Very nice hostel. Located in a nice village very close to kilimanjaro airport. Staff was lovely and dinner was included and it was very good. Thank you!

Stayed in January 2024

You'll likely need a car to reach the lodge - it is about a ten minute drive (6 one half mile or about a kilometer) from the main road on a bumpy/rocky road. On the other hand, taxis and safari vehicles have no trouble reaching this spot. IF you are arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, I highly (highly) encourage you to stay here (35 minute drive), because you will be outside the craziness of Arusha (which is even further to the west)

Food is ample/plentiful and quite good. If you let them know your preferences, they will do their best to cater to them. And the cook does wonderful local dishes (ugali; banana stew; curry with meat)...and the pineapple for desert is great. The hosts are superb people - speak 100% perfect English...work with laptop computers - and own this compound for many years. Their internet is first rate speed (Dad worked for a computer company for many years)...they are also kids of Maasai parents (Maasai are well known for being smart, honest/110%, fun, and a joy to be with). The owner and his wife (and his brother) live onsite and will solve any issues right away They also grew up in the immediate area (indeed their dad built this house/compound in the late 1990s) so know Arusha, tour guides and everything else quite well. Overall for about $45/night you get a great breakfast and dinner...24 hour hot water (and the water pressure is superb)...and grounds where (if you are a birder) you can see African Wood Owls (pair); Tropical Boubou (kind of shrike) and Puffbacks plus others. We've stayed in several places in Arusha while traveling - this one is best quality and great value - especially if you want to try all sorts of local food - the cook does everything well! Finally, if you are leaving Tanzania on an international flight at Kilimanjaro International Airport, this place is significantly closer to that airport than the hotels in Arusha - just off the main road. We can't say enough nice things and recommend this place highly enough - and we've traveled extensively in East and southern Africa.

Stayed in December 2023

The place is a bit dark inside, especially with the regular power cuts we had

Very kind host and staff, great Tanzanian food

Stayed in December 2023

the main door to the rooms always remains open

the quietness, simplicity and fit-for purpose hostel

Stayed in September 2023

electricity sometimes gone due to regional service provider cutting the power but we knew that upfront and it wasn't a problem at all

My brother and I had perfect 2 days in Shamba Hostel. We were the only guest in the entire Hostel but breakfast and dinner were prepared with so much love and it was very tasty...thank you for these perfect dinners. Rooms were very clean with clean bathrooms on suite. No luxury at all, but everything there what you need. The host, his wife and the rest of the staff were very kind and friendly. They also took us for a short stroll through the nearby village. If I ever come to Arusha again, I will stay here. Thank you for an unforgettable stay.

Stayed in September 2023

Really amazing staff, we got everything we asked for, the food was really delicious, hot water and everything

Stayed in October 2023

We experienced city wide power outages but then Beatrice started her generator and then we had reliable power for the rest of our stay.

Beatrice set up a breakfast buffet just for us that contained scrambled eggs, toast, watermelon, pineapple and several local dishes that I was unfamiliar with but were tasty. I especially appreciated that Beatrice and her friend John sat down with us at dinner time so we could have a relaxed conversation about their lives in Tanzania. I have paid for home stays in other countries. Staying at the Shamba

Stayed in September 2023

The food was well cooked and was near what we normally eat. Food was served on time. The lodging was modest and aged but clean. Owners were very pleasant and accommodating. Owners speak good English.. This Hostel should be visited when in that area of Tanzania.

Stayed in September 2023

The mosquito net didn't fit the bed properly.

Staff was helpful and friendly. The food was good and there was plenty of it. The bed was comfortable and there was hot water for the shower.

Stayed in September 2023

The staff was excellent, trying to fulfill all your desires and answer questions. Absolutely quiet!! Wonderful garden, nice surrounding.

Stayed in July 2023

The hostel arranged the airport pick up which was great. Nice spacious rooms, hot water and wonderful food provided for dinner and breakfast. Lovely garden. Friendly staff. The hostel is also used for voluntary projects focusing on local development activities. Lovely walk nearby in the countryside and by the river.

Stayed in July 2023

clean and quiet at night. It is quite a drive from the airport at night but even when I arrived at 10pm, I still got an amazing dinner that was varied and incredibly tasty! the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful.

Stayed in June 2023

peaceful, comfortable room, very warm hosts

Stayed in March 2023

pretty setting, clean rooms. Food was tasty and filling. Beatrice and her husband are friendly and responsive.

Stayed in February 2023

Very good value for money. Quiet location with a garden. Good location between the airport and Arusha and close to Arusha National Park.Nice food. Recommended for the price.

Stayed in January 2023

Thanks for your kindness and for everything, we had a great couple of nights at your place !

Stayed in November 2022

Great breakfast/diner!! The location is around 20-30 minutes away from the airport. Very friendly hosts!

Stayed in July 2022

Nothing really - a little art to brighten up the walls would be nice. But still a comfortable place and super value.

We are a couple from the USA and we selected Shamba hostel because it is close to KJO airport, and we were arriving after dark. (The town of Arusha is actually quite far from the airport.) Our arrival at the hostel actually turned out to be almost 9 PM because of a flight delay. What a relief to have dinner ready shortly after arrival! Very friendly host and very good dinner and breakfast (all included with the very modest cost!). The facility is very basic (not a luxury hotel) and could use a little art on walls to make it warmer, but the combination of location, included meals, comfortable beds, cleanliness, and outstanding staff make this place an exceptional value. I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again!

Stayed in June 2022

Nothing

Our trekking team dropped us off at Shambe and it is a long way from the main road and therefore very peaceful. We had a large twin room, en suite and dining room to ourselves and really enjoyed all the space. The staff are lovely and the food was very tasty and the portions enormous! Compulsory half board is unusual but as there were no food options anywhere nearby and we had no transport, it worked very well for us.

Stayed in June 2022

The place is great, people are really nice and very welcoming - not far from the airport. I recommend 100%. :)

Stayed in December 2021

Nothing, we loved everything.

Everything was PERFECT at Shamba Hostel : the hosts are so sweet and reliable and available... the rooms are bigs, clean and perfect with towel, linen, flip flops to go to the bathrooms and even drinkable water ! Bathroom is also big and impeccable. Dinner is always perfect and too big (hahaha we know nothing is lost so that's okay but really we could not eat it all even though it was delicious). Breakfast is the same. It's really nice to have a garden and the terrace and be able to be near the parks (Arusha is pretty close to start your safaris for instance) but in the quiet ! The airport pick up was there even if we arrived late (around midnight...). We stayed on our first and last night and really if coming to this area again we would DEFINITELY stay here again.

Stayed in October 2021

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Stayed in July 2023

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Stayed in February 2023

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in December 2021