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Reviews of Explorer Backpackers

27 7th Street Parkhurst, Randburg, 2193 Johannesburg, South Africa

#11 of 171 hotels in Johannesburg

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 283 hostel reviews

8.9

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.1

  • Comfort

    9.1

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    9.1

  • Staff

    9.5

  • Value for money

    9.3

  • Free Wifi

    8.9

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Showing 1 - 25

  • Reviewed: September 16, 2025

    9.0
    Brilliant
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Atmosphere friendly guests

    Cleanliness friendly staff

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: August 16, 2025

    9.0
    I arrived after 11:00 pm, they welcomed me and showed me to my shared room
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Low headroom in bottom bunk

    Shower worked well

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: August 5, 2025

    9.0
    Good bed in a cozy hostel. Great location in Parkhurst.
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Good bed in a cozy hostel. Great location in Parkhurst.

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: August 3, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Second time staying here, everything was great!

    Stayed in August 2025

  • Reviewed: July 29, 2025

    9.0
    Lovely hostel in a safe area
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Some areas of the outside spaces are currently being renovated

    Nice large room, big outside area, huge showers with loads of space to change. Really lovely host, very friendly and talkative. Allowed me to check in early and the. Leave bags for a whole day.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 27, 2025

    10
    My stay was perfect.
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing at all…it was just beyond my expectations

    The place is situated in a good area…close to alot of places..was easy for me to get to work❤️The staff was lovely even other guests were very welcoming…I give the place 1000/10

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 27, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing.

    I don't even know where to start. This place is amazing. It's in one of the safest area in Johannesburg, house keeping is done daily, it's not loud so you can work they even have a work station set up. The staff is super friendly and respectful towards everyone. The guests there were also thoughtful and nice.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 25, 2025

    10
    Such a Incredible Hostel!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Standard Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Awesome hostel: nice house, clean, safe area, the vibes are incredible, great staff, super social!!! Love this !!!

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 20, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Bontle was great person in reception she helped me for everything Hostel was close to restaurants in main street

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 18, 2025

    9.0
    Lovely, warm and friendly vibes
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 4-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Powerpoint next to bed, heater in the room

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: July 13, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Not that much of a travel vibe, more locals staying long-term.

    Everything was super comfortable and clean, good kitchen and showers.

    Stayed in July 2025

  • Reviewed: June 29, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    nothing

    very clean, cozy bed. Nice people hanging around. Not sure if they are staff or guests but felt like a family or friend gathering. Lots of restaurants nearby. I felt very safe during my stay.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: June 21, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nothing

    I liked this place, I came back twice after visiting neighbor countries. The staff are nice and friendly.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: June 20, 2025

    9.0
    Exceptional well
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Ideally located close to the vibrant heart of Parkhurst with restaurants, pubs,etc close to the Rosebank mall. Get the true value of your money.

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: June 9, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The staff are very helpful and friendly, making for a pleasant stay. I would recommend this space to anyone looking to travel to Joburg!

    Stayed in June 2025

  • Reviewed: May 28, 2025

    9.0
    Great Location, Great Vibe
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    At least in our dorm room, the doors and lockers were incredibly creaky/ squeaky. Not a big deal, but you’d definitely wake up everyone in the room if you’d open the door in the wee hours of the morning. May need to oil up those hinges a bit hah.

    Stayed here twice. Great location. Johannesburg has a bad rep when it comes to safety, and this hostel is located in one of the relatively safe areas in the city. There are a number of restaurants and bars around as well as a convenience store. Bed was real comfy and each dorm bed had its own electrical outlets. Wifi worked great. The staff were incredibly helpful and nice. Made me feel welcome. Great vibe. There’s a good mix of travelers and long termers and there’s a sense of community.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 19, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 6 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Thabang or Tman is a great host

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 18, 2025

    10
    Good hostel vibes, comfy bed, friendly staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Nice location, clean rooms

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 12, 2025

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The area is very safe, the people in the hostel is amaizing. The room and the common areas are very clean. The beds are comfortable.

    Stayed in April 2025

  • Reviewed: May 10, 2025

    9.0
    Quality backpackers in a great location
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 6-Bed Female Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    You need to be comfortable with people around you 24/7. Great for a short stay.

    The place was clean, the staff were friendly and the bed was comfortable. I liked the location.

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 7, 2025

    10
    This is a unique hostel in Kruger park. They have their own safari trips at a very economical price which is great for b
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The only hostel in Kruger

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 7, 2025

    10
    I would definitely recommend it to everyone who wants to visit the area.plus I’ll definitely come back
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Very clean and in a safe environment

    Good ambiance and people are very friendly

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: May 2, 2025

    9.0
    Excellent
    • Business trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 18 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Excellent environment

    Stayed in May 2025

  • Reviewed: April 23, 2025

    8.0
    Nice for a short stay in Joburg
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Bed in 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The room felt quite hot, an extra fan would be great.

    Super nice common area, quite well equipped kitchen. The bathrooms were reasonably comfortable.

    Stayed in March 2025

Showing 1 - 25

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