Salty Jackal Backpackers & Surf Camp

I have been there twice now and will go again. I am not a hostel kind of person and ended up there by accident. What a lovely accident - I love that cool and cozy place. The dorm and the rooms are nicely furnished and super clean, the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed and the people we met there on two occasions are a perfect match. Already looking forward to the next time.

We recently stayed at this hostel as a couple, and even though we're not into surfing, our experience was quite enjoyable. We opted for a private double room with shared bathroom facilities. There is secured parking. The kitchen facilities were also a big plus, allowing us to prepare our own meals and save some money on dining out. The owners and hosts were incredibly friendly and accommodating, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. They were always available to provide helpful tips and recommendations for exploring the area. The shared areas in the hostel were comfortable and inviting. Whether you wanted to relax, engage in conversation with fellow travelers, or get some work done, there were suitable spaces for all these activities.

Comfortable hostel with good communal areas. Location is walkable to restaurants, the beach, and bars. Hosts and employees are friendly and organized.

Surfers paradise. Good waves, good food, and a nice clean place to sleep. There are often group dinners at the hostel for a small price, always nice to have a home cooked meal when you are travelling. The owners are kind and helpful. Plenty of shared space to relax in. Cannot reccommene enough. My favorite hostel ever. Oh and the two dogs and one cat who patrol the grounds are so sweet.

Very good vibe at this place, friendly and helpful staff, close to the ocean and center city. One night, I went to the dunes, 30 minutes walk, and I could see these amazing dunes and a wonderful sunset over the ocean. I would definitely recommend this place.

We stayed here with our 2 daughters and had a wonderful time. Everybody is so friendly and helpful and you really feel part of the surfers family. Lovely hostal, close to everything, we had a fun surfing lesson and enjoyed the vibe!

What a cool vibe!!! 😊😎 Definitely recommend this place to everyone who is looking for a good time in Swakopmund! Super nice staff and we had an awesome time with the guests and with Olli and Iris. Thank you so much ! We will be back soon ! Even if you are not into surfing it’s still worth a stay at Salty Jackal. ☺️🤙☺️

Overall my stay was okay. The hostel was neat and tidy, but I think there is room for improvements. The staff is all volunteers which means they don't know Namibia very well. It's a clever business model to have a full volunteer staff, but not super helpful to customers who need travel advice about the country. At least 2 locals on staff who would be great to answer questions. I also didn't like that the cleaning staff was all black locals who didn't feel integrated into the hostel. It gave me apartheid vibes, Swakopmund in general gives apartheid vibes. It was like the black cleaning staff was there/present, but not to be heard or seen. The volunteers sign off on the cleaning staffs hours at the end of the day and are told to "make sure the cleaning staff does all of their work." It's like the owner trust the all white European volunteer staff that he just met a few days ago and who will leave within a few weeks more than he trust his fellow Namibians because they are black. Black Namibians are capable of more than just cleaning, maybe consider hiring locals to answer questions about the area. Be sure to read up on the history of German and South African colonization of Namibia before your trip to add some context to the environment. The cancellation policy is also not helpful for backpackers. When you're backpacking you don't always have a plan. I wanted to stay in Namibia for two weeks, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I paid to stay at Salty Jackal for two weeks and only stayed in my room half the time because I ended up traveling the country. I thought the rate for a single room was too high since you don't get a private bathroom. In a single room you still have to share a bathroom with everyone in the hostel. Lastly - all of the pets are super sweet. However, I often saw the cat hanging out on the kitchen counter and dinner table which is gross.