Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge

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