Arusha Backpackers Hotel is a budget property on Sokoine Road in central Arusha. It is a hostel-style property, so no star class is shown. It has 52 rooms in nine types, from singles, twins and doubles to triples and shared dormitories, with shared bathrooms and free toiletries. A free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free self parking, a rooftop terrace, a bar and a restaurant are all listed. It also has laundry, luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk with a safe. Guests rate it very good overall, with staff scoring best.
Location and getting around
The stadium is a twelve-minute walk, the Arusha Declaration Monument thirteen minutes, the Maasai Market and Curios Crafts about seventeen minutes and the Clock Tower about eighteen. The Arusha International Conference Centre is a two-minute drive and Arusha Airport about eighteen minutes by car. Safari operators in town can pick you up from the front door, which makes it a convenient place to be on the morning of a day safari.
The rooms
Choose between dormitory beds and private singles, twins, doubles and triples, all with shared bathrooms. Private rooms suit couples and solo travellers on a tight budget, and dorms suit those who enjoy meeting other travellers. Because the bathrooms are shared, bring flip-flops and a lightweight towel.
Good to know
Breakfast is included, and the rooftop terrace and bar are the social hub in the evening. Check-in runs from 11 am to midnight and check-out is at 10 am, which is handy for dawn pickups. Reviewers mention noise, some inconsistent hot water and patchy Wi-Fi, so earplugs are a good idea, and the hostel suits flexible budget travellers rather than anyone who wants a polished stay.
It is the cheapest option in this guide, and works well for the night before a safari day. Treat it as a base for sleeping and meeting people, with the real experiences happening out in the parks.
Why stay here
- ✓Dorms and private rooms
- ✓Free continental breakfast
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
- ✓Free self parking
- ✓Rooftop terrace
- ✓Bar and restaurant
- ✓Luggage storage
- ✓24-hour front desk
Good questions
Is this a hostel or a hotel?+
It is a hostel-style property with both shared dormitories and private rooms. All bathrooms are shared.
How far is it from the Clock Tower?+
About an eighteen-minute walk. The Maasai Market is roughly seventeen minutes on foot.
Is breakfast included?+
Yes, a free continental breakfast is included. The hostel also has a restaurant and a bar.
