Backpacking in Namibia: Staying at Chameleon Backpackers Hostel in Downtown Windhoek

“Karma karma karma karma karma chameleon. They come and go. Oh ho. They come and go.” – Boy George.

Windhoek will never make my list of world’s greatest capitals, nor Namibia a highly ranked country, however there was solace and some joy to be had during my time here, even in the largely neglected “fly in and out of” capital. With its expensive safaris, desert tours and over-charging taxi drivers, Nambia doesn’t exactly cater for cheapskate budget backpackers. Luckily, there are still some ways to save money and a great budget backpacking option in the capital city. Welcome to Chameleon Backpackers in Windhoek – a place to rival many a backpacker’s hostel I stayed in down the years.

As well as a lovely time chilling out near Windhoek International Airport (nowhere near Windhoek by the way – it’s in the desert) at Vineyard Country Lodge, here are some reasons why you should stay in the city centre of Windhoek for at least a night and choose the Chameleon Backpackers.

1.A range of rooms to suit all tastes

I backpacked textbook style in a 4 bed dorm and liked it. But there are also options for twins, doubles, groups and families. Luxury rooms are also suitably available to cater for all spectrums of tourists.

2.Excellent bar with live sports

The good news is that at Chameleon Backpackers there is a bar with cheap cold beers and many other drinks and that it shows live sports. The bad news for me was that I watched AFC Bournemouth lose 2-1 (late goal) to Sheffield United here.

3.A swimming pool

Namibia will hardly stress you out as a nation – with only 2.5 million people, even the capital city Windhoek is a minor and quiet affair, nothing like Luanda or Cape Town. However, a swimming pool in a budget hostel is always a great thing and here you can laze and swim to your heart’s content.

4.Three Wi-Fi Networks

Some of my 2020 Africa trip was a complete nightmare to get online. It was grey screen loyal, refresh, network not available, incorrect password. It was excruciatingly painful to get online. However, for one night at least in Chameleon, I had access to three Wi-Fi networks. They worked in my room, in the bar and in the kitchen/lounge.

5.Travel Service

Chameleon Backpackers also has a travel service to help organise your safaris to Etosha National Park, Cheetah tours and Safaris. When time permits, I will try to write about those adventures separately.

6.Free Breakfast

Breakfast is included in the cost at Chameleon Backpackers, which is always a bonus for the ardent whackpacker. For me especially here as I find Namibia over-hyped and ridiculously over-priced. A $20 US taxi to the airport was deemed a “bargain”. It really is a country for those backpackers with a lot of money to spend!

Staff were also extremely helpful and welcoming to me here. For once, I didn’t mingle much with my fellow backpackers though in fairness I only had one night here, and was out for dinner that night at the trendy Joe’s Beer House in the north of the city where I devoured zebra loin steak…here are some more photos from my time at the Chameleon Backpackers Hostel in Windhoek, Namibia…

Here are the details for booking a room at the Chameleon Backpackers Hostel in Windhoek, Namibia:

5 Voight St North, Windhoek, Namibia
P.0. Box 6107, Windhoek, Namibia.

• [email protected]
•  +264 61 244347
•  chameleon.backpackers

Here are some videos from my stay at the Chameleon Backpackers Hostel in Windhoek, Namibia: