Backpackers Paradise & Joyrides, Oudtshoorn

8.8
13 Reviews

Sadly, this hostel has closed.

On the bright side, there are more hostels in Oudtshoorn...

Compare Hostel Prices for Oudtshoorn

How to book...

your hostels in Oudtshoorn

Hostelworld

Check directly alternative Hostels with Hostelworld.com.

How is Backpackers Paradise & Joyrides rated?

Backpackers Paradise & Joyrides Reviews

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.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Outside of Building
Reception
Sitting Room and Cafe
Bar Outside Seating
Kitchen Building Sitting Room
Kitchen
Single Room
En Suite Double Room
En Suite Family Room
+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.

Facilities and Amenities

Groups (10+ people)

Party Hostel

Solo Traveller

Bedsheets

Breakfast

Parking

Towels

Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons

Bike Rental

City Tours

Lockers in Lobby

Luggage Storage

24 Hour Security

ATM

BBQ Grill

Bar

Cable TV

Concierge/Info Desk

Credit Card Payments

Currency Exchange

Entirely Non-Smoking

Food/Restaurant

Gameroom

Hot Showers

Kitchen

Laundry

Lounge Area

Movie Library/Rental

Pool Table

Swimming Pool

TV

Wheelchair Accessible

Genders: Males Only

Max. Age: All Ages

Min. Age without Parent: 15

Checkout: 11:00 (11 AM)

Curfew: No Curfew

Lockout: No

Maximum Stay: Unlimited

Minimum Stay: 1 night

Open Dates: All Year

Reception Hours: 24 Hours

Size: Medium (30-60 beds)

Similar places you might like

Sadly, this hostel has closed.

On the bright side, there are more hostels in Oudtshoorn...

Compare Hostel Prices for Oudtshoorn

Unlock your Hostel Account to Freedom!

Unlock your Hostel Account to Freedom!

Sign up with Hostelz.com and get access to exclusive hostel content and much more.

Do you already have an account? Login
Home Pluz
Comparizon
Login