Jollyboys Backpackers

Jollyboys Backpackers occupies a large compound at 34 Kanyanta Road in Livingstone, roughly 3 kilometres from the Victoria Falls entrance gate and within comfortable walking distance of the town centre, local restaurants, and the central market. The hostel has operated for more than two decades and has accumulated a strong reputation on the southern Africa overland circuit, primarily for the quality of its staff, the reliability of its activity-booking desk, and the social atmosphere of its garden pool area. Accommodation covers dormitory bunk beds in mixed and female-only rooms, as well as private en-suite chalets for travellers who want privacy without full hotel pricing. Bed linen is provided; towels can be hired at reception. The compound is spacious — a large swimming pool sits at the centre of shaded gardens, and the outdoor bar and fire pit area become natural social hubs each evening, where travellers exchange itinerary ideas and recent route intelligence from Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Wi-Fi coverage is reliable in the pool area and communal spaces. The tour desk at Jollyboys has direct relationships with most Livingstone activity operators and can book Victoria Falls day visits, white-water rafting grades 3–5, bungee jumping from the bridge, microlight and helicopter flights, mokoro canoe excursions, and Zambezi sunset cruises, typically at standard market rates with no added markup. This makes it a practical coordination point for travellers building multi-country itineraries. A shared kitchen is available for self-caterers; a simple breakfast menu is served each morning. The bar stocks local Mosi lager, imported spirits, and soft drinks. The property accepts tent campers with full access to the shared ablution facilities, pool, and bar. Border crossings to Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls Town) and Botswana (Kazungula) are both within a short taxi ride, and staff can advise on current procedures.