Nairobi Backpackers

An absolute excellent and cool place to stay with very relaxed atmosphere. A secure place with nice and helpful staff. This goes for all staff including Ken, the owner. The expression "Your home away from home" is really suitable. The place itself is maybe a bit "undermaintained" but seem to be moving slowely but surely in the right direction. We stayed for five or six days in Jan. 2006 and very much enjoyed the place. Also the four-day tent (budget) safari turned out to be of excellent value. If you plan to go to Nairobi, this is a much better and safer option than any cheap hotel downtown, and the combination with safari arrangements makes it all very convienient.

The owner/manager (a Brit) is a persistent lecher and an alcoholic. I cannot recommend the place to females of any age. The kenyan staff are pleasant but this does not make up for the problems.

We have stayed here many times over the last two years and watched Backpackers go from good to outstanding. The whole staff are warm, protective and helpful; and Ken has rightfully been described in one guidebook as the father of all backpackers. Have no fear, girls. This place is all you would wish for!

I have traveled extensively and this is by far the most friendly, homely hostel I have ever used. It is small and basic, but the hospitality, service and homely feeling make up for all that. They also offer first-class safaris at budget prices, normally made up of people from the hostel, so you know the people you are travelling with before you leave. Ken, the owner is not just a host, but a guardian angel. He makes sure that you are fully prepared to handle anything.

I think this hostel has been under the current ownership for about 2 years (?). Prior to that though the last owner had run it down almost into bankruptcy and it does still suffer from under-investment, so the beds are not too comfortable and some things need fixing. However the reason that it is generally 95-100% full (during the busy season at any rate) is that offers a friendly and welcoming oasis in what can be an intimidating city. The owner, Ken, and staff are super friendly and more than willing to answer the endless questions, especially from newbies to Africa. Of course they want to sell their own safaris but these are reasonably priced, convenient and you will probably meet your fellow passengers before you go. The breakfasts are good and there is a family-style evening meal, which really does make everyone feel like they're in a friendly extended family. The bar is a bit basic because most people head next door to the big Vbar and restaurant.

My stay was very recent. The hostel was always clean. This is particularly obvious when you see the whole hostel been cleaned EVERY MORNING! Sure it is not the newest place but the beds are clean and comfy, and the owner and staff are lovely and helpful with a great knowledge of Nairobi, Kenya and Africa in general. There is no restaurant so to speak of but breakfast is included in your room rate every morning and a set dinner is served every night. And if you don't want the set dinner then there is a restaurant and bar right next door with a great menu range. The place is homely and I think that is what the owners wanted to achieve with the place. It's somewhere for you to be able to relax a bit and meet other people in a nice atmosphere. Oh and the tours are not overpriced at all. They are about the cheapest you will find in Kenya. I am just about to go back for my third stay in six weeks and I can't wait to get back!

The staff here were friendly, helpful, and trustworthy.

Friendly, clean, a nice garden, a really hearty breakfst - and above all a very helpful owner. What else would you want? It is 15 minutes walking from the town centre, but this is not really a problem, the setting and the oasis-like feeling makes up for it.