Your stay — Lebo's Soweto Backpackers
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The Property — Lebo's Soweto Backpackers
Lebo's Soweto Backpackers is a lively, communal hub built around a century-old house in Orlando West. The lobby feels like a living room filled with travellers sharing stories over a braai, with walls covered in local art and old photographs of the neighbourhood. Its USP is total immersion in Soweto's real rhythm—daily walking and cycling tours led by local guides, a shebeen on-site, and genuine township hospitality. This place suits sociable solo travellers and small groups who want substance, not sanitised hotel bubbles.
Chronicles of Johannesburg
Johannesburg was founded in 1886 after the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand, triggering a frantic mining rush and rapid urban expansion. Its early architecture was utilitarian—mine headgears, rows of corrugated-iron cottages—but Art Deco and modernist blocks rose in the 1930s-50s, many now heritage-listed. The city's identity is layered: the brutal legacy of apartheid's spatial planning lives on, but Soweto, once a segregated dormitory township, became the crucible of the anti-apartheid movement. Today, Joburg is Africa's economic powerhouse, a gritty, fast-changing metropolis where street art, high-tech start-ups, and live music define a restless, young energy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Johannesburg guide →Best months
April and August: cool, dry days with clear skies (20-25°C), low humidity, and fewer tourists than the European summer peak.
Peak / festival surge
December-January is busiest—school holidays fill lodges, Jo'burg hosts festivals like Joy of Jazz (late September), prices at Lebo's can double. The year-end heat (often 30°C+) and afternoon thunderstorms make it lively but sweaty.
Budget shoulder season
March and September-October offer discounted rates, pleasant temperatures (15-25°C), and lower crowds—ideal for exploring Soweto without the holiday rush.
Weather & packing
Johannesburg's winter mornings are often below 5°C, despite sunny afternoons. Pack layers: a fleece or light jacket for dawn walks, and a sun hat for midday tours.
Live City Briefing — Johannesburg
- The BRT Rea Vaya bus network has added a new route linking Soweto to Sandton, making it easier to reach Lebo's from the north without a car.
- Soweto's Vilakazi Street pedestrianisation project is underway, reducing traffic around Nelson Mandela's former home and the artists' market.
- July is mid-winter in Joburg, so expect crisp, clear days; the city's annual 'Bash at the Bass' reggae festival usually happens in late June/early July, drawing crowds to Soweto.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Lebo's Soweto Backpackers, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor away from the main entrance. The quieter side overlooks the garden, not the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the common lounge or bar area on the ground floor—guest noise carries, especially on weekends.
Best views
Rooms facing the garden offer a view of the yard and outdoor seating, not the roadside.
Quietest floors
The first floor is the quietest; it's above ground-floor activity but not close to the roof or stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road can drift in during peak hours. The bar and lounge are active until late on Fridays and Saturdays.
Insider tips
Park on-site if available—street parking is limited and can feel unsafe at night. Request a fan or heater as air-con isn't standard in all rooms.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Lebo's Soweto Backpackers
Free WiFi throughout, typical 5–10 Mbps, no login – just connect; slower in rooms furthest from lounge
No lift – two-storey house with exterior stairs only
No newspapers or digital newsstand; communal TV in lounge showing DStv
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop free before 14:00 (no early check-in). Late check-out until 12:00 no fee; after 12:00 charged full night if available.
Free storage in locked room behind reception on day of arrival/departure
No step-free access – entrance has two steps; all bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs only
Free on-street parking outside (safe area by day, park close to gate at night). Nearest public car park: Soweto Mall pay lot, 3 km away, R15 per hour. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; R200 refundable cash key deposit on arrival
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Martin de Porres Catholic Church (625 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Mzimhlophe Seventh Day Adventist Church (761 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Evangelical Lutheran Church Phomolong Meadowlands Parish (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Evangelical Lutheran Church (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Ndofaya — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Hector Pieterson Museum — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
Siqhaza — 567 m · ~7 min walk
Phomolong — 610 m · ~8 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →South African Rand, ZAR
Use ATMs at local banks for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at O.R. Tambo Airport and tourist hotels as their rates are poor.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless is common in most shops and restaurants. Mobile pay like Apple Pay works at major retailers.
Restaurants: 10-15% of the bill. Taxis: round up the fare by 10-15%. Hotel porters: R10-20 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or espresso from a local cafe chain; approx R20-30.
Bunny chow (curry-filled bread loaf) from a takeaway spot; around R50-70.
A basic curry or stew (like pap and wors) at a neighbourhood eatery; main course about R80-120.
Look for food trucks or stalls at weekend markets in areas like Maboneng or Braamfontein; also, 'vila' (spiced grilled meat) from street vendors in Soweto.
Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, and Spar are the main budget supermarket chains in Johannesburg.
Bargain at flea markets like Market on Main or Bruma Flea Market; also try mall chains like Mr Price or Edgars for affordable basics.
Minibus taxis are the cheapest way around (roughly R10-20 per ride), but are chaotic for visitors. The Gautrain is safe and reliable: a single from O.R. Tambo to Sandton is about R60. For the airport, take the Gautrain instead of a taxi to save money.
Avoid buying bottled water—tap water is safe to drink. Use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Bolt midday for cheaper rates (avoid surge pricing). Eat at township restaurants for authentic, affordable meals rather than tourist spots in Sandton.
Emergency Contacts
JohannesburgWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Johannesburg, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Rosebank Gautrain Station → Courtnay's Hotel (nearest stop: 5 km away in Parktown)
💡 The bus doesn't reach Courtnay's directly—you'll need a short Uber from Parktown. Cheaper than a taxi but adds 20 minutes. Time it with the train from the airport: R195 for the full journey.
O.R. Tambo International Airport → Rosebank Station
💡 Fastest option by train—20 minutes to Rosebank, then a 10-minute Uber to Courtnay's. Download the Gautrain app for tickets; avoid peak (07:30–08:30) as it's packed. No luggage restrictions.
O.R. Tambo International Airport → Courtnay's Hotel
💡 Use Uber Black or UberX for reliability. Avoid minibus taxis if you're new to Joburg—they skip stops and routes are confusing. Always check the licence plate matches the app.
O.R. Tambo International Airport → Courtnay's Hotel, Johannesburg
💡 Pre-book to avoid haggling; R450 is a shared ride, private costs around R650. Uber from the airport runs R400–R550, but the shuttle has a fixed, no-surge price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
Request a room on the first floor away from the main entrance. The quieter side overlooks the garden, not the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
Avoid rooms near the common lounge or bar area on the ground floor—guest noise carries, especially on weekends.
Is Lebo's Soweto Backpackers noisy?
Street noise from the main road can drift in during peak hours. The bar and lounge are active until late on Fridays and Saturdays.
Which rooms have the best views at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
Rooms facing the garden offer a view of the yard and outdoor seating, not the roadside.
What are insider tips for staying at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
Park on-site if available—street parking is limited and can feel unsafe at night. Request a fan or heater as air-con isn't standard in all rooms.
What time is check-in at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
Check-in at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Lebo's Soweto Backpackers have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, typical 5–10 Mbps, no login – just connect; slower in rooms furthest from lounge
Is there a city or tourist tax at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
Bunny chow (curry-filled bread loaf) from a takeaway spot; around R50-70.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Lebo's Soweto Backpackers?
Minibus taxis are the cheapest way around (roughly R10-20 per ride), but are chaotic for visitors. The Gautrain is safe and reliable: a single from O.R. Tambo to Sandton is about R60. For the airport, take the Gautrain instead of a taxi to save money.
When is the best time to visit Johannesburg?
April and August: cool, dry days with clear skies (20-25°C), low humidity, and fewer tourists than the European summer peak.
Top Attractions in Johannesburg
💡 Start at the Arts on Main building (264 Fox Street) and explore the side alleys – there’s a hidden mural by Faith47 in a parking lot off Albertina Sisulu Road. Best done in daylight; it’s safe in the precinct but don't wander far.
💡 Bring your own cooler box and braai wood – the grills are free. Go on a Saturday morning between 07:00 and 09:00 to watch the rowing club practice. Parking is free on the street but fills early on weekends.
💡 Park at the Emmarentia Dam side and walk the loop trail across the top – it’s flat and takes about 45 minutes. Weekday mornings are dead quiet, but Sunday afternoons get busy with families and informal soccer games.
💡 Entry is R10 (about 50p) for South Africans; R30 for foreign visitors. Go on a weekday when the court is sitting – you can sit in on a real hearing from the public gallery.
💡 Entry is by donation (suggested R20). The guided tour, offered at 11:00 and 14:00, adds context about how apartheid-era South Africa interacted with Nazi Germany – well worth the extra time. Allow 90 minutes.