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Gibela Backpackers

119 Ninth Avenue | Morningside, Durban 4001, South Africa
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Gibela Backpackers
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57 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    31
    20
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Date Rating
Glasgow
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
10 hotel reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
29 helpful votes 29 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013 NEW

Good location close to lots of very good (and well priced) restaurants. Owner took time to give advice regarding city and safety when walking. Room immaculate and facilities very good for price. Breakfast nice added bonus- fresh fruit daily.

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Elmar Gibela Ow... T, Owner at Gibela Backpackers, responded to this review
16 May 2013

Greetings from Durban. Many thx for adding your review to Tripadvisor. I am pleased that you enjoyed your stay in Durban and that the time and effort we make to explain the hidden treasures about Durban was appreciated. Hope to welcome you back one day !! More

Vancouver
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2013

After driving 8000 km exploring South Africa I lucked out finding Gibela Backpackers by chance. I stayed in many different places throughout may travels and this was a great place to chill out to spend the last month out of 4 to relax and explore Durban. Elmer was very helpful in every way and runs his place with great passion... More

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Elmar Gibela Ow... T, Owner at Gibela Backpackers, responded to this review
9 May 2013

Hello Many thanx for the review and the kind words. Yup you really got to see a real spectrum of Gibela clients and especially the returning ones that have visited Gibela on various occasions. It's rewarding to hear that what we have created and on goingly trying to create is appreciated and valued by our guests. Our location is a... More

Frome, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 February 2013

Hostel is very pleasant and quiet probably helped by the fact there is no bar. I liked very much the garden and pool. The service was excellent and the owner was always on hand to answer queries and help. Place is kept spotless by the staff. The room I stayed in was reasonable but a little on the small side... More

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Gibela, Owner at Gibela Backpackers, responded to this review
27 February 2013

Many thanx for taking the the time to write a review. Yes February is the hottest month and this year even more so - real killer tempretures - at least you made use of our newly installed pool to cool down. Thanx for mentioning the ceiling fan - we have sorted it out - someone previously changed the setting on... More

Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 February 2013

We had to book into Gibela after being let down at the last minute by Nomads just down the road. We landed on our feet! Gibela is a fantastic backpackers. It is super clean and secure, with really nice rooms that have been tastefully decorated. I highly recommend this place.

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Elmar Gibela Ow... T, Owner at Gibela Backpackers, responded to this review
9 May 2013

Hello Good to hear you enjoyed your stay. it was great having your group stay with us and were very pleased that we could assist at the last minute. Hope the group enjoyed the stay and even more importantly Durban - do remember that the restaurant meals were memorable. More

Brooklyn, New York
Top Contributor
212 reviews 212 reviews
61 hotel reviews
Reviews in 77 cities Reviews in 77 cities
50 helpful votes 50 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 February 2013

I only stayed here for one night on my way back to Joburg, but it seemed like a really cool place, complete with a pool and average continental breakfast. It's far from city center, but that is a plus for me. And it is a Baz Bus stop, so convenient for those using that to get around South Africa. I... More

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Gibela, Owner at Gibela Backpackers, responded to this review
27 February 2013

Thanx for your review. The city by foot is a bit of a trek - about 45 min walk, but being on two inner city bus routes and a mini-bus taxi route the city is a quick 7 - 10 min drive away. Alternatively the 25 min walk to the beach connects you with the Peoplemover bus that covers all... More

Liverpool
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2013

Stayed for 5 day when I arrived in Durban. Lovely place. Very clean. Friendly staff. Quiet at night and very secure. Close to Florida Rd (2 min walk) which is got loads of places to eat/ drink. Would definitely recommend.

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See 2 more reviews by Damien L for Durban
Elmar Gibela Ow... T, Owner at Gibela Backpackers, responded to this review
27 February 2013

Many thanx for your review and great write-up. Our location is a great sales point. Being close to Florida Road restaurants, cafe's and bars. Walking distance to supermarket, laundramata and bus routes makes live easier. More

Stockport, United Kingdom
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 January 2013

I visited Gibela Backpackers Lodge for four nights over Christmas with two friends. It was ideal for our requirements - basic, affordable accomodation yet clean, bright and in very pleasant surroundings. The communal area is comfortable with sofas and chairs by the pool, and the rooms were small but adequate, and spotlessly clean. The only slight issue we had was... More

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Midland, Texas, USA
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 January 2013

Great hostel--it has almost a boutique hotel feel to it. The owner runs a tight ship and the place is sparkling. He is also a great source of no BS travel advice. Attracts a very chill crowd. Returning.

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Munich, Germany
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
36 hotel reviews
Reviews in 39 cities Reviews in 39 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 January 2013

It's definitely not a party hostel, but the Gibela has a lot offer. The place is probably the cleanest hostel we've stayed at in South Africa. Elmar, the owner, knows pretty much everything about Durban/South Africa. They have a clean pool, a well-equipped kitchen and some nice areas to hang out in the front of the house and at the... More

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Utrecht
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
14 hotel reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 31 December 2012

The place is well protected and placed in a cozy area. You can walk around, even at night and visit some nice restaurants and bars that are located nearby. It is a good hangout, an opern area, and the owner is very friendly and will help you with your stay and trip. The rooms are realy clean btw.

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Smith's Cottage
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Additional Information about Gibela Backpackers

Address: 119 Ninth Avenue | Morningside, Durban 4001, South Africa
Phone Number:
Region: South Africa > KwaZulu-Natal > Durban
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Free Breakfast Free Parking Kitchenette Shuttle Bus service
Hotel Style:
Ranked #3 of 56 Speciality lodging in Durban
Price Range: £
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
WINNER of the 2008 South African Tourism Welcome Awards. Gibela is conveniently located in the safe, residential area of Morningside and within walking distance to the center of Durban’s entertainment life, Florida Road, where there are restaurants, cocktail bars, clubs and coffee shops galore. WINNER of the 2008 South African Tourism Welcome Awards. Lonely Planet 2009 - Our pick for Durban accommodation Rough Guide - Authors pick ... more   less 
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Gibela Backpackers
See lowest price for your stay* (from our partners)
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