Budget hotel in central Arusha with clean rooms, helpful staff, and good restaurant. Perfect base for organizing safaris and Kilimanjaro climbs.
Safari Hotel Arusha is a mid-budget property on Boma Road in central Arusha, the commercial and safari-booking capital of northern Tanzania. The hotel sits within walking distance of Arusha's central clock tower roundabout, the main bus station, and the concentrated strip of safari operators and foreign exchange bureaus along India Street and Joel Maeda Street. Kilimanjaro International Airport is approximately 45 kilometres east by road — roughly 50 minutes in normal traffic — while Arusha Airport, which handles light aircraft and some domestic flights, is around 6 kilometres west of the hotel centre.
The building is a functional multi-storey block that has served the budget traveller and Tanzania-bound backpacker market for several decades, earning a reputation principally for its central position and helpful front-desk staff rather than its décor. Rooms are straightforward: tiled floors, mosquito nets, en-suite bathrooms with showers, and ceiling fans in standard categories. Some rooms have air conditioning at a premium. The hotel targets independent travellers, overland group passengers, and business visitors who prioritise proximity to Arusha's town centre over resort facilities.
The on-site restaurant is a practical option serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner to both guests and walk-in visitors. The menu covers grilled meats, Tanzanian staples such as ugali and nyama choma, chips, and a small selection of international dishes. A bar adjoins the dining room. The hotel operates a tour desk staffed by local operators who can assist in booking safaris to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, and Kilimanjaro climbs at competitive rates compared to airport and resort booking offices.
Safari Hotel Arusha serves primarily as a functional transit base — it is rarely a destination in itself, but it performs well for travellers arriving late, departing early, or spending one or two nights organising northern Tanzania logistics before heading into the parks.
Amenities
- restaurant
- bar
- wifi
- breakfast
- tour desk
- central location
Location
Boma Road, Arusha, Tanzania
-3.3667, 36.6833 View on map
Highlights
- Central Boma Road location within walking distance of Arusha's safari operators, banks, and transport hubs
- On-site tour desk connecting guests with safari bookings for Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Kilimanjaro climbs
- Restaurant and bar serving Tanzanian staples and international dishes to guests and local walk-ins
- One of the most competitively priced central Arusha options for budget travellers entering northern Tanzania's safari circuit
- Helpful front-desk team with experience handling the transit logistics typical of safari travellers
Tips for visiting
- The hotel's central location is its main asset — use the proximity to Arusha's India Street safari operators to compare prices directly rather than booking through the hotel desk, where margins may be higher.
- Confirm whether your room includes air conditioning if booking during the hotter months (November to March); standard rooms are fan-only.
- The central clock tower area can be noisy on weekend evenings — request a room on the upper floors or the building's quieter rear side if noise is a concern.
- Kilimanjaro International Airport is 45 kilometres away and taxis are unmetered; agree on a price before getting in or use a hotel-arranged transfer.
- Local currency exchange rates on India Street are typically better than the hotel's own rate; the nearby NBC bank ATM is reliable for USD withdrawals.
When to visit
Year-round — Arusha is primarily a transit and safari-organising hub. June to October is peak safari season with higher demand.
Accessibility
Multi-storey building on a flat central street; lift availability should be confirmed with the hotel. Bathrooms are standard en-suite configurations. Kerbs and pavement conditions on Boma Road are uneven.