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The 10 Best Hostels in Nairobi, Kenya

Some of the best backpacker spots in Nairobi

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Superb: 9+ Very good: 8+ Good: 7+ Pleasant: 6+
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Set in Nairobi, 3.8 km from Nairobi National Museum, Jabulani Nairobi Backpackers Hostel offers accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. The property is around 5.4 km from Kenyatta International Conference Centre, 3.1 km from Museum Hill Centre and 3.2 km from Sigiria - Karura Forest. The accommodation features karaoke and a shared kitchen.

I loved staying at Jabulani. The location in Westland is good, (though a bit hard to find for taxis etc.) Probably because It’s new. Susan is the best host ever. She helps with everything and organized a fantastic safari trip to Masai Mara for me as well. The hostel is quite small, the atmosphere great and people tend to come back all the time. Reunions and hugs. Shopping malls, atm’s, restaurants etc is just 5 minutes walk away. I will for sure come back.

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9.2
Superb
94 reviews
Price from
£10
per night

Situated in Nairobi, 3.2 km from Nairobi National Museum, Nairobi Backpackers Hostel features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. The property is set 5.1 km from Kenyatta International Conference Centre, 3.1 km from Habitat for Humanity Kenya and 3.2 km from Nairobi Botanic Garden. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, a shared kitchen and free WiFi throughout the property.

Vincent was very hospitable and there was a great community of backpackers. It was quite minimal but the hostel is just new so I am excited to see how it will look when I return next. The location and security were great as well.

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8.7
Fabulous
44 reviews
Price from
£11
per night

Mad Vervet Nairobi Backpackers Hostel has a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and bar in Nairobi. Located around 8.3 km from Kenyatta International Conference Centre, the hostel with free WiFi is also 8.4 km away from Nairobi National Museum. The accommodation features evening entertainment and a shared kitchen.

Amazing and clean hostel, amazing people Impossible to get bored Try to belive Nice to meet you crazy guys 🤙

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8.9
Fabulous
85 reviews
Price from
£9
per night

At the hostel, each room has a desk and a flat-screen TV. At ADANA PODS every room is equipped with bed linen and towels.

Nairobi Giraffe Centre is 6 km from ADANA PODS, while Matbronze Wildlife Art is 6.9 km away. The nearest airport is Wilson Airport, 13 km from the hostel.

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9
Superb
4 reviews
Price from
£7
per night

Situated in Nairobi, 21 km from Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Indovu Back Packers features accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. The property is around 22 km from Nairobi National Museum, 10 km from Karen Blixen Museum and 11 km from Oloolua Nature Trail. Every room is fitted with a balcony with garden views and free WiFi.

The rooms are fitted with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a shower, slippers and a wardrobe. At the hostel rooms have a shared bathroom and bed linen.

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Price from
£24
per night

The hostel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a shower. The rooms will provide guests with a fridge.

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Price from
£13
per night

Located in Nairobi, within 700 metres of Nairobi National Museum and 2 km of Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Kioneki hostels provides accommodation with a shared lounge and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. The property is set 1.7 km from Nairobi Milliary Stone, 1.3 km from Jamia Mosque and 2 km from Nairobi Gallery. The property is non-smoking and is situated 800 metres from Nairobi Snake Park.

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Price from
£105
per night

Looking for a hostel?

Budget travellers know that there is no better way to make the most of their trip than by staying at a hostel: save money for exploring during the day, and swap stories with fellow backpackers in the shared kitchen or bar in the evening. Dorm-style bedrooms with shared bathrooms are standard hostel fare, but private rooms are also available for those willing to pay a bit more.
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Hostels that guests love in Nairobi

  • Avg. price/night: £26.26
    7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 135 reviews
    Great location, near the center but quiet and safe. The room was big, the bed had a new, comfortable mattress. As I have a back problem, the quality of the mattress is very important to me. Fridge and water boiler in the room with tea and coffee bags available. Decent bar and restaurant open until late at night. Very helpful staff. Overall a great stay with high price / value quota.
    Antigoni
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £36.03
    9.0
    Scored 9.0
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 45 reviews
    Every thing is good. Great location & safe neighbour hood very clean property.
    Sagarputhanekar
    Young couple
  • Avg. price/night: £50.44
    9.6
    Scored 9.6
    Exceptional
    Rated exceptional
     · 182 reviews
    Great location in the leafy urban area of Karen. Close to the giraffe centre and a mall for shopping and food. We hired a car to get around so these places were close by. Free wifi in the rooms, and dining area. Safe area, space for car parking, and lovely outdoor area to relax in. Staff were friendly, lovely! Breakfast was great too.
    Amy
    Family with young children
  • Avg. price/night: £17.61
    9.2
    Scored 9.2
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 94 reviews
    Safe hostel, central location, kind host who waited for my check-in patiently as my flight landed at midnight
    Xiaomin Fu
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £17.61
    9.2
    Scored 9.2
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 94 reviews
    Location is perfect and central to a lot in the Westlands. Safe hostel with a good group of international guests. The host Susan is very knowledgeable and relatable in providing guests with important info about Nairobi and places to go. Laundry being available to guests is clutch for nomadic travelers.
    Delta
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £17.61
    9.2
    Scored 9.2
    Superb
    Rated superb
     · 94 reviews
    Very friendly backpackers with helpful staff and good vibe for meeting other travellers. Cheap price, good sized beds in the dorm and nice location in Westlands within walking distance of some cool bars.
    Jonny Sweet
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £69.41
    7.9
    Scored 7.9
    Good
    Rated good
     · 665 reviews
    Nothing, by far the worst place I have stayed at. The shower is hand held and no pressure at all, you wash with droplets. The bathroom smelt mouldy, 24/7. Towels are white but have been washed beyond their life span but rugged as they were, left for a guest to use. The food, terrible, very low budget but I guess they’re cheap for a reason and I should have paid attention to some of the reviews because I lived them.
    Khanya
    Group
  • Avg. price/night: £87.27
    7.7
    Scored 7.7
    Good
    Rated good
     · 1,624 reviews
    Great location, safe, lovely staff. Good food options. A great budget hotel.
    Laura
    Group
  • 8.7
    Scored 8.7
    Fabulous
    Rated fabulous
     · 44 reviews
    The best hostel in Africa! The hostel is located in a safe area of town & close to all essential amenities. Vincent the owner knows of all the happenings in town & joins in every chance he gets. I also met Vincent in his home town & he showed me around for the two days I was there.
    Josh
    Solo traveller
  • Avg. price/night: £12.81
    6.4
    Scored 6.4
    Pleasant
    Rated pleasant
     · 465 reviews
    great value for money, probably the best clean budget option in Nairobi; great location within CBD; clear and safe place
    Alexander
    Family with young children

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