Bucket List Worthy Hostels in Africa
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Keep reading for a guide to some of the best hostels in Africa – including real traveler reviews!
It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of staying in hostels. When you stay in a hostel, not only are you able to make new friends to explore with, but you’re also able to save money on your accommodation costs, which can be spent on exciting travel experiences and activities!
If you’re planning a visit to one of the 54 countries in Africa, staying in hostels is a great way to keep your expenses down so that you can spend a bit more on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like a safari in Tanzania or exploring one of the bustling cities like Cape Town. Staying in a hostel doesn’t mean that you’ll have to sacrifice on your accommodation, either – some of the best hostels in Africa feature amenities that rival those found in hotels!
Ready to start planning your trip? Keep reading for reviews on some of the most bucket list-worthy hostels in Africa – all reviewed by real travelers! Hint: Use the handy Table of Contents to jump to your destination – countries are in alphabetical order!
Note: All prices are accurate at the time of publication.
A World in Reach contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a commission at no cost to you! Read my full disclosure here.
Best Hostels in Cape Verde
Mindelo, Sao Vicente, Cape Verde – Simabo’s Backpackers’ Hostel
Recommended by Paulina from Paulina on the Road
- Location: Avenida Vicente Rendall Leite 13, Mindelo 1234, Cape Verde (map)
- Dorms start around $13 USD per night
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book a dorm or private room on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Visting Cape Verde on a solo adventure? You might want to look for a hostel for your affordable stay. One of the hostels famous for its hospitality is Simabo’s Backpackers’ Hostel in Mindelo on Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, which has 9 simple furnished laid back rooms where you can relax after a tiring day of exploring the city. Some of the rooms have a private bathroom, in addition to 3 large shared bathrooms. Simabo Hostel is managed by an animal shelter organization and some of the profits of your stay go directly to the organization, In the courtyard, you can find plenty of cats.
When it comes to a location, that’s where the hostel shines as the distance between the property and the beach is just 10 minutes away. The main square is just 200 meters away, giving you ample opportunity to find new things to do in Mindelo. Lastly, the Cape Verdean government charges 2€ as a tourist tax, which you have to pay separately. Click here to book your stay at Simabo’s Backpackers’ Hostel.
Best Hostels in Morocco
Marrakesh, Morocco – Kasbah Red Castle Hostel
Recommended by Dymabroad
- Location: 3 Derb Riad Kasbah, Marrakech 40000 Morocco (map)
- Dorms start around $6 USD per night
- Free Breakfast
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com
A great hostel in Marrakesh, Morocco is Kasbah Red Castel Hostel. This hostel has a very central location and there are many famous sights within walking distance.
One of the best things about this hostel is that there are great people working there! They are very friendly and ensure that the whole vibe of the place is amazing.
The hostel also has a very beautiful rooftop terrace where you can relax and get to know other travelers. Furthermore, the hostel serves delicious breakfast and dinner is amazing as well. It’s not really a party hostel, yet, it’s definitely a great place to go to connect with others in Marrakesh. If you’re going to stay there, you should also check out these free things to do in Marrakesh!
Click here to book a dorm or private room at Kasbah Red Castle Hostel in Marrakesh.
Best Hostels in South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa – Villa Viva Backpack
Recommended by Claudia Tavani from My Adventures Across the World
- Location: 74 New Church St, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa (map)
- Dorms start around $12 USD
- Free Breakfast with Select Reservations
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on HostelWorld
Villa Viva Backpack (formerly The Backpack Hostel) easily is one of the best hostels in Africa, and where to stay in Cape Town for travelers on a budget. With plenty of dorms as well as private and family rooms, you will have ample choice of accommodation.
There is a very well-equipped kitchen where you can prepare your meals and several living rooms where you can relax and meet other people. The hostel has a sports bar which is a great place to relax and get a drink at the end of a day of exploration. There even is a travel desk where you can book activities, an ATM, and a small shop. Finally, Villa Viva Backpack Backpack strives to run as ecologically as possible. Click here to book your stay at Villa Viva Backpack in Cape Town.
Cape Town, South Africa – The B.I.G Backpackers
Recommended by Antonia from Flashpack Journal
- Location: 18 Thornhill Road Green Point, Cape Town Central 8005 South Africa (map)
- Dorms start around $17 USD per night
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on HostelWorld
The B.I.G Backpackers in Green Point, Cape Town is the perfect hostel for anyone looking for a laid-back stay and a home away from home.
The B.I.G is hands down one of the best hostels I have ever stayed at and it’s my go-to place every time I’m in Cape Town. It’s super laid-back with a great intimate vibe and you feel made welcome instantly.
The hostel is fairly small and it is super easy to meet people at hostel dinners prepared by the lovely staff in their fully equipped kitchen, game nights, and BBQs. They have a tour desk and I found them to be super helpful with everything I needed help with.
The hostel features both mixed and female-only dorms as well as private rooms, some of which have their own terrace. Prices start around $17 USD for a dorm bed and $50 USD for a private room. Click here to book your stay at The B.I.G Backpackers in Cape Town.
Cape Town, South Africa – MOY Guesthouse & Backpackers
Recommended by Rai from A Rai of Light
- Location: 61 Somerset Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8051, South Africa (map)
- Dorms start around $20 USD per night
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Found in the cool suburb of Greenpoint, MOY Guesthouse and Backpackers is a laid back hostel that provides value for money and a great choice for a stay. Its location right on Somerset Road makes this a great spot from which to discover the rest of the city.
With clean, comfortable rooms, it features free WiFi and luxury bunks with a dedicated locker, a power-point with a USB port, and a reading light. Although the bathrooms are small, the rooms are very quiet offering plenty of privacy. An added bonus is the daily breakfast while facilities include a communal courtyard and a front garden to relax in, a modern lounge, and a kitchen. The staff are friendly and more than eager to assist with any travel plans related to the city. Inspired by Africa, the space is charmingly decorated, creating a tranquil and homely atmosphere. Click here to book your stay at MOY Guesthouse & Backpackers in Cape Town, South Africa.
Mdumbi, South Africa – Mdumbi Backpackers
Recommended by Erin from Sol Salute
- Location: Mdumbi Village, Mdumbi South Africa (map)
- Dorms start around $11 USD per night
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay with Mdumbi Backpackers
The Mdumbi Backpackers on South Africa’s Wild Coast is a destination all on its own. The small property is perched on the rolling green hills near cliffs that jut over miles of endless beaches.
The rooms are traditional rondavels and you can rent your own private rondavel or share a dorm – both options are very affordable. There is a kitchen available for self-catering as well as a limited but delicious menu if you’d rather not cook. The vibe is very laid-back. In fact, many guests rise before the sun to surf in the Indian Ocean.
Mdumbi works with the local community. There is a kindergarten on property for the local village children. Locals from the village also offer a wide variety of tours. Staying at Mdumbi will allow you to experience the local community and give back while experiencing the most beautiful region of South Africa. Click here to book your stay at Mdumbi Backpackers in South Africa.
Best Hostels in Tanzania
Moshi, Tanzania – We Travel Hostel
Recommended by Joanna from The World in My Pocket
- Location: Mawenzi Road, near Barclays Bank , Moshi, Tanzania (map)
- Dorms start around $12 USD per night
- Free Breakfast
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
We Travel is one of Moshi’s chilled out hostels, with a beautiful rooftop terrace and their own restaurant in which they serve traditional Tanzanian food.
Located in the center of Moshi, walking distance from all the main points such as the bus station, the market, or the best coffee shops in town, We Travel offers simple accommodation options in dorms and private rooms. The toilets and showers and shared, but offer plenty of privacy as each is in a different room. What makes We Travel special is the great water pressure in the showers, perfect for after you just came back from a dusty budget safari in Tanzania, and the hot, hot water. Click here to book a dorm or private room at We Travel Hostel in Moshi, Tanzania.
Best Hostels in Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge
Recommended by Chisom Evare from Awesome Traveler Blog
- Location: 357 Gibson Rd P.O. Box 151, Victoria Falls 263 Zimbabwe (map)
- Dorms start at $18 USD per night
- Read reviews on TripAdvisor // Book your stay on Booking.com or HostelWorld
Hostels are a great accommodation choice for every adventurer irrespective of if you’re a solo traveler or not. And the Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge in Zimbabwe is a beautiful home away from home where everything is serene.
The hostel is close to lush vegetation that shelter wildlife, so most mornings are greeted with distant roars of lions or the sounds of dramatic hyenas. Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge is not a party hostel, but it is a laid-back place that surprisingly has enough attractions to keep you hooked. These attractions include wildlife tours, physical activities, helicopter rides, river tours, and delicious meals.
The best things about Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge include the fact that it’s affordable, the rooms are tidy, the food is delicious, the swimming pool is always clean, and the internet is good. The cherry on top is the perfect customer service that makes you comfortable enough to forget that it’s a hostel. Click here to book your stay at Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge in Zimbabwe.
With sparkling swimming pools, modern amenities, and cheerful hospitality, the hostels featured in this guide are truly some of the best hostels in Africa. Whether you’d like to stay in a chill hostel meant for relaxing and hanging out or one where you can party from dusk till dawn, you’ll definitely be able to find the perfect hostel for your stay.
Know of another awesome hostel in Africa that’s not featured on this list? Send me an email and it could get added!
Looking for other great hostels around the world? Check out these posts:
- Incredible Hostels in Europe – Recommended by Travelers!
- Amazing Hostels in Australia and New Zealand
- Outstanding Hostels in North, Central, and South America
- The Best Hostels in Asia and the Middle East
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