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Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel

Sani Pass Road, Underberg, South Africa
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Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel
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34 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    16
    14
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Date Rating
Boston, MA
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2013

We stayed two nights and went on the Sani Pass tour with Tzebo. We LOVED the tour and Tzebo was a wonderful guide. As far as the hostel goes, its basic but all amenities you need are available. Beer, cooked food, internet, heavy blankets (it gets chilly) and a large shared bathroom facility make it a comfortable place to stay... More

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TOFF1111, Owner at Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel, responded to this review
27 May 2013

We stayed two nights and went on the Sani Pass tour with Tzebo. We LOVED the tour and Tzebo was a wonderful guide. As far as the hostel goes, its basic but all amenities you need are available. Beer, cooked food, internet, heavy blankets (it gets chilly) and a large shared bathroom facility make it a comfortable place to stay... More

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
5 hotel reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013

We took our American Family to Sani Lodge, on our travels around South Africa, as one of them wanted to experience a "BackPackers" Well what a lovely surprise. We booked two rondavels, and they were very clean, and comfortable. Excellent walks, and great peace. Out in the sticks, Our rondavel (room) was good, the 2nd one, was tiny, but we... More

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TOFF1111, Owner at Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel, responded to this review
27 May 2013

Hi, thank you for submitting a response. The apples are home grown and the apple pie recipe from my Swiss mother. Our own Jersey cows furnish us with scrumptious milk and cream. We are truly blessed to live in the mountains and this is why we love to share nature's bounty with others. More

Jerusalem, Israel
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 April 2013

We stayed 3 nights in camping in Sani lodge, and thought the place was just marvelous. A well equipped kitchen, good grass for the camping, great hiking trails just out the door, nice atmosphere and the fattest cat we have ever seen... Its a bit off the track, and the closest shop is 20 km away, so having a car... More

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TOFF1111, Owner at Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel, responded to this review
27 May 2013

We stayed 3 nights in camping in Sani lodge, and thought the place was just marvelous. A well equipped kitchen, good grass for the camping, great hiking trails just out the door, nice atmosphere and the fattest cat we have ever seen... Its a bit off the track, and the closest shop is 20 km away, so having a car... More

Totnes, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
7 hotel reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 April 2013

We stayed here for 3 nights and had pre-booked a package that included accomodation in a thatched cottage, all meals including packed lunch and two all day excursions with guide. Good value for £160 each. Watching the sun set over the Drakensberg with a beer in hand was something else. Meals were served in the local cafe by friendly staff... More

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TOFF1111, Owner at Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel, responded to this review
27 May 2013

Hello, thank you for posting a review. The guides are indeed passionate about the Drakensberg and Lesotho and we are glad you had the time to partake of some of our tours. More

Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
12 hotel reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 March 2013

We stayed in Sani Lodge in July 2012. Have to say, it was the best place we stayed at in S.A. aside from tenting it in Kruger. Mathew was our guide, he was easily one of the nicest and most sincere people we met. Really great guide. Met some lovely lovely backpackers. The people operating the hostel were so helpful... More

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TOFF1111, Owner at Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel, responded to this review
27 May 2013

Hello , thank you for your review. We have kept our policy of " no TV " since the start of Sani Lodge in 1992 and don't worry , it will not change. Guests do prefer to interact with each other face to face and enjoy a break from the "busyness" of life. More

Swansea, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 March 2013

A real top-quality backpackers. Comfortable, basic, accommodation, interesting people, lots of information, well-run - by a helpful lady called Scholar - and good location. We had a rondavel - comfortable, clean - good value for money. Bit of a knack to the door lock - and our neighbours got locked in! Bring mosquito coils. Food was simple, delicious fayre -... More

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TOFF1111, Owner at Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel, responded to this review
27 May 2013

Hi, thank you for writing a review. The rondavel door locks have been repaired. Sorry for the inconvenience. We do have a natural citronella oil mosquito repellant in the office for these annoying summer insects but thankfully we are situated at too high an altitude for malaria to be a worry. Our non-smoking policy is based on the SA national... More

Köln
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
20 hotel reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 March 2013

We stayed in a Rondaveld at Sani Lodge for two nights. For the rate of 400 R for the double room it was really excellent. The Rondaveld had nice views on the mountain range and a comfortable bed. Behind a wall there was a rather basic but clean bathroom with hot shower. It didnt have a door so there was... More

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TOFF1111, Owner at Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel, responded to this review
27 May 2013

Hi , thank you for your review. We have a curtain separating the bathroom from the sleeping area in each rondavel now for increased privacy, so do come back and visit! As far as running tours up Sani Pass is concerned, the different tour operators have ended up with different philosophies and thus run different vehicles. Our philosophy is to... More

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
16 hotel reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
74 helpful votes 74 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 February 2013

Best kept secret in SA... As locals we are amazed at the affordability of an excellent holiday in our own country. This four star home from home is incredible and lives us to all its reviews, photographs and promises. It is authentic, genuine and real about sustainable tourism supporting local communities. This well oiled 20 year old gem is spotless,... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Durban
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 December 2012

Honestly, nothing to complain about. Tranquil setting, relaxed, informative, comfortable, clean. Would definately stay again! Wonderful veranda for sipping coffee or wine overlooking sani pass. Perfect location for hikes

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Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 December 2012

Set in the picturesqueness Drakensberg, this backpacker offers everything you want and more! Very comfy beds, a warm communal area, plenty of showers and 3 levels of hikes on the doorstep. A stones throw away from the Sani Pass and Lesotho. I would recommend this place to anyone!

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Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Leisure Resort
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Additional Information about Sani Lodge Backpackers Hostel

Address: Sani Pass Road, Underberg, South Africa
Region: South Africa > KwaZulu-Natal > Underberg
Amenities:
Free Parking Children Activities Restaurant
Hotel Style:
Ranked #3 of 12 Speciality lodging in Underberg
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Sani Lodge Backpackers is a FOUR STAR BACKPACKERS ( TOURISM GRADING COUNCIL SOUTH AFRICA) and is also certified with FAIR TRADE AND TOURISM .It is situated on the Sani Pass bordering onto the Drakensberg Park World Heritage site. Run by owners Simone and Russell since 1992 - makers of organic food produce and writer of backpacker's guide book to Lesotho. Offering a wide range of accommodation from camping, dorm beds, standard rooms, en-suite rondavels, family cottages, group facility. All rooms serviced daily and all bedding including feather duvets provided. A homely, laid back, peaceful haven. Relax on the new wooden deck with a view of the mountains of Lesotho or in front of a log fire at night. Home cooked meals available - breakfast, light lunches and dinner (latter to be ordered and confirmed in advance). Craft shop supporting small scale entrepreneurs, free WIFI, laundry services. Drakensberg adventures booking office on-site offering action-packed eco-tourism tours up Sani Pass into Lesotho from 1-6 days including pony trekking, hiking, cultural interaction with the hospitable Basotho people. Also guided hikes to rock art. Great base to explore Lesotho, experience the mountains on foot, mountain bike up Sani Pass, bird watch, photo wild flowers, chill in the sun and enjoy the peace. Try out Sani Lodge chocolate cake and their fresh Jersey cow milk. Simply delicious. ... more   less 

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