Backpacker Hostel Nelspruit

Nelspruit Backpackers is a long established backpackers in a secure, gated compound for those that like a bit of peace and quiet or maybe a bit of relaxation after a long tour around Kruger National Park. The owners live onsite and the rooms are scattered around their house with a couple of cabins in the garden also. There are two neat fan cooled dorms of six bunk beds each and the mattresses are firm (if a little thin) and the duvets warm. There are cupboards for storage and plenty of power points. The toilets and hot water showers are really clean like the rooms and actually the whole house sparkles as it’s the owners house, too.

No food is available here but the kitchen is available for guests’ use. It is very well kitted out with kettle, toaster, microwave, electric cooker and fridge. There are cubby holes for food storage and there are gas rings outside should the power fail. A large shopping mall is located just 10 minutes walk away with a supermarket and several restaurants. A small swimming pool is in the back garden and there is a small sundeck that looks out over the nature reserve that skirts the house. The large sitting room has comfortable couches and there is DSTV. There is free tea and coffee all day and free Wi-Fi. The family are extremely friendly and accommodating.

Closer than other to the centre Free Wi-Fi DSTV Hot Showers Swimming Pool Guest Kitchen

No food available

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Our Rating:

Nelspruit Backpackers

Rated 4.5 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R160 per person – dorm (available)

Lovely little place.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)

Fierce competition keeps the backpacker places on their toes here in Nelspruit and Funky Monkeys offers up what you’d expect. A fairly plain decorated place, it has double and twin rooms up in the main house, as well as four dorms. One ten-bed dorm sits in the bunkhouse by the bar; maybe best to avoid this as the bar can be busy in the evenings. Another ten-bed dorm is located up in the main house, away from the bar, as well as one six-bed and one four-bed dorm. All of these are en-suite and have good mattresses.

There are lockers available in the sitting room for valuables. A swimming pool sits in the grounds and there are sun loungers. A communal kitchen provides for self-caterers. This is important as there is no restaurant here and it’s a long 40+ minute walk to the city centre. Though, a small grocery sits opposite that sells basic supplies such as pasta, bread, eggs, etc.

The bar has a pool table which is popular with locals and everything was spanking clean when we stayed here. The staff are friendly and there is a good atmosphere here. Funky Monkeys doesn’t have the frills and nice touches that some of the other backpackers have. Although being quite plain, it does the job.

Swimming pool Wi-Fi Bar Guest kitchen

Far from city centre Can be noisy No food available

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Our Rating:

Funky Monkeys – Nelspruit

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R160 per person – dorm (available)

Good plain place to stay.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)

Crazy Kangaroos in Nelspruit is owned and managed by the same team as Old Vic Travellers’ Inn. Sitting right next door, this is another very clean, peaceful and relaxing spot in beautiful surroundings, albeit quite far from Nelspruit city centre. There are just four bedrooms; the upstairs double and 4-bed dorm. Shared toilet, bath and showers downstairs. There’s a 8-bed dorm and an en-suite family room comprising of one double bed and two single bunks. All the beds have duvets and the mattresses are good and firm. All the bedrooms are also fan cooled and hot water is 24 hours.

A well-equipped kitchen is provided for self-catering which is really the route to go here – it being so far from any shops or restaurants save a small grocery just up the hill. Only a few basic, quite pricey meals are provided by the guesthouse but they have a plethora of menus for various fast food delivery outlets.

Aside from a very pleasant wicker chair lounge with DSTV and a veranda with comfy armchairs, Crazy Kangaroos shares the Old Vic’s facilities. There is free Wi-Fi as well as access to the back garden seating areas, swimming pool and sun loungers. Kruger Flexi Tours are also run from here by the same owners.

Beautiful & peaceful location Free Wi-Fi Hot water Comfortable dorm beds Well-equipped kitchen

Far from city centre

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Our Rating:

Crazy Kangaroos – Nelspruit

Rated 4.5 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R160 per person – dorm (available)

Very nice.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)

Tucked away in the posh southern suburbs of Nelspruit, Old Vic Travellers Inn is a peaceful place that has been open in excess of 20 years. It’s easy to see why it still is one of the best budget option in this part of South Africa. The 6-bed dorm is spotless with duvet bedding and firm mattresses. A little light on the furniture though, there being just one old wardrobe to use. The house is peppered with cosy sitting areas. Comfy armchairs and sofas can be found inside and outside. There is a swimming pool right by the aviary (yes, there’s an aviary!).

DSTV is found in one of these cosy nooks by the book exchange. The common toilets and hot water showers are clean and there is a bar by the reception desk. Two communal kitchens provide essential facilities as there is little food available here except quite expensive dinners on request as well as breakfasts.

The city centre is some 4kms away, but there is a small shop up the hill selling some basic provisions. The free WiFi is OK and just about reaches as far as the dorm. Tours to Kruger and Blyde Canyon can be organised at the reception, too. If you don’t mind the inconvenience of being way out of town, this is a great place to settle for a while.

Free WiFi Self-catering kitchens Hot water Comfy dorm beds Peaceful location

Long way out of town on foot Pricey food

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Our Rating:

Old Vic Travellers Inn

Rated 4.5 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R160 per person – dorm (available)

Great place out of town.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)