Hostel Review: Fairy Knowe Backpackers

We stayed for five delightful days at the Fairy Knowe Backpackers in Wilderness. The spot is really a gem. It is located about a mile outside of the little village of Wilderness, right next to Wilderness National Park. Most of the rooms are in an old farm house built in 1873. The old building gives the stay there a "cabin in the woods" feel. There is a nice kitchen and seating out on the deck that looks over the park. The bar and dining area is a quick walk from the old house, which would help with quiet nights for sleep. We were very lucky to have the place to ourselves for four nights, as we came in the very off-season.

The owner, Monica, is a super-wonderful person who made us feel so welcome to stay. She has two dogs and a cat that even I like to help keep you company as well. There is also a horse available for rides too.

Important Note: you really need a car to stay here. The walk into the village is possible by foot, but the road is narrow and there is not really much there besides a small market and some nice-but-expensive restaurants. We rented a Beetle from a lady who lives in Wilderness (Monica, the owner, that the info) for R150 a day.

Wilderness is apparently overrun with domestic tourists in the South African summer, so pre-book long ahead of time if you plan on coming in November/December. Monica says that the best time to come to Wilderness is in Feb, while the weather is still great but the crowds have gone.