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 poolDSTVHot waterFree tea & coffee |
 Unpredictable Wi-FiPoor location |
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Beds from R150
Book here > |
Good backpacker place.