Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge

Contrary to most of the reviews, we unfortunately did not have a great experience at this backpackers. For context, we are low-budget travelers and generally not very sensitive when it comes to living conditions. However, the dorm we stayed in was not very clean.

We were a group of three staying in a mixed 6-bed dormitory. The room had a strong, unpleasant smell and the bedding did not appear to be properly cleaned. Additionally, the hot water in the dorm showers only lasted for about three minutes.

The kitchen was missing many basic utensils. While there was a gas cooker available, it appeared to be faulty and leaked gas while cooking, causing random flames to come out of the sides, which felt unsafe. There were also cockroaches around the kitchen table and counter. We understand that being close to nature comes with insects, and that in itself was not the main issue. The bigger concern was that much of the crockery and cutlery was not clean.

On a positive note, the staff were friendly and welcoming. Unfortunately, the overall condition and cleanliness of the rooms and facilities really dampened our stay.

Unfortunately there was an extremely moldy smell in our dorm. The beds were not washed! I had a look at a few beds and it was really dirty. The stay was not as we expected from what we read online beforehand! We’re low budget backpackers and used to hostels but this experience was really beyond everything. The only good thing is the location.

Unfortunately, this stay was a major let-down and did not come close to what is advertised online.

One of the first red flags was that staff were not even aware of our booking on arrival and said it did not show on their system. Assistance from staff during the stay was minimal and disinterested.

The state of the shared kitchens was shocking. Hygiene was clearly not a priority. There were flies everywhere, sticky counters and tables, and fridges that had been switched off and smelled of rotten food. Many of the basic utensils one would expect were missing, and several items in the cupboards were dirty and clearly not washed before being packed away. The dishcloths were old and filthy.

The gas stove was covered in grease and barely usable, with only one burner working. There were spider webs and dead insects throughout the kitchen area. Considering that these facilities are shared between guests, this level of cleanliness is unacceptable.

Cleaning staff only appeared once, and even then, they only partially cleaned the kitchen — washing dishes and sweeping one section, while the rest was left untouched.

The camper kitchen was even worse, with sticky tables marked by old meat residue, rotten food left in the fridge, and cockroaches present.

The listing also mentions hiking trails and views of the Drakensberg, neither of which exist. The gates were locked, so it was not even possible to go for a short walk in the surrounding area.

The jacuzzi was also not working when we arrived and only became usable after a long wait.

Overall, the accommodation did not live up to its description at all. Referring to this place as a “lodge” is misleading, as I have experienced far better standards at much more basic self-catering venues. The reality is very different from what is shown on the website.

Photos were taken during the stay to document these issues.

It's very clean & there's signs of maintenance, but there's a lot more maintenance needed. Shower heads & taps, especially, need to be replaced, overall. I feel that ALL rooms should have a veranda with a seated area. The staff are really friendly & accommodating, they're just wonderful. But the place seriously needs hands on management - the 1 kitchen ran out of gas on Christmas eve, the shop wasn't open, taxis are allowed to blare their music in the parking lot - the vibe is wonderful in the establishment, there's no need for competition from the parking lot!
I left with mixed feelings. Bring back the obvious spark the place once had.

Our stay at Amphitheatre Backpackers Lodge was extremely disappointing and fell far below any reasonable standard.

From arrival, there were issues — staff indicated that our Lekkeslaap booking did not appear on their system and that our arrival was not expected. Throughout the stay, the personnel were lax and largely unhelpful.

The kitchen facilities were in an unacceptable condition. There were flies everywhere, sticky surfaces, and fridges that were switched off, causing a strong rotten smell. Most of the utensils listed on the inventory were missing or appeared to have been stolen. Pots were unwashed and simply placed back into cupboards, and the dishcloths were filthy and clearly old. The gas stove was excessively greasy and largely non-functional, with only one burner working. Spider webs and dead flies were present throughout the kitchen.

This kitchen is shared with other guests, which makes the lack of hygiene even more concerning. On the one day cleaning staff attended to the kitchen, they only washed dishes and swept one side of the kitchen, leaving the rest dirty and untidy.

The camper kitchen was even worse — sticky tables with old meat blood stains, a fridge containing rotten food, and cockroaches present throughout the area.

The establishment also advertises hiking trails, which is misleading. There are no hiking trails, no view of the Drakensberg as advertised, and the gates are locked, meaning guests cannot even go for a walk in the veld.

The overall hygiene standards were extremely poor. I am not difficult to please, but this was genuinely unacceptable. We were so uncomfortable with the conditions that we did not make use of the on-site restaurant at all.

Additionally, the jacuzzi was not functional on arrival and only started working approximately two hours later.

Despite referring to itself as a “lodge”, I have stayed at far better self-catering accommodation with significantly higher standards. The experience did not match what is advertised online.

Photos are available to support this review.