22 of the best beach backpackers in Southern Africa

Posted by Adel Groenewald on 11 July 2012

Need a beach break? Of course you do. Check out these affordable, beach backpackers in Southern Africa that offer either dorms or single and double rooms at awesome prices.

Swinging poi on the shores of Lake Malawi. Photo by Tyson Jopson

Most of us would by lying when we say that we’ve never caught ourselves daydreaming about an exotic beach holiday; the type consisting of cocktails, parties on the beach and hours spent splashing in an ocean.

Well, your dreams aren’t out of reach. Southern Africa boast some of the most incredible beach backpackers in the world. They are affordable, on the ocean’s doorstep (many surrounded by tropical gardens) and offer a wide range of accommodation options from dorms to single and double rooms. So you don’t have to sleep next to a dirty backpacker if you don’t want to.

22 beach backpackers in Southern Africa

KwaZulu-Natal – Kosi Bay & St Lucia

Thobeka Backpackers, Kosi Bay

Picture rustic rooms shaded by huge trees, connected with wooden walkways only a few feet from the beach. The main attraction is the bar area, with many hammocks and cold beers.
Rates: R110 for a dorm bed, R300 for a double room.
Contact: www.kosi.co.za, [email protected]

Kosi Bay Lodge, Kosi Bay

Rustic stone and thatch chalets that are situated a few hundred meters from Lake Nhlange, a pub that is conveniently named Nhlange Pub, a pool and sun deck shaded by a huge water berry tree and ample opportunity to explore the beautiful Kosi Bay and its surroundings on foot.
Rates: R235 for a double chalet.
Contact: www.kosibaylodge.co.za.

Budget Backpackers, St Lucia

Simple rooms and dorms, surrounded by tropical gardens with monkeys and many birds and the opportunity to go on both ocean and wildlife safaris.
Rates: R110 for a dorm bed, R250 for a double room.
Contact: www.budgetbackpackers.co.za, [email protected].

St Lucia Bib’s, St Lucia

Simple double, dorm and family rooms situated on the banks of the St Lucia estuary with a large braai area and open-air bar beside the rock pool.
Rates: R100 for a dorm bed and R200 for a double room.
Contact: www.bibs.co.za, [email protected].

Eastern Cape – Port St Johns & Coffee Bay

Coffee Shack, Coffee Bay

Double thatched huts and a large dorm room on either side of the Bomvu River mouth with opportunities to hike to Hole in the Wall and explore ancient caves and a bar with dress-up nights.
Rates: R120 for a dorm bed, R300 for a private double room.
Contact: www.coffeeshack.co.za, +27 (0)47 575 2048

Bumvo Backpackers, Coffee Bay

The ‘rondavels’ and thatched dorm rooms are surrounded by tropical gardens and a stones’ throw from the sea. The onsite surf shop will ket you out, or you can go horse riding or attend a drumming workshop at the deck bar.
Rates: R100 for a dorm bed, R200 for a double room.
Contact: www.bomvubackpackers.com

Mdumbi Backpackers, outside Coffee Bay

Stay in traditional-styled Xhosa huts in a rural village 45 minutes north of Coffee Bay and spend your time hanging out on the secluded, rugged beaches (sharing them with local cows) go surfing, snorkelling or hang out at Mdumbi Cafe.
Rates: R115 for a dorm bed, R245 for a double hut.
Contact: www.mdumbi.co.za, [email protected].

Jungle Monkey, Port St Johns

Simple rooms that overlook Port St Johns and a lively bar area with regular live music performances. The owner can take you on hikes and the resident dog will keep you company when you’re not lounging on the untouched beaches.
Rates: R130 for a dorm bed, R320 for a double room.
Contact: www.junglemonkey.co.za, [email protected], 047 564 1517

Amapondo, Port St Johns

Stay in a tropical forest and walk a few steps to Port St Johns’ second beach. After the daily hikes and whale watching you can return for a massage, hammock session, fresh seafood or drinks at the bar.
Rates: R100 for a dorm bed, R250 for a double room.
Contact: www.amapondo.co.za, [email protected], +27 (0)47 564 134

Mozambique – Tofo & Vilanculos

Marimba Secret Gardens, Vilanculos

Marimba Secret Gardens boasts elevated, thatched huts just outside Vilanculos, with tropical gardens on three sides and the beach on the fourth. Take a ride in a traditional fishing dhow or simply while away the hours on the beach during the day and drink local rum during the night.

Rates: R160 for a dorm bed, R500 for a double room.
Contact: mpiprojects.wordpress.com, [email protected]

Baobab Beach Backpackers, Vilanculos

Baobab Beach Backpackers features thatched huts of different sizes and with wooden decks that walk out onto the beach. It also forms a gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. Expect lots of fresh seafood and delicious pizzas.

Rates: R80 for a dorm bed, R200 for a double chalet.
Contact: www.baobabbeach.net, [email protected]

Tofo Beach Backpackers, Tofo

Simple, comfortable rooms and chalets that walk onto Tofo Beach. The communal area has a lounge, book exchange, communal kitchen, braai area, bar and signature fresh fish and chips.

Rates: R100 for a dorm bed, R450 for a double chalet.
Contact: www.tofobeachbackpackers.com, [email protected]

Turtle Cove, Tofo

Owned by a surfer and with a resident yoga teacher, these thatched rooms are a 15min walk away from the beach but has a swimming pool and laid-back lounge and bar area.

Rates: R80 for a dorm bed, R160 per person for a chalet.
Contact: www.turtlecovetofo.com, [email protected]

Malawi – Lake Malawi

Mango Drift, Likoma Island

Thatched huts and chalets that walk out onto the long, white beach of Likoma Island’s western coast, a bar beneath a huge mango tree and non stop access to the fresh waters of Lake Malawi.

Rates: R65 for a dorm bed, R160 for a double chalet.
Contact: www.mangodrift.com, [email protected].

Kande Beach Lodge

Thatched, reed chalets on the shores of Lake Malawi, close to Chinteche on the northern coast, but quite removed from civilisation. Expect lots of hammock-lying, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Rates: R80 for a dorm bed, R210 for a double chalet.
Contact: www.kandebeach.com, [email protected]

Cool Runnings, Senga Bay

Friendly, laid-back guesthouse situated within the vibrant fishing village of Senga Bay. If you’re not enjoying the surroundings, you can volunteer with one of the community projects run by Cool Runings

Rates: R80 for a dorm bed, R100 for a double caravan.
Contact: www.facebook.com/pages/Cool-Runnings-Malawi/183925861628566, [email protected].

Mayoka Village Beach Lodge, Nkhata Bay

Eco-friendly huts on the shores of Lake Malawi and a short walk from the white sands of Chikale Beach. Make use of the free snorkelling equipment, take a canoe out to explore the lake or enjoy a complimentary boat trip once a week.

Rates: R50 for a dorm bed, R100 per person for a double hut.
Contact: www.mayokavillagebeachlodge.com, [email protected]

Zanzibar

Kinazi Upepos, Paje Beach

Double en suite, wooden rooms that walk out onto the perfect white sands and turquoise waters of Paje Beach and boast a wide range of local beers, seafood dishes, snorkelling, diving and a monkey reserve.

Rates: R410 for a double room.
Contact: www.kinaziupepo.com, [email protected]

Kendwa Rocks, Kwendwa

Thatched bandas beneath huge coconut trees with the town of Kwendwa to the back and the ocean to the front. A beach bar, local seafood cuisine, snorkelling, diving and wooden boat rides should keep you entertained.

Rates: R285 for a double banda.
Contact: www.kendwarocks.com, [email protected]

Bush Baby Lodge, Kiwengwa Beach

Small, tatched brick lodge in a remote region of the East Coast, with two open air bars, fresh fish caught daily and easy access to Mnembe Island – one of Zanzibar’s top dive sights.

Rates: R150 for a dorm bed, R320 for a double room.
Contact: www.bbzanzibar.com, [email protected]

Kenya

Nyuma Gereza Hotel, Lamu Island

Refurbished, 18th century building with 10 rooms that are walking distance from the beach and in the centre of Lamu Town. The rates are said to be negotiable.

Rates: R150 per person
Contact: nyumagerezahotel.blogspot.com, [email protected]

Jambo House, Lamu

A traditional building in the heart of Lamu Town with a rooftop bar and opportunities to go on boat rides, snorkel and enjoy braaing on deserted beaches.

Rates: R220 for a double room.
Contact: www.jambohouse.com, [email protected].

*Photo courtesy of Conservation Concepts.

22 of the best beach backpackers in Southern Africa

22 beach backpackers in Southern Africa