The easiest way to choose your Wild Coast hostel. Use our unique 3D map to filter by African culture, party atmosphere, safety, and great value.

Search Wild Coast Backpacker Hostels

Filter backpackers hostels by digital nomad suitability, solo female traveller friendliness, safety, surfing, camping, value for money, party atmosphere, african culture experiences, adventure activities and nature experiences.

Interactive backpacker hostel map of the Wild Coast showing hostels that can be filtered by travel style, safety, digital nomad suitability, surfing, camping and budget travel preferences.

Where To Go, What To See and How Much It'll Cost

Use our wizard to plan your trip, based on what you want to see and do, and your budget. Costs calculated according to 2026 prices.

Welcome to our backpacking guide of the Wild Coast!

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Wild Coast Backpackers Hostels

Hostels listed on Booking.com and Hostelworld

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

All Hostels

Full contact details are included 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.

Did we miss a hostel? Email us at and we'll add it.

The Wild Coast hostels are listed south to north — the direction most backpackers travel, coming from the Garden Route. Distances are vast on the Wild Coast and roads are slow and often unpaved. The hostels in the Coffee Bay and Mdumbi areas run their own shuttle services from the Shell Ultracity on the N2 highway at Mthatha (if you're travelling by mainline bus, you'll be dropped off there); it's important to coordinate your pick-up with them before you arrive.

SOUTHERN WILD COAST

COFFEE BAY AREA

PORT ST JOHNS

MDUMBI TO PORT ST JOHNS AREA

MTHATHA (TRANSIT HUB)

MAGWA FALLS

BUCCANEERS LODGE & BACKPACKERS

AREA: CHINTSA (40KM NORTH OF EAST LONDON)

STREET ADDRESS: 1 David Way, Chintsa West, 5275

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 43 734 3012

WHATSAPP: +27 66 317 2858

EMAIL: buccaneers@cintsa.com

WEBSITE: buccaneerschintsa.com

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Dormitories, private rooms, self-catering chalets, camping.

PRICE RANGE: Budget to mid-range. Dorm beds from approximately R230–R340.

COFFEE SHACK BACKPACKERS

AREA: COFFEE BAY

STREET ADDRESS: 1 Coffee Shack Way, Coffee Bay, 5082

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 47 575 2048

WHATSAPP: +27 83 656 4350

EMAIL: happydays@coffeeshack.co.za

WEBSITE: coffeeshack.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

ARRIVAL NOTE: Do not be dropped off at Mthatha bus or taxi stations. Arrange to be collected from the Shell Ultra City on the N2 outside Mthatha. Coffee Shack runs a shuttle service — book it when you confirm your accommodation.

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Dorms, double rondavels (en-suite), and camping. Beachfront location. The social and cultural hub of Coffee Bay.

PRICE RANGE: Budget to Mid-Range. Dorm beds from R260; Camping from R180; Private en-suite rooms from R825.

BULUNGULA LODGE

AREA: Xhora Mouth

STREET ADDRESS: Nqileni Village, Xhora Mouth AA, Elliotdale District, 5070

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PHONE: +27 47 577 8900

WHATSAPP: +27 83 391 5525

EMAIL: paradise@bulungula.com

WEBSITE: bulungula.com

SOCIAL: Facebook

ARRIVAL: Bulungula is off-grid and remote. Coordinate your arrival carefully — the road requires a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle in wet conditions. The lodge can advise on current road conditions and shuttle options.

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: 100% community-owned eco-lodge. Traditional Xhosa huts, dorm beds, and camping. Entirely off-grid: solar power, composting toilets, no running hot water (bucket shower heated over fire), no Wi-Fi. The Nqileni village community owns 40% of the lodge.

PRICE RANGE: Budget (extremely accessible). Dorm beds from R130; Camping from R70; Traditional huts (double/triple) from R330–R420 per room.

WILD LUBANZI BACKPACKERS LODGE

AREA: Mavaleleni

STREET ADDRESS: Lubanzi Village, Mavaleleni Shinira, 5100

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 78 530 8997

WHATSAPP: +27 78 530 8997

EMAIL: wild@lubanzi.co.za

WEBSITE: lubanzi.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Eco-artistic off-grid lodge. Hand-built safari tents, a "Hobbit House" (en-suite), and a double-storey dorm constructed from upcycled materials. No two structures are the same. Solar power throughout.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Dorm beds from R145; Safari tents from R380 (for 2); Hobbit House (en-suite) from R650.

THE KRAAL BACKPACKERS

AREA: Mpande

STREET ADDRESS: Mpande District, Tsweleni, Port St. Johns, 5120

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 82 871 4964

WHATSAPP: +27 82 871 4964 (WhatsApp is the only reliable way to reach them — use it)

EMAIL: info@thekraal.co.za

WEBSITE: thekraal.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Eco-backpackers and traditional homestay. Camping, dorm beds in traditional huts, private huts. Off-grid.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Camping from R100; Dorm (traditional hut) from R180; Private huts from R450.

MDUMBI BACKPACKERS

AREA: Mankosi

STREET ADDRESS: Tshani Village, Mankosi A/A, Ngqeleni, 5100

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 83 461 1834

WHATSAPP: +27 83 461 1834

EMAIL: mdumbi@mdumbi.co.za

WEBSITE: mdumbi.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Award-winning community-owned eco-hostel. Camping, dormitory beds, and private traditional huts. Beachfront on Mdumbi Point — a right-hand surf break directly in front of the property.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Camping from R150; Dorm beds from R220; Private traditional huts R550–R750.

VUKANI BACKPACKERS

AREA: Mankosi

STREET ADDRESS: Tshani Village, Mankosi A/A, Ngqeleni, 5100

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 71 857 6989

WHATSAPP: +27 71 857 6989

EMAIL: stay@vukanibackpackers.co.za

WEBSITE: vukanibackpackers.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

HOSTELWORLD

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Traditional cultural backpackers in Tshani Village, directly adjacent to Mdumbi. Camping, dorms, private rondavels (including ocean-view "Ocean Room" and driftwood "Driftwood Room"), self-catering unit (Larnie Room, sleeps 6).

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Camping from R150; Dorms from R220; Private rondavels from R550; Self-catering Larnie Room from R950 (sleeps 6).

FREEDOM O'CLOCK BACKPACKERS RETREAT

AREA: Lutsheni

STREET ADDRESS: Mngcibe Village, Mdumbi River Mouth, 5140

FIND ON MAP ›

⚠ GPS WARNING: GPS frequently routes to the wrong side of the river at this location. Always follow the Mngcibe Village directions provided by the hosts. Contact them before attempting the road.

PHONE: +27 76 610 9723 / +27 72 948 7028

WHATSAPP: +27 76 610 9723

EMAIL: marleen@freedomoclock.co.za

WEBSITE: freedomoclock.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Eco-minded family-run retreat. Camping, dorm/hut beds, private rooms (double and family). On the Mdumbi River mouth.

PRICE RANGE: Mid-Range Budget. Camping from R150; Dorms/huts from R220; Private rooms R550–R750.

AMAPONDO BACKPACKERS

AREA: Second Beach

STREET ADDRESS: Erf 647, Second Beach Road, Port St Johns, 5120

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 83 315 3103 / +27 81 257 4504

WHATSAPP: +27 83 315 3103

EMAIL: info@amapondo.co.za

WEBSITE: amapondo.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Jungle-style backpackers and self-catering lodge. Camping (walk-in tents only, no vehicle access to campsite), dormitories, double/twin rooms, self-catering cottages. Set on the hillside above Second Beach, PSJ.

PRICE RANGE: Budget to Mid-Range. Camping from R150; Dorms R220–R250; Double/twin rooms from R650; Self-catering cottages R850–R1,200.

JUNGLE MONKEY BACKPACKERS

AREA: First Beach

STREET ADDRESS: 3 Berea Road, Port St Johns, 5120

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 47 564 1517

WHATSAPP: +27 72 683 4595

EMAIL: junglemonkeybp@gmail.com

WEBSITE: N/A

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Multi-level backpackers and lodge. Camping, dorms, safari tents, double/twin rooms. In-town PSJ location — more accessible than the hillside properties.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Camping from R180; Dorms from R300; Safari tents from R350; Double/twin rooms from R400.

MTHATHA BACKPACKERS & TOURS

AREA: Mthatha

STREET ADDRESS: 12 Aloe Street, Fort Gale, Mthatha, 5099

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 82 786 0441

WHATSAPP: +27 82 786 0441

EMAIL: mthathabackpackers@telkomsa.net

WEBSITE: www.mthathabackpackers.co.za - insecure connection

SOCIAL: Facebook

⚠ MTHATHA SAFETY NOTE: Mthatha city centre has a documented crime problem. Do not be dropped off at the Mthatha bus or taxi rank, and avoid walking in unfamiliar areas. Mthatha Backpackers is in the Fort Gale suburb — a residential area and significantly safer than the city centre. If arriving by Greyhound, the Greyhound office is in the city centre. Ask the hostel for specific guidance on how to get from your drop-off point to Fort Gale safely before you arrive.

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Suburban hostel and guest lodge. Mixed dormitories (2, 3, and 4-bed), private single and double rooms (en-suite available), caravan/static unit, on-site camping.

PRICE RANGE: Budget. Camping from R150; Dorm beds from R260; Private double en-suite from R550.

LOUIS AT MAGWA FALLS

AREA: WILD COAST — Gwexintaba Village, Goso State Forest

STREET ADDRESS: Gwexintaba Village, KuGwexintaba, Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape

FIND ON MAP ›

PHONE: +27 83 268 5611

WHATSAPP: +27 83 268 5611

EMAIL: info@louisatmagwafalls.co.za

WEBSITE: louisatmagwafalls.co.za

SOCIAL: Facebook

See Photos & Reviews on:

Booking.com

ACCOMMODATION TYPE: Rondavels (traditional huts).

PRICE RANGE: Budget. From ~ZAR350 per person

Where Do You Want To Go Next?

MAGWA FALLS - Photo: Tarryn Elliott