023

Make a note of the dates and make the pilgrimage! Looking forward to seeing you here!

10/08/2023

After many nights of sub-zero temperatures of chilly proportions during the winter of 2023, the days have warmed up - a bit. Maar pasop, winter is not over until it is over. and for those who can recall 1-1-2001, a snowfall similar to a more recent image shown in this post!

29/07/2023

We are extremely pleased, in fact thoroughly delighted to announce that Walkerbouts Inn's landline number is functioning again. The Telkom system failed and callers were greeted with a “This number no longer exists” message. Despite innumerable calls to their so-called “Customer Services” line, no solution was reached. An alternative means of communication using the same number has been embraced with much joy.
Apologies to all who have tried our landline number, (...9290) over the past two months although apologies should come from Telkom, yet another disastrous SOE (State Owned Enterprise)

17/07/2023

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=294496389908071&set=a.197079946316383

⚠️❄️ SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS 18 JULY 2023
South African Weather Service

Winter Jumanji Level 2 arriving... Farmers and livestock owners, please take note. Share because you care.

❄️ An intense cold front is expected to reach the western parts of the Western Cape later on Tuesday moving into the Eastern Cape on Wednesday extending into the central interior, reaching KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday. The public is advised that very cold conditions will set in over the interior of the Cape Provinces on Wednesday with possible snowfalls on the high grounds spreading towards KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg by Thursday

🌊 DAMAGING WAVES

⚠️ Between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay
Yellow Level 1 warning for Waves leading to difficulty in navigation at sea for small vessels and person watercraft is expected between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.

17/07/2023

⚠️❄️ SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS 18 JULY 2023
South African Weather Service

Winter Jumanji Level 2 arriving... Farmers and livestock owners, please take note. Share because you care.

❄️ An intense cold front is expected to reach the western parts of the Western Cape later on Tuesday moving into the Eastern Cape on Wednesday extending into the central interior, reaching KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday. The public is advised that very cold conditions will set in over the interior of the Cape Provinces on Wednesday with possible snowfalls on the high grounds spreading towards KwaZulu-Natal and the Drakensberg by Thursday

🌊 DAMAGING WAVES

⚠️ Between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay
Yellow Level 1 warning for Waves leading to difficulty in navigation at sea for small vessels and person watercraft is expected between Cape Columbine and Plettenberg Bay from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.

04/06/2023

A view of a portion of the "Giant's Playground" in the Joggemspruit, a tributary of the Kraai River not too far from Rhodes.

05/05/2023

Make your bed - and sleep in it!

29/04/2023

Autumn glory at Moshesh!