Jollyboys International Backpackers
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34 Kanyanta Road PO Box 61088, Livingstone 20100 Zambia
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Prices above are provided by partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and do not include all taxes and fees. Please see our partners for full details.
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About
#11 of 105 in Livingstone
Location
Cleanliness
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Value
Zambia's original backpacker! Jollyboys is the quintessential backpackers lodge and has been catering to budget travelers since 1995. Our friendly and helpful staff are well versed in up-to-the-minute travel information and regulations throughout Southern Africa. Jollyboys have recently established 'Responsible Tourism' initiatives such as worm farms for food waste, solar power, reduced water use and waste by up-cycling as well as supporting local social enterprise organizations. The Jollyboys restaurant has FREE WiFi, provides meals of exceptional value or try your hand at cooking in the self catering kitchen. We offer FREE daily shuttles to the Victoria Falls and FREE pick ups from Livingstone Airport. Whether you are a long term traveler, on a short weekend break, on honeymoon or traveling with a group volunteering, Jollyboys has something to offer everyone. We look forward to welcoming you to Jollyboys Backpackers and Camp and being part of your Livingstone adventure!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Pool
Bar / lounge
Bicycle rental
Airport transportation
BBQ facilities
Baggage storage
Wifi
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Poolside bar
Shuttle bus service
Taxi service
Laundry service
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Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Location
Full view
68Somewhat walkable
Grade: 68 out of 100
11Restaurantswithin 1 km
6Attractionswithin 1 km
Contact
34 Kanyanta Road PO Box 61088, Livingstone 20100 Zambia
Getting there
Car HireSee all Livingstone car hire
656Reviews8Q+A100Room tips
Reviews
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Popular mentions
My favourite place to stay. Air conditioned rooms are a game changer when its so hot and humid. Really nice hang out spots both inside, by the pool and out, solid kitchen set up and easy walking distance to town and close to Victoria Falls by car. The staff are incredible, some of the nicest people you will meet and really trustworthy. Many a time mine the staff have given myself or my mates our phones or wallets back after a messy night of too many mosi's. Cheers to everyone at Jollyboys for being so rad! Catch you again next year!
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Date of stay: January 2022
Value
Location
Service
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+1
You would have to search far and wide for a place with as much character, spirit and fantastic attention to detail. As soon as I walked in I felt at home and was in awe of the design and detailed that spoils who ever walks through the gates. The staff were friendly, helpful and I had some great conversations with them. I also made some great friends here, as a place like this attracts some lovely humans. I travelled by motorcycle and I got to park right next to the pool, how cool! Will definitely stay here again :)
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Date of stay: September 2021Trip type: Travelled
Room Tip: Bring smiles and a swimming costume!
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
This is the third time I book this hostel for my vacations in Zambia and it has been very good! really hepful with the tours and activities we can do in Zambia, and specially good to manage our PCR COVID Test to fly to our next destination! thanks for everything!
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Helpful
1. If you want security and feel safe, that's not your place you want to be.The owner can't afford a proper security guard because of covid. It's pretty sad, cause people here lost their jobs and robbery's, violence and rape is now increasing. Safety should be always worth the money but here, no one cares about you and no one helps you after the reception is gone.They close the gate pretty early, so when you go out you will have to climb through the gate to get access to your room. Even if you tell the "the staff who apparently live in the BACK of the hostel". They will open the gate for you to go out but they will never hear you banging against the door if you are back. And they KNOW we went out! So my friends and I had to climb four times this gate because they didn't hear us or they already went to bed or they just don't care. I recommend to push the gate as much as possible on the left side and than crawl down on the left side, it's easier than to climb over it. Even if you take a taxi to the hostel, the gate is closed and you can scream and ring the bell,historically beat your hands against the gate,no one will open you. So if someone waits for tourists to come back in the night time to the hostel, it's super easy to rob you. Tell the taxi driver to please stay until you climbed the gate. My friend was VIOLENTLY robbed seconds away from the hostel. She has been chocked, thrown to the ground and they smashed a beer bottle and a stone next to her head to make her let go of her bag. The most violent and terrifying robbery I have ever experienced. They probably waited for us in front of the hostel.She was screaming like hell, we screamed for help. Traumatized from this experience we had to climb the gate again,we ran in every corner of the hostel to search for help. We screamed for help, for an ambulance, for police. This "staff who lives in the hostel" haven't been there at all, I don't understand how three people couldn't hear all the screams. Because no one answered, we searched for an emergency number to call an ambulance and police, but you can't find the number anywhere in the hostel and the internet is so bad, that in the night time it is just off. So we couldn't even google for the number. Luckily we met some local people who we called for help. But you also need a sim card to do all this things, because no one in the hostel helped us, because there haven't been anyone to ask. This "three people" if they are even real, don't give a f*. 2. The kitchen is full with cockroaches and insects like ants, flies. Don't use the microwave if you don't want to be surprised by cockroaches, who hide in there. One day there are forks and cups, and than the next day they are missing because the staff is always taking cutlery and cups away for their food and drinks. So you have to ask the staff where the things are. At least they help you to find them. 3. Strangers can come always to the hostel and bar. If you don't lock your stuff away, it might be stolen. So don't be stupid and lock your stuff. If you stay in one of the huts and lock your door, believe me, it's still not safe. Use the safe which is provided because to break in into the hut just took me 2 minutes (because the robbers also robbed her keys, which happened to be in her bag, so someone had to open it). In total to climb the gate and to get access to one of the rooms without the mysterious "three staff members" noticing (and I have been super loud) would take easily 8 minutes to steal everything. 4. They never cleaned the floor of the dorm room and I'm already two weeks here and I had to empty the full bin in our room, two times, and even after one of my friends checked out, they didn't cleaned her bad at all, didn't cleaned the floor at all, and not even cared about it. You have to run after them to tell them please to change your bed. I didn't want to clear the bin a third time so I finally told one of the workers to please empty it. 5. The internet isn't good…
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
No security at this place. No night guard. If you go out in the evening you have to literally climb over the gate, because all staff leave at night, leaving their guests all alone. A group of girls was robbed last night right at the end of the road and couldn't get back in when they ran for help because NO ONE was there. The hostel staff offered to make no changes to ensure guests safety once they showed up in the morning. They just didn't care. The locks are easily picked with a credit card... If you value your safety and don't want to risk getting robbed or worse, don't stay here.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled
Room Tip: Avoid this hostel.
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1 Helpful vote
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PRICE RANGE
US$40 - US$50 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
jollyboys international backpackers hotel livingstone
LOCATION
ZambiaSouthern ProvinceLivingstone
NUMBER OF ROOMS
31
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Jollyboys International Backpackers
Which popular attractions are close to Jollyboys International Backpackers?
Nearby attractions include Victoria Falls (1.1 km), Livingstone Museum (0.1 km), and Zambezi Eco Adventures (0.7 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Jollyboys International Backpackers?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Jollyboys International Backpackers?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and a poolside bar during their stay.
Is parking available at Jollyboys International Backpackers?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Jollyboys International Backpackers?
Conveniently located restaurants include Kubu Cafe, Cafe Zambezi, and Olga's - The Italian Corner.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Jollyboys International Backpackers?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Jollyboys International Backpackers have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Jollyboys International Backpackers offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Jollyboys International Backpackers have airport transportation?
Yes, Jollyboys International Backpackers offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is Jollyboys International Backpackers located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.9 km away from the centre of Livingstone.
Is Jollyboys International Backpackers accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.