Joy River Backpackers

More than a comfortable overnight stay, Joy River Backpackers is an experience. Rustic and authentic, just like the affable owner Mark, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the stone house and appreciated the opportunity to spend the night in a genuine South African country house.

The only thing we didn't like was leaving.

-Loved the reviews, a hostel style place! -was over the top happy on arrival and went far of rout to go there. Loved the dogs and cat and the place has a kind og charm.

-i brought sausages and coals to share after reading the host initial welcome text. My method of fireing up the grill dough was met with a irritated insult about being a previliged european. I tryed to cheer the mood up in my way a bit but didnt really help much. -Asking if a supposed welcome drink offered to two French women that had stayed for a night already, contained alc, resulted in comments that it was not for me and that i had no respekt. -when the meat was done and i asked if he would join. Obvious answer %#!*! -Eating by my self in the empty dorm he politely knocks on the door and gives me my money back and sayes: “people of your type are not welcome here and i schould be gone by morning”. Trying to talk was nu use. My data did not work in that area and asking for wifi was off the table obviously. It was pitch black outside so i had to stay. -Full volume music none stop til 10 PM (pretty nice 80s90s to be fair) and it ment he was not on the way to the dorm to do/say what ever. -I spend an extremely uneasy night with spiders, roaches, a pillow like a brick and doubble locked dook before eventually leaving at 5:30 AM. -I have had the prevelidge of visiting meny hostels/homestays and hotels in now almost 60 countrys but never have i experienced something this scary and unstable. I know this is a way of living for a host and i am usually carefull not to be to negative but never have i felt so instantly stigmatized and uneasy.

Mark is a fantastic guy, you can tell he enjoys hosting travellers! Definitely made our stay memorable. He is very attentive and always willing to help and assist. If you like nature and want to have a genuine African experience this is your place.

Nothing

Very good location, housing thought out to the smallest detail. There is everything you need for a comfortable stay! my children liked the dog and the cat))) wonderful place and wonderful atmosphere

The Stone house is a really wonderful, it is a big house and the place is impressive and "real". Mark is very friendly and kind and gave us advices and information. We did braai and had a great stay. I wish we stayed there more than one night

Nothing

Beautiful setting, comfortable cottage, and a superb host.