Backpacker Hostel Swaziland

Mr Greenwoods Mystical Backpackers in Hhelehhele – lying in the foothills of the Drakensburg mountains – is rural Swaziland personified. It takes a little effort to get here, but you get peace and quiet in abundance. Trails leading off up into the hills, should you want be active. Mr Greenwoods is newly opened in 2016, but still has quite a bit of work to do. At the time of writing, there was a double chalet, a family chalet (a double bed and two bunks) and a 2-bed dorm. The two bunks in the family chalet can also be used as a dorm if needed and a four bed dorm was nearing completion when I stayed there.

There is plenty of camping space in the large garden and all ablutions are shared. The common shower is electrically heated and there is also a bath! The kitchen is reasonably well equipped for self-caterers, but the caretaker usually has some food available for walk-ups. However, given that this place is quite off the beaten track, it might pay to book in advance of you want to be catered for.

A dining and sitting room block was being completed when visited, so meals were eaten in the kitchen. The price is a little high considering there is still work being done on the place and everything is quite basic. But it looks promising and is certainly worth a visit should you crave some country living.

Beautiful location Comfortable

Still being completed Not easy to get to

	Beds from R220 Book here >

Our Rating:

Mr Greenwoods Mystical Backpackers – Hhelehhele

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R220 per person – dorm (available)

Good place in a rural area.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)

Sobantu Guest Farm & Backpackers is set in wonderful, hilly scenery north of Mababane, just off the highway to Piggs Peak, on the Maguga Dam branch road. It consists of five twin and double bed rondavels plus the main house with double rooms and a 6-bed dorm. The dorm is clean and there are a couple of bedside tables. The beds have duvets and the mattresses are OK, but try a few first.

The bar/reception has a good range of beers, spirits and soft drinks. There is a small menu for those who are not self-catering and the food is cheap. Those that do self-cater have a kitchen to use that is very well-equipped if a little small and there is free tea/coffee all day. There are two sitting rooms. The big one has large windows to take in the view when you are not watching the DSTV. There are sofas and long tables plus a fireplace in the centre which is lit in the evenings. They also have table football and a pool table. There is a second, smaller sitting room, also with comfy sofas, a fireplace, DSTV and a large table.

The whole place is decorated with sculptures, artwork and handicrafts. The common toilet in the house is clean, likewise the common hot water shower block that sits just outside the house. This would be a great place to stay for the views alone, but Sobantu is a pleasure to stay at also.

Cheap Great location Friendly staff Good food Self catering Evenings round the fire

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	Beds from R120 Book here >

Our Rating:

Sobantu Guest Farm & Backpackers

Rated 5.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R120 per person – dorm (available)

Very good place to stay.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)

The Hawane Resort Stables lies about a kilometre off the road on the MR3 north of Mbabane, the capital. It provides backpacker dorms in the old, disused stables. It’s very basic here. After the high quality of the dorms in the east and centre of Swaziland, you get a big jolt back to reality at Hawane if you’re on a tight budget.

The dorm beds occupy the 12 stables in the old building. They are in a mixture of configurations; one has just two singles, one has six bunk beds, all in the same space, so it’s very cramped in some of them. Some of the beds rocked and rolled a bit when sat on and felt they would collapse. But with 36 beds to choose from – if it isn’t busy – you can pick and choose. Some of the beds have duvets which help alleviate the cold feeling of the dark interior and plain cement walls.

The toilets and showers are also in the stables, but only the women’s have partitioned showers. There is hot water, however. The stables also hold a kitchen for self-catering with a decent set of equipment. The onsite restaurant is a bit pricey as it caters more for the chalet occupants.

A swimming pool with sun loungers and a dartboard are situated in the gardens. There is WiFi but it wasn’t working when we were there. Everything here in the backpackers’ dorms is a bit grubby – it could certainly do with some colour as it’s also pretty dark even during the daytime. Hawane’s website tells you the dorms are in the old stables and that’s what you get.

Novelty value Swimming pool

Dark & dirty Poor location Wi-Fi unpredictable Food not always available in restaurant

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Our Rating:

The Hawane Resort Stables

Rated 2.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R120 per person – dorm (available)

Extremely basic. Not recommended.

(Last Reviewed: October 2016)

Lidwala Lodge – a terrific place in the Ezulwini Valley – is one where lazing around all day doing nothing doesn’t feel like a waste of time. It is a great place to recharge your batteries after a while on the road, or after engaging in some of the adrenalin activities available here. It has something for everyone. There is a relaxed atmosphere here that enables newcomers to settle in quickly and mingle with the mostly volunteer clientele.

There are four dorms, two of them ensuite; three of six bunks and one of four bunks. The common toilets and showers are as shiny as a new pin and there is gas powered hot water 24 hours. The lounge has flat screen DSTV, comfy sofas and there is a sitting/dining area with wicker chairs out on the veranda by the communal kitchen. There is no food on offer here except breakfast, but there is a shopping mall 2kms away with food outlets and two large supermarkets. The kitchen at Lidwala is as well-equipped as home.

Beers and soft drinks can be bought here and there is free tea & coffee as well. Wi-Fi is free and unlimited, but speeds are very slow. There are private rooms and chalets available. Ample camping space in the landscaped gardens and tents are provided. There is a hiking trail up the mountain if you’re feeling energetic. This is a friendly, comfortable and fun place to stay on the way between Manzini and Mbabane, so don’t miss it!

Comfortable & friendly Cheap Free Wi-Fi DSTV Hot Water Hiking Trail Free Tea & Coffee Common Kitchen

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	Beds from R180 Book here >

Our Rating:

Lidwala Lodge – Ezulwini Valley

Rated 5.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R180 per person – dorm (available)

Friendly, comfortable fun place to stay!

(Last Reviewed: September 2016)

Sundowners Backpackers & Lodge is situated on the road from Manzini to the Malkerns and Ezulwini valleys and does a pretty good impression of what a backpackers’ place should be like. It has a swimming pool, DSTV, lots of sun loungers in the garden, comfy sofas inside, a self-caterers’ kitchen with all the gear and dozens of dorm beds. The public bar and restaurant is your first sight as you walk in from the road. Once booked in at reception, you are led through a gate at the back, up the hill and into the accommodation house set well back from the busy road and bar.

The dorms are a mixture of anything from 4 beds to 12 beds. Some are in rooms, some are tucked into corners of the house – most are bunks. They are pretty comfortable with OK mattresses, but there is a lack of storage lockers anywhere. The main sitting area is littered with cushions and couches. There is also DSTV a large book exchange and a large camping area just inside the gate. The common kitchen is kitted out with just about everything you’ll need, but the public restaurant at the front has a small, but well-cooked menu at pretty cheap prices. There is free tea & coffee in the kitchen too. The bar out front is as well stocked as an English pub and there is a pool table and two large TV screens. There was no Wi-Fi when we visited, however. Not a bad place to stay, but not in a particularly interesting location. If you do choose to stay here, it ticks most of the backpackers’ boxes.

Swimming pool DSTV Hot water Free tea & coffee

Unpredictable Wi-Fi Poor location

	Beds from R150 Book here >

Our Rating:

Sundowners Backpackers & Lodge – Malkerns Valley

Rated 4.0 / 5.0 (1 review)

From R150 per person – dorm (available)

Good backpacker place.

(Last Reviewed: September 2016)