Top Hostels in South Africa in 2026

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Top Cities in South Africa

A harbor with boats, a flag, and a cityscape with mountains in the background.

Our top choices for South Africa hostels

1. 91 Loop - Hostel

Cape Town City Centre

"The property was easy to locate, secure, and basic. They do not have a masssive kitchen to which your goods can be placed but a tiny fridge which only staff have access to. No eating in the rooms. Our private room was lovely and had towels, blankets, and a fan. The beds were cozy and the individual lights at the bunk beds were perfect for our children. The restaurant downstairs is good. It is awkward to eat though if you have brought your own food. For a hostel, this is one of my favorite...

Janet

AED 134 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Aug - 25 Aug

2. Urban Hive Backpackers

Cape Town City Centre

Oleksiy

AED 90 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sep

Two Bedroom Platinum Apartment | Living area | Flat-screen TV, Netflix, streaming services

3. Mandela Rhodes Place

Cape Town City Centre

gregory

AED 228 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Aug - 27 Aug

4. never at home Green Point

Green Point

Zachary

AED 287 total

includes taxes & fees

25 Aug - 26 Aug

5. Kruger Park Hostel

Nkomazi

Maurice

AED 257 total

includes taxes & fees

1 Sep - 2 Sep

6. never at home Kloof Street

Cape Town City Centre

Wakwanza

AED 208 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Aug - 25 Aug

7. Strand Guesthouse - Hostel

Somerset West

"My experience at this hotel was a far cry from what was advertised. Upon check-in, I was surprised to find additional charges, including nightly parking fees despite ample parking space available onsite, as well as a R250 per person damages deposit, which I declined to pay, leading them to take my driver's license as collateral. The floors, made of black polished concrete, were a constant source of frustration as stepping out of the shower inevitably resulted in blackened feet. I must commend...

Eric

AED 180 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sep - 9 Sep

Deluxe Double Room | Premium bedding, in-room safe, rollaway beds (surcharge), WiFi (free)

8. Atlantic Point Backpackers

Green Point

Daniel

9. Glenada Hotel

Johannesburg South

Mamotebang

AED 119 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Aug - 24 Aug

Premium Studio Suite | Premium bedding, desk, laptop workspace, blackout drapes

10. Curiocity Cape Town - Hostel

Green Point

Lionel

AED 320 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Aug - 28 Aug

11. A Sunflower Stop - Hostel

Green Point

Gideon Jari

AED 174 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Aug - 24 Aug

12. Stumble Inn Backpackers Lodge

Stellenbosch Central

Sean

AED 189 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Aug - 30 Aug

13. Fourways Youth Hostel

Sandton

14. Green Elephant Backpackers

Observatory

Debora V

AED 107 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Aug - 24 Aug

15. Riverlodge Backpackers

Cape Town

"This place was terrible. To start, they tried to make me pay again when I already paid online. I had to speak to the owner on the phone who lied to me about it and was extremely rude. I booked two private rooms and they tried to make me share a room with another guest. I refused because I paid more to have my own room. They do not provide wifi like is advertised and when I pressed the owner, he gave me one coupon for 100mb internet for two rooms (4 people). I told him it was advertised online as...

Bradley

AED 140 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sep

Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm (16 Bed) | Beach/ocean view

16. Santos Express Train Lodge - Hostel

Mossel Bay

Kirstin Silke Imme-Mariel

17. MoTown by Mojo - Hostel

Cape Town City Centre

Richard

AED 126 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sep

18. Orlando West Guest House - Hostel

Soweto

Hélène

19. Coffee Shack Backpackers & Self-Catering

King Sabata Dalindyebo

AED 124 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Aug - 24 Aug

20. Rosebank Boarding Hostel

Johannesburg

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Top South Africa Hotel Reviews

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport

10/10 Excellent

"Very service oriented staff, from meeting the airport shuttle to checking in and the breakfast and checking out was great. Standard king room was everything we needed for an overnight rest before continuing on our travels."

City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport

8/10 Good

"Sayed at City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo Int Airport for 3 days. Booked as part of tour and cancelled flight. Location is great to airport walk through tunnel to airport restaurants and shops. Breakfast varied choice and plentiful. There are water stations on the floors, bed comfortable shower hot water, amenities include kettle, shampoo, hand soap, plenty of towels, hairdryer, refrigerator Air con was a bit touchy and really needed to be replaced. I could hear the planes but honestly not a problem Departures displayed in foyer I would stay again if I travelled to Johannesburg in the future"

Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge and Garden Suites

10/10 Excellent

"An incredible experience from beginning to end. After the post-booking questionnaire on my favourite tipple, my expectations were high for the upcoming trip to Shalati. Those expectations were exceeded in the superior level of service, quality of food/drink, the room and the overall Shalati experience. The included game drives were great, knowing in advance that luck plays a significant part in what you see or don't see. My thanks and appreciation to Angel, Mzwandile and Tenashe for making the stay so memorable."

MILIMA Big 5 Safari Lodge

8/10 Good

"We stayed in one of the two‑bedroom villas. The lodging and amenities were good but not exceptional. The property certainly delivers an authentic African atmosphere, but given its 4‑star rating we expected a more luxurious experience. The food presentation and service were excellent, though the variety was limited and many dishes were unfamiliar to us, which made it harder to enjoy fully.Some amenities were missing or below expectations — no phone to reception, no TV in the room, weak Wi‑Fi, and occasional bugs indoors (perhaps understandable in the wild). On the positive side, the staff were warm and very helpful, and our safari guide, Prem, was outstanding. We especially appreciated the heated blankets after evening game drives. The wildlife viewing was memorable, though animal density is lower than in some reserves, so visitors should not expect large herds.We didn’t rent a car from the airport, but on a future visit I would — it offers more flexibility for exploring the Panorama Route or Kruger National Park, as the roads are paved, well marked, and renting saves on transfer fees. Overall, we had a good time, with highlights in the hospitality and safari experience."

Radisson Blu Hotel, Durban Umhlanga

10/10 Excellent

"Check in staff amazing.. breakfast delicious a good range .. check out excellent. My only complaint is that we were 3 in the room ..a request for extra complimentary water was not given . Also we had been allocated a room near the lift . The noise level if rooms around the lift needs to sleep in … Maybe a sign at the lift stating… silence consider other Guest"

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Change your mind

Treat yourself

Be picky

Check prices for these dates

Top Cities in South Africa

Cape Town

Johannesburg

Knysna

Our top choices for South Africa hostels

1. 91 Loop - Hostel

2. Urban Hive Backpackers

3. Mandela Rhodes Place

4. never at home Green Point

5. Kruger Park Hostel

6. never at home Kloof Street

7. Strand Guesthouse - Hostel

8. Atlantic Point Backpackers

9. Glenada Hotel

10. Curiocity Cape Town - Hostel

11. A Sunflower Stop - Hostel

12. Stumble Inn Backpackers Lodge

13. Fourways Youth Hostel

14. Green Elephant Backpackers

15. Riverlodge Backpackers

16. Santos Express Train Lodge - Hostel

17. MoTown by Mojo - Hostel

18. Orlando West Guest House - Hostel

19. Coffee Shack Backpackers & Self-Catering

20. Rosebank Boarding Hostel

Top South Africa Hotel Reviews

Hotel Verde Cape Town Airport

City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport

Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport

The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City Resort

Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge and Garden Suites

Kruger Gate Hotel

MILIMA Big 5 Safari Lodge

The Spier Hotel

Radisson Blu Hotel, Durban Umhlanga