Jembjo's Knysna Lodge & Backpackers

The private rooms are nice, and the hostel staff were very friendly. The dorm was not very quiet at night because there was no door separating it from the communal area. The bathrooms also lacked proper doors, so privacy was limited. It was fine for one night, but I wouldn’t stay longer.

The owners are fun to talk to, and the backyard patio is a nice place to spend time. It’s a pleasant environment in an excellent, safe location. The dorms feel a bit tight, though, and the school next door gets noisy around 8:30 in the morning. Light sleepers will definitely need ear plugs.

We were there for two nights, and the staff were really friendly and helpful. They gave us good advice about how to spend our day in the area. There’s a nice patio and a pretty big shared kitchen and common area. Free tea and coffee are available all day, and breakfast is served from 7.30 to 9.30. It’s simple, with toast, jam, butter, fruit, biscuits and boiled eggs. The dormitory was comfortable enough, though the toilet area didn’t offer much privacy. There wasn’t a proper door, just a sliding plastic one separating it from the dorm.

It’s a basic, clean hostel in a handy spot, just 2 blocks from the waterfront. My understanding is that they only have mixed dorms, so that may not suit everyone. The building is in good condition but could use updating, especially the shower and toilet areas. There’s an 1980s feel to it, with wood panelled doors and the like. The slotted doors are partly open, which means less privacy than you’d want. Since the dorm is mixed, there should be a separate place to change, not just the shower, which is usually wet.