Jungle Monkey Backpackers

Service is bad, they take time before they attend to you at the reception, it's more of a drinking place now

I had a disappointing stay here, and my impression was that they are more interested in running a bar than running a backpackers hostel. When i booked, i was told by the manager that she had booked me a shuttle to collect me from Umtata. This never arrived, and eventually they sent a shared taxi to collect me. No apologies. The dorm room was very basic and there is absolutely no security - no lock on door no lockers. I upgraded to a better room the next night. The food is decent and you will see jungle monkeys in their back garden. I also appreciated the tour that i took with Ronald. Most of the time though, i felt that i was in the way, and the staff were more interested in partying.

If you're looking for a good backpackers then look elsewhere. Jungle Monkey has become the local drinking hole and can't be called a backpackers any longer. Do not stay here, the dorms and kitchens are run down and borderline a health hazard. I must say the private room area on the other side of the property is much better than the dorm/bar area. I can't really blame them though, the whole of Port st Johns has become run down and all the tourist attractions no longer exist. Give this whole area a miss

Spectacular place to visit with friends and family. The place has therapeutic scenery from the balcony and serene music. You can pass time while waiting to be served by playing pool or taking pictures around and of the place It would be helpful if the staff would be more informative instead of giving basic answers and not pick on customers based on how often they visit the place if they need to be served. Be mindful of the children playing in the pool incase you do not want to catch any splashes

So disappointed right now we at your place and we are told it's fully booked after we have booked and your receptionist called to confirm if we are coming and we say yes but when we arrived we are told it's fully booked now we are stuck in PSJ, your service is so disappointing worse we are not from here.....sorted after a stressful hasle

Loved the vibe and the food, especially the pizza, it was so good. The room we stayed in for the night had too many creepy-crawlies for my liking but if that's your type of thing then you'll definitely enjoy the stay.

Took ten hours & five combis to get down from Lesotho before sunset. ||That ice cold Castle was one of the most refreshing ever. ||Anelly - if I got his name right - is a cool dude too. ||Well designed two-storey rustic wooden oasis, pretty much completely reconstructed after being gutted by fire. ||Lovely outlook and atmospheric open common areas, upstairs balcony seating, lawn area round a pool, well wooded gardens, and an easy stroll from practicalities. ||Food pretty good & well-priced. ||Dorm has seen way better days, but I had it to myself, and it was nice & quiet round the back. ||Diverse characters to strike up conversation with, such as Leon & Papa G. ||All in all, a relaxing fun spot.||||Glad I moved on before strike unrest in the village, roadblocks with burning tyres, violent threats to local businesses - there are precedents in Port SJ unfortunately. Can't be as relaxing as I had it for folks who are residents.

The plan was to stay only for 2 days in this hostel, but we ended at staying more than 5 days. Port St. John’s is a really interesting and beautiful place. You can call it a raw diamond! The nature is so nice, but there is still a lot of trash in this city.. this is because of strikes and problems with the government. But look better, and you will so much enjoy it here! We slept in the safari tent, this was so nice with a great view! Staff and the owner “papa G” are also very helpful and friendly.