Zinga Backpackers
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Fast facts
Check out before: | 11:00 |
|---|
More about Zinga Backpackers
Zinga Backpackers
Located in Livingstone, Zinga Backpackers is convenient to Maramba Cultural Museum and Livingstone Museum. This hostel is within the vicinity of Railway Museum and Devil's Pool.Rooms Treat yourself to a stay in one of the 8 guestrooms, featuring fireplaces. Wired and wireless Internet access is available (surcharge). Conveniences include microwaves and coffee/tea makers, and housekeeping is provided daily. Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and bicycles to rent. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access and tour/ticket assistance. Getting to nearby attractions is a breeze with the complimentary area shuttle.Dining Satisfy your appetite at the hostel's restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dining is also available at a coffee shop/café, and 24-hour room service is provided. Relax with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge or a poolside bar.Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include express check-in, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a 24-hour front desk. A roundtrip airport shuttle is complimentary (available on request), and a train station pick-up service is also provided at no charge.
Reviews from 
Couple
Comment: 25 Jun 2023
Stayed in: Jun 2023
Great rhino walk with Zinga Packpackers
Amazing rhino walk experience with Zinga Packpackers. Great organisation and sense of service. Very friendly, they did their best to find us the best deals. Definitely recommend the rhino tour and the hostel too!
Solo traveller
Comment: 14 May 2024
Stayed in: Sep 2023
It's good that I didn't live in this nightmare!
CAUTION - ZINGA - A HOSPITABLE HOSTEL IN THE AFRICAN WILDERNESS!
Wow: I wrote how I could “get into trouble” on the booking account and the page disappeared.
I'll try to reproduce it
In Livingston, I checked into a good hostel, but not the cheapest. And I wanted to save money. I remembered that in booking I persistently came across an advertisement for “Hospitable Backpacker Hostel Zinga with the slogan: “ZINGA – WE SUPPORT UKRAINIAN REFUGEES” - I remembered!)
And so, armed with a map, I set out to explore. I’m wandering – I’ve already turned off the main street. I don't notice any hotels. There are some creepy alleys around - potholes - dust - strange hedges with sagging gates and barn locks - skinny dogs and fat flies... No people are visible. And the further you go, the darker it gets... Well, I think, okay, since I wandered in here, I’ll take a look. Maybe I’ll support my compatriots!
A kilometer later I see the crooked inscription Zinga on a crooked fence. Locked crooked gate. It’s already clear where I’ve wandered!
But no! ) I found a house where they might speak my language!)))
I knock on the gate - dully... I knock more insistently...
A minute later the gap opens slightly -
A dissatisfied, sleepy Zambian (Zambian?) about thirty years old in dirty clothes with a dirty baby doll of about thirty years old looks out. Obviously not very sober. She lazily looked over me with a dull gaze. "What do you need?"
“What’s up? Do you rent rooms?
Madame reluctantly opens the door. And turning his back to me: “There is no owner.”
I told her “ok, I’ll take a look.”
He staggers and leads me to a one-story barn. To the side is an empty pool with dried palm branches. Chairs without seats - rickety benches, creaky doors with cracks. In the depths of the courtyard there are some staggering silhouettes... Darkness...
For some reason, the lady began showing the “apartments” with a dirty toilet, adjacent to which was an equally terrible smelly kitchen.
Further more.
“Something” that is considered “luxury” is a single kennel (5 square meters) with a window the size of a window. There seems to be no light in the room. The smell of sweat and urine. In the middle is a rumpled bed covered with flies, hastily covered with a gray-brown-raspberry blanket. The hostess clarifies that “this room” will be available tomorrow)))
Oh, I don’t need “see you tomorrow.” I would like to get away from here as quickly as possible. And here! A ray of sunlight illuminates the room for a minute. Something catches my attention! In the dim light on a dirty bed there is a huge pillow resembling a phallus!
I forget to close my mouth and hastily back away towards the exit...
"Thank you. Thank you. I will think))))"
I jump out of the “hospitable den” as if scalded! And jog at dusk to the main road!
I lost my mind, but the thought “what connects this shelter in the African wilderness with Ukrainian refugees” never leaves me!
Wow: I wrote how I could “get into trouble” on the booking account and the page disappeared.
I'll try to reproduce it
In Livingston, I checked into a good hostel, but not the cheapest. And I wanted to save money. I remembered that in booking I persistently came across an advertisement for “Hospitable Backpacker Hostel Zinga with the slogan: “ZINGA – WE SUPPORT UKRAINIAN REFUGEES” - I remembered!)
And so, armed with a map, I set out to explore. I’m wandering – I’ve already turned off the main street. I don't notice any hotels. There are some creepy alleys around - potholes - dust - strange hedges with sagging gates and barn locks - skinny dogs and fat flies... No people are visible. And the further you go, the darker it gets... Well, I think, okay, since I wandered in here, I’ll take a look. Maybe I’ll support my compatriots!
A kilometer later I see the crooked inscription Zinga on a crooked fence. Locked crooked gate. It’s already clear where I’ve wandered!
But no! ) I found a house where they might speak my language!)))
I knock on the gate - dully... I knock more insistently...
A minute later the gap opens slightly -
A dissatisfied, sleepy Zambian (Zambian?) about thirty years old in dirty clothes with a dirty baby doll of about thirty years old looks out. Obviously not very sober. She lazily looked over me with a dull gaze. "What do you need?"
“What’s up? Do you rent rooms?
Madame reluctantly opens the door. And turning his back to me: “There is no owner.”
I told her “ok, I’ll take a look.”
He staggers and leads me to a one-story barn. To the side is an empty pool with dried palm branches. Chairs without seats - rickety benches, creaky doors with cracks. In the depths of the courtyard there are some staggering silhouettes... Darkness...
For some reason, the lady began showing the “apartments” with a dirty toilet, adjacent to which was an equally terrible smelly kitchen.
Further more.
“Something” that is considered “luxury” is a single kennel (5 square meters) with a window the size of a window. There seems to be no light in the room. The smell of sweat and urine. In the middle is a rumpled bed covered with flies, hastily covered with a gray-brown-raspberry blanket. The hostess clarifies that “this room” will be available tomorrow)))
Oh, I don’t need “see you tomorrow.” I would like to get away from here as quickly as possible. And here! A ray of sunlight illuminates the room for a minute. Something catches my attention! In the dim light on a dirty bed there is a huge pillow resembling a phallus!
I forget to close my mouth and hastily back away towards the exit...
"Thank you. Thank you. I will think))))"
I jump out of the “hospitable den” as if scalded! And jog at dusk to the main road!
I lost my mind, but the thought “what connects this shelter in the African wilderness with Ukrainian refugees” never leaves me!
Group traveller
Comment: 26 Jun 2023
Stayed in: Jun 2023
Do NOT stay here- Scamming & Unresponsive Staff and dirty atmosphere. Horrible Experience
Please save yourself the money and do NOT even think about booking at Zinga Backpackers- I have been traveling for 3 years now and this is by far the absolute worst hostel experience I have ever had.
I am extremely disappointed with my stay at Zinga Backpackers, and what you're about to read and see photos of is absolutely unacceptable.
BE AWARE OF SCAMMING FROM THE WORKER
The owner arranged a day trip for my friend and I to go to Victoria Falls. He completely overcharged us (claimed he was giving us a discount which just isn’t right). My friend paid him around $100 usd and he owed her change. She was staying at a different hostel. He NEVER gave her back her $30 change even though he said that he would go over to her hostel and give it to her. He also claims he went there which just is NOT true.
We are still trying to get the change and stayed there a week ago. He promised to walk over to her place and give it to her before I checked out of this hostel, and he still never did.
I called him multiple times on the last day asking for it, and he had disappeared from the hostel. He simply kept telling me It was fine and that we would get the cash. We never got the ash. I finally got ahold of him, and he told me he would send it on Paypal. He hasn’t sent it yet still, and it’s been a week since.
_____________________________
DIRTY AND UNDERKEPT
The room was OK, but the entire hostel looked like it had been abandoned and the bathroom and kitchen was absolutely unlivable and gross.
Please take a look at the bathrooms, kitchen, and other areas in my photos. This is not livable and very dirty and could even get people sick. This should NOT be a place that is advertised for people to stay. I mean, this is the dirtiest place I have ever stayed. It’s nothing as advertised online whatsoever. The photos online do not show the actual interior of what this place looks like.
____________________________
LACK OF STAFF (not 24 hours as advertised)
There was very little staff. The main worker was gone most of the day and only responded occasionally. There is NOT a 24 hours staff and they only want to help you if you’re interested in booking any activities with them.
Because of the lack of communication from the hostel owner/worker, Getting a taxi to the Zimbabwe border was also very messy. The taxi driver that I told was being arranged for me at 11 am never was arranged, and so arranged was about 45 minutes late(when I specifically mentioned I had to be picked up at a specific time due to work), which caused me to be an hour late to my job. And this all was because the main worker was not reading my messages when I was trying to coordinate. It was a disaster. He kept telling me everything was fine, but it’s not fine when I have a job to be at, and I was trying to arrange my ride to the border for days.
Please understand my concerns about this horrible experience and take into consideration the things I need to say.
___________________________________
Things that are on the hostel world website that Zinga Backpackers “advertises” on Hostelworld that they do not have or offer:
Swimming Pool - Empty and unusable
Self-catering kitchen- The kitchen looks like a war zone, and you could get sick from using any of their utensils.
Travel and booking advice - they will scam you and take your money after you pay for a “discounted day trip.”
Free wifi- wifi is non-existent. The owner did help me get a portable router so I could work, which was nice, but upon my arrival, he kept telling me the wifi works, and it's great. I tried it and couldn’t even get a single bar of connection. He then had to go out and get me a router and set me up with a phone hot spot.
Free pick-up from the airport or bus station- This was not free. He told me it would be free. it wasn’t. Again, they will surprise you upon check-in and charge you with a transportation cost and then not give you your change back.
Staff members- their staff members are gone 99% of the time and don't answer their phones. They are only around when you are willing to give them money for day trips.
Free breakfast included- No breakfast was mentioned whatsoever.
I am extremely disappointed with my stay at Zinga Backpackers, and what you're about to read and see photos of is absolutely unacceptable.
BE AWARE OF SCAMMING FROM THE WORKER
The owner arranged a day trip for my friend and I to go to Victoria Falls. He completely overcharged us (claimed he was giving us a discount which just isn’t right). My friend paid him around $100 usd and he owed her change. She was staying at a different hostel. He NEVER gave her back her $30 change even though he said that he would go over to her hostel and give it to her. He also claims he went there which just is NOT true.
We are still trying to get the change and stayed there a week ago. He promised to walk over to her place and give it to her before I checked out of this hostel, and he still never did.
I called him multiple times on the last day asking for it, and he had disappeared from the hostel. He simply kept telling me It was fine and that we would get the cash. We never got the ash. I finally got ahold of him, and he told me he would send it on Paypal. He hasn’t sent it yet still, and it’s been a week since.
_____________________________
DIRTY AND UNDERKEPT
The room was OK, but the entire hostel looked like it had been abandoned and the bathroom and kitchen was absolutely unlivable and gross.
Please take a look at the bathrooms, kitchen, and other areas in my photos. This is not livable and very dirty and could even get people sick. This should NOT be a place that is advertised for people to stay. I mean, this is the dirtiest place I have ever stayed. It’s nothing as advertised online whatsoever. The photos online do not show the actual interior of what this place looks like.
____________________________
LACK OF STAFF (not 24 hours as advertised)
There was very little staff. The main worker was gone most of the day and only responded occasionally. There is NOT a 24 hours staff and they only want to help you if you’re interested in booking any activities with them.
Because of the lack of communication from the hostel owner/worker, Getting a taxi to the Zimbabwe border was also very messy. The taxi driver that I told was being arranged for me at 11 am never was arranged, and so arranged was about 45 minutes late(when I specifically mentioned I had to be picked up at a specific time due to work), which caused me to be an hour late to my job. And this all was because the main worker was not reading my messages when I was trying to coordinate. It was a disaster. He kept telling me everything was fine, but it’s not fine when I have a job to be at, and I was trying to arrange my ride to the border for days.
Please understand my concerns about this horrible experience and take into consideration the things I need to say.
___________________________________
Things that are on the hostel world website that Zinga Backpackers “advertises” on Hostelworld that they do not have or offer:
Swimming Pool - Empty and unusable
Self-catering kitchen- The kitchen looks like a war zone, and you could get sick from using any of their utensils.
Travel and booking advice - they will scam you and take your money after you pay for a “discounted day trip.”
Free wifi- wifi is non-existent. The owner did help me get a portable router so I could work, which was nice, but upon my arrival, he kept telling me the wifi works, and it's great. I tried it and couldn’t even get a single bar of connection. He then had to go out and get me a router and set me up with a phone hot spot.
Free pick-up from the airport or bus station- This was not free. He told me it would be free. it wasn’t. Again, they will surprise you upon check-in and charge you with a transportation cost and then not give you your change back.
Staff members- their staff members are gone 99% of the time and don't answer their phones. They are only around when you are willing to give them money for day trips.
Free breakfast included- No breakfast was mentioned whatsoever.
Group traveller
Comment: 22 Oct 2022
Stayed in: Oct 2022
Very good, we enjoyed our stay
We really enjoyed our stay, it’s basic but there is everything you need and the people are soo friendly. We loved the atmosphere and the kindness of those people working there. They even helped us wash our clothes!
I can strongly recommend it :)
I can strongly recommend it :)
Other
Comment: 10 Oct 2019
Stayed in: Jul 2019
The most awful place!!!
Gift is a drug addict, promissing you to provide wonderful activities but giving nothing at all! he takes your money without giving back anything. The most awful place I have ever been! ants everywhere no running water for toilets or shower!
Don't go there you will regret it at its most!
Don't go there you will regret it at its most!
Hotel response
Comment: 9 Apr 2022
Dear Tita
Thank you for your review and we promise to carry on from there with the best service ever, the backpackers is changed with new staff and new management...We promise to say whenever your family member or a friend visiting Africa or livingstone Zambia please come by for a free activity and a new experience.
On behalf of the previus management we regret the inconvenience caused.
Thank you in advance.
Feeling Africa Backpackers.
Thank you for your review and we promise to carry on from there with the best service ever, the backpackers is changed with new staff and new management...We promise to say whenever your family member or a friend visiting Africa or livingstone Zambia please come by for a free activity and a new experience.
On behalf of the previus management we regret the inconvenience caused.
Thank you in advance.
Feeling Africa Backpackers.
Location
Magoye Road 25, Livingstone, 10101, Zambia|2.45 km from city centre
Check in and check out
Check out before:
11:00
Good to know
Please contact the hotel for details about adding extra beds.
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