Riverfront Backpackers

Port Elizabeth · South Africa

Riverfront Backpackers

HostelPunk Score
78% NOT TOO BAD
Low confidence 36 reviews

Tags

Facilities

🍳 Kitchen 👕 Laundry 📋 Meeting Room 🅿️ Parking 🔥 BBQ 🅿️ Free Parking 🌅 Outdoor Terrace 🍳 Breakfast ☕ Cafe
Other facilities (23)
Bicycle Parking Luggage Storage Tours/Travel Desk Housekeeping Reception (Limited Hours) Internet Access Book Exchange Board Games Wi-Fi Linen Included Towels Included Cots Available Ceiling Fan Towels Not Included Towels For Hire Common Room Meals Available Tea & Coffee Making Facilities Free City Maps Free WiFi Free Internet Access Hot Showers Safe Deposit Box

Prices

Dorms $16 / night
Privates $10 / night

HW prices from today

Recent reviews

Belgium FEMALE 18-24 Apr 12, 2026 Atm 100%

Bedankt voor alles heb immens genoten van mijn verblijf!

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Brazil MALE 25-30 Apr 10, 2026 Atm 20%

Pretty bad experience with the manager (Leon). I was told to bring cash to pay, and when I said I only had card, I got a lecture about how “when traveling you should always have cash.” It felt unnecessary and quite rude. You don’t expect to be spoken to like that over something so simple. The next day, he approached me again about payment, even tho I paid the night before. Overall, it left a bad impression — not a place I’d feel comfortable dealing with again.

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Germany FEMALE Mar 6, 2026 Atm 100%

Wir hatten das Premium Zimmer und fühlten uns wie in einer amerikanischen Südstaatenvilla

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Netherlands FEMALE 25-30 Jan 31, 2026 Atm 100%

Magical place. Had the best time! Extremly kind staff. Perfect if your looking for a little get away close to the city.

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Germany FEMALE 25-30 Dec 7, 2025 Atm 100%

Beautiful Hostel, quiet and lovely to hang out at the river

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Germany FEMALE 25-30 Nov 3, 2025 Atm 100%

It was a super chill and awesome stay. Great place and such a nice, friendly, caring owner!

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USA MALE Oct 23, 2025 Atm 100%

Had a great stay. The location was splendid, and locals living nearby were extremely nice. Had a surfing lesson, which was exciting and saw a whale. Holy cow!! Also had some meals prepared by a wonderful cook, who was extremely accomodating. This is no 5-star restaurant, but the skill in whipping up delicacies with few ingredients was noteworthy. Addo Elephant park was also a great excursion. Saw a female lions with her cubs sauntering by and almost had a heart attack, noting her muscles and siz...

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Germany MALE 25-30 Sep 23, 2025 Atm 100%

Great place to stay, very quiet and safe neighborhood. Also had a great surfing expierience with the host, which ended in swimming with the dolphins. Can only recommend this place and would book any time again.

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Germany FEMALE Sep 6, 2025 Atm 100%

Sitting on the veranda at Riverfront is a dream. There is a permaculture garden and permaculture principles are used to water the plants. It can be reached by train. There are no shops nearby. Mark was very welcoming. The cleaning and gardening staff is great. We helped planting trees. Mark introduced us to a home of disabled people where he is organising a participatory self sufficient permaculture garden. At Riverfront we met other local people from South Africa and had a braai at the river ...

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USA MALE 31-40 Aug 9, 2025 Atm 20%

This place is fine if you need a quick place to sleep. Don’t expect any vibe or amenities, just a simple bed. Far away from attractions. Needs updating and more modern facilities. This is definitely not a hostel if you’re a backpacker.

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Italy MALE Jun 6, 2025 Atm 100%

I really enjoyed my stay there. It was relaxing, the neighborhood felt safe, and the locals were really kind. It was a welcome respite from the chaos of the center. I ate well (they serve breakfast and dinner) and Mark does surfing lessons. Cool vibe. Will come again.

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South Africa MALE 18-24 May 30, 2025 Atm 100%

Riverfront Backpackers is a hidden gem! Mark, the owner, gave me the incredible opportunity to learn how to sail—an experience I’ll never forget. He also taught me to surf, which was just as amazing. The atmosphere is peaceful and away from city noise. Clean, cozy beds, hot showers, a fully equipped kitchen, and a beautiful garden with fruit trees. Being by the river is a bonus. Staff are super friendly and always willing to help! Riverfront Backpackers is epic—don’t miss the sailing!

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Australia FEMALE 31-40 May 29, 2025 Atm 40%

This hostel is abit run down and far from any restaurant or shops so all guests are required to plan ahead for their meals and buy it on their way there. There wasn't much vibe while I was there so I decided to cut my stay short and appreciated the host being really understanding and even dropping me off at the new accommodation.

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Canada MALE May 14, 2025 Atm 100%

Place has a lot of character being a 100 year old house. If you want to relax far away from the hustle it’s a great place. It is all self catered with no restaurants or grocery stores nearby.

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England FEMALE 25-30 Mar 4, 2025 Atm 100%

This is the ideal spot if you want to visit addo. I booked a tour with the owner and other guests self drived. I loved my stay here. The view onto the river is beautiful and a great place to chill have have a morning coffee. In the afternoon I took the opportunity to take the free stand up paddleboards out on to the river and saw a flock of flamingos. Definitely coming back!

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Germany MALE 25-30 Feb 27, 2025 Atm 100%

A beautiful place to calm down and relax

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Germany FEMALE 18-24 Feb 11, 2025 Atm 100%

Ich habe eine richtig schöne Addo Elephant National Park Tour in einem coolen Surfer- VW Bus gebucht und war begeistert! Alle Mitarbeitenden sind total freundlich und hilfsbereit. Die Lage ist unglaublich schön, sehr ruhig und direkt an einem Fluss. Ich hatte eine total schöne Zeit in der Riverfront Unterkunft! Ich kann’s nur weiterempfehlen :))

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Canada FEMALE 25-30 Feb 1, 2025 Atm 100%

We urgently needed a hostel so booked this place extremely last minute. The staff were all super kind and welcoming to us and we loved our dorm room. Wish we had more time to enjoy the river view.

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USA MALE Jan 29, 2025 Atm 100%

I extended my vacation at Riverfront Backpackers because I was lucky enough to meet the locals who treated me like I was a part of the neighbourhood. I felt like I fit right in. I will definitely come back due to the warm atmosphere.

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Germany FEMALE 18-24 Jan 28, 2025 Atm 100%

My Highlight was the Tour to Addo! I again had an amazing time here. It’s clean, safe, well equipped and the atmosphere is just amazing. I even booked a tour to Addo with Mark, which was stunning! And I also went on a sailing tour on the river.

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