I traveled overland from Cape Town to Johannesburg with Baz Bus, and because this is a door-to-door service taking you from one hostel to another, I only stayed at hostels. And I have to say that South Africa really surprised me when it comes to hostels! I stayed at some of the coolest hostels in the world and here are six of my favorites! Also 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 and stayed there almost three months in total, so I’ve seen a lot of different hostels. Mojo Hostel has so far been one of the best ones. It’s located in the upmarket Sea Point district, and it’s just one block away from the ocean. They offer dorms, private rooms, and self-catering rooms. I stayed in a female dorm, and it was one of the best dorms I’ve ever stayed in! No bunk beds – everyone has their own comfy, wide beds. There is a bathroom and even a kitchen inside the dorm! Wifi was the fastest I found in Cape Town, and it works everywhere inside the hostel. The communal areas are awesome, and they have the coolest rooftop deck with a sea view!

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

Hogsback
Away with the Fairies

I have already written a short post on Hogback here, go check it out. This place is unique, and you can’t find a place like this anywhere in South Africa! It’s a small one-street town, a little bit off the beaten path but so worth to visit! It’s been said that this place was an inspiration for J.R. Tolkien and I can see why!

And if you ever make it to Hogsback, you have to stay at Away with the Fairies Hostel. The hostel has a beautiful garden area which is often covered in fog and mist, and the light is just perfect for capturing magical pictures. They also have a viewpoint with the best view in Hogsback, and the hiking trails start from there as well. The main attraction here is their world famous outdoor bathtub with a view! This was the only thing I had known about this place before I stayed here because I had seen some pictures on Instagram, and the bathtub itself was a reason for me to travel to Hogsback!

Chintsa
Buccaneers Lodge & Backpackers

I stayed in a private room here, and before I arrived, I had no idea what kind of room I would get. When the receptionist took me to my room, my mouth just dropped. The room was like in any five-star hotel with an insane view!

This place is also special because it feels more like a resort than a hostel. The whole complex is huge and includes dorms, private rooms, camping area, swimming pool, lunch restaurant, dinner and breakfast restaurant, bar, kitchen, etc. They also organize free daily activities like volleyball tournaments, and they offer a variety of paid tours and activities like horse riding and surf lessons. I decided to spend my time just relaxing, strolling along the beach and enjoying my awesome room with a perfect sea view!

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

The Southern Drakensberg
Sani Lodge Backpackers

This place 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. This place has a laid-back atmosphere, and you can just relax and enjoy the 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 have an option for three-course home-cooked dinner which I tried once, and I wasn’t disappointed with their vegan options!

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 really made my trip to Durban! It’s just recently renovated and very modern, but the building itself is a historic British-colonial style building from the early 20th century. All the dorms and private rooms are super modern, and they also have cute little balconies with hammocks. The kitchen is well equipped and very clean, and they also offer breakfast at the bar. They also organize some cool activities like movie nights and morning yoga classes! As a travel blogger, I also appreciated their free wifi which was one of the fastest ones I found in South Africa. Curiocity has another hostel in Johannesburg as well.

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

And the links for Curiocity Backpackers Johannesburg: Booking.com and HotelsCombined.

The Northern Drakensberg
Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge

This place is so much more than just a hostel. They have a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and even a bouldering cave! They offer dorms, private rooms, as well as camping and their campground is huge! You also get the best sunset and mountain views from there. They offer organized hiking tours to Lesotho, Tugela Falls, and Cathedral Peak – just to name a few. There’s a communal kitchen, but they also offer delicious options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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

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