Banana Farm Hostel

I am Rating the Safari experience wie made with Banana Eco Hostel, Not the Hostel itself: While the first two days in Tarangire and Manyara were very nice, we started having problems with our car on the first day already and had to be picked up by another guide in the evening. On the third day the problems got way worse. While going to Serengeti, our car broke down. After standing there for about 1 hour, we were then brought to the gate by some other guide where we waited for another 2 hours for our car to come back. In the end, we could not do a game drive in the evening. We had to bring the other people joining us to their camping and after that arrived at our lodge at 10:30 pm. We were driving in the dark without finding the way properly. Also, as the windshield wiper did not work anymore and the roads were wet, the vision was really bad. We ended up having a little accident with a bus as well. All in all, this was extremely scary. On the next day, we did not do the morning safari as planned but startet at 8:30, and then obviously had to pick up the other people again. We then waited at the camp for about 1 hour to get the car packed. So in the end we spent over 4 hours just driving from camp to camp and waiting for the car to be ready to go. Instead of starting the safari, we then went to the visitor center and after that had only around 1,5 hours of safari in Serengeti left where we barely saw anything. Then our car broke down again. After waiting for about 1 hour, another guide could pick us up and bring us to Ngorongoro Crater. So all in all, we spent most of the 2 days in Serengeti waiting for our car to work again or someone to pick us up, or driving to pick up other people. As you can imagine, this is not exactly how we pictured it. Especially when paying 600 dollars per day for this experience. Also, as our car was so bad, we had to go very slow all the time, which took additional time. We experienced that with the many cars that had to pick us up during these days, each one of them was in a much better condition and could go way faster. Also, our car did not have radio call and no chargers as was stated in the tour description. So while we had great first 2 days, this was way below our expectations and overall a bad and frustrating and sometimes even frightening experience. What was also very frustrating is that we did not get any response to our complaints Even After contacting the Hostel over several Channels multiple times.

Amazing and inspring place to stay. Founded and grounded by a Masai member, on this farm you will experience an warm and touching stay. This hostel is located at an bananafarm where they grow their own organic fruits, vegetables and koffie which is als served at the tastfull meals they offer to their guests. Staff is friendly and lead you around when in need of help. They share also their inspiring knowledge of producing biogas on this farm. Inspiring in times of climate change and giving local farmers opportunity to become more independent. The accomodatie is quit, clean, shower is large and warm. They offer many activities you can join suchs as painting and yoga classes

We stayed here one night in one of the cabins. It was affordable, beautiful and very clean. Breakfast was delicious and included coffee and banana pancakes. Keep in mind it is outside of the main city area of Arusha (about a 12 minute drive) Highly recommend