About

Welcome to Riverfront Backpackers! Our accommodation offers an environmentally friendly location, with two dormitories and 2 private guest rooms, a shared kitchen, bathrooms, and common areas for all guests to use during their stay. We are right on the river, so you can enjoy the calming sounds of the water and sunrise from the front veranda, a classic South African braai, or go for a swim on hot summer days. Just 19 km from central Port Elizabeth, you can easily stop into town or go to the beach and are well connected to other cities along the Garden Route and Wild Coast. We are also only 45km from Addo and other Game Parks. The river is a tidal salt water estuary, showcasing abundant birds and walking trails.

We aim to give travelers a chance to volunteer and give back to our local community, making unique memories during their stay. Our founder, Mark, a backpacker himself with a heart for service, has fostered relationships in the area and has connections to local service leaders in need of extra help. Upon arrival, talk to Mark about helping in the nearby Motherwell Township, they have an incredible up and coming recycling center and soup kitchen for children that can always use an extra hand.

At Riverfront, you can go paddleboarding, sailing, windsurfing, swimming, surfing, and more!

With Riverfront, you can join the following activities at an additional cost:
-Addo Elephant Safari
-Sailing
-Motherwell Township
-Windsurfing Lessons
-Surf Lessons
-Surf Coastal Tour
-Fishing


Friendly, English speaking staff provide tourist information for activities all around the area.

We offer transportation upon request. Otherwise, Uber is widely available in the area. We also offer private parking on the premises.

We hope to welcome you to Riverfront Backpackers and look forward to your visit.

Policies and Conditions
-Cancellation Policy: 24 hours before arrive
-Cash or EFT payments only, upon arrival
-Reception 8:00-22:00
-Check in from 12:00 to 22:00
-Check out by 11:00
-Meals available at additional cost
-Taxes are included
-No curfew
-Non smoking rooms

This property may pre-authorise your card before arrival. In case the credit card is not valid, the customer will be contacted to provide the details of another valid card in order to guarantee their booking. Failure to do this might result in the cancellation of the booking.

House Rules

Check In

12:00 - 22:00

Check Out

until 10:00

  • Taxes Included
View House Rules

Facilities

  • Free Parking
  • Free City Maps
  • Free WiFi
  • Free Internet Access
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Luggage Storage
  • Tours/Travel Desk
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Reviews

8.7Fabulous(185)
  • Value for Money
    9.2
  • Security
    8.8
  • Atmosphere
    8.6
  • Cleanliness
    8.2
  • Staff
    9.8
  • Location
    8.0
  • Facilities
    8.0
Stayed in Nov 2025
10
E
Esther
Female, 25-30, Germany
It was a super chill and awesome stay. Great place and such a nice, friendly, caring owner!
Stayed in Oct 2025
10
L
Leon
Male, 41+, USA
Had a great stay. The location was splendid, and locals living nearby were extremely nice. Had a surfing lesson, which was exciting and saw a whale. Holy cow!! Also had some meals prepared by a wonderful cook, who was extremely accomodating. This is no 5-star restaurant, but the skill in whipping up delicacies with few ingredients was noteworthy. Addo Elephant park was also a great excursion. Saw a female lions with her cubs sauntering by and almost had a heart attack, noting her muscles and size. Wouldn't
Stayed in Sept 2025
9.4
A
Angela
Female, 41+, Germany
Sitting on the veranda at Riverfront is a dream. There is a permaculture garden and permaculture principles are used to water the plants. It can be reached by train. There are no shops nearby. Mark was very welcoming. The cleaning and gardening staff is great. We helped planting trees. Mark introduced us to a home of disabled people where he is organising a participatory self sufficient permaculture garden. At Riverfront we met other local people from South Africa and had a braai at the river with neighbo
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Location

18 Carden Street, Redhouse, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
10.2km from city centre