Back in Africa - Hand-picked travel information for the best holidays in South Africa & Botswana

Gibela Backpackers Lodge, Durban
One of the older, established backpackers in Durban, it's, quite frankly, one of the best!
Location: Type: Backpackers	Price Range: Budget > R200 pps Atmosphere: Informal Relaxed Casual

Guest Rating:

Our Rating:

Official Grading:

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About

Gibela in Zulu means to " Hop on", but perhaps it should mean " Hop off and stay".

This lodge is one of the oldest backpackers in Durban and one of the nicest. The owner and staff care and it shows. It shows in the cleanliness of the facilities and the smile on guests' faces.

The Lonely Planet remarked in 2006: "Housed in a stylish haystack-coloured 1950s building with a Tuscan feel, this place takes a lot of beating. It has tasteful ethnic decor throughout, shower heads the size of dinner plates, bathroom floors you could eat off, and a friendly, personable feel in a secure location, close to Florida Road".

Sustainability though is what its all about and they were graded with 4 stars by the South African Grading Council in March 2008. Hard work does pay off and the lodge also won the" South African Tourism Welcome Awards - Backpacking" in 2008.

Stop Press: Gibela Backpackers Lodge is a finalist in the 2010 AA Travel Guides and American Express Accommodation Awards: Backpackers Accommodation Category. Well done, guys!

Guest Ratings & Reviews

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Contact Details

Contact Person: Elmar Neetling
Email: gibela@gibela.co.za
Website: http://www.gibelabackpackers.co.za
Cellphone:
Phone: +2731 303 6291
Fax:
Street: 119 Ninth Avenue, Morningside, Durban
City: Durban
State: KwaZulu Natal
Country: South Africa

Directions

Directions:

From the Durban International airport / South Coast / Wild Coast

Follow the signs direction Durban and N2 North.
Keep left direction Stanger, North Coast & Pietermaritzburg.
+/- 10 km at big intersection follow signs to Durban City. As you enter Durban keep in the middle lane.
Take the Ridge Road / Tollgate / Berea off ramp. (Half Moon bridge)
Cross over Ridge Road and continue direction of the city, keep in
left lane - this is Berea Road North.
Continue over Musgrave Road and turn left into Botanic Gardens Road.
Pass The Botanical Gardens, now called Cowey Road.
Pass Bread Ahead Bakery & Woolworths Food store.
Cross over Marriot Road and at the next traffic light turn right down
Clarence Road. Second left is 9th Avenue.
We are on the left - no 119 Ninth Avenue (Silver steel car gates)

Facilities

- Self Catering kitchen equiped with microwave, fridge and gas stove
- Internet - ADSL Connection
- Guest telephone
- Book Exchange & Library
- Credit Cards accepted - Master, Visa and American Express
- Luggage Storage
- Travel Desk and Info
- Bureau De Change
- Off street parking
- Iron and Hair Dryer - R5-00 hire

Meals

Breakfast is included.
Self-service tea and coffee is available.
Fully equipped kitchen available.
Loads of good restaurants in the area.

Attractions

Durban City attractions:
* uShaka Marine World
* Botanical Garden
* Golden Mile Beaches
* Funky Florida Road

Accommodation

No. of rooms: 9
Pricing: Budget > R200 pps
Children Policy:
No children under 12
Usual Guests:

Singles
Independent travellers

Best time to visit:
This is Durbs which means anytime is good. Summer gets hot and sticky but thats what the ocean and cocktails are for.
Winter is temperate and sunny, but the water is still warm so hey?

What to pack:
For summer think Miami or SE Asia so go for light tropical. You're always safe in Durban in shorts and sandals and casual was invented here.
Winter think European summer and pack a warm jacket for the evenings.

Atmosphere:

Informal
Relaxed
Casual

Why visit Gibela Backpackers Lodge

Best Features: Has the experience of time, so is geared to give you a hasstle-free, good time in Durban. Clean and efficient.
Not full to the brim with loud, inebriated gap-year kids.

Bear In Mind: Non-smokers lodge.
This lodge is not a full on party place. It suits the laid-back, mature (and classy?) traveller more.

Things to Do and See

Great advice from Staff about lots to do and see in and around Durban.
The Indian Ocean here is warm year round so even in winter the swimming is great.The Beaches are wonderful
If you haven't experieced wildlife yet then ask about trips to the game parks in the north such as Hluhluwe iMfolozi.

Low season

Dorm Rooms    R135 pp Sun- Thurs
6 Bed                R145 pp Fri & Sat

Twin Rooms     R165 pp Sun- Thurs
2 single beds   R175 pp Fri & Sat

Single                R275 pp Sun- Thurs
                         R300 pp Fri & Sat

Mid season

Peak season

Dorm Rooms    R150 pp Sun-Thurs Prices from 1/11/2009
6 Bed                R150 pp Fri & Sat

Twin Rooms     R200 pp Sun- Thurs
2 single beds   R200 pp Fri & Sat

Single               R300 pp Sun- Thurs
                          R300 pp Fri & Sat

Specials

Depends on season and availability. Ask politely, you never know what might be available to nice people

Terms & Cond

Terms & Conditions
Ask on booking

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