Jollyboys Backpackers

3.0 star property
VIP Access

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Jollyboys Backpackers

View from room
In-room safe, bed sheets
Bar (on property)
Garden
Outdoor pool

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Free airport shuttle
  • Parking included
  • Restaurant
  • Breakfast available

Explore the area

View in a map
34 Kanyanta Road, Livingstone
  • Place, Livingstone Museum
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Mukuni Park Curio Market
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Railway Museum
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Livingstone (LVI)
    ‪8 min drive‬
VIP Access
Curated for quality and service, VIP Access stays consistently receive our highest guest ratings.
  • Expect exceptional service
  • Extra savings and perks for BONUS+ members

Room options

Double Room, Ensuite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Twin Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

Double Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Quadruple Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (8 Bed Dormitory)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

Single Room Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Beds OR 1 Double Bed

Triple Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

Single Shared Bathroom

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Beds OR 1 Double Bed

Shared Dormitory, Women only

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

Room, Multiple Beds (9 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 9
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Single Bed

Room (7 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 7
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

Room (6 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

Room, Multiple Beds

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

About this property

Jollyboys Backpackers

This hostel features an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar/lounge. Free WiFi in public areas, free self parking and free airport pick-up are also provided. Other amenities include a snack bar/deli, massage/treatment rooms and a fridge in a common area.
Jollyboys Backpackers offers 30 accommodations with a safe and a ceiling fan. This accommodation is furnished with single sofa beds. Guests can make use of the shared/communal kitchen. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.
Recreational amenities at the hostel include an outdoor pool.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the on-site spa services. There are 2 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages and manicures and pedicures.
Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Jollyboys Backpackers. During your stay, you're just a quick walk from Livingstone Museum. Free WiFi in public areas, free self-parking and free airport pick-up service are available.
  • Free Wi-Fi in some public areas
  • Free self-parking
  • Grab something to eat at the restaurant or stop for a drink at the bar/lounge
  • Cooked-to-order breakfast served daily for a fee
  • Take a swim in the outdoor pool
  • Services include dry cleaning/laundry, tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage
  • Steps from Livingstone Museum and a 3-minute drive from Railway Museum
  • Free airport pick-up shuttle service
Along with a restaurant, there's a snack bar/deli on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Public spaces have free WiFi. A free shuttle from the airport to the hotel is free (available 24 hours). An outdoor pool, spa services, and a terrace are also featured at Jollyboys Backpackers. Self parking is free.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this 3-star Livingstone hostel.

For a fee, guests can enjoy a cooked-to-order breakfast daily from 6:30 AM to noon.
On-site venue – This restaurant specialises in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • 24-hour free airport pick-up shuttle on request
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 6:30 AM to noon for a fee: USD 5 to 8 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Books
  • Outdoor pool
  • Table tennis
  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Single sofa bed

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 8 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport; guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 8 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 8 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children 9 and younger are not allowed at this property. All guests older than 9 are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 5 to 8 per person

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Jollyboys Backpackers offers transfers from the airport. Please contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation with your arrival details prior to travel. The front desk at this property is open daily from 7 AM - 8 PM.
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property at least 48 hours prior to arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests arriving after 8 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Reservations are needed for massage services and spa treatments. For reservations, contact the hostel before arrival using the contact information on the booking confirmation.
  • Children 9 years old and younger aren't allowed at this property.

Property is also known as

Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel Livingstone
Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel
Jollyboys Backpackers Livingstone
Jollyboys Backpackers
Jollyboys Backpackers Livingstone
Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Jollyboys Backpackers Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 97 out of 191 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 65 out of 191 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 191 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 191 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 191 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I loved my time at Jollyboys, everyone was so friendly and helpful, the food was amazing and the room was spacious, clean and comfy. I'll definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

JAIME

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hostel is well run and private rooms at the back are good.The reception staff were efficient and friendly. The bar staff will be extra nice to female guests and extra grumpy with males. Food was generally good.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ankit

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carl

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Terrific hostel

Fitst class hostel with all mod cons. Stayed here at the end of a 20 day motorcycle trip from Cape Town and it was the perfect location to relax following that
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pawel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay with interesting company

Great time, delicious breakfasts, I loved the relax zone.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Jolly Boys is the best in Livingstone for a hostile.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed in a room with on suit, which was well equipped and had every thing one would need. Place had a good chilled vibe with offering for get togethers in the evening which is ideal for solo travels. Staff friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lucy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I first stayed at Jollyboys 20 years ago when I was part of an overland truck trip. This time I brought my husband and children and will most definitely be back again, hopefully in less than another 20 years! The staff are so helpful, the rooms are very clean and comfortable and we had an amazing 4 days here.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great feel about place and very helpful staff
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Esther

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The place was amazing I travelled solo and was worri
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Wojciech

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Good stay in nice place

The staff was very friendly, rooms and infrastructure were clean. Place with good style. Only drawback was that we had to wait around hour for breakfast. It is a safe place that I can recommend to everyone.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

REGINALD

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I really enjoy this hotel. And I will definitely stay there again one when I come back to Livingston. It is great for everyone, backpacker, families, solo travelers, nomads.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were very helpful with booking transfers and activities. Lots to do in the area
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The staff here were amazing and always helpful with booking and suggestions. Loved the bar/restaurant in Jollyboys, made lazy days so easy
Stayed 9 nights in May 2023
Verified

6/10 Okay

Mei Fang

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Comfortable stay

Cheap beer at the bar and air-conditioned room was nice except for mosquitoes. Gardener and housekeepers were more friendly than bar n reception staff. Overall, we had a good rest after long camping trip through Africa. The hotels.com booking said one way transfer is free. But, only pick up is free, drop off is USD 5 per person. The listing info is wrong and hotels.om agent didn't care to honour the service. As a long term customer of hotels.com , I was really disappointed.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We love Jollyboys!
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ivo

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great backpackers!

This is a great backpackers place! Nice pool, good atmosphere, decent bar, the food menue could be better, good accommodation, good location. This is the place you wanna be if you’re backpacking for sure!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Jolly’s

Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Jolly’s

Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ruben

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The location of Jolly Boys was very convenient for getting around the city centre of Livingstone and the staff were very helpfull to organise daily activieties or transport.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Understandable why Jollyboys is a back-to-back top hostel champ. Great staff. Chill space.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Soyoki

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Beautiful
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Eurico

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very safe and quiet area. Good vibes. Clean and the workers were friendly and helpful all the time. Will come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very well run and nice amenities. A/C in the dorm was a huge plus. It’s a very social place, great for meeting other guests and locals. Staff is fantastic. You can’t help but enjoy it here.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023