Trekker’s Hostel Highlights: Backpackers’ Paradise, Oudtshoorn
Hi-dy Ho everyone! Today we will discover the best hostel in the Ostrich capital of the world, Oudtshoorn! The place is called “Backpackers’ Paradise” – in my opinion, if Oudtshoorn had an ocean instead wide open spaces, you could call this stop Backpackers’ Heaven!
First, the most important aspect at any hostel, the beds. Oh boy the beds… I could go on for pages about those beds, they are big and extra wide, you can literally roll over about three times before falling off, and they come with fluffy comforters and soft pillows.
The rooms are VERY clean and have private bathrooms. Every morning there is a FREE ostrich egg breakfast, pre-scrambled, just cook and serve. Mmmmmmmmm… Every night there is an ostrich braai (BBQ), with ostrich steak, ostrich sausage (you sense a theme pretty quickly) and delicious salad. Fear not, vegetarians – they always have a fantastically scrumptious option for you ,too.
Since Oudtshoorn is situated in the dry Klein Karoo, the days are often hot and, well, dry! Take a dip in the pool or sit and relax under the many trees on the property to cool down. If its too hot to go curio shopping, there is a quaint little shop with excellent prices right smack bang in the middle of the hostel. The stores are only a short walk away and the town is very safe.
Be sure to organize a trip out to the Cango Caves. I recommend the adventure tour, here you get to climb up the “chimney” and squeeze through the “mailbox”. It truly is a great experience. If caves aren’t your thing, visit one of the local ostrich farms and live out your dream as an “Ostrich Jockey” – it’s hair-raising and wild, a definite must to have in your travel story library.
The staff at Backpackers’ Paradise are fantastic, two thumbs up. I could have stayed an extra week – in fact I did extend my stay by two days.
So my tip of the week is to veer off the coastline, visit the Karoo and relax at Backpackers’ Paradise. I know I am already planning it into my next trip!!!!
- Book your stay at Backpackers’ Paradise.
- See pics of Kathy riding ostriches and spelunking in the Cango Caves on her Baz Bus Blog!
Until next time, keep trekkin’
Trekker