The Backpacking Regions
Of South Africa
Explore the wonders of the rainbow nation. From the peaks of the Drakensberg to the otherworldly vibes of the Zulu Kingdom, find your next adventure here. The countries of Lesotho and Eswatini are included in this guide, as many backpackers visit them during their tour of South Africa.
CAPE TOWN
Few cities on earth pack this much into one place - mountains, beaches, world-class food, nightlife and scenery - all wrapped in jaw-dropping scenery...
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CAPE WINELANDS
Rows of vines beneath rugged mountain ranges, Cape Dutch architecture, and world-class wine for backpacker-friendly prices. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek & Paarl are easy day trips...
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WEST COAST
Wild flowers in spring, fresh crayfish on the braai, and a raw Atlantic coastline far from the tourist trail - the West Coast rewards those who wander...
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THE CEDERBERG
A raw wilderness of red rock, ancient Bushman paintings, and fynbos solitude just two hours from Cape Town. Hikers, climbers and stargazers feel immediately at home here...
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THE OVERBERG
Beyond the Hottentots Holland mountains lies whale country - rolling wheat fields, the wild Cape Agulhas coastline, and some of the best whale watching on the planet...
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ROUTE 62
The world's longest wine route snakes through the Little Karoo past ostrich farms, rustic towns, and dramatic mountain passes. Slow down and savour every kilometre...
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THE KAROO
Visit semi-desert silence broken only by wind and birdsong, stargazing, fossil hunting, the Cango Caves, ostriches, history, and an otherworldly landscape that gets deep under your skin...
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THE GARDEN ROUTE
South Africa's holiday classic for good reason. Lush forests, lagoons, bungee jumps, and a string of coastal towns keep backpackers happily busy for weeks...
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SUNSHINE COAST
Warm Indian Ocean water, uncrowded beaches, and the elephant-packed wilderness of Addo Elephant National Park - this underrated stretch punches well above its weight...
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EASTERN CAPE INTERIOR
Eccentric, arty villages hidden in the mountains. Hogsback is misty and mystical; Nieu-Bethesda is sunbaked and surreal. Both are unlike anywhere else in South Africa...
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WILD COAST
Untamed, gorgeous, and gloriously underdeveloped. This stretch of former Transkei coastline rewards slow Travellers with empty beaches, Xhosa culture, and legendary hiking trails...
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KZN SOUTH COAST
Warm water, affordable resorts, and a laid-back vibe define this stretch of KwaZulu-Natal coastline - a quieter, cheaper alternative to Durban just up the road...
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DURBAN
South Africa's surf city - a buzzing, multicultural port Town with legendary curry, golden beaches, a vibrant street scene, and an energy entirely its own...
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KZN NORTH COAST
North Coast dolphins, sugar and dunes - the North Coast blends beach-town relaxation with some of the finest coastal wilderness in Southern Africa...
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ZULULAND
The heart of Zulu heritage and home to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, the oldest game reserve in Africa. Culture, wildlife, and history converge in one extraordinary region...
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KZN MIDLANDS
A misty patchwork of dairy farms, fly-fishing streams, craft studios, and country pubs. The Midlands Meander is perfect for slowing down between bigger adventures...
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DRAKENSBERG
The Roof of Africa. Soaring basalt peaks, San Rock art, world-class hiking, and crisp mountain air make this one of South Africa's great backpacker destinations...
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FREE STATE
Golden plains, sandstone mountains, and a warm African heartbeat. The Free State is often overlooked but offers real, unhurried South Africa at its most authentic...
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JOHANNESBURG
Jozi moves fast. Street art, craft beer, Soweto township tours, apartheid history, and an infectious creative energy make South Africa's biggest city impossible to ignore...
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PRETORIA
South Africa's administrative capital offers excellent museums, a more relaxed pace than Joburg, and easy access to the Cradle of Humankind...
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KRUGER
Africa's most accessible Big Five safari destination. Self-drive through endless bush, sleep in rest camps and wake to lions roaring in the dark...
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MPUMALANGA
Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon, and the gateway to Kruger - dramatic scenery and incredible biodiversity in an endlessly rewarding backpacker playground...
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LIMPOPO
South Africa's wild Northern frontier. Ancient baobabs, sacred mountains, rock art, and remote game reserves make Limpopo feel like the country's best-kept secret...
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NORTH WEST PROVINCE
Home to Sun City and the ancient Cradle of Humankind. Closer to Johannesburg than you'd think, wilder than you'd expect...
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NORTHERN CAPE
The big empty. Namaqualand wildflowers, Kgalagadi lion, Augrabies falls, and the darkest skies in South Africa await those venturing into the vast interior...
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LESOTHO
The Kingdom in the Sky. Entirely surrounded by South Africa, this mountain nation offers pony trekking, Basotho culture, and high-altitude adventure unlike anywhere else on the continent...
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ESWATINI
Small but spirited. This independent kingdom offers royal cultural ceremonies, excellent wildlife reserves, white-water rafting, and some of the warmest hospitality in southern Africa...
EXPLORESouth Africa Backpackers Hostel Directory
Hostels listed on Booking.com and Hostelworld
All Hostels
We're the only guide that lists all the hostels, with their full contact details, in case you want to book direct, plus useful info such as Safety Ratings and Value For Money, Solo Female Friendliness, and Digital Nomad scorecards.
Every listing below is independently researched and unsponsored. We review them all the same way -
the hostels do not pay us for advertising. More info...
Did we miss a hostel? Email us at and we'll add it.
CAPE TOWN
- CURIOCITY KLOOF STREET
- LONG STREET BACKPACKERS
- ASHANTI LODGE GARDENS ★
- URBAN HIVE BACKPACKERS
- VILLA VIVA CAPE TOWN ★
- ANZAC BACKPACKERS (STAGS HEAD INN)
- 91 LOOP BOUTIQUE HOSTEL
- FORTY 8 BACKPACKERS
- TWO OCEANS BACKPACKERS
- ZEBRA CROSSING BACKPACKER LODGE
- BOKAAP BACKPACKERS
- GREEN ELEPHANT BACKPACKERS
- AFRICAN HEART BACKPACKERS
- BOHEMIAN LOFTS BACKPACKERS
- RIVERLODGE BACKPACKERS
- LIGHTHOUSE FARM BACKPACKERS
- CURIOCITY GREEN POINT
- B.I.G: BACKPACKERS IN GREEN POINT ★
- BIG BLUE BACKPACKERS
- ATLANTIC POINT BACKPACKERS
- HOUSE ON THE HILL
- NEVER@HOME CAPE TOWN
- A SUNFLOWER STOP BACKPACKERS★
- MOJO HOTEL
- HOUT BAY DUNE LODGE
- BLOUBERG BACKPACKERS
- SALTYCRAX BACKPACKERS AND ADVENTURES
- AFRICAN SOUL SURFER BACKPACKERS
CAPE WINELANDS
WEST COAST
- WINDSTONE BACKPACKERS
- JACOBS BAY BACKPACKERS - THE PLOT
- WEST COAST BACKPACKERS - COZY CORNER KITEHOUSE ★
- ELANDS BAY OFFSHORE SURF BACKPACKERS
- SEA SHACK
- THE SURF SHACK HOUSE & BACKPACKERS
THE CEDERBERG
ROUTE 62
- DE BOS GUEST FARM & BACKPACKERS
- TOLBOS BACKPACKERS
- ROBERTSON BOUTIQUE BACKPACKERS
- BARRYDALE BACKPACKERS
- BACKPACKERS' PARADISE
- LODGE 96
- KAROO SOUL BACKPACKERS
- OASIS SHANTI BACKPACKERS
- SWARTBERG BACKPACKERS ★
THE OVERBERG
- HERMANUS BACKPACKERS
- ZZZONE BOUTIQUE HOSTEL & BACKPACKERS
- ZOETE INVAL BOUTIQUE HOSTEL & BACKPACKERS ★
- CAPE AGULHAS BACKPACKERS
- WITSAND POSHPACKERS ★
- SWELLENDAM BACKPACKERS
- MCGREGOR BACKPACKERS
- ROBERTSON BOUTIQUE BACKPACKERS
- BARRYDALE BACKPACKERS
- TOLBOS BACKPACKERS
GARDEN ROUTE
- PARK HOUSE LODGE
- MILE CRUNCHERS BACKPACKERS
- SANTOS EXPRESS TRAIN LODGE
- SHARK SHACK BACKPACKERS
- GEORGE BACKPACKERS
- WILDERNESS BEACH HOUSE BACKPACKERS
- FAIRY KNOWE BACKPACKERS
- THE WILD FARM BACKPACKERS
- SEDGEFIELD BACKPACKER
- PILIPILI BEACH CABANAS
- THE RIVERDECK LODGE AND BACKPACKERS
- ISLAND VIBE BACKPACKERS KNYSNA
- KNYSNA BACKPACKERS
- KEEDOLS INN & BACKPACKERS
- AMAKAYA BACKPACKERS & APARTMENTS
- PLETT BEACHFRONT ACCOMMODATION
- PLETT BACKPACKERS
- NOTHANDO BACKPACKERS ★
- WILD SPIRIT BACKPACKERS LODGE
- TUBE 'N AXE BACKPACKERS
- DIJEMBE BACKPACKERS
THE KAROO
- LODGE 96
- KAROO SOUL BACKPACKERS
- OASIS SHANTI BACKPACKERS
- BACKPACKERS PARADISE
- SWARTBERG BACKPACKERS ★
- GO BAVIAANS — CEDAR FALLS BASE CAMP (BAVIAANSKLOOF) ★
- OWLHOUSE BACKPACKERS (NIEU-BETHESDA)
SUNSHINE COAST
- SEALS BACKPACKERS
- ST FRANCIS BAY BACKPACKERS
- ISLAND VIBE BACKPACKERS
- JEFFREYS BAY BACKPACKERS
- AFRICAN UBUNTU BACKPACKERS ★
- THE LITTLE HOUSE ON SUPERS AT SUPERTUBES
- IKHAYALAM LODGE
- LUNGILE BACKPACKERS
- JIKELEZA LODGE BACKPACKERS HOSTEL
- THE HIPPO BACKPACKERS
- RIVERFRONT BACKPACKERS
- WOODLANDS COTTAGES & BACKPACKERS
- ORANGE ELEPHANT BACKPACKERS
- WILD WOODY CAPE
- KOWIE BACKPACKERS
- HAMBURG BACKPACKERS
- BUFFALO BACKPACKERS
- SUGAR SHACK BACKPACKERS
- BUCCANEERS LODGE & BACKPACKERS (CHINTSA)
EASTERN CAPE INTERIOR
WILD COAST
- BUCCANEERS LODGE & BACKPACKERS ★
- IN THE GREEN BACKPACKERS
- COFFEE SHACK BACKPACKERS
- BULUNGULA LODGE
- WILD LUBANZI BACKPACKERS LODGE
- AMAPONDO BACKPACKERS
- JUNGLE MONKEY BACKPACKERS
- THE KRAAL BACKPACKERS
- MDUMBI BACKPACKERS ★
- VUKANI BACKPACKERS ★
- FREEDOM O'CLOCK BACKPACKERS RETREAT
- MTHATHA BACKPACKERS & TOURS
- LOUIS@MAGWA ★
FREE STATE
KWAZULU-NATAL SOUTH COAST
- ALIWAL DIVE CENTRE
- THE SPOT BACKPACKERS
- DRIFTWOOD BACKPACKING LODGE
- PUMULA SURF CAMP
- MANTIS AND MOON BACKPACKERS LODGE
- UMZUMBE SURF HOUSE & SURF CAMP
- THE EARTHWORM MARGATE BACKPACKERS
DURBAN
- GIBELA TRAVELLERS LODGE
- NOMADS BACKPACKERS
- AWEH AFRICA BACKPACKERS
- TEKWENI BACKPACKERS HOSTEL
- ANSTEYS BEACH BACKPACKERS
- DURBAN BACKPACKERS — ON THE BEACH
- PEACEVALE BACKPACKERS
KWAZULU-NATAL NORTH COAST
KWAZULU-NATAL MIDLANDS
- PMB BACKPACKERS LODGE
- MSUNDUZI RIVER VIEW BACKPACKERS
- RIVERSIDE MANOR
- SUMMER PLACE BACKPACKERS LODGE
THE DRAKENSBERG
- KHOTSO LODGE & HORSE TRAILS
- SANI LODGE BACKPACKERS
- MOUNTAIN BASE BACKPACKERS
- BERG BACKPACKERS
- AMPHITHEATRE BACKPACKERS LODGE
- MALUTI BACKPACKERS ★
- KARMA BACKPACKERS
ZULULAND
- ZULULAND BACKPACKERS
- MONZI SAFARIS BACKPACKERS
- BIBS INTERNATIONAL BACKPACKERS
- ISINKWE SAFARIS BUSH CAMP
- CORAL DIVERS
- NATURAL MOMENTS BUSH CAMP & DIVING
- THOBEKA BACKPACKERS LODGE ★
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AREA
- KRUGER VIEW BACKPACKERS
- KRUGER INN BACKPACKERS
- OLD VIC TRAVELLERS INN
- HAZYVIEW ADVENTURE BACKPACKERS
- SHIK SHACK TOURS & BACKPACKERS
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
- ERMELO BACKPACKERS
- VALLEY VIEW BACKPACKERS GRASKOP
- SABIE BACKPACKERS
- OLD VIC TRAVELLERS INN
- SHIK SHACK TOURS & BACKPACKERS
- KRUGER INN BACKPACKERS
- HAZYVIEW ADVENTURE BACKPACKERS
- BILLY BONGO BACKPACKERS
- KRUGER VIEW BACKPACKERS
LIMPOPO PROVINCE
JOHANNESBURG
- BACKPACKERS CONNECTION
- BROWN SUGAR BACKPACKERS
- GEMINI BACKPACKERS LODGE
- MIKASA SUKASA BACKPACKERS
- TERRYLINN BACKPACKERS HOSTEL
- LAKEVIEW BACKPACKERS
- LEBO'S SOWETO BACKPACKERS ★
- CURIOCITY BACKPACKERS ★
- ACCOUSTIX LODGE & BACKPACKER
- JOBURG BACKPACKERS
- EXPLORER BACKPACKERS ★
- ROSEBANK BACKPACKERS CENTRAL
PRETORIA
- PRETORIA BACKPACKERS
- 1322 BACKPACKERS INTERNATIONAL
- PUMBAS BACKPACKERS
- TOM'S BACKPACKERS
- TWANA BACKPACKERS LODGE
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