Photos of STEP Africa - Exchange for Change

Hostel

STEP Africa - Exchange for Change

Arusha, TanzaniaView map6.96km from city centre

Free WiFi
Free Breakfast
View all 53 facilities

Book more than 15 days in advance for Free Cancellation.

Report

About

Discover STEP Africa Village, a welcoming hostel 500 m off Njiro Road in Arusha. Rooted in the local community since 2014, we’re more than accommodation - we’re a hub for intercultural exchange, free volunteering opportunities, and sustainable community impact. We offer 24/7 emergency availability for our guests (Emergency number).

We support volunteers and interns in social work, education, healthcare, and animal welfare to make a meaningful grassroots impact in Arusha. Among the dozen charity projects we support, we run a Community Outreach Program for rural Maasai communities and a daycare for babies and toddlers from vulnerable backgrounds, a 10-minute walk from the hostel. Our social worker can supervise stays that need recognition as official internships by your school or university. Guests may volunteer long-term (please contact us regarding a volunteer visa!) or visit projects for a couple of days - volunteering is optional. All travelers are warmly welcomed.

Accommodations include private rooms and dorms (mixed and girls-only). Rooms are small but modern and well equipped; each cozy room has a private bathroom, hot shower, ceiling fan, and a private balcony or terrace for relaxing. Enjoy our peaceful garden and rooftop with Mount Meru and sunset views.

We have our own drivers, so airport and other transfers are hassle free. The main road bus stop (daladala) is 500 m away. Motorbike taxis, tuktuks, and Bolt taxis arrive right at our gate.

Free Wi‑Fi covers the whole hostel. We offer 24-hour security and two friendly hostel dogs, so guests should be comfortable around dogs.

We’re in a typical African residential neighborhood - safe and quiet, but you will hear daily life: calls to prayer, dogs barking, chickens, and other lively sounds. Many guests find this part of the local charm. Our garden is home to beautiful birds and occasional small monkeys.

Please note we have no power generator, so power cuts may occur occasionally.

Rates include daily breakfast and a dinner buffet (Tanzanian and continental) Monday through Friday. A fully equipped guest kitchen is available for use at any time.

STEP AFRICA - EXCHANGE FOR CHANGE TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Cancellation policy: 14 day(s) before arrival. In case of a late cancellation or No Show, you will be charged the first night of your stay.
Check-in from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Taxes included.
Breakfast included.
Dinner included only from Monday to Friday.

General:
No curfew
No pets allowed.
Children allowed: 0 to 17 years old.
Smoking is allowed in designated areas.

House Rules

Check In

13:00 - 23:00

Check Out

until 11:00

Taxes Included

View House Rules

Facilities

Free Breakfast
Free Parking
Free WiFi
Free Internet Access
Free Luggage Storage
Adaptors
Covid-19 safe
Airport Transfers

View all facilities

Location

Plot No 734 / 735 Njiro Road, Arusha, Tanzania

7km from city centre

More hostels in Arusha

Ibrahim Garden Hostel

Wakawaka Hostel

White House of Tanzania

8.6

From €16.31

View all Hostels in Arusha

About Arusha

6.7Good(12 Reviews)

Activities

8.7

Eating out

6.5

Shopping

6.0

Chilling out

6.3

Transport

6.7

Sightseeing

6.7

Culture

6.5

Nightlife

5.8

Value for Money

7.2

About Arusha

Nestled at the foot of Mount Meru, Africa's second highest mountain, and ringed by national parks teeming with wildlife, Arusha is north Tanzania's nature capital. The city is a gateway to thrilling safaris, but it has lots more to offer. There's a lively nightlife scene and a café culture to rival many European cities, as well as street food carts piled high with mouthwatering curries and barbecued treats. Thanks to the area's mild climate, the hills around Arusha make an ideal playground for hikers too.

Look out for hostels in Arusha that serve Tanzanian meals as a way to sample local food – some have a free breakfast too. You can camp in the gardens of an Arusha hostel or spend the night in an eco lodge on a banana farm. Choose a dorm if you want a social experience or strike up conversation on an outdoor terrace. You could even organise a cook-off in a shared kitchen.

The Naura River runs through the centre of Arusha, with Central Market to the west. On the eastern side is Arusha Clock Tower, a historic monument that once marked the centre of the British Empire. Around the clock, you'll find streets lined with craft stalls heaving under the weight of woven fabrics, handmade baskets and beaded jewellery. Local food is best around the city centre but for high-end dining, head to the eastern suburbs. Travellers curious for a glimpse of authentic Tanzania should visit Ngaramtoni Market, a popular Maasai haunt 20 minutes' drive north of town.

The Arusha Declaration Museum is dedicated to the history of colonial Tanzania. You could also join a cultural tourism program to meet the Wa-arusha tribespeople and learn about local traditions or take a tour of the coffee plantations dotted around the lush hills outside the city. Spot candy pink flamingos from the shores of the Momella Lakes (1.5 hours away). Adventurous travellers can hike to the crater of Mount Meru in Arusha National Park for views over Mount Kilimanjaro. For a natural spa experience, drive 1.5 hours to soak in the forest pools of Chemka Hot Springs.

To get to Arusha, fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport and take a taxi from there into the city (1 hour). There are several bus stations in Arusha. Central Bus Station is the main one, a 20-minute walk from the clock tower, with coaches leaving for Dar es Salaam (8-10 hours) and Moshi (2 hours). To get around the city, jump on a dalla-dalla (a shared minibus) or flag down a taxi.