Sani Pass Lodge, Backpackers & Camping | Hostel

March 29th, 2024 by Dorege

Very very unwelcoming people at reception three woman not even raising their heads when we enter and say hello..
To camp you have to go to a totally rundown campsite. They sit on a réputation of highest pub in Africa with no direct competition. Such a shame ! Run away from this place

January 14th, 2024 by antoinerey1

Slept at the backpackers. R375 for a bed dorm. The kitchen is huge, with free tea.
Electricity from the generator from 17:00 to 22:00 (only two plugs available in the kitchen). Clean ablutions.
The reception is situated at the lodge, 700m away, where you can have a stunning view on the Sani Pass. Pub and restaurant there, with slow wifi.
Nice hikes to do around.

September 10th, 2022 by peterjacqueline

stony campground behind backpackers, small bathroom area, very epic sunrise at nearby sanipass pub, paid 390 rand for two persons, cold and windy but awesome

February 19th, 2022 by samgdickinson

We stayed at the backpackers a short drive away from the lodge for approx 700 rand pp including a three course meal at the lodge which allowed us to make the most of the bar until late at night, which was lovely. The backpackers itself is more like a mountain refuge, well equipped with a large communal living space with a fire, and great communal kitchen. There was a big group who'd just returned from hiking and the walls are pretty thin so we were kept up quite late but nothing unexpected for a backpackers on a weekend. Would recommend

January 4th, 2020 by @ala.in.africa

Paid 190pppn. Actual campsite located away from the lodge and the pass, in the middle of the village. We had local kids observing us set up but none came to beg or bother. Best levelled spot is in front of the kitchen which also means noise if other campers or backpackers are inconsiderate. Great kitchen but no heating. Very loud power generator up to 10pm. In the morning there was no water at all. Ablutions were clean but ladoes shower was more of a spray than a shower. Pub food and drinks overpriced Would not stay there again and rather stay at the bottom of the pass in the Sani Lodge Backpackers which looks really good.

January 2nd, 2020 by chasingborders.com

New dorm prices as of 01.11.2019:

Dorm bed: R 305 pp
Dorm bed w/ breakfast: R 470 pp
Dorm bed w/ dinner: R 600 pp
Dorm bed w/ both meals: R 755 pp

Dorm rooms could use some upgrades, squeeky beds and doors making a lot of sound when closing. Nice common areas and decent ablutions. However it's the view which is the main attraction here!

October 9th, 2019 by baroudeursdesens.com

Wonderfull view. Kitchen and living room avaible. Ablutions simple. Facilities from the lodge at 500 m very apprecied : wood fire, wifi, nice living room and staff friendly. A little expensive for what it is 165 R. The Sani Pass road for the border is wonderfull. Amazing scenery’s .

July 2nd, 2019 by Beep Beep Africa

Camping is 165 ZAR pppn. As others have said is not very flat and it's windy. There are 2 buildings, one with kitchen and toilets (quite cold in July) and the other with rooms and a living room with fireplace.

June 19th, 2019 by timburkephoto

very basic living quarters. Cool though because it's feels like it's part of an above-tree line village. bring your own food/ water.

there is a bar /restaurant but the hours are funky and is relatively pricey.

dorm room was 275R I think

May 27th, 2019 by unknown-roads.com

Dorm is 275R during the week and 310 at weekends. It was already getting when i was there.
The rooms have no heater (only if you bring your own gas bottle) but thick blankets.
Power from 17-22h with generator. Kitchen and ablution is simple but ok.
The whole place is nice but overpriced for my taste.
Pub closed also at 20. It was the only really warm place...

March 3rd, 2019 by quirin

Everything as said before. Camping is 165 Rand pppn which is much to experience. Landscape is beautiful!

January 6th, 2019 by unimogi.de

It‘s a nice place, but you don’t have the view like the lodge because you stay in the village but only 500 meters away. Quite expensive for what you get at 150 ZAR pppn. You have to find an even spot in front of the Backpackers - Not so easy 😄 but the people in the village were really nice! Clean abolutions and good kitchen. 👍

February 2nd, 2018 by Warthog&PenguinOnSafari

This place blew me away. One of the most breathtakingly beautiful locations I have ever camped at - I didn’t want to leave! Basic camping in the shelter of large (uninteresting!) buildings, with full access to backpackers facilities (kitchen, braai, bins, fluching toilet, hot shower, etc). All set among local herdsmen and staff in traditional accommodation. A very short walk to a great pub/restaurant with good WiFi and truly spectacular scenery. Chalets also available.
Shame the actual backpackers staying when we were there turned the whole kitchen into a total pig sty before leaving. Although not the staff’s fault they weren’t particularly quick to pick up on the problem and resolve it either.

November 22nd, 2017 by edwargcharris

Great pit stop for food and photos. Lovely views. Great staff. Friendly and helpful. Rooms nice and clean. Good atmosphere.

September 6th, 2017 by afrika-drimslar.de

Everything as stated below. Very windy, almost stormy when we visited even though we camped behind their Stone Wall. Price now is 105 ZAR pppn.

September 1st, 2016 by rapsvonrapsen

Campsite at the backpackers, 500 meters from the lodge, sheltered from the wind by a stone wall. You are pretty much camping in the middle of the village with local people, horses, goats and dogs passing by. Fully equiped kitchen with hot water and stove both running on gaz. You should ask them to switch the electricity on when checking in at the lodge reception. Wi-Fi at the lodge with amazing view of the Drakensberg and the windy road going down the Same pass. Hiking and horse riding available. Camping price remains 95 Rand pppn.

October 9th, 2015 by overlandingfamily.com

Camping outside the backpackers at the top of the pass? Can use the backpacker facilities. Windy and not much flat space but a beautiful spot. 95 rand per person.