Backpacker Hostel South Africa

One of many backpacker hostels in Mossel Bay, Mile Crunchers Backpackers really stands out with its relaxed and easy-going vibe. The long-serving and very social staff do a fantastic job making travelers feel at home in this spacious backpackers. The 10-bed dorm is well kept and there’s plenty of room to walk around even when it’s full. The hostel makes novel use of an old fridge and a filing cabinet as lockers for your valuables.

The sitting room is huge. Big enough to accommodate two tents that are used for those travelers who turn up unannounced when everywhere is full. This is very useful during the domestic tourist season in December and January when places are booked weeks in advance. The toilets and hot water showers are clean and the guest kitchen is large and well equipped. This is also where you can get your free tea, coffee and your free breakfast of DIY eggs and bread. There is free Wi-Fi and a little sun deck outside the kitchen for the smokers and anyone wanting a touch of sun on their faces.

Mile Crunchers is right in the centre of town, a 10 minute walk from the beach. Highly recommended!

Central Location Free Wi-Fi Spacious Common areas Guest Kitchen Free Tea & Coffee Free Breakfast

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Our Rating:

Mile Crunchers Backpackers – Mossel Bay

Rated 5.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R160 per person – dorm (available)

Great place. Highly recommended!

(Last Reviewed: December 2016)

Santos Express Train Lodge in Mossel Bay is an actual express train whose carriages have been converted into a lodge. There are a large number of private rooms, all quite small as they fit into the pre-existing compartments. The 16 bed dorm is towards the back of the train and has a carpeted corridor with the bunks along the windows. It is comfortable and clean, but there is only one toilet and one shower for the whole dorm. There are no common areas for guests only, but there is a public restaurant and a public bar with big screen TVs. The lodge is right by Santos Beach, so it couldn’t be more convenient.

Mossel Bay is all about the beach! There is an internet terminal inside the reception area and free Wi-Fi is provided in the reception and restaurant, but not in the rooms. The food in the restaurant is a bit expensive for backpackers, but it is pretty good. If you take a private room, then a continental breakfast is included in the price, but not for dorm guests.

The town centre is about a 10 minute walk away where there are other eating options. There is ample parking for guests with wheels and the accommodation carriages are in a fenced, access controlled compound. This is a pretty good option though, if you’ve taken the long train journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town to reach this part of the coast. Maybe the novelty won’t appeal to you, but this is all about the beach!

Great location Free Wi-Fi

Not enough bathrooms Too brightly lit at night Food expensive

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Santos Express Train Lodge – Mossel Bay

Rated 3.5 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R175 per person – dorm (available)

Great adventure staying here!

(Last Reviewed: December 2016)

Hermanus is the whale watching capital of South Africa, so good accommodations of all types are plentiful here. For backpackers, one of the best choices is Zoete Inval Travellers Lodge. It’s located on the western edge of town, just 10 minutes walk from the centre. The main house has a choice of private rooms, while the annex in the back garden is the backpackers’ block. There are three dorms, all of which are spotlessly clean and spacious enough for travellers and their luggage. Lockers are provided (bring your own lock), and valuables can also be left in the reception safe.

The beds are comfortable and there are wall mounted fans for those hot summer nights. The common toilets and hot water showers are also clean and towels are provided for all guests. There is a small TV room in the backpackers’ block plus a downstairs kitchen with all the equipment you might need plus a barbecue area in the courtyard. This is also where breakfast is served; most of it homemade. Wi-Fi is free and there’s a sun deck with Jacuzzi for use at a small charge. Free tea and coffee is available all day and there are also soft drinks and beers available from reception. Friendly, helpful staff add to a great experience here.

Good location Free Wi-Fi Free tea and coffee Jacuzzi Guest Kitchen

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Our Rating:

Zoete Inval Travellers Lodge – Hermanus

Rated 5.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R200 per person – dorm (available)

Perfect place to stay. Highly recommended!

(Last Reviewed: November 2016)

One of the cheapest of the many backpacker hostels located close to the city Centre, Cat and Moose Backpackers gives a no-frills option for those on a shoestring, while being almost in the heart of the action. At the south-west end of Long Street, the entertainment hub of central Cape Town, it’s still far enough away to avoid the noise into the night. The dorms are plain but roomy and lockers are provided. There are only few toilets and showers, but they are reasonably clean and there is 24 hour hot water as well.

There is a sitting room with DSTV and a common kitchen for guests to use. It’s a bit small, but it has most things you’ll need. There is an interior courtyard which is nice for sitting out in with plenty of shade. The front dorm has a balcony that overlooks Long Street. That means that there is a little traffic noise to contend with. There is free Wi-Fi, but the signal fluctuates alarmingly and isn’t available all over the house. Free tea and coffee is provided from reception.

This is a fair choice if you’re penny-pinching, with a decent location. It’s a little rustic and very popular with Japanese travelers, but it gives what you’d expect for the price.

Great location Common kitchen DSTV

Inconsistent Wi-Fi Traffic noise A little basic for some

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Our Rating:

Cat And Moose Backpackers – Cape Town

Rated 3.5 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R165 per person – dorm (available)

Cheap, basic place.

(Last Reviewed: November 2016)

Homebase Cape Town is one of plenty of backpacker hostels in Cape Town located in and around the busy, central Long Street. It is a step up in standard and occupies a nice spot on the 6th floor of a block with nice views all the way down Long Street from the roof terrace with Lion’s Head Mountain peeping out from in between the office blocks. A lovely, clean place, this is a very good base from which to discover Cape Town as it is right in the heart of the CBD with the tourist office just around the corner.

The dorms are spacious, the mattresses firm and lockers are provided, but you need to bring your own lock. The common toilets and hot water showers are clean and all the common areas too. On the roof, there is a bar with pool table and a TV room with comfortable sofas. The breakfast room is also here with a free basic continental help-yourself breakfast. The common kitchen is small, but OK for guests to use. The roof terrace is a nice place to hang out during the day, but the whole place does suffer a bit from traffic noise being right in the centre. A high quality place though, at no higher price than most of the other backpacker options.

Central Location Free Wi-Fi Free Breakfast Bar Lockers in Dorms

Traffic Noise

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Our Rating:

Homebase Cape Town

Rated 4.5 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R200 per person – dorm (available)

Clean place in good location.

(Last Reviewed: November 2016)