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Reviews of Salty Jackal Backpackers & Surf Camp

37 Anton Lubowski Avenue, 9000 Swakopmund, Namibia

#9 of 23 hotels in Swakopmund

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 62 hostel reviews

8.6

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.7

  • Comfort

    8.7

  • Location

    9.1

  • Facilities

    8.5

  • Staff

    9.3

  • Value for money

    8.7

  • Free WiFi

    9.5

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 14 May 2024

    10
    Best hostel i’ve ever been too
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 11 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing

    Everything here was unreal and i had such a good time i ended up staying another week! The surfing is awesome-you can chill so hard in the sun-meet people from the town if ur lucky!

    Stayed in May 2024

  • Reviewed: 5 February 2024

    9.0
    I will come back
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Double or Twin Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very nice location and friendly staff

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 1 February 2024

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Double or Twin Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The bathroom smelled a little bit but not enough to make you too uncomfortable.

    Comfortable beds with ensuite bathroom. Most of the other rooms are fairly close together, but you don't hear any noise at night as the guests are considerate and sleep early (to surf in the morning!). Staff were helpful and friendly. The breakfast was fairly good too.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 7 January 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Only two bathrooms

    Great homelike place to chill and relax in Swakopmund.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 31 December 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double or Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The pots in the kitchen were old, had mismatching lids and were difficult to cook with. The road noise at night was quite loud.

    Very friendly staff, excellent surfing coaching, great location, relaxed vibe

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 25 October 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 9 nights

    Great location, within walking distance to the city centre and to the beach. Nice hostel with cozy common areas. There are two dogs and a cat to make you company :)

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 26 July 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night

    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.

    Stayed in July 2023

  • Reviewed: 23 June 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Super nice Vokunteers, location is super.

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 June 2023

    10
    I had a wonderful time. Thankyou very much for looking after me. The lasagna was amazing.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing. it was amazing.

    Family home vibe

    Stayed in June 2023

  • Reviewed: 13 April 2023

    10
    Excellent
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 1 March 2023

    8.0
    Sharehouse vibes, surfing focus
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

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

    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.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 January 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Family with young children
    • Double or Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    A great place to stay!

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 14 December 2022

    9.0
    Fantastic, small, friendly hostel with great, relaxed staff, reasonably close to centre and beach.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    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.

    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.

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 19 September 2022

    9.0
    Excellent for young travelers
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Too few bathrooms

    Excellent location, excellent staff, very friendly. Very comfy bed. Tasty breakfast.

    Stayed in September 2022

  • Reviewed: 2 September 2022

    10
    best place in swakopmund!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    everything perfect! nothing bad to say at all

    Everything! Iris and Oliver as well all the staff are super cool and helpful. I must say is the most organized and clean backpackers hostel I’ve haver been. The kitchen has everything you need to cook, each room has its own labels in the fridge and cupboards. The breakfast is very good too. We were surprised to see everything was recycled and food leftovers for compost! Oliver and Iris took us to surf with them as well, couldn’t ask for better way of being received. we will come back!

    Stayed in August 2022

  • Reviewed: 17 August 2022

    10
    Great experience :)
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The staff is the best! Very friendly and chill, you have to love them :)

    Stayed in August 2022

  • Reviewed: 13 August 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Just a perfect option to stay in Swakop. A small and cozy place, not crowded, with a big dormitory room. The staff is very polite and helpful. They also offer a lot of activities around the region.

    Stayed in August 2022

  • Reviewed: 21 July 2022

    10
    If I return to swakop, I will return to salty jackal :)
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 8 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    My favorite part of this hostel was the atmosphere and the volunteers. Its a really comfortable place, and the location in relation to cool things to go check out is perfect. Everything is walking distance.

    Stayed in July 2022

  • Reviewed: 11 July 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Perfect place with friendly staff, ideal for exploring the town.

    Stayed in July 2022

  • Reviewed: 24 May 2022

    8.0
    Good place to stay and kind hosts. Trips and board rental are a plus
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Double or Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Toilet in shower. So occupied often.

    Location / parking

    Stayed in May 2022

  • Reviewed: 10 May 2022

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Double or Twin Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    We really enjoyed it and the great vibe.

    Stayed in May 2022

  • Reviewed: 29 March 2022

    10
    excellent
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    New experience Clean environment Comfortable atmosphere Looking forward to seeing you next time

    Stayed in March 2022

  • Reviewed: 23 March 2022

    10
    The staying was very nice and the staff member at salty jackal are very friendly.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The parking space it abit small. the need improvement there.

    I didnt have a breakfast there. The location is very nice easy to move around if you want to go to the sea it is near by.

    Stayed in February 2022

  • Reviewed: 25 January 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Just one thing there's no air conditioning or fan so it gets really hot in summer

    Very good place to stay Nice staff Good location just a few min walk into city and to the beach Good free breakfast toast müsli eggs juice jam .... There are 2 dogs and 1 cat to play around Good wi fi Clean hostel Nice outside are to hang out Activities bookings available Small advice book online on the website for a better price

    Stayed in January 2022

Showing 1 – 25

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