The Backpack, Kaapstad, Zuid-Afrika

South Africa's original award-winning hostel and travel centre is simply the best place to stay. With all the facilities you can expect from a great hotel, such as stylishly decorated Afro-chic rooms offering superior comfort and quality, with shared or en-suite bathrooms, private electronic safes and in-house ATM.

Making a difference is more than just an initiative of The Backpack, it is the way we are, the way we work and the way we live! By staying with us, you will be making a difference to the lives of many children.

Stay in touch in our internet cafe or use WiFi throughout the hostel; swim in the pool with a stunning view of Table Mountain, or meet like-minded international travellers in our buzzy Café / Bar.

Long Street, gorgeous Clifton and Camps Bay beaches, Table Mountain, V&A Waterfront and the city centre are all just a stone's throw away.

Check out the weekly South African barbeque, Build-a-Burger night or join in the fun at the daily happy hour from 6 to 7pm.

The Hostel has been accredited by Fair Trade in Tourism (a trade mark awarded to businesses that adhere to fair trade criteria, fair wages and working conditions, fair operations, purchasing and distribution of benefits, ethical business practices and respect for human rights, culture and the environment)

WE OFFER:

FREE Internet 20MB per guest per day WiFi or 30 minutes Broadband

Cafe/Bar - delicious meals served from 7:30 till late

ATM machine on site

Meet and greet airport shuttle service available at an additional cost

Fully equipped self-catering kitchen

24-hour check-in

24-hour security

Satellite Sports Channel TV

All major credit cards, AMEX travellers' cheques and major foreign currencies accepted

Children welcome in private rooms and only those that can swim

OUR AWARDS:

Independent winner for Best Practice - Economic Impact - Imvelo Awards 2011

Independent winner for Best Single Resource Management Program in Waste Management - Imvelo Awards 2011

Winner of 2011 AA Quality Assured Accommodation Award - Backpackers Accommodation

Awarded Best Hostel in South Africa 2010, 2009 & 2008 by Hostelworld customers

Awarded 2nd place for Best Hostel in Africa 2010; and 3rd Best Hostel in Africa 2009 & 2008 by Hostelworld Customers

One of the World's Top 10 Coolest Hostels! Guardian August 2010

One of the Top 10 places to stay - Lonely Planet 2010

Winners of the Welcome Awards 2010 - South Africa's most prestigious award

VOLUNTEER PROJECTS

We have a soccer and reading project which we run Monday to Thursdays. If you would like to play soccer or help children with their homework please contact us.

WE OFFER INTERNSHIPS TO HOTEL & TOURISM STUDENTS

OUR COMMUNITY PROJECT

We sponsor a sports program in a community riddled with drugs and gangsterism. Join us for a day to see what we are up to. Bring your old soccer boots with you.

KNITTING

We keep a basket of wool in our café and lounge. Knit a square or two while you are here - we sew it up and with your help another orphaned baby will be warm. If you have some wool lying about your or your grandmother's house, bring it along!!

WRITE-UPS

Not too laid back, not too loud, guests love The Backpack and it's easy to see why. For years it has stayed ahead of the crowd by constantly adapting, yet always offering top notch accommodation for the price and wonderfully clued-up service from its desk - Lonely Planet

'The most comfortable and best-run in town........one of the best backpacker travel centres around. Recommended.' - Footprints