12 years
I know nothing about Tanzania but from what I have read Botswana is trying to encourage up market tourism. Whether this means they discourage backpackers you should check.
Hostels in Africa - particularly in Tanzania
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I was wondering what people feel about hostelling in Tanzania. I've seen that there are relatively few hostels in places like Arusha and Moshi even though these are important gateways to the major draws of the country. Are there very few independent travellers visiting these towns? It seems that the hostels that exist, although well-liked by travellers, are small and do not seem exactly inundated with customers. It seems that at least one of the hostels in each town (and maybe all of them) survive from longer-term volunteers rather than genuine travellers. Does anyone have any thoughts on the independent travelling market in East Africa and whether it is likely to grow? I would like to open a hostel in Africa and was thinking about Tanzania and Botswana.
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12 years
One of my regulars is "on the ground" in Tanzania. This is what she says:
"The budget travel market really needs to be developed here, so I think it will take some time to market, but it is sooooo needed!! There's no "community/back packer type places" at all. You can either find "cheap, but clean en-suites" ($20), ghetto local guesthouses ($7) or very basic beach bungalows with shared toilets ($15)-- prices for 2 people. I have some ideas about places. I'll send you a message :)"
Part 2 when the message arrives.
12 years
Hi Organist - I hope you are still there because I have gone to a little trouble to get you the 'low down'. This just in - and 1st class info:
"So re: the hostel in Tanzania. Zanzibar probably gets the most backpackers, but the market for lodging is pretty saturated there--although, they could still use a great backpackers.
A more off the beaten trail spot would be Mafia Island-- currently there are only upscale places for tourists and local guesthouses in the small town called Kilindoni. They are building a ferry port there, which once completed will completely change the island to "the next Zanzibar" so someone who gets in now will be in great shape a couple years from now. The difficult thing is getting land--the locals hold on pretty tight--you'd have to get a really good local partner.
Aside from the beach spots, a new market is developing in Mwanza (the second largest city) as they have recently improved the road from there to the Serengeti. In the past most people left on safari to the serengeti from Arusha, but now Mwanza is the new up and coming launching point--a much more beautiful place than arusha as it's situated on the shores of Lake Victoria. There is nothing even close to a hostel there, only mid-range hotels and then the local guesthouses.
I really think it's all about the marketing. Aside from tourists coming from abroad on safari there is the whole young expat crowd who love their long weekend excursions--I can't tell you how many fb posts I see every week for people asking for recs on cheap accomodation. The opportunity to build the backpacker market in places like Mafia Island and Mwanza is there, but it would take alot of effort to create that steady stream of guests-- once you get it out there you'd be set."
12 years
Plakian and Organist--
I've visited Tanzania in September and was thinking about opening up a hostel there, because the market is there and it is needed. I stayed Dar but did at a decent Christian Center that let us stay there because we knew someone. However, there were not true hostels there. However, as you stated when I went to Zanzibar it was loaded with them. I was asking my friend about Mafia Island and it's still somewhat untouched compared to Zanzibar.
How is it looking now? Are you still living over there? Have you seen improvements? Is that market too saturated yet?
12 years
Hi Again-- I am going to do some research, but can you tell me a little bit about Mwanza. Have you been? What's it like? Are the people there any different from the south? Safe?
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