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Jollyboys Backpackers

3.0 star property
Travelers can rejuvenate with spa treatments near Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, enjoy made-to-order breakfasts, and relax in the garden or take a swim

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Photo gallery for Jollyboys Backpackers

An open-air lounge with wooden pillars, colorful seating, and a thatched roof. - Jollyboys Backpackers (Livingstone)
A building with a thatched roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a concrete pathway. - Jollyboys Backpackers (Livingstone)
An outdoor dining area with a fountain, tables, and chairs, surrounded by trees and a building with arches. - Jollyboys Backpackers (Livingstone)
A group of people sitting on a bench in a covered outdoor area with a thatched roof, colorful wall art, and a water dispenser in the background. - Jollyboys Backpackers (Livingstone)
A bar with a brick wall, shelves with bottles, and a JollyBoys refrigerator. - Jollyboys Backpackers (Livingstone)
Jollyboys Backpackers provides a peaceful getaway with practical amenities for travelers seeking comfort. Guests can book massages and manicures, cool off in the outdoor pool, and use free WiFi in common areas while enjoying the garden setting.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Spa
  • Parking included
  • Breakfast available

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 15 of 15 rooms

View all photos for Double Room, Ensuite

A room with a bed, a ceiling fan, a bedside table, a green backpack, and a metal rack with bags.

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

A hotel room with two beds, a ceiling fan, mosquito nets, an air conditioning unit, and a person reading a book.

Twin Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin 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

A room with two beds, a fan, a wooden table, and a window.

Twin Room, Shared Bathroom

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

A room with a bunk bed, a single bed, a bedside table with a radio, and a potted plant.

Triple Room, Shared Bathroom

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

View all photos for Quadruple Room, Ensuite

In-room safe, bed sheets

Quadruple Room, Ensuite

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Twin Bunk Beds

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

A bunk bed room with brick walls, a window, and a trash bin.

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

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Single Room Ensuite

A room with a bed, a ceiling fan, a bedside table, a green backpack, and a metal rack with bags.

Single Room Ensuite

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

View all photos for Shared Dormitory, Women only

A room with a brick wall, a bunk bed, a red wardrobe, and a wooden door.

Shared Dormitory, Women only

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 1
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

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

A room with a brick wall, a bunk bed, a red wardrobe, and a wooden door.

Room, Multiple Beds (9 Bed Private Dorm)

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

View all photos for Room (7 Bed Private Dorm)

A bunk bed room with brick walls, a window, and a trash bin.

Room (7 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 7
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room (6 Bed Private Dorm)

A bunk bed room with brick walls, a window, and a trash bin.

Room (6 Bed Private Dorm)

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 6
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Room, Multiple Beds

A bunk bed room with brick walls, a window, and a trash bin.

Room, Multiple Beds

  • Garden view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 4 Twin Bunk Beds

About the neighborhood

Located in Livingstone, Jollyboys Backpackers is in the city center and near the airport. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Devil's Pool, while Livingstone Museum and Railway Museum are cultural highlights. Victoria Falls Field Museum and Victoria Falls are two other places to visit that come recommended. Discover the area's wildlife on a nearby safari, or try your luck with game drives and game viewing. Visit our Livingstone travel guide
View more Hostels in Livingstone
Map
34 Kanyanta Road, Livingstone

What's nearby

  • A large waterfall cascading down a steep cliff surrounded by lush greenery.
    Victoria Falls
    11 min drive - 7.8 miles
  • Livingstone Museum
    1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Mukuni Park Curio Market
    9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Railway Museum
    2 min drive - 1.5 miles
  • Devil's Pool
    12 min drive - 8.6 miles

Getting around

  • Livingstone (LVI)
    8 min drive

Restaurants

  • Sea Spice
    11 min walk
  • The Golden Leaf
    2 min drive
  • The Lookout Café
    13 min drive
  • The Three Monkeys
    11 min drive
  • The Boma
    16 min drive

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour free airport pick-up shuttle on request
  • Area shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Daily cooked-to-order breakfast available 6:30 AM to noon for a fee: USD 5 to 8 per person
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant
  • Snack bar/deli

Things to do

  • Books
  • Outdoor pool
  • Table tennis
  • TV in common areas

Conveniences

  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk
  • Shared refrigerator
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • 2 treatment rooms
  • Couples treatment rooms
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible airport shuttle
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • Designated smoking areas

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Single sofa bed

Bathroom

  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Shared kitchen access

More

  • Ceiling fan
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out before 10 AM

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

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children 9 and younger are not allowed at this property; All guests older than 9 are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for cooked-to-order breakfast: approximately USD 5 to 8 per person

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Cashless transactions are available
Long-term renters welcome
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Children 9 years old and younger are not permitted at this property

Frequently asked questions

Does Jollyboys Backpackers have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Jollyboys Backpackers pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Jollyboys Backpackers?

Check-in start time: 2 PM; Check-in end time: 8 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Jollyboys Backpackers?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Does Jollyboys Backpackers provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel that runs on request.

Where is Jollyboys Backpackers located?

Located in the heart of Livingstone, this hostel is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Livingstone Museum and within 3 mi (5 km) of Railway Museum and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Victoria Falls Field Museum and Devil's Pool are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on select room rates, because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Jollyboys Backpackers Reviews

8.8

Excellent

8.4

Cleanliness

8.6

Location

9.0

Staff & service

8.4

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 104 out of 200 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 67 out of 200 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 21 out of 200 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 5 out of 200 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 200 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Third time I have stayed there and will be back, great place for a few days rest. Food is good there but takes a small lifetime to come out
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kathy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was the best hostel experience. The staff was great and I enjoyed the vibe.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Pawel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hostel itself is great and I really like it. Is very well located, has great vibe and very helpful staff. There is a kitchen, bar/restaurant, swimming pool, lots of sitting space available, very clean and well maintained bathroom and toilets and lots of power sockets available. The internet is decent. Really lots of very positive things about the hostel. There is one negative thing though. We stayed in a private room. The room itself is pretty bad and needs urgent renovation. The mattress was good, but that's it. Doors have an issue closing it, no air conditioning (luckily we were in winter time), dirty walls and ceiling, pretty bad other furniture and quite tight room for a couple. I'd have given 5* if the private room is better.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

JAIME

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pawel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great stay with interesting company

Great time, delicious breakfasts, I loved the relax zone.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Georsadd

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great feel about place and very helpful staff
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were very helpful with booking transfers and activities. Lots to do in the area
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Wojciech

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Jolly’s

Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Simon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Jolly’s

Absolute bliss!! It’s my home away from home! The staff is amazing
Stayed 1 night in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Understandable why Jollyboys is a back-to-back top hostel champ. Great staff. Chill space.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gary

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

8/10 Good

Eurico

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very safe and quiet area. Good vibes. Clean and the workers were friendly and helpful all the time. Will come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mr M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Khushnidjon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Mei Fang

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Rirhandzu

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Javier

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Pamela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

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.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mercy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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,
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

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.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Alli

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024