Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya
#3 of 179 hotels in Nairobi
Guests' ChoiceBased on 69 hostel reviews
9.2Cleanliness
9.2
Comfort
9.2
Location
9.1
Facilities
9.0
Staff
9.7
Value for money
9.4
Free WiFi
7.5
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Showing 1 – 25
Reviewed: 21 May 2024
Anne
United StatesFriendly and helpful. Great breakfast
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: 19 May 2024
Maria
GermanyThe hostel is located in Westlands, which is a very convenient location for getting around. There is a mall very close by where you can find everything you need. The staff at the hostel are very helpful and provide valuable tips. They can also help you book safaris or other trips directly through them. The breakfast offered is very good. There is also good WiFi for remote workers. The common area in the garden makes it easy to connect with other travelers. I had a perfect stay at the Jabulani Hostel.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 15 May 2024
Joanie
United KingdomThis hostel is excellent and I loved my stay there. I was a solo female traveller, working remotely for 4 weeks and wanted somewhere where I could meet people, was pretty central, and would be comfortable to have as a base during that time. Jabulani exceeded my expectations in all respects. The vibe is warm and friendly - everyone greets you and says hi, and it's really easy to find people to hang out with. This is helped by the shared spaces which are lovely and really well arranged for sparking conversations. Susan is a host like no other. Truly. She gave me a couple of super important tips that made travel in Kenya much easier, was really helpful with advice, and taught me so much about African politics in general, and Kenyan politics in particular. The ease of connecting with other guests meant that I found a travel-buddy and new life-long friend. Breakfasts are brilliant. Nutricious and delicious, the wifi is good for emails and for work that needs more bandwidth there are lots of really lovely cafe's either in walking distance, or a short taxi-ride away. You can book short safari's (3 days to the Masai Mara) and hikes (to Mount Kenya) at the hostel, and these are very reasonably priced. Also, Nairobi has so much to see and explore. In 4 weeks (with about 10 days elsewhere), I've barely scratched the surface. Highly recommend the Ngong Forest and the National Museum of Kenya (and the gift shop there sells very reasonably priced local products) I booked this hostel because the reviews were excellent, and they were absolutely correct. Will be coming back!!
Stayed in May 2024
Reviewed: 6 May 2024
Tatiana
United Arab EmiratesReally nice if you are a solo traveler, located near a lot of places
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 18 April 2024
Robbie
United StatesThe shower head on the first floor didn't have the best pressure.
The atmosphere here is amazing. Susan has created such a homey space. I have visited many types of hostels but this gives the very classic vibe where people are brought together and share space and respect is had. The modern hostels are too closed off and the party hostels can be short draining. This is the perfect mix. Loved all the different 'nights' she had from game night to trivia night. She knows how to host and help all her guess. The daily breakfast was also a plus a great way to get the day started. I also Loved the comfy outside spaces and hammocks. Great storage and huge beds. The house keeper cleaned often and it was great seeing her daily.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 16 April 2024
Julian
GermanyIt's next to a loud road and to a mosque. But thanks to Suzy there is an awesome vibe in that place. People like to sit in the small garden and you meet lots of awesome people. There are plenty of activities and also the location is nice to explore the city.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 15 April 2024
Arslan
QatarSarit mall and west land market is 10 minutes walk , I meet alot of solo traveller in this hostel and had an amazing experience
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 11 April 2024
Reimond
United Arab EmiratesI suggest to improve the landscape part at is it soily. BUT ALL IS AMAZING!
AMAZING VIBE! LOOK AND FEEL OF PLACE IS REALLY INVITING.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 5 April 2024
Ursula
United KingdomThe facilities are pretty basic - dorms can get hot and bathrooms could do with an upgrade
Staff are great - Susan is so friendly and helpful, she is the life and soul of the place It's really sociable for meeting other travellers with good common areas
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 1 April 2024
Saurabh
South AfricaBreakfast could be better. Felt more like a business place rather than community kind of vibe. Room lacked ventilation.
The location of the hostel. Many different common areas in different parts of hostel. Big beds. Good showers and big bathroom.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 1 April 2024
Martine
NetherlandsBed could be cleaner. There is quite some noise from the road; when chatting with people in the front-garden we had to raise our voices to get above the noise. But there is also a secluded garden space where there is much less noise.
Nice place, very nice people: both the visitors and the staff. Flexible, accommodating.
Stayed in April 2024
Reviewed: 31 March 2024
Emma
Netherlands-
The vibe is great, the staff is kind, and the location very central
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 30 March 2024
Yannick
NamibiaThe Hostel is just great. The host is super friendly and will help out with anything. The breakfast was also delicious and a good start to a adventurous day. We found it to be a welcoming atmosphere and in generell a good accommodation to start your Nairobi experience at. We would definitely come back again.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 28 March 2024
Huber
United StatesThe location was excellent, and I enjoyed meeting all the other travelers from all over the world.
Suzan the house! She helped me so much for my time in Kenya to find the right things to do.
Stayed in March 2024
Reviewed: 7 March 2024
Marina
Austria-
In this hostel everything was just right! I spend there the beginning days of my travels and throughout the service was just perfect! No matter what you always get help and the social atmosphere is just wonderful! Be ready to meet some great people! Again, I cannot mention the stuff, especially the owner enough! Very kind and dedicated to provide you with all the information you need and make your stay as pleasant as it can get. Also the location is perfect! Around there you can get everything you need. I can say it was very pleasant as a female solo traveler! Would book again and again!
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 26 February 2024
Anne
NorwayI loved staying at Jabulani. The location in Westland is good, (though a bit hard to find for taxis etc.) Probably because It’s new. Susan is the best host ever. She helps with everything and organized a fantastic safari trip to Masai Mara for me as well. The hostel is quite small, the atmosphere great and people tend to come back all the time. Reunions and hugs. Shopping malls, atm’s, restaurants etc is just 5 minutes walk away. I will for sure come back.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 23 February 2024
Xiaomin
SingaporeSafe hostel, central location, kind host who waited for my check-in patiently as my flight landed at midnight
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 22 February 2024
Delta
United StatesCould have more vegan/vegetarian options for guests who don't eat meat and wifi can be spotty if you are a digital nomad or remote worker.
Location is perfect and central to a lot in the Westlands. Safe hostel with a good group of international guests. The host Susan is very knowledgeable and relatable in providing guests with important info about Nairobi and places to go. Laundry being available to guests is clutch for nomadic travelers.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 21 February 2024
Yu
South Korea.
It was nice that all facilities including shopping malls, bars, and clubs were within walking distance And Susan is the best host
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 18 February 2024
Jonny
United KingdomThe facilities are a wee bit basic and there's only one bathroom/shower for everyone in the dorms, but to be honest it was never an issue while I stayed there.
Very friendly backpackers with helpful staff and good vibe for meeting other travellers. Cheap price, good sized beds in the dorm and nice location in Westlands within walking distance of some cool bars.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 16 February 2024
Alice
FranceI wish I had more time there. That would be great if there were curtains for the upper beds.
A place where you feel very good, excellent host with very good advice and great location.
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 12 February 2024
Megii011
PolandIt is close to the main road so it is a bit noisy.
Very nice staff.
Stayed in January 2024
Reviewed: 11 February 2024
Sara
ItalyRooms are really basics but if one does not mind this is totally okay 👍🏾
Staff is top. It is what make this hostel so cozy and lovely
Stayed in February 2024
Reviewed: 10 February 2024
Darryn
United KingdomOne of my favourite hostels, and actually quite an unexpected surprise. Nairobi really doesn't have a particularly large range of hostels for backpackers, with a glaring gap in the market. The standard then is quite low, and yet Jabulani far exceeds it. Only recently opened, it's very much a labour of love from the owner, Suzanah. There's an incredible homely, sociable atmosphere, easy to meet people, and very comfortable. Certain things are basic, such as the bathroom and free breakfast, however other facilities such as the comfy double beds and hang out areas exceed hostels that are far more established and expensive. Overall Jabulani gave me an excellent introduction to Kenya, and really made my time in Nairobi far more enjoyable than I expected. Highly recommend.
Stayed in February 2024
Showing 1 – 25
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