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Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge

Drakensberg (Northern Drakensberg), KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

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Address
Pocolane Nature Reserve, Oliviershoek Pass, Drakensberg (Northern Drakensberg)
Price
Camping R30 per person, Dorm R60 per person, Single R90, Double R75 per person Check Current Prices by Date Here
Location/Contact
Details
Their Description

Features

  • Kitchen
  • Lockers
  • Bar
  • Gameroom
  • Lounge / Common space
  • Pool Table
  • Swimming Pool
  • BBQ
  • Food/Restaurant
  • TV
  • Washing Machine (laundry)
  • Travel information provided
  • Bike Rental
  • 24 Hour Free Hot Showers
  • Phones (public or in room)
  • Currency Exchange
 
The Hostelz.com Review
The Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge is near the central-northern Drakensberg mountain range. The chances are that a guest may be pre-warned by other travellers that the people who run this hostel will try to push you into buying travel packages, and they would be right, but it is still a nice place to go.

The hostel is straight off the main road in the middle of fields, with a view of the mountains in the distance. It is approximately a 1 1/2 hour drive to the mountains from here. There is no public transport here, only the Baz Bus which stops at the hostel, otherwise a hire car / self-drive is needed. There are no facilities around - it is literally in the middle of fields - so either budget extra money to buy food and drink which is served throughout the day, or stock up before you get here. Except for visiting the mountains, a day trip to Lesotho, or taking part in other hiking, climbing and abseiling activities - all of which are sold as travel packages from the hostel - there is nothing else to do except sunbathe.

The rooms are in individual units. There are private rooms with ensuite and kitchenette. The dorms also have an ensuite shower room and a kitchen area. In the dorms are four bunk beds and small lockers. The front door is a sliding patio door which locks (occasionally jams) with a key each guest is given on arrival. The shower room has a WC and sink, and the shower itself is huge, though it may cause a mini flood as there is no shower door.

Through the front doors of the main building is the reception area. Behind this are toilets. The next room is a large dining room with lots of wooden tables and chairs with flower decorations. This is very nicely laid out and there is a chalk board with the menu, and the evening 3 course supper changes daily. Off here is the bar with sofas and pool table. There is also a computer for internet access, although this is incredibly slow and fairly expensive. (They are currently building an outdoor bar area with a observatory room above it with more sofas and more computers for internet access - should be open by 2008). Outside is a swimming pool, although this is emptied in the winter to change the water. In the corner is a BBQ and outside seating area under a roof. There are a few metal tables and chairs on the grass around, but these are rather uncomfortable. The private rooms have a small patio area and plastic seating, and there is also a hammock (though not that comfortable) infront of the dorm rooms.

This is a nice rustic looking hostel in the middle of the countryside with views of the Drakensberg mountains. It is mainly somewhere to go if planning on getting involved in the activities the hostel runs, or if the guest has their own car to get around and explore, as there is little else to do. It has nice common room facilities, with a huge well stocked bar, but for those not wanting to spend all of their evening in the bar, it is not that sociable. Things may be different once the new rooms are build, but in the mean time it is still a nice base for exploring the area.

-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review


Your Comments
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Comment by Judith & Jens, Germany
May 2007
The location of this hostel is absolutely gorgeous, no fences or barbed wires, only endless views of the Drakensbergs. It is very quiet and safe. The stars at night time are just amazing as there are no disturbing lights of a town anywhere nearby. We stayed in deluxe double that was equipped with a complete kitchen. What we found annoying was that we had enquired several times in advance about their Lesotho trip without getting a reply and when we got there we had to find out that it wouldn't take place the day that we were there. The food is quite basic as well, but other than that this is a great place to stay if you love nature. If you are there, take a chance to visit Lesotho, a truely amazing country, as well as the Golden Gate National Park.
Comment by Maura
February 2007
This is an wonderful place. I would just add that the local staff are a tremendous resource. Sim is an excellent guide who knows the area incredibly well. Take the opportunity to learn from him and you won't regret it! Also, Xolani will take you to the Royal Natal National Park in the morning and back at night. Along the way you will find that he knows everyone in the area -- which lends a warm sense of the community. And the bar-man Solomon is on top of his game -- treats everyone right and sets the tone for lovely nights in the bar.
Comment by Rafael
December 2006
Great day tours to Lesotho, top of Cathedral Peak, hikes to the Gorge. They know their game! Very, very friendly staff! Great bar! Bathrooms, bedrooms just fine! Incredible views!
Comment by David King, United States
December 2005
This past July 2005, we stayed for three days in a self-catering chalet with mini kitchen and private bath--with an amazing thatched roof! Though our unit was self-catering, we ate dinner in the main dining room with the other guests and backpackers--the meals were awesome!! The cold winter nights (July, lows of 2C or 32F were usual) were offset by the working asbestos heater in our unit. Nightly bonfires from the fields on the nearby mountainsides lit up theach night for a beautiful evening display. That Staff was amazing--so friendly and accommodating--and the diversity of guests was great. We drove a rental car, but many of the backpackers got there from the Baz bus-they recommend it as an economical way to get around, though I always prefer a private car. The day trip to Lesotho is beyond words. This is something eveyone should do at least once. The SA border crosssing at Monantsa Pass is breathtaking, and since the roads are not paved in that part of Lesotho, this is not something for the faint of heart. Our driver got us there safely (nine of us took the tour in the lodge's SUV), with a quick stop in Qwa-Qwa. The village, school and the sangoma will be permanent memories for me to reflect on for years to come. I highly recommend this facility to anyone!
Comment by Luisa
February 2004
Great place and a beautiful view! Go up early in the morning so that you don't have to wait at the bathrooms too long. And do at least one of the great trips they offer!
Comment by Jitka and Ron Stiles
July 2003
Very friendly staff. I was not prepared for the cold weather properly and they lent me one of their own jackets. Also, we did not plan do to any backpacking so we did not take a towel, and one of their staff members lent us one of his own. I also enjoyed rappelling from a nearby rock.
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