The Best Hostels in South Africa

I traveled overland from Cape Town to Johannesburg with Baz Bus, a door-to-door service that takes you from one hostel to another. Since I only stayed at hostels during this journey, I discovered that South Africa has some of the best hostels in the world! From stylish urban spots to cozy mountain retreats, here are six of my favorite hostels I stayed at while backpacking in South Africa.

For more information about this route, check out my post: Overland from Cape Town to Johannesburg with Baz Bus.

Cape Town

Mojo Hostel, Sea Point

I’ve visited Cape Town twice, staying almost three months in total, so I’ve seen a lot of different hostels and hotels. Mojo Hostel in Sea Point is by far one of the best hostels in Cape Town. Located just one block from the ocean, it’s in a trendy neighborhood with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars nearby.

I stayed in a female dorm, and it was one of the best dorms I’ve ever experienced—no bunk beds, just wide, comfy beds, a private bathroom, and even a kitchen inside the dorm. Wifi is blazing fast and works throughout the hostel. The communal areas are vibrant, and the rooftop deck with sea views is perfect for relaxing or meeting fellow travelers.

For more pictures and the latest availability, check out Booking.com.

Hogsback

Away with the Fairies

I have already written a short post on Hogback here, go check it out. Hogsback is truly unique, and you won’t find anywhere like it in South Africa! It’s a small one-street town, a little off the beaten path, but absolutely worth the visit. Some say it was an inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien, and after seeing the misty forests and magical atmosphere, I can totally see why.

If you ever make it to Hogsback, you have to stay at Away With the Fairies Hostel. The hostel has a beautiful garden, often covered in fog and mist, which makes the light perfect for capturing magical photos. There’s also a viewpoint with the best views in Hogsback, and the hiking trails start right from the hostel. The main attraction, of course, is their world-famous outdoor bathtub with a view! Before I visited, the bathtub was the only thing I knew about this place—I had seen photos on Instagram, and honestly, it alone was enough reason for me to travel to Hogsback!

For more pictures and the latest availability, check out Booking.com.

Chintsa

Buccaneers Lodge & Backpackers

I stayed in a private room at Buccaneers Lodge & Backpackers in Chintsa, and before I arrived, I had no idea what kind of room I would get. When the receptionist showed me my room, my jaw just dropped. It felt like staying in a five-star hotel, with an insane view of the ocean stretching out in front of me!

What makes Buccaneers Lodge & Backpackers really special is that it feels more like a resort than a typical hostel. The whole complex is huge and includes dorms, private rooms, a camping area, a swimming pool, a lunch restaurant, a dinner and breakfast restaurant, a bar, and a fully equipped kitchen. They also organize free daily activities like volleyball tournaments, and for those looking for adventure, there’s a wide variety of paid tours and activities, from horse riding to surf lessons.

During my stay, I decided to take it slow. I spent my days relaxing in my room, strolling along the beach, and soaking in the amazing sea view. The peaceful atmosphere and the combination of hostel community vibes with resort-like facilities make Buccaneers Lodge a must-visit for anyone backpacking in South Africa or looking for one of the best hostels in South Africa.

For more pictures and the latest availability, check out Booking.com.

The Southern Drakensberg

Sani Lodge Backpackers

Sani Lodge Backpackers in the Southern Drakensberg is like the Switzerland of South Africa with its beautiful views, and you can just breathe in pure mountain air and drink fresh spring water. The lodge has a laid-back atmosphere, and you can just relax and enjoy nature.

All the hiking trails start from their doorstep, so you don’t need a car to get around. They also organize tours to Sani Pass and Lesotho, which is a must if you stay there. There’s a communal kitchen, but they also offer a three-course home-cooked dinner, which I tried once, and I wasn’t disappointed with their vegan options!

For more pictures and the latest availability, check out Booking.com.

Durban

Curiocity

I’m not a fan of big cities in Africa (Cape Town is an exception), so finding a nice hostel in Durban was important for me. Curiocity Backpackers Durban really made my trip unforgettable! The hostel is recently renovated and very modern, but the building itself is a historic British-colonial style structure from the early 20th century.

All the dorms and private rooms are super modern, and they even have cute little balconies with hammocks where you can relax. The kitchen is well equipped and spotless, and they also offer breakfast at the bar. On top of that, they organize some really cool activities like movie nights and morning yoga classes! As a travel blogger, I especially appreciated their free wifi, which was one of the fastest I found in South Africa. Curiocity also has another hostel in Johannesburg, which is great to know if you’re backpacking in South Africa.

For more pictures and the latest availability, check out Booking.com.

The Northern Drakensberg

Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge

Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge in the Northern Drakensberg is so much more than just a hostel. When I stayed here, I was blown away by all the facilities—they have a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and even a bouldering cave! They offer dorms, private rooms, and camping, and the campground itself is huge. I loved watching the sunset over the mountains from here—it’s truly one of the best views in South Africa. They also offer organized hiking tours to Lesotho, Tugela Falls, and Cathedral Peak, just to name a few. There’s a communal kitchen for those who want to cook, but they also offer delicious options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Staying here was an unforgettable part of my backpacking in South Africa experience.

For more pictures and the latest availability, check out Booking.com.

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