Salty Jackal Backpackers & Surf Camp

Exceptional

✓ The staff were super friendly and helpful. There is definitely a nice atmosphere at this hostel and the place is in a great location. Plenty of activities can be arranged directly through the hostel and I really liked the pets. I would highly recommend staying here.

Fabulous

✓ Super nice Vokunteers, location is super.

I had a wonderful time. Thankyou very much for looking after me. The lasagna was amazing.

✓ Family home vibe

✗ Nothing. it was amazing.

Great location, chill vibes, a must stay!

✓ Fantastic friendly staff, plenty of activities available and close to the action

✗ Brief power outage, but alternative charging options made available

Excellent

✓ Everything

Sharehouse vibes, surfing focus

✓ Well located, close to shops, restaurants and the beach. Not your typical backpackers, more like a social sharehouse of 20 & early-30 somethings - which makes sense, given their focus on surfing specifically. For some, this is definitely a home away from home, with guests and volunteers staying longer periods of time. But it might not be for everyone, especially if you’re after more Namibian travel tips and onward advice.

✗ The limited bathrooms have already been noted by previous reviews, but this is a known piece of feedback already being worked on.

Disappointing

✓ I am older traveller who booked into a backpackers - so I started with exceptionally low expectations. lots of charm- Staff were great except they didn’t do anything to try and solve the situation except shrug and smile.

✗ the dorm sleeps 8 people literally in a garage with a garage door. ( not a problem. ) But one tiny window on the back wall. no through draft . infested with flies and Mozzies - ( they do provide spray ) NO FAN. NO AiR Circulation. a simple ceiling fan and a vent on the door would create a draft. a room like that with such poor ventilation for 8 people would be illegal. I question would it have been hard to provide a fan. wjen I wanted to add a night it went up from R 600 to R 3521 ( granted in a single room ) but still in a backpackers.

Fantastic, small, friendly hostel with great, relaxed staff, reasonably close to centre and beach.

✓ Salty Jackal Backpackers is so nice, friendly and relaxing, I stayed 3 nights more. A small hostel roughly 20 minutes walk to the centre. Hostel has a nice courtyard with wooden tables and chairs and a comfy sofa to relax and /or meet other travellers. Hostel has 1 6-bed mixed dorm with wooden bunk beds. Private rooms are also available. A basic breakfast is included in the price and includes sireals, toast with butter-jam, eggs, tea/coffee, available between 7-9 am daily. Tea/coffee is available for free at all times. Reception closes at 8 pm, but the reception building is open 24/7. The hostel is fenced and a key is given to enter and exit both the hostel and dorm/private rooms. Dorm beds have plug and USB sockets next to bed, also a small light for reading. Lockers in dorm and a few hooks on the wall for hanging clothes, etc. Small mat on the floor. Large table in centre of the dorm. 2 bathrooms, one in the reception building, with toilet, paper provided. One shower in a bath and one sink. Plenty of shampoo/shower jell available, rails for hanging clothes/towels. Shower has hot water, reasonable power. Second bathroom is down some steps and around the back. A large bathroom with toilet, sink and shower in a bath. Toilet paper provided. Washing machine is in this bathroom. Staff can wash clothes, but a little expensive, about UK £10 per wash. Dry outdoors in courtyard. The hostel feels fairly secure and has two dogs that usually bark upon hearing/seeing anyone approaching the gate. There is also a back entrance with a free onsite car park. Dorm prices are reasonable, roughly 16 or 17 Euros per night, but increase during mid December to early January. Mainly young German staff who speak good English and are very friendly, helpful and help me organise tours and give good directions to the centre and to restaurants. Hostel has a small kitchen. Good fast free WiFi. A very friendly, relaxed hostel with a nice vibe. Would stay again.

✗ Only two bathrooms and can be a long wait to use toilet if a guest is using shower. No rubbish bin in dorm. Bit of a walk to the town centre. Not the best hostel to stay at if people don't like or are afraid of dogs. Breakfast finishes at 9 am.