Backpacker Hostel Hazyview

About 3km outside Hazyview, on the road to Sabie, lies the mid-range Gecko Lodge and the associated Gecko Backpackers. The backpackers has a number of dorm beds – some bunks, some singles – and is an easy-going place from which to venture into Kruger National Park or further locations afield. There are a few double and twin rooms plus camping space.

The house is brightly painted and backpackers are encouraged to leave behind a photo or message or two on their graffiti wall. The beds are comfortable, although a little tightly spaced. The common showers are clean but not all of them have hot water. The small sitting room in the main house also functions as the bar and reception. As the house is small, noise travels a little if the bar is busy and smoking is allowed indoors. The large common kitchen is well equipped but there is no food available here, except a help yourself continental breakfast at extra charge. The staff can order in – if you prefer – from a list of fast food shops in town. There is a flat screen TV behind the small bar and also there is free Wi-Fi. A tiny plunge pool sits outside the front door and there is an outside sitting area out the back by the barbecue.

Free Wi-Fi Bar Common Kitchen Leafy surroundings

Smoky Can be noisy Dorms a bit cramped

	Beds from R165 Book here >

Our Rating:

Gecko Backpackers – Hazyview/Mpumalanga

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R165 per person – dorm (available)

Good place to stay.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)

A fair overnight stop to/from Kruger National Park, Hazyview Adventure Backpackers sits right by the busy R40 highway outside Hazyview and has rather seen better days. The Jungle Bar & Restaurant that the lodge is part of dominates the grounds and appears to be the main business now. The backpackers sits behind the bar and there are a variety of double and family rooms, safari tents and a 10-bed dorm. The dorm beds are all bunks, with firm mattresses in rather basic surroundings. The common kitchen (free tea & coffee) is right next door and a badly shaded window lets the light flood onto the nearest beds whenever anyone is in there. There wasn’t too much noise from the bar but a little from the traffic when I stayed there. There were however a few mosquitoes and there were no nets.

The common showers and toilets sit a short walk down the garden. The bamboo partitions in the showers do not give much privacy, but there was good, hot water. The bar out front serves mostly steak dishes for good prices, but it’s not open till lunch, so no breakfast unless you self-cater. This place has no Wi-Fi, but you can gorge yourself on the big screen TVs in the bar or wallow in the rather cloudy swimming pool.

Handy for Kruger National Park if driving Kitchen for self-catering Bar & Restaurant

5km from Hazyview town if on foot Basic and a bit grubby Little privacy in the common showers

	Beds from R130 Book here >

Our Rating:

Hazyview Adventure Backpackers, Mpumalanga

Rated 3.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R130 per person – dorm (available)

Average place.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)