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Backpackers Paradise & Joyrides is a huge and very professionally run place that organizes a wide range of activities from ostrich farm visits to mountain biking and bird watching. The "joyrides" in the name are a combination of biking and minibus trips to the mountain passes. Backpacker's Paradise is the largest of the collection of excellent budget backpacker hostels in Oudtshoorn, and is a one-stop shop for activities and tours around the Oudtshoorn area.
The Location
Backpacker's Paradise is a little out of town on the northern edge. It sits right on the main road through Oudtshoorn and is easily spotted due to the name painted on the wall of the roadside building. It's a fifteen-minute walk into the center and the minibus taxi rank, although there are several small restaurants within a five-minute walk.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Backpacker's Paradise has a number of buildings on its property, so there is a huge range of accommodation. The private rooms are good value and can be had en suite or with shared bathrooms. There are four dorms of six to ten beds. Each bed has access to a power point and a rather bright bedside light. The wooden beds are stable, but the mattresses are a mixed bunch -- have a good look before you choose your bed, as some are saggy. The duvets are a little thin, but there are extra blankets if you're visiting during the winter months and most of the rooms have heating. The smaller dorms share an outside bathroom, but the larger ten-bed dorm has its own bathroom, with two toilets and two showers. Hand towels and soap are provided and there is twenty-four-hour hot water. Campers will find a small, grassy area for their tents.
Common Spaces
Backpacker's Paradise has plenty of sitting areas scattered around the property, most of which are in the form of sofas or chairs and tables on the landings or just outside the different buildings. The building with the ten-bed dorm also has the common kitchen, and it's quite big with an impressive range of pots, pans, cutlery, and crockery. Free tea, coffee, sugar, and milk are available here, and the hot water comes from a boiler that's on all day. Guests will find a kettle, toaster, sandwich toaster, microwave, four-ring gas cooker, and a fridge. Just outside the kitchen and under cover is a small table with chairs and outside; by the swimming pool, there are more tables and chairs. The small swimming pool wasn't accessible when we stayed, due to the water restrictions, but the pool sits next to the kitchen.
Across the yard is another building with two of the smaller dorms and a family room. This has a number of comfortable but well-worn chairs and sofas on the landing. In the main building, where the reception is, you will find a coffee shop selling cakes and biscuits, and the main sitting room with a large, flat-screen TV. The chairs and sofas surround the open fire and there is a large, wooden dining table. Walking through the coffee shop, there is a bar across the patio with a TV screen with a big beer garden with lots of wooden tables and bench seating. The free Wi-Fi is only available in and around the bar and coffee shop, and the signal was not good when we were there.
Summary
The beautiful area around Oudtshoorn is made for hiking and there are a number of walks that can be done through Backpacker's Paradise. It's a warren of a place and can get quite hectic in season. The heaters in the rooms are much appreciated during a winter stay, but there is only a simple breakfast provided for an extra charge; no other meals are offered. Lunch and dinner are only available during the busier part of the year, but there are several restaurants in town not far away, or you can self-cater. Backpacker's Paradise is a very good choice in a town of good choices. If you want the convenience of having everything at your fingertips and are not too concerned with the lack of intimacy, then Backpacker's Paradise fits the bill.
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+4
LondonroadMa
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Aug 16, 2018
Description
Paradise is where budget and comfort meet. It is home away from home. We serve meals daily - Ostrich steak on the fire, we do cater for vegetarians. We have fabulous day trips including mountainbiking, microlighting, water skiing, overnight camping trips into the mountains, hiking trails and more. Visit the Cango Caves, Ostrich Farms and wildlife Ranch to pat a cheetah!
Location and Contact
Location
• On the main road to the Cango Caves, on the corner of Victoria and Baron van Reede streets. • Coming from George (or the train station of Outdshoorn), just walk along the main road (Baron Van Reed Street) and 1 kilometer from the tourist info centre on the way to the Cango caves (a must here as well as ostrich riding) you'll find the hostel to your right. Reception is in the back.