The Backpack Hostel Cape Town

The Backpack is not merely Cape Town’s oldest backpacker hostel — it is a landmark of responsible independent travel in southern Africa, the first accommodation on the African continent to receive Fair Trade accreditation and a consistent leader in sustainable tourism practices since its founding in 1990. Located in the Gardens neighborhood, the property offers a wide range of accommodation from dormitory beds to private en-suite rooms for couples and families, all supported by excellent shared facilities including a pool bar, communal kitchen, garden terrace, and lively common room. Free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping are standard throughout. The tour desk is one of the most comprehensive in Cape Town, capable of arranging everything from township cultural tours and winelands day trips to shark cage diving, the Cape Peninsula round trip, and overland expeditions into Namibia and Botswana. The Backpack’s reputation for social responsibility and community engagement means guests can also participate in volunteer programs and local community projects during their stay. The Gardens neighborhood location provides easy access to Long Street nightlife, the city bowl’s cultural institutions, and daily shuttle connections to the V&A Waterfront.