Frequently Asked Questions

JSL Shuttles (Cell: +27 83 785 4779 or +27 76 849 0965) provides daily shuttles from O R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg directly to Marloth Park. If you are utilizing this transfer to reach Kruger Park Hostel, please let us know so that we can collect you from the drop off point within Marloth Park.

They do shuttles to:

O.R. Tambo (daily) - Centurion (daily) - Menlyn (daily)
Durban (once a week)

Click for Online Bookings of Transfers from O R Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) or Pretoria

https://www.jsltransport.co.za/
tickets@jsltransport.co.za

JSL Shuttle Johannesburg to Marloth Park Route and Times

Pretoria - Tshwane, Menlyn BP Garage Justice Mohamed/Atterbury - 10:45
Pretoria, Centurion Gate Total Garage John Vorster Drive - 11:15
Johannesburg, O.R.Tambo Bus Terminal - 11:45
Witbank - eMalahleni, McDonalds Highveld Mall - 14:00
Middelburg, McDonalds Middelburg Mall - 14:30
Belfast, Engen Garage - 15:15
Machadodorp, TOTAL Garage - 15:25
Waterval Boven, SASOL C/o 12/3 Ave - 15:35
Ngodwana Engen Garage - 16:00
Nelspruit - Mbombela, Engen Lincoln Motors near SUN 1 - 16:30
Malelane, Caltex Garage - 17:30
Hectorspruit, Engen Garage - 17:45
Komatipoort, Wimpy - 18:15
Ngwenya Lodge Gate - 18:30
Marloth Park, Marlothi Shopping Centre - 18:45

Please also see our "How to Get to Kruger Park Hostel Page" for more information.

Marloth Park is on the fence line of the Kruger Park and Kruger Park Hostel is located within Marloth Park. The Entrance Gate of the Kruger Park (Crocodile Bridge) is located 20 mins drive from the Hostel.

Map of Marloth Park showing location of Kruger Park and Kruger Park Hostel

Yes there are wild animals roaming around Marloth Park and hence you are not allowed to walk around the park after sunset. But during the day you can walk around Marloth and view the animals, there are no Lions, Elephant, Buffalo or Rhinos in Marloth Park, but occasionally Lions and also Leopards come through the fence from the Kruger Park.

Yes, we have a small swimming Pool to cool down on those hot days.

Within Marloth Park, the absence of fences allows animals within the park to walk freely among the few houses. Animals within the park include kudu, giraffes, zebras, warthogs, hundreds of bird species, wildebeest, many different antelope, a few smaller predators and reptiles, and many more.

Since the dangerous game like lion, rhino and buffalo is confined to Lionspruit (a smaller game reserve within Marloth Park) and the neigbouring Kruger Park, you can walk freely around Marloth. This gives an amazing feeling of being in the bush yet being in safety. All of Marloth Park is guarded by a 24/7 security company. Though walking after sunset is not allowed.

Kruger Park Hostel is located within Marloth Park, which is a game reserve with animals roaming around freely between the properties, and Marloth Park is located right next to the Kruger Park, sharing a fence line of a few kilometers. Walking along the fence line can give the opportunity of some great game sightings, such as Elephant, Lion, Hippos and many other animals coming to drink at the Crocodile River.

We accept VISA and Master Card credit cards and for South African's instant EFT's as payments. When making a reservation we request your credit card details to secure the booking. The balance of the accommodation will be payable on arrival.

Even though we strongly recommend visitors to spend at least 3 days in Kruger Park Hostel, there is no minimum length of stay. We do not have a maximum stay limit.
Management also reserve the right to refuse admission.

Yes, If you booked through HostelWorld.com, Booking.com or the like you should get an automated email from the Online Travel Agent allowing you to leave a review.

Leave a review for Kruger Park Hostel on Google Business Review

Alternativly you can go to Google Business Review.

Leave a review for Kruger Park Hostel on Trip Advisor

Or Trip Advisor Review.

Amazing Kruger View

Restaurant & Pub
Has great views overlooking the Crocodile River
Located in: Henk Van Rooyen Park
Address: Corner Crocodile &, Maroela Rd, Marloth Park (4.3 km from Kruger Park Hostel)
Phone: +27 79 301 1133

The Tin Shack Restaurant

Restaurant & Pub
Good inexpensive food
Located in: Morlothi Shopping Centre
Address: 3884 Olifant Dr, Marloth Park (7.5 km from Kruger Park Hostel)
Phone: +27 71 658 9662

bos. Restaurant & Bar

Restaurant & Pub
Address: 3883 Olifant Dr, Marloth Park (7 km from Kruger Park Hostel)
www.bosbar.co.za
Phone: +27 66 226 2180

The Giraff Pub and Grill in Marloth Park

Giraffe Pub and Grill

More pub than restaurant
Address: 2232 Rinkhals Ave, Marloth Park (7 km from Kruger Park Hostel)
Phone: +27 64 600 7542

And don't forget we at Kruger Park Hostel also offer breakfast (free) and dinner

Cheetha Express offers weekly shuttle service from Nelspruit through Komartipoort to Tofu, they travel on Thursdays departing Nelspruit at 6am. - approx ZAR900 pp

Contact D A Palermo at 078 184 3490 or +258 84 244 2103 (WhatsApp) or email cheetahexpressmaputo@gmail.com

Cheetha Express offers daily shuttle service from Nelspruit through Komartipoort to Maputo, they travel on Thursdays departing Nelspruit at 15:30pm. - approx ZAR550 pp

Contact D A Palermo at 078 184 3490 or +258 84 244 2103 (WhatsApp) or email cheetahexpressmaputo@gmail.com

Within the Marloth Park, there are giraffe, wildebeest, kudu, zebra, impala, bushbuck, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey and other small game and a rich bird life. Occasionaly some preditors move into Marloth from the Kruger, including Lions and Leopards.

Kruger Park Hostel is located within a game reserve that is fenced in and with controlled access, far from any metropolitan area, and so crime is very low in the park. At the hostel we have additional security with CCTV and alarm systems. In the dorm rooms we have individual lockers for you to lock up your valuables and or your entire bag. We did recently have a break-in, but if you did't have any fruit in your bags they where perfectly safe from these baboons. Click here to view this break-in as it was caught on CCTV.

We're aware that many solo travelers, despite the burgeoning trend, can often feel isolated when staying in hostels. To combat this feeling, we provide both breakfast and dinner at Kruger Park Hostel. Meals are served around a communal table, and our friendly staff often join in, fostering lively discussions and the opportunity to form new friendships. Our intent is not just to feed, but to create an environment where guests, especially solo travelers, can effortlessly connect, share stories, and establish a true sense of community during their stay.

No, we provide clean linen and towels for you and will have your bed fully prepared for you when you arrive. Sleeping bags are prohibited due to health regulations and hygene. We do not provide towels, however, they are available to hire from reception.

Yes, there is plenty safe parking at Kruger Park Hostel.

Yes, Our check in time is at 2 pm, however if you arrive early we will gladly store your luggage for free and allow you to use our facilities and all communal areas. Out of respect to our sleeping guests, we typically do not allow access to the rooms before 2 pm unless the entire room is vacant. The time between check in and check out is used by our housekeeping team to clean all the rooms and prepare the beds for new guests..

Staying in a backpacker hostel is great fun and an easy way to meet new friends. Our rooms, with the exception of the double private room, are shared dorms equipped with bunk beds. All of our guests are similar-minded international and local travellers aged between 18 and 45, hoping to enjoy the beautiful Kruger National Park and Marloth Park. We pride ourselves on creating a fun and friendly atmosphere at the hostel which is why many of our guests quickly meet new friends to travel Southern Africa with.

What a backpacker is like

Backpacker Hostels provide accommodation, which is budget-oriented and sociable. Guests usually rent a bunk bed in a dormitory and share a lounge area and bathrooms. All areas are mixed-gender accessible. Backpacker Hostels represent the most basic and cheapest form of accommodation. As such, they are often owned independently and must not be confused with Bed & Breakfast, Lodges, Motels or Hotels. In South Africa the words “backpackers” and “hostel” are used interchangeably.

What is included in the rent

Backpacker Hostels focus on travellers with a minimal budget. As such, we are trying to keep your rent as low as possible and give discounts to guests, who decide to stay longer with us. Your rent includes your bed and linen, as well as usage of the lounge, bathrooms and all other common areas. It also covers your water and electricity usage.

What backpackers as guests are like

Typical backpackers are international, independent budget travellers with an open and liberal mind between the age of 18 and 35. Most of them are tech-savvy, identify themselves with the terms “adventurous” and “individual” and like to improvise. They travel on a budget and rather stay 1 week longer in a foreign country in some basic accommodation, than 1 more night in a luxurious hotel. They usually travel alone but sometimes appear in pairs, are very sociable and like to meet other like-minded people.

What backpackers as guests are not like

Backpackers usually don’t travel with much. They don’t use trolleys or consume a lot of space. They are rather interested in solving a problem than to complain about one.

Many backpackers love to live outside their comfort zone and are learning that often the bit they have – and that all fits in one backpack – is just enough to be happy.

Although Marloth Park is considered a 'low risk malaria area', it might be advised for foreigners to protect themselves in the wet season, this is December-January. In the dry season, a normal mosquito protection should be sufficient. If you have forgotten anti-malarial medication at home, these tablets can be obtained at the pharmacy in Malelane or Komatipoort, without a prescription and cheaper than in Europe. Also cover up your ankles and legs at dawn and dusk. Then you should be fine. Ankles is what mozzies like the most because of the abundance of blood in your ankles.

Yes, not only can you book a game drive from Kruger Park Hostel, which depart daily, or a Panorama Tour, but you can also book a three day Safari into the Kruger Park or a four day beach excursion to Mozambuique.

FAQ's - Kruger Park Hostel