Shepherd's Tree Backpackers, Knysna

9.1
4 Reviews

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Shepherd's Tree Backpackers Reviews

One of the newer hostels in Knysna is Shepherd's Tree Backpackers; it also happens to be one of the cheapest in this town that is still one of the most popular stops on backpackers' south coast itinerary despite the devastation to the town and the surrounding forests in a recent fire.

The Location

It's located in the east of town, where Waterfront Drive leaves the lagoon and climbs out of the bay to meet Main Road as it heads out of town toward Plettenberg Bay. It’s a little out of the center of town, but that inconvenience is offset by the lovely views over the lagoon and Thesen Island, all the way to The Heads, where the river enters the ocean.

Shepherd's Tree is around a fifteen-minute walk to the center of town, the minibus taxi station, and the shopping area. The hostel occupies the upper floor of a house with the separate Bodega Café downstairs. A couple of the rooms are offices occupied by separate companies, and the whole complex is known as The Village. Shepherd's Tree Backpackers didn’t have a sign out front when we stayed there, so make sure you know the address, which is displayed on the gatepost, or look for The Village sign.

Rooms and Bathrooms

This tiny place has just two rooms -- a twin and a seven-bed dorm. There are plans to add a family room very shortly, but this is a new project, so the owners have other issues they want to address first. The hostel is very well maintained and cheery; it's managed and run by a chatty and interesting couple who also live on the premises. The dorm beds are rustic, wooden bunks with good, firm mattresses. There is a work table in one corner with several power points, and guests have the use of multi-colored lockers complete with keys.

The dorm and the private twin room share a toilet and a shower over a bath, with hot water provided by a gas geyser. The owners are in the process of changing this to two shower stalls, so this might be the configuration by the time you get there. The important thing is that the water is hot twenty-four hours a day, and there are towels for guests’ use in the bathroom as well as soap.

Common Spaces

At the back of the house, there is an entertainment area where there are high stools at the window overlooking the lagoon and a computer terminal where Netflix is provided; the reception desk is also here. The guests’ kitchen is small, but it is only catering for a maximum of nine guests and so there are enough pots, pans, cutlery, and crockery. Guests will find a kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge, and four-ring gas cooker. Filtered drinking water is also provided, along with free tea, coffee, and sugar. The large back garden is shared with the downstairs café, so guests are free to use it, but not for camping. There is free, fast Wi-Fi available throughout the house, but no TV.

Summary

This is actually one of the best-value places we have stayed in in South Africa. The beds are very cheap, and for the price, we didn’t expect any extras. Free tea and coffee, bath towels, fast Wi-Fi, and access to Netflix make this an absolute bargain. All of this, coupled with long, very interesting conversations with the owners, makes Shepherd's Tree Backpackers a highly recommended choice.
Photos taken by the Hostelz.com reviewer — Genuine photos you can trust.
Front Gate
Outside of Building
Reception Desk
Sitting Area
Kitchen
Back Garden
Bay View from Sitting Area
Twin Room
7-Bed Dorm
+3
#
LondonroadMa
Hostelz.com Staff Reviewer
Published on Aug 11, 2018

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