About
Lebo's Soweto Backpackers is located at 10823A Pooe Street in Orlando West, Soweto, South Africa. Situated within a historic township neighborhood, the property is within walking distance of notable landmarks such as the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Vilakazi Street, home to Nelson Mandela's former residence. The lodge offers a range of accommodation options to suit different travel styles. Guests can choose from private rooms, shared dormitories, a self-catering guesthouse, and a campsite area known as Lebo-Land, which features equipped tents, camp chalets, and a custom treehouse constructed from bamboo and thatched grass.The establishment was founded by local social entrepreneur Lebo Malepa, who initially began selling crafts to visiting tourists in 1998. Seeking to offer travelers an authentic township experience beyond bus tours, Lebo transformed his childhood home into a hostel in 2003. Following his passing in 2021, his wife Maria and a team of local community members have continued his legacy. The backpackers places a strong emphasis on community upliftment, sustainable practices, and responsible tourism, hosting regular events such as Soweto Storytelling evenings around an open boma fire featuring live music and local speakers.Directly across the street sits a community park featuring an outdoor restaurant and bar area. Traditional South African meals—including potjiekos stews cooked in cast-iron pots over open fires, braais, and curries—are served using produce grown in the on-site permaculture garden or sourced from nearby vendors. Visitors can also join interactive guided bicycle, tuk-tuk, and walking tours ranging from two to eight hours, as well as hands-on cooking classes and neighborhood cultural excursions.
