South Africa's original award-winning hostel and travel centre is simply the best place to stay. With all the facilities you can expect from a great hotel, such as stylishly decorated Afro-chic rooms offering superior comfort and quality, with shared or en-suite bathrooms, private electronic safes and in-house ATM.

Making a difference is more than just an initiative of The Backpack, it is the way we are, the way we work and the way we live! By staying with us, you will be making a difference to the lives of many children.

Stay in touch in our internet cafe or use WiFi throughout the hostel; swim in the pool with a stunning view of Table Mountain, or meet like-minded international travellers in our buzzy Café / Bar.

Long Street, gorgeous Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront and the city centre are all just a stone's throw away.


The Hostel has been accredited by Fair Trade in Tourism (a trade mark awarded to businesses that adhere to fair trade criteria, fair wages and working conditions, fair operations, purchasing and distribution of benefits, ethical business practices and respect for human rights, culture and the environment)

WE OFFER:
FREE WiFi in our Cafe/Bar and Reception area and Wifi access in the rooms, we also have an Internet Cafe
Cafe/Bar - Breakfast is available until 3pm after which gourmet sandwiched are available at the cafe/bar which is open until midnight
ATM machine on site
Meet and greet airport shuttle service available at an additional cost
Fully equipped self-catering kitchen
24-hour check-in
24-hour security
Satellite Sports Channel TV
Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted as well as ZAR, US$, Euro and BP Sterling
No children are allowed in the dorms unless entire dorm is booked by family.
WARNING FOR THOSE WITH SMALL CHILDREN: WE HAVE AN UNFENCED POOL

OUR AWARDS:
Best Hostel in South Africa 2012
Independent winner for Best Practice - Economic Impact - Imvelo Awards 2011
Independent winner for Best Single Resource Management Program in Waste Management - Imvelo Awards 2011
Winner of 2011 AA Quality Assured Accommodation Award - Backpackers Accommodation
Awarded Best Hostel in South Africa 2010, 2009 & 2008 by ******** customers
Awarded 2nd place for Best Hostel in Africa 2010; and 3rd Best Hostel in Africa 2009 & 2008 by ******** Customers
One of the World's Top 10 Coolest Hostels! Guardian August 2010
One of the Top 10 places to stay - Lonely Planet 2010
Winners of the Welcome Awards 2010 - South Africa's most prestigious award

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
We sponsor a sports program in a community riddled with drugs and gangsterism. Join us for a day to see what we are up to. Bring your old soccer boots with you.

KNITTING
We keep a basket of wool in our café and lounge. Knit a square or two while you are here - we sew it up and with your help another orphaned baby will be warm. If you have some wool lying about your or your grandmother's house, bring it along!!

WRITE-UPS
Not too laid back, not too loud, guests love The Backpack and it's easy to see why. For years it has stayed ahead of the crowd by constantly adapting, yet always offering top notch accommodation for the price and wonderfully clued-up service from its desk - Lonely Planet

'The most comfortable and best-run in town........one of the best backpacker travel centres around. Recommended.' - Footprints