Hostel in a beautiful and chilling area
To visit Northern Drakensberg, you have some options of places to stay. One option is Harrismith, the biggest city of the area. Another option is staying at the reserve, inside Royal Natal Park.
The best option, though, is staying at Amphitheatre Backpackers. It´s the only hostel in the area, and it´s easy to go from there to the mountains.
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WHY IT´S A GOOD HOSTEL
Amphitheatre Backpackers is more than a hostel, it´s almost a resort! It has a huge external area, with a stunning view of the Amphitheatre and mountains around it.
It´s isolated from the big cities, so it´s a perfect place for chilling! It has swings where you can just seat and relax enjoying the view, a cool rock pool and even sauna and a Jacuzzi!
They also have pool and table tennis tables, and a barbecue area (braai).
Another cool thing is that they have guests kitchens – more than one! There are small kitchens inside the dorms, and also a big one for all the guests.
Bloggers tip: the hostel is in an isolated area, don´t forget to go to the supermarket before going there, you won´t find shops around it.
The restaurant is very good, they serve delicious meals all day long. The breakfast is not included in the accommodation price. The dinner, which should be booked in advance, costs 145 rands (Aug/16) and includes the entrance, the main dish and the dessert.
he hostel also has a great bar, very good for meeting people. You can´t take alcoholic drinks to the hostel, as they´re a licensed bar, but they do sell beer and drinks for a fair price.
The wifi works better around the restaurant, bar and reception, and it´s not included in the accommodation price.
They also have a small shop where you can buy local art crafts, snacks and toiletries.
Bloggers tip: Travel safe using the best travel insurance, which covers even adventure sports! Get a quote here
DORMS AND ROOMS
The hostel Amphitheatre Backpackers has very comfy rooms and dorms, spacious and well equipped, mostly spread in chalets around the hostel area.
The dorms are big, for lots of people, and have private bathroom, lockers and a small kitchen.
The rooms are beautifully decorated, with a porch/balcony, heater, fan, towels, shelves/wardrobe, coffee and tea facilities and a very comfortable bed. Some of the rooms have a private bathroom.
The prices are from 170 rands for the dorms, and from 180 rands per person at the private budget rooms (Nov/16). You can also camp there.
HIKES AND TOURS
The hostel organizes hikes and tours, such as the hike to Cathedral Peak or Tugela Falls, or the tour to Lesotho. Every day there´s something happening, but you gotta adjust yourself to their schedule. You can find more info about this here.
I´d suggest you spend at least 3 days there, so that you can enjoy the hikes and tours, and also the hostel structure/facilities.
They also organize a great festival there, the Smoke Dragon, twice a year. Check it out here.
LOCATION
The hostel is in an isolated area, approximately half way between Durban and Johannesburg (3 hours from each of them). The nearest city is Harrismith – to read about how to get there, check it out here.
HOW TO BOOK IT
To find more info about the hostel, or to book your accommodation, check here their site.
How about you? Have you already been to Drakensberg and have some cool tips about it? Or do you plan to visit it and have some doubts? Share your ideas leaving a comment here!
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Planning your trip:
– Travel Insurance: travel safe using the best travel insurance that covers even adventure sports – get a quote here
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The blogger stayed at Amphitheatre Backpackers by invitation of the hostel. I’d like to thank again for the opportunity, and also make it clear that all the opinions present here are independent and personal.
