Lionsgate Hostel

Inside the walls at Lionsgate, every traveler is treated like a "cousin", a distant family member, but family. The owner, Nelson, who also provides the least expensive safaris in this safari region, welcomes and treats all travelers like that. He will also provide if you are volunteering, as I was, a guide and mentor about living in Tanzania. My almost two month stay there in July and August was life changing. Soun, the cook, cleaner, laundress, is a delightful person and good cook. As it is a hostel, you meet people from all over who recognize what an economical choice this is. I enjoyed a private room queen-size bed with private bathroom, breakfast and dinner included, for almost 2 months, at a cost less than 2 nights at a fancy resort. The hostel is 4 miles from the center of Arusha, Clock Tower Circle. Transportation anywhere in the city is a short walk from the hostel. The dalla dalla, costing a quarter, will take you most anywhere and is a distinct cultural immersion. If you are looking for the most economical choice for safari or for lodging in Arusha, I cannot recommend Nelson highly enough. One visitor from the Netherlands spent the day in Arusha seeking the best value for safari. She joined us on our upcoming 4-day safari as she could not find a better deal and she trusted Nelson to deliver what he promised. He did. It was delightful, beginning to end. I intend to return and cannot imagine not staying with "family" at Lionsgate Hostel.

The hostel is incredible cheap and really beautiful. The owners cooked for us breakfast and dinner for free. I was even allowed to stay until 2 am the next day to wait for my taxi. We made a bonfire with the super friendly and hospitable staff. Amazing atmosphere. Bathrooms and the pool are not as clean as in most of European accommodations but not dirty neither.

We were allocated Lionsgate Hostel when we booked our volunteering trip and we were so grateful that we were!
Staying here made our experience the best. Breakfast and Dinner was great, the chef was fab and very accommodating, especially on the mornings where we had to leave early. The atmosphere was warm and friendly and we soon felt like part of the family, spending evenings around the campfire, playing cards and becoming accustomed to African music/socialising.
The village of Ngusero is welcoming with a small supermarket and pub. We felt so safe at all times and with the help of Nelson, Iddi and Elias who completely made our trip we had everything we needed and visited so many beautiful places that Tanzania has on offer. We will be back for sure! 100% recommend!