The Mantis & Moon Backpackers, Umzumbe

Amazing Lodge, will be back!

Its amazing place n joyfull ienjoyed working at this lodge and cant wait to go back and meet wonderfull fellaz....dorothy malawian

The Mantis & Moon Backpacker Lodge is a vibrant jungle hostel for surfers, party people, and yoga admirers.

The Location

The Mantis & Moon Backpacker Lodge is located approximately a hundred kilometers south of Durban on the coast. It is easy to get there by car; parking is not a problem. Many travelers in South Africa use the BazBus to travel safely -- this special bus made for mainly young, international travelers will drop you off safely at the hostel and pick you up from there. The hostel is located on a very quiet street in a quiet neighborhood with some holidays houses, so it is difficult to get there by public transportation other than the BazBus. Rides into town to go grocery shopping can be organized from the hostel. A blue flag beach is just around the corner, less than five minutes to walk.

Rooms and Bathrooms

There are a variety of rooms. Double cabins and en suite cabins are available as well as normal dorms, a jungle hut, and a tee-pee tent. Moreover, there are also really cool treehouse cabins out of wood in between the banana trees, with a super jungle atmosphere. Unfortunately, the treehouse cabin with six beds is not very spacious -- there's little room to unpack your backpack, but some shelves are available. The balcony is very nice and perfect to dry wet clothes after surfing. One toilet and one shower are on the ground flour of the treehouse cabin, they are clean and in good condition.

Another highlight is the glass cabins with a double bed. Even though there are curtains, it feels like there is no wall between you and jungle. There's also a luxurious bathtub where you can relax.

Common Spaces

A big plus is the huge variety of common spaces. The kitchen is well equipped and kept clean. A simple breakfast can be bought there. Next to the kitchen is the living room with a TV, a table with magazines, a bookshelf with international books to borrow and DVDs to watch. Comfortable couches are inviting -- you can hang out or use the good Wi-Fi connection.

Moreover the highlights of this jungle hostel include the well-equipped bar, the jungle shop with gifts, a nice jacuzzi to look where you can look at the stars at night, a pool to cool down on hot days, and table tennis and a pool table. The hostel can be quite social -- the nights at the bar can be loud and long. Some nights there is dinner or braii -- the South African version of BBQ -- offered.

The jewel of the hostel is its own yoga studio. It seems like an open-air studio because it is surrounded by trees and plans that are visible though the windows. Hatha and vinyasa yoga classes are offered on a regular basis.

Summary

On the one hand, this is a vibrant party hostel with long party nights. On the other hand, it is a great place to relax, go surfing, or do yoga. Unfortunately it is a very isolated place, with no shopping and few activities possible if you don't come by car, so bring your own groceries. This is a good place for travelers who are into surfing, partying, or doing yoga.

BedBugs

This place is dirty. You'll remember it for all the wrong reasons. The staff is ok, and the food not bad, but the linens are not clean and the fleas/bedbugs WILL get you. This place doesn't compare to backpackers in places like Jeffreys Bay/Umthatha.

Bloody marvelous

there's no way you won't want to be back! it's absolutely impossible to describe and i cant wait to buy my next ticket to paradise!

Fantastic

This is one of the best, if not the best hostel I have ever stayed at. Not only is the location (among so many trees) just great, but it has a very vibey bar, and the staff is so friendly and helpful that I felt right at home. And even though we are an older couple and don't party as hard, we still loved this place. The big treehouse with two-person bath is a must if you want something romantic.

The Mantis & Moon Lodge is set within a jungle, or so it feels. The main house, cabins, bar, and treehouses are set within many tropical trees -- all accessible via wooden plank pathways. There is a rock pool, jacuzzi, and a very lively bar. Four dogs and three cats also roam the premises and make themselves at home. This hostel serves a meal at night for a cost -- ask the office what the meal of the day is. This is very convenient as you don't have to go and find a restaurant (not easy when you don't have a car).

The Location

This hostel is located in Umzumbe, a small coastal town on the South Coast of Kwazulu Natal, and is very easy to find when you have a car. It is just minutes away from the ocean, but quite far from restaurants and shops. It is also a BAZ bus stop that goes from backpacker to backpacker, as a way of transport around South Africa. There is parking, but very limited, and it's not easy to park when there are a few cars.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The main house has dorm rooms with separate bathrooms, but on the premises among the trees are the doubles, double-ensuites and the three treehouses. All of these except one are wooden cabins and very cozy. The treehouses are all different sizes, ranging from a tent on a platform to a small treehouse with ensuite bathroom to a big treehouse with veranda (and chairs) and a two-person bath (very romantic!). All the facilities and the premises are well maintained and clean, and the doubles have good locks on the door. They also have a safe to keep all valuables.

Common Spaces

This hostel has a communal kitchen with small dining table, cozy lounge, outside wooden tables (eating area), and the lively bar. They also have table tennis, pool table, and internet. This is a very social hostel that gets very busy on a weekend. But at the same time it is also very relaxed and has the feel of a group of friends getting together for a party. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

Summary

This is a great place. You don't see the ocean, but you can hear it, and its only two-minute walk away. It is secure with dogs roaming and security gate when entering. The monkeys come and play early in the mornings in the trees and this can be very noisy (keep the windows closed as they can cause havoc). There is so much to do from here, and the staff is very helpful in booking activities.

Very cool place! Frendly and helpful staff. Very relaxing!

What an outstanding place, which we never wanted to leave. One of the best hostels we've ever stayed in. Great vibe, nice staff and dogs, velvet monkeys, palm trees, pool, Jacuzzi. . .a backpackers heaven!!!