Karoo Soul Backpackers

Karoo Soul Backpackers is the natural choice of those who like it quiet. It is a pleasant, clean, relaxing place, a social rather than a party hostel that appeals to a variety of age-groups and can accommodate families, with plenty of opportunities for interesting conversation with the helpful lady owner (who lives on the premises but is unobtrusive), and exchange travel tips and experiences with other guests. It is reputed to be the only hostel with a view of Oudtshoorn, and sunsets with a mountain backdrop are particularly recommended. As with other hostels in Oudtshoorn, the owner will on request issue guests with vouchers for reduced price entry to nearby attractions such as ostrich farms and the Cango Caves.

The Location

Karoo Soul is a large, traditional house with extensive grounds situated in a residential area approximately five hundred meters uphill from Oudtshoorn city center, where a handful of attractions, .including the C P Nel Museum, the main grocery store, and bus terminal are situated. From here, there are connections to Cape Town and Johannesburg and the coastal city of George by bus and shared minibus taxi. Guests without their own transportation would need to walk uphill or take a taxi. The hostel is well signposted and is easy to find when approaching on foot or by motor vehicle. There is ample free parking within the grounds of the hostel.

Rooms and Bathrooms

There are several simple multi-bed, mixed-sex dorms as well as doubles and family rooms within the main house, and in addition there are separate buildings with private rooms and bathrooms. Inside the house there are three spacious shared bathrooms with plenty of hooks for clothes and soap dishes. These are used by occupants of dorms, rooms without their own private bathrooms, and tent campers, who pitch their tents on the lawn adjacent to the house. Since the property is on a hill, finding a level piece of ground during periods of peak occupancy might be a problem. Dorms are not usually locked, but all guests including campers are issued with keys to the main house door, which is always locked at night. There are no lockers, but the owner will store guests’ valuables on request.

Common Spaces

The kitchen/dining room is shared with the owner, who also provides breakfast and other meals on request. The kitchen is very well equipped and has several gas rings, a microwave oven, and a refrigerator. There is one pay-as-you-go internet computer located in the office/reception area near the front gate. It is available during office opening hours and by arrangement with the owner, which is longer than the time available at the internet café in town (it's only open at times when most travelers would prefer to be sightseeing).

The house is surrounded by a veranda with lots of tables and chairs, so that guests can enjoy a drink or a meal and watch the sunset. The bar with adjacent covered seating area is in a separate building next to the open-air swimming pool a short walk from the house. The general impression is that of a clean, tidy, well-tended guesthouse/hostel catering well to the needs of all of its guests. Partly due to the spaciousness of the property, smokers are able to pursue their habit without being too much of an annoyance to others.

Summary

Whether just passing through Oudtshoorn or intent on a longer stay, the traveler seeking a relaxing, agreeable, inexpensive base from which to explore the Little Karoo could probably do no better than stay at Karoo Soul.

— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
March 2010