ACCOMMODATION

The backpacking hostels offer mostly the same basic neccessities and then some extra's which vary in variety.

The basics are :

Camping is not offered by all and narrows down your choices, but it is the least expensive option.
Dorms are the easiest and most hostels have a maximum of only six people per dorm.The more used option among budget travellers.
Then a little more expensive are the double rooms, twin rooms and tripple rooms.You do pay a bit more, but you have more privacy and all the ones I've seen are worth the little extra. Theses are in fairly high demand and nearing busy seasons especially, I would book in advance.
You will also find a communal kitchen where you can do your own thing (all utensils normally supplied).The hostels also offer budget traditional meals regularly, ranging from breakfast to braai/bbq's and even "pootjiekos".
Living area with television for those lazy evenings.
Showers and toilets are communal too.
They also have telephone facilities, fax facilities and email.Free airport, town or bus/train station pickup/collection and plenty of information about their particular area and surrounds.

Those are the basics. Now we get to the optional extras which are the more exciting section.You can find, to cut a long story short:

Swimming pool, Jaccuzi/spa, Bar, Pool table, live entertainment (fellow travellers mostly) and plent more.
A great many even drag all their guests out for free activities in the area eg.sundowners.
The following links bring you to listings according to area.
Again the very basics, you can request more info from me.
The write ups for these hostels are their own submissions and not my opinion.
If you need references I could help in most cases and you can contact the hostels direct. The choice is yours.
The links are arranged in a sort of circle, starting at the western cape and working anti-clockwise. South Africa and then the neighbouring countries.