Finding A Safe Haven: My Queer Stay at Soul Fam Hostel

I was headed to Cape Town for another of MambaOnline’s community engagements when we decided to reach out to Soul Fam Hostel – known as Africa’s First LGBTQ+ Hostel – for a night’s accommodation.

We wanted to experience this unique space for ourselves, and Chase King, the owner, graciously opened the place he calls home to us, inviting us to experience the magical haven he’s created for queer travellers.

Tucked in a quiet corner of Cape Town’s southern suburbs, Soul Fam stands out immediately. As my Uber pulled up, the bright sign with a big, rooted tree with colourful leaves with writing underneath that says “Come as you are. Leave as Chosen Family”, on the wall greeted me like a familiar friend. I instantly knew I had arrived somewhere I could exhale.

Chase welcomed me warmly and offered to help with my luggage before showing me around. Inside, the space radiates calm; as you enter, a rock fountain pool glistens in the yard, soft lights twinkle across the patio, and the living room feels both stylish and homely.

“The art on the walls celebrates queer identity,” Chase explained as we stopped before a series of striking portraits by local artists. “We wanted queer travellers to see themselves reflected and celebrated.” Each piece felt personal and immediate, a visual affirmation of this place as more than a stay, but a statement.

After a short orientation and a friendly reminder about the nightly game sessions that bring everyone together, I was handed my keys and shown to my room. My roommate, Alex, greeted me with an easy smile and bright blue hair. He’d been living in Thailand and was back in South Africa for a few weeks. “I’ve stayed in a lot of places,” he said, “but this one? It’s the most queer-friendly and open. It really feels like home.”

That evening, I joined the other guests for game night. Between laughter, guessing games, and deep late-night chats, strangers became instant friends. It wasn’t just the games, it was the energy of acceptance that made it easy to open up about life, love, and the little things that connect us all.

The next morning came too soon, and I missed breakfast, but Alex swore it’s the best part of his day, a hearty English breakfast and a cup of coffee enjoyed on the patio, soaking in the Cape Town sunshine.

I also met some of the hostel’s volunteers. Alessandria, who had recently arrived after two years of volunteering across Europe, told me she chose Soul Fam because it felt like a “protected space for the LGBTQ+ community.” Shaquiel, who’d been volunteering for a week, described it as “a home where your energy and feelings are understood.” And Kira, who’s been there the longest, said being part of Soul Fam had been transformative: “Every guest leaves a mark. I’ve learned so much about the world and myself, it’s a space that grows you.”

Leaving Soul Fam, I felt deeply moved. It’s more than just accommodation; it’s a community built on trust, warmth, and shared humanity. For queer travellers, it’s a reminder that safety and belonging can be found, and that home isn’t always where you come from, but where you’re seen.

Soul Fam Hostel is clean, affordable, beautifully designed, and above all, welcoming. It’s a pocket of queer joy beneath Table Mountain, a place where every traveller, queer or ally, can truly feel part of the family.

For more information about staying at Soul Fam Hostel, visit their website.