Jikeleza International Backpacker Lodge

The staff were friendly and helpful, but the condition of the hostel was shocking. The bedding had suspicious stains and the place was generally grimy. Years-old reviews already said it needed a major overhaul, yet it seems nothing has changed in 9 years. Even our guide was shocked we were staying there and worried about our safety. When we arrived, our baz bus driver warned us about the area and told us not to go out on foot AT ALL. I hope this saves someone else from booking. It isn't worth the cheap price, and I strongly recommend staying away.

Jikeleza Lodge is comfortable, especially in the rainy season. Maybe it's the backyard view and the tree that make it feel cosy. A few things could be better: the stars are slippery, someone upstairs keeps moving chairs at night, and the steep bathtub is weird. Still, it has a comfortable vibe.

The staff were very friendly, but our room was damp and the mattresses were badly worn. The sheets didn't smell fresh either, so we didn't feel comfortable and wouldn't recommend staying here. The building is very outdated and really needs a makeover.

The room itself looked clean, but the bed had a strange smell. The duvet had suspicious dirty stains and was too thin, so I was cold all night. The extra duvet was dirty too, and I had to choose the less dirty one. Staff were friendly when I arrived, but I can't say I fully enjoyed the stay.