The friendly Jikeleza Lodge International Backpackers Hostel is very central and is a good choice in Port Elizabeth, which is a bit of a way station for international travelers. It's a place where you'll have to change transport whether traveling east or west along the south coast and most people overnight here. Port Elizabeth has some (mostly historical) sites of interest to keep tourists happy for a day or two.
The Location
Located a ten-minute walk from the Donkin Reserve and a further five minutes down to the Govan Mbeki Street shopping area, Jikeleza is very handily placed, either for sightseeing or shopping. It's also just fifteen minutes' walk from the Norwich area coach and minibus taxi station for long-distance travel.
Rooms and Bathrooms
This neat little place has eleven rooms including two dorms. The main house has two small single rooms, a double, a twin, and a six-bed dorm. Down the steps to the back garden, there is a double room, a twin room, a four-sleeper family room, two double chalets, and another six-bed dorm. The dorms are spacious and have plenty of power points, but the mattresses and duvets are rather thin.
All the rooms, including the private rooms, share bathrooms. There is one on the ground floor of the main house, with a shower and a bath, plus two toilets and, in the back garden, the lower rooms and chalets share a shower over a bathtub and two toilets. Everything is clean and you can rent towels for a very small charge. Laundry can also be done here for a charge.
Common Spaces
As you enter the house through the security gate, there are two cushioned seats on the front patio and then you're at the reception desk. Behind you, you will find the sitting room that has two sofas and two easy chairs and a flat-screen TV. On the walls, there are four display shelves full of flyers for other backpackers' and travel agents around South Africa and a book exchange. The guests' kitchen is small, but clean and has a kettle, two toasters, a grill, a microwave, four-ring gas cooker, and two fridges. There aren't many pots and pans, but there's plenty of crockery and cutlery. The kitchen also holds a soft-drinks fridge and a cigarette machine. Free tea, coffee, sugar, and creamer are provided free of charge all day. The back garden has an expanse of grass on which camping is allowed. That does mean however, that there could potentially be a lot of people all using the very few shared bathrooms. Free Wi-Fi is available at Jikeleza, with the best signal in the rooms around the reception area and in the sitting room.
Summary
This is very friendly place and it's convenient for the center and the historic Donkin Reserve, but in a quiet area. It's clean and comfortable and you'll meet a cross-section of people here, from international tourists to southern African students.
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How is Jikeleza Lodge International Backpackers Hostel rated?
Jikeleza Lodge International Backpackers Hostel Reviews
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+4
LondonroadMa
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Jul 23, 2018
Description
"JIKELEZA LODGE" is an International Backpackers Hostel. You'll find the hostel safe, clean and comfortable offering a true African experience and South African hospitality. It has been designed by travelers for travelers to meet in a home away from home atmosphere. The hostel has a reputation for making you feel welcome and are enthusiastically run by the owners and their manager. The old buildings with all the gleaming wood and warm, atmospheric charm are a stones throw or a quick stomp away from inexpensive and traditional African restaurants, night spots, jazz clubs, pubs, post office, banks, antique shops, 24 hour grocery shopping and flea markets. The owners are fanatical about cleanliness and all the staff are friendly and go out of their way to help you. They offer you a variety of accommodation.
There are single rooms, double rooms (Double bed) and twin rooms (2 single beds), 3, 4 and 5 bed family/group rooms, dorms and camping. The hostel is never crowded and their dorms only have a maximum of 7 beds and at times are smaller. The dorms are mixed, both male and female, and may not be suitable for some local holiday makers who are not conversant with traveling etiquette. You will need a VIP, Bacpac, HI or other backpacker card, a ISIC or student card to stay in the dorms. The kitchen is fully fitted so that you can whip up a quick meal or cook up a storm.
JIKELEZA LODGE are set right in the heart of the old historical Port Elizabeth city and right on the Donkin Heritage walking trail. Here you can walk amongst the many old buildings of yesteryear marveling at the fine architecture and history of the time. If traveling is getting you down then you can relax in their gardens. Grab a beer from their self service refreshment bar and have a braai or eat your breakfast under the cathedral style shady trees. Share your experience with the visiting birds, who frequent the garden often. Our prices vary from 6/7 bed dorms at R115-00pppn, R290-00 for a double/twin (max 2 people), R390-00 for a 3 bed room, R500-00 for a 4 bed room and R195-00 for a single room per night. Limited camping is available at R80-00 pppn.
Facilities
• FREE Wi-Fi
• FREE tea and coffee
• FREE half hour internet
• FREE seventh night OR 4th night half price
• FREE advance booking of accommodation
• FREE booking of tours and safaris
• Range of videos to view at no cost
• Drop off’s at departure points or any place in PE can be arranged
• Hot Showers and bubble baths
• Safe for valuables
• Communal TV lounge
• Large garden with bar-b-que/braai facilities
• Fully equipped warm, Cosy Kitchen
• Full travel/adventure booking facility for anything in Africa
• Internet facilities
• Restaurants on the doorstep
• Serviced and agents for the Baz Bus and Intercape Mainliner Coach
• Close to the worlds fifth oldest test cricket grounds – St Georges Cricket Ground
• Baz Bus drop off/pick up
• Five minutes walk from a 14km nature trail
• Right on the famous Donkin Heritage City Centre Trail
• Special prices on taxis and car hire
• Tours to Addo Elephant National Park, Schotia Lion Safari’s, Amakhala, Kwantu, Seaview and Kragga Kamma Game Parks
• City and Township experiences organized.
• Excellent snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing
• Sandboarding down some of the most exciting and highest sand dunes
• Museums and art galleries with yesteryear and contemporary adventures
• Oceanarium and museum complex
They can organise just about everything for you. From finding out what time of day it is to a five year journey through Africa. We know South Africa better than most South Africans. We are also not bound to any one tour operator, bus or car hire company so we can give you unbiased genuine assistance. We care for You! The travelers say so and the locals say so. Why not give them the opportunity to make your travels a remarkable experience at a great saving." (Coast to Coast magazine)
Location and Contact
Location
• How to get to JIKELEZA LODGE (GPS: 33˚ 57’ 558” S, 25˚ 36’ 52” E)
• From the N2 take the M4/Settlersway (Exit 751B) into the city. Take the Russell Rd off-ramp (Exit 5), and bear right under the freeway. Drive up the hill. Turn left into Rink Street. Travel straight until forced left into Bird Street. First road right into Deare Street and ride into our door if you dare. We are at the T junction of Deare and Cuyler Street.
• The Baz Bus drops you right at our door. If you are arriving by bus, train or airline, give us a call when you arrive and we can arrange for a taxi to collect you from anywhere in Port Elizabeth for your account. It is not far.
Map
Address: 44 Cuyler Street, Central, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Jikeleza Lodge International Backpackers Hostel is listed on the following booking sites:
Hostelworld Booking.com Not listed at HostelsClubWebsite
www.jikelezalodge.co.za
Phone Number:
+27 (0) 41 586 3721
To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Correction Form.
Facilities and Amenities
Digital Nomads
Family-Friendly Hostel
Quiet Rest
Solo Traveller
Bedsheets
Luggage Storage
Parking
Safe Deposit Box
Wi-Fi in Lobby/Commons
Wi-Fi in Rooms
City Tours
Towels
24 Hour Security
BBQ Grill
Bar
Board Games
Book Collection/Exchange
Concierge/Info Desk
Credit Card Payments
Currency Exchange
Entirely Non-Smoking
Evening Entertainment
Food/Restaurant
Hair Dryers
Hot Showers
Kitchen
Laundry
Lounge Area
Movie Library/Rental
Outdoor Seating
Power Point/Sockets in Rooms
TV
Wheelchair Accessible
Airport Pickup
Breakfast
Lockers in Rooms
Pet-Friendly
Service Animals
Genders: Males & Females
Max. Age: All Ages
Min. Age with Parent (private room): All Ages
Min. Age without Parent: 18
Checkout: 10:00 (10 AM)
Curfew: No Curfew
Lockout: No
Maximum Stay: Unlimited
Minimum Stay: 1 night
Open Dates: All Year
Reception Hours: 7 AM - 10 PM (07:00-22:00)
Size: Small (less than 30 beds)
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