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Jollyboys Backpackers

3.0 star property
Suburban hostel with outdoor pool, near Livingstone Museum

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Nestled near Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Jollyboys Backpackers offers a tranquil retreat with spa services like massages and manicures. Enjoy cooked-to-order breakfast, unwind at the outdoor pool or garden, and stay connected with free WiFi in public areas.
VIP Access

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Spa
  • Airport transfer
  • Free parking
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Restaurant

Main amenities (12)

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Restaurants and bar/lounge
  • Outdoor pool
  • Breakfast available
  • Free airport pick-up
  • Spa services
  • Massage/treatment rooms
  • Area shuttle
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • Front desk safe
  • Snack bar/deli

Feel at home (6)

  • Sofa bed
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Laundry facilities
  • Lift
The current price is £36
includes taxes & fees
18 Jun - 19 Jun

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 15 of 15 rooms

View all photos for Double Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Double Room, Ensuite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Twin Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Twin Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Double Room, Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, bed sheets

Double Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, bed sheets

Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom | In-room safe, bed sheets

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

View all photos for Quadruple Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Quadruple Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (8 Bed Dormitory)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Mixed Dorm, Shared Bathroom (8 Bed Dormitory)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Single Room Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Single Room Ensuite

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(2 reviews)
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Beds OR 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Triple Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Triple Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Single Shared Bathroom

In-room safe, bed sheets

Single Shared Bathroom

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 2 Single Beds OR 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only

In-room safe, bed sheets

Shared Dormitory, Women only

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room, Multiple Beds (9 Bed Private Dorm)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room, Multiple Beds (9 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 9
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Single Bed

View all photos for Room (7 Bed Private Dorm)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room (7 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 7
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room (6 Bed Private Dorm)

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room (6 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room, Multiple Beds

In-room safe, bed sheets

Room, Multiple Beds

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Single Bunk Beds

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8.4 out of 10, Very good, 282 reviews
The price is £47
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About the area

Map
34 Kanyanta Road, Livingstone

What's nearby

  • Livingstone Museum - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Mukuni Park Curio Market - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Railway Museum - 2 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park - 4 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Devil's Pool - 12 min drive - 13.7 km

Getting around

  • Livingstone (LVI) - 8 min drive
  • Victoria Falls (VFA) - 53 min drive
  • Free airport pickup
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)

Restaurants

  • ‪The Lookout Café - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Boma - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪The Three Monkeys - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪MaKuwa-Kuwa - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Rainforest Cafe - ‬10 min drive

About this property

Jollyboys Backpackers

  • Jollyboys Backpackers is just 3.7 mi (5.9 km) from the airport and offers free pick-up service (available 24 hours). Guests can indulge in deep-tissue massages or manicures and pedicures, then grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. An outdoor pool, a bar/lounge and a snack bar/deli are other highlights. Fellow travellers love the helpful staff.

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 30 rooms
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 8 PM
    • Late check-in subject to availability
    • Minimum check-in age – 18
    • Check-out time is 10 AM
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • This property offers transfers from the airport; guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
    • The front desk is open daily from 7 AM - 8 PM
    • Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
    • To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 48 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
    • If you are planning to arrive after 8 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
    • Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Children

    • Children (9 years old and younger) are not allowed
    • No cots (infant beds)
DONE

Pets

    • Pets not allowed
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Free on-site self-parking
    • Wheelchair-accessible parking on site
DONE

Transfers

    • Free airport pickup on request (available 24 hours a day)*
DONE

Off-site

    • Area shuttle*
DONE

Other information

    • Designated smoking areas

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Cooked-to-order breakfast (surcharge) each morning 6:30 AM–noon
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/lounge
  • Barbecue grills
  • Shared fridge
  • Snack bar/deli
  • Water dispenser

What to do

  • Ping pong
  • Bike rentals nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horse riding nearby
  • Safari nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Segway hire/tours nearby
  • Zip-lining nearby
  • Fishing nearby

Services

  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour/ticket assistance
  • Dry cleaning/laundry services
  • Luggage storage

Facilities

  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace
  • Television in common areas
  • An outdoor pool
  • Spa services
  • Massage/treatment rooms

Accessibility

  • Lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Accessible airport shuttle

Room amenities

Home comfort

  • Ceiling fan

Sleep well

  • Single sofa bed
  • Bed sheets provided

Freshen up

  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Daily housekeeping
  • In-room safe

Special features

Spa

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the on-site spa services. There are 2 treatment rooms including rooms for couples. Services include deep-tissue massages, Swedish massages and manicures and pedicures.

Dining

On-site venue – This restaurant specialises in international cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Fees & policies

Optional extras

  • Cooked-to-order breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately USD 5 to 8 per person
  • Local area shuttle service is offered for an extra charge

Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)

  • Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments and can be made by contacting the property before arrival at the number on the booking confirmation

Policies

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.

Long-term renters welcome.

Guests can rest easy knowing that there's a fire extinguisher on-site.

This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.

Credit cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard

Cashless transactions are available.

If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Also known as

Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel Livingstone

Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel

Jollyboys Backpackers Livingstone

Jollyboys Backpackers

Jollyboys Backpackers Livingstone

Jollyboys Backpackers Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

Frequently asked questions

Does Jollyboys Backpackers offer free cancellation for a full refund?

Yes, Jollyboys Backpackers does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.

Is there a pool at Jollyboys Backpackers?

Yes, there's an outdoor pool.

Are pets allowed at Jollyboys Backpackers?

Sorry, pets aren't allowed.

Is parking offered on site at Jollyboys Backpackers?

Yes, there's free self parking.

Is an airport shuttle service offered by Jollyboys Backpackers?

Yes, a free shuttle from the airport is available.

What are the check-in and check-out times at Jollyboys Backpackers?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; check-in end time: 8 PM. Check-out time is 10 AM.

What is there to do at Jollyboys Backpackers and nearby?

Have fun with nearby activities such as cycling, boat tours and fishing. Additional recreation nearby includes game drives, game viewing and safari tours. Enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool or use the hostel's other amenities, which include spa services and a picnic area. Jollyboys Backpackers also has a garden.

Are there restaurants at or near Jollyboys Backpackers?

Yes, there's an on-site restaurant that offers international cuisine.

What's the area around Jollyboys Backpackers like?

Jollyboys Backpackers is a short 8-minute drive from Livingstone (LVI) and 2 minutes' walk from Livingstone Museum.

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Reviews

Jollyboys Backpackers Reviews

8.6

Excellent

8.4

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

9.0

Staff & service

8.4

Property conditions & facilities

Popular mentions

Service staff
Recreation
Location
Transportation
Ambience
Room

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Exceptional

I appreciated the free airport pickup, although I did have to wait a little while. The hostel is quite close to the airport, so the transfer wasn’t long. I booked a private room and believe I was upgraded, it had air conditioning and a spacious bathroom, which made my stay very comfortable. Since I had to leave early most days, the staff kindly prepared takeaway breakfasts for me, and they were tasty. The only downside was that coffee wasn’t included with the free breakfast. The location is convenient, with a grocery store within walking distance, and I felt safe and secure throughout my stay. Overall, I had a great experience here. In fact, I would have preferred to stay here for my entire trip rather than splitting my stay with the Zimbabwe side, mainly because of how good my experience here, and it’s very affordable too!
Georsadd, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

I loved my time at Jollyboys, everyone was so friendly and helpful, the food was amazing and the room was spacious, clean and comfy. I'll definitely be back.
Emily, 3-night trip
Verified

6/10 Good

The hostel is well run and private rooms at the back are good.The reception staff were efficient and friendly. The bar staff will be extra nice to female guests and extra grumpy with males. Food was generally good.
JAIME, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Great stay with interesting company

Great time, delicious breakfasts, I loved the relax zone.
Pawel, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

I stayed in a room with on suit, which was well equipped and had every thing one would need. Place had a good chilled vibe with offering for get togethers in the evening which is ideal for solo travels. Staff friendly.
Thomas, 3-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

Great feel about place and very helpful staff
Mark, 5-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

Good stay in nice place

The staff was very friendly, rooms and infrastructure were clean. Place with good style. Only drawback was that we had to wait around hour for breakfast. It is a safe place that I can recommend to everyone.
Wojciech, 3-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Staff were very helpful with booking transfers and activities. Lots to do in the area
Michael, 2-night trip
Verified

6/10 Good

Comfortable stay

Cheap beer at the bar and air-conditioned room was nice except for mosquitoes. Gardener and housekeepers were more friendly than bar n reception staff. Overall, we had a good rest after long camping trip through Africa. The hotels.com booking said one way transfer is free. But, only pick up is free, drop off is USD 5 per person. The listing info is wrong and hotels.om agent didn't care to honour the service. As a long term customer of hotels.com , I was really disappointed.
Mei Fang, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Jolly’s

Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Simon, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Jolly’s

Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Simon, 1-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Understandable why Jollyboys is a back-to-back top hostel champ. Great staff. Chill space.
Kenneth, 4-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

Very safe and quiet area. Good vibes. Clean and the workers were friendly and helpful all the time. Will come back.
Eurico, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Very well run and nice amenities. A/C in the dorm was a huge plus. It’s a very social place, great for meeting other guests and locals. Staff is fantastic. You can’t help but enjoy it here.
Gary, 4-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Good price-quality ratio!

Very nice experience! Good location, clean rooms, nice territory, affordable prices, both - rooms and kitchen/bar. Price-quality ratio is high. You get quality for the price you pay here.
Khushnidjon, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent Stay

Really good stay. Great value for money. Brought the family which is not what one usually does with a hostel/backpackers type place, but it was great and I would do it again. Well run and managed by staff - very helpful all around. I will probably need to go back down to Livingstone again in December and will stay here again.
Mr M, 2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

The best Hostel in Zambia

The service of the hostel was excellent, I am very hoary to choose stay with them, everything clean, nice rooms, they have a lot of options, for couples, friends, backpackers, families, has everything, if you want party, if you want relax, any plan they have. The staff sooooo friendly, RUTH!!! was amazing she helped us with some requirements, The atmosphere is so nice, we were sad to don't stay longer because deserves stay minimum 5 days, and also because they have a lot of activities!!!
Javier, 3-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

awesome stay

It was amazing , the receptionist has the best service. the outside showers need to be washed every now and then because they were dirty
Rirhandzu, 2-night trip
Verified

6/10 Good

Overpriced

The place is okay but not worth the money. The common areas are nice and have lot of areas to relax. However, over 50USD per night is too pricey for a room without wifi. The communal kitchen is lacking equipment and only has one portable stove. The whole place could need some freshening up. The activities they offer are overpriced.
2-night trip
Verified

10/10 Exceptional

We had lots of fun at JollyBoys

I had an absolute blast at JollyBoys. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making us feel right at home. The atmosphere was vibrant and relaxed, with a wonderful vibe that's hard to find elsewhere. The highlight of our stay was definitely the paint and sip session with Eric Miti, what a fantastic experience. The reception staff and entire team were amazing, going above and beyond to ensure our stay was memorable. I wouldn't hesitate to return to JollyBoys. If you're looking for a warm, lively, and unforgettable experience, look no further! Highly recommended,
Mercy, 1-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

Nice time

Our room was very nice - the beds were comfortable and the room was nicely decorated . The downside was that the bathroom door did not have a latch, so it would not stay closed. Also the bath mat was not very clean. The breakfast was good and we enjoyed our stay.
Pamela, 1-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

Room was clean and air-condition were nice. Food was good. Staff were friendly. Pool were nice and clean. There was own kitchen for guests, it was really good and handy. Because of covernment the power was off for 8hours per day. There wasnt ability to pay with card, only with cash.
Alli, 4-night trip
Verified

8/10 Very good

The hostel was fine and the single room with AC is quite nice for Africa. There’s widespread power shortage and the hotel has backup generators to make up for it. Internet is from starlink so it’s pretty fast. The downside is they’re cash and crypto only for the restaurant, bar, and travel. The ATMs are quite far and having to withdrawal 100s of USD worth of money just to pay for an activity is super annoying. The restaurant food is mediocre and kind of expensive for what it is but there’s really nothing else around in town. The transport they offer is significantly more than what you’d get off the street but at least they are very timely and responsive. The tour prices are a bit higher and you’re better off booking some of those online through other operators, especially if you don’t have cash. In Zambia it’s about $8-10 USD per ATM withdrawal so things do add up. Lastly, Zimbabwe side seems to have more bars, restaurants, and a more lively atmosphere than Livingstone but Zambia side has more activities like rafting and rhino trek so it’s better to split your time between both sides.
Jia Dan, 5-night trip
Verified

6/10 Good

Great if you’re a backpacker. Facilities are very good for that type of tourist to be fair. We however are not backpackers - we booked an en suite room out of desperation because we left it too late to book and are on a budget. Never again. We didn’t expect the Ritz but stained sheets and tide marks where the cleaner didn’t clean surfaces thoroughly are not my idea of good accommodation. The one good thing was that the air con was fab and they were generous with their generator hours during load shedding. Oh, and the guard waa very helpful when we needed help with a puncture!
Keri, 1-night trip
Verified

6/10 Good

Jollyboys could do with more TLC

Jollyboys was the first hostel in Livingstone which I can appreciate. Pros: The staff were absolutely amazing, Moyo, Mallias, George to name a few. Those people are gems. Thank you to the staff for also arranging my activities and ensuring that I explored Livingstone. The restaurant had great food and a nice vibe during the day. Cons: The WiFi does not reach the rooms. I booked a private room and yet I could only use the WiFi when I was in the common areas, this was highly inconvenient. The bathrooms need help. Between the showers, and the actual toilets you could tell that it was all old and could do with a facelift. My overall stay at Jollyboys was okay.
Raesibe, 2-night trip