Getting to Rhodes and finding your way around

The places, distances, and practicalities you need to navigate the Highlands.

Key Landmarks in the Rhodes Area

Aartappelhoogte

The turnoff to Elliot at the T-junction between the Birkhall and Branksome farmsteads on the R393. Turn right for Moshesh’s Ford, left for Elliot. Avoid this shortcut in wet weather.

Eliasdale

Turn left for the Riflespruit, right for Khowa (Elliot). The fork in the Bokspruit road is also here — Riflespruit to the left, Bokspruit to the right.

The Barkly Pass

The R393 meets the R58 at the Mountain Shadows Hotel near the top of the Barkly Pass, which winds down the escarpment emerging near Elliot. An incredibly scenic drive.

Ben MacDhui

At 3,001m, the highest peak in the former Cape Colony. Source of the Kloppershoekspruit.

Moshesh’s Ford

The confluence of the Bell River and the Sterkspruit at 1,724m above sea level. The beginning of the Kraai River proper.

Getting to Rhodes

It is recommended to always reach Rhodes via Barkly East

EAST LONDON, 350km

via N2 and R56

Bloemfontein, 400km

via N1, N6 and R58

Durban, 600km

Via N2, R56 and R58

Johannesburg, 780km

Via N1 to Bloemfontein

Fill up with fuel in Barkly East (approximately 60km from Rhodes). No fuel is available in Rhodes.

We do not recommend travel via Naude’s Nek or Lundeans Nek, unless conditions are verified.

Cell Phone Reception

Towers exist at Barkly East, Tiffindell, Rhodes, Barkly Pass, Donkerhoek, and Langpunt. Reception varies and regular blackouts occur. Always carry a printed copy of your beat directions.

Medical

Doctors · Barkly East · Drs Olivier & de Villiers · 045 971 0285

Dentist · ElliotDr Vorster · 045 937 2078

There are no medical facilities in Rhodes itself.

Topographic Maps

1:50,000 survey map sheet references for WTA areas: 3027CA, 3027CB, 3027CC, 3027CD, 3027DA, 3027DB, 3027DC, 3027DD, 3028CA, 3028CB, 3028CC, 3028CD, 3127AA, 3127AB, 3127BA, 3127BB, 3128AA, 3128AB. Rhodes is on sheet 3027BB.