Kenya
A pastel-orange building conveniently situated on the main road south to Moshi in Tanzania, Tripple J Paradise is little more than a crash pad for drivers…
Must-see hotels in East Africa
Southern Highlands
The new brick bandas constructed by this Tanzanian chain are comfortable enough, but little has been done to make them blend with the stunning natural…
Northern Kenya
Slightly tatty concrete cottages that are fairly clean and secure. Though worn, it's much less so than other town-centre options. Tends to get quite noisy…
Dar es Salaam
Located in Ubungo village is this three-storey hotel with basic, serviceable double-bed rooms with mosquito nets, fans (some also have air-con) and en…
Gallasa Diqa Womens Group Lodge
Northern Kenya
The half-dozen very basic huts of the Gallasa Diqa Womens Group Lodge are located slightly outside of town at the western end. Luxury they're not;…
Northeastern Tanzania
In a colonial-era building opposite Jamhuri Park, this place is faded and very scruffy, with only the remotest whiff of character. The double-bed rooms…
Fort Portal
Just outside town, this relaxed guesthouse draws in shoestring lodgers. It has some faded colonial charm, with spacious, dark rooms that feature saggy…
Southern Rift Valley
Although it looks like an overpopulated block of inner city flats, this hotel has clean rooms in a central location. Windows overlook the courtyard and…
Southwestern Uganda
The small Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) campsite at Ntoroko is on the shores of Lake Albert, meaning you often have hippos joining you in the evening…
Kampala
With mismatched furniture and stained rugs, this old mainstay has seen better days. Rooms have retro fittings and floral curtains, large-sized poster beds…
Southern Rift Valley
This campsite, at the gate of the Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site, is your only option out here. It’s fairly basic (you’ll need to bring your own food,…
Southwestern Uganda
After an ownership change this hostel holds less appeal. It isn't particularly attuned to the needs of backpackers (paid wi-fi, very basic toilets), but…
Zanzibar Island
This large hotel has an amazing beachfront location, but the bedrooms are unappealing and the bar-restaurant is a little tired around the edges. There are…
Northeastern Tanzania
If you get stuck overnighting in Muheza, try this simple but cheery place about 2.5km from the bus stand en route to Amani Nature Reserve. It's on the…
Dar es Salaam
This large, undistinguished hotel offers inexpensive although very mediocre rooms. Room size and condition vary considerably, so ask to see several. There…
Lake Nakuru National Park
Housed in a block of low-slung rooms laced with green trim, this hostel is open to anyone, regardless of age. It's set in calm surrounds (unless there's a…
Kampala
Just beyond the city centre, this stately 1980s old-timer has seen some wear. Discounts are available. There's a quality Chinese restaurant, not to be…
Kenya
The Meru South County Council has several bandas in the Mt Kenya National Park that can be booked – they are very basic, but will do in a pinch if there…
Kenya
Bunk-house at 4200m for the third night on the Sirimon Route. There is a tap and a pit latrine but no fires are allowed, so make sure you have a warm…
Southeastern Tanzania
This long-standing local guesthouse has friendly staff, spartan, scruffy rooms with fan, cheap food on order and a noisy, central location at Kilindoni’s…
Western Tanzania
Some rooms here have sofas, all have wear and tear. Showers may or may not be hot, but there's a bar and in-house restaurant, and the staff are friendly…
Amboseli National Park
Just outside the park boundaries, 2.8km south of the Kimana Gate, this camp is bare and dusty but friendly, with basic tents and simple bandas (thatched…
Northern Kenya
This place, a short way out of the centre, is clean (well, clean for Moyale) and fairly quiet. It does double as a timber yard, with several stray dogs…
Kenya
You're likely to spend your second night here, at 4200m on the Naro Moru Route, which has spectacular views of the different peaks. Book through Naro Moru…
Kenya
If you are intent on staying in Naro Moru, then this is the place to stay. Cheap enough for any budget, the rooms are spartan but clean and have mosquito…
Northern Kenya
The bougainvillea-dressed Morning Star Guest House provides for a night’s kip – though it doesn’t supply the peg you’ll need to place over your nose…
Eastern Uganda
A budget UWA lodge (cold water only) at Suam trail where you'll need to bring your own food. Book in advance via the National Park Headquarters in Mbale.
Uganda
Next door to UWA, this is by far the best cheapie in town, with simple, clean and functional rooms set around a courtyard. It's on a busy corner in town…
Southeastern Tanzania
About 800m from the bus stand along the Newala road, this place has a handful of reasonable rooms – some with bathrooms, others with a bathroom just…
Lake Victoria
Although the basic rooms are essentially clean, those with delicate sensibilities might find the shared toilets a bit grim. Food is available in the…
Rwanda
On the slopes of Rwesero Hill, this no-frills local hotel and restaurant has presentable rooms (but saggy mattresses) and friendly staff. The hot water…
Kenya
If trekking the Sirimon Route, you will likely acclimatise here on the second night at 3993m. There is a river nearby, space to camp and a small hut that…
Southeastern Tanzania
This is one of the cheapest bets near the bus stand, with basic rooms – all with bathroom and fan – but no meals. Parking is available in the church…
Western Tanzania
This fair-value spot by the bus-truck stop has adequate concrete-cube rooms with bucket showers and squat toilets. It only has electricity at night for…
Masai Mara
The rooms in this town-centre place, not far from the matatu stand, are a little dark and noisy, but they have balconies, small TVs and huge bathrooms –…
Kenya
As basic as they come and really only for those on a real shoestring, the Namanga Maasai Hotel has unappealing digs in basic rooms arrayed around rather…
Western Tanzania
The Atupenda Guest House is one of the few options for spending the night here. The rooms are very basic, with pit toilets and bucket baths, but the owner…
Eastern Uganda
This simple place serves the Piswa trailhead, just east of the park entrance gate. Dorms and cabins have shared bathrooms and there are basic meals…
Southeastern Tanzania
This is a simple but OK place about 1km east of the main junction in Masasi. All rooms have one small double bed and bathroom, and meals are available.
Northeastern Tanzania
This is a reasonable shoestring choice with no-frills rooms, but no food available. It's up the hill behind the bus stand (about seven minutes' walk).
