---
title: "Arusha Backpacker vs Swahili House: which hotel is better?"
description: "Pick Arusha Backpacker. It comes out ahead on 9 of 13 compared facts. Arusha Backpacker or Swahili House in Arusha? Compare guest ratings, location…"
url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/arusha-backpacker-arusha-vs-swahili-house-arusha/
language: en
source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com)
retrieved: 2026-10-16
---

# Arusha Backpacker vs Swahili House

Both are in Arusha, 3.0 km apart. Here is where each one is stronger.

Hostel · Unga L.T.D
## [Arusha Backpacker](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/arusha-backpacker-arusha/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.6 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 6.2

- **Score by category:** 9 of 13

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1156751/agoda/?lang=en)

Hostel · Kwa Idd, Olorieni
## [Swahili House](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/swahili-house-arusha/)

- **Guest rating:** 8.4 ·  Very good

- **Location score:** 2.2

- **Score by category:** 2 of 13

[Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2169995/agoda/?lang=en)

The short answer

## Pick Arusha Backpacker

It comes out ahead on 9 of 13 compared facts. 3.0 km apart.

### Choose Arusha Backpacker if you want

-   to walk to the sights
-   more restaurants on the doorstep
-   breakfast included
-   a smaller, quieter hotel

### Choose Swahili House if you want

-   a big hotel with more facilities

### Why is Arusha Backpacker better than Swahili House?

1.  2.3 km closer to the city centre (−2.3 km)
2.  Includes free breakfast
3.  More guest reviews (59 vs 5), so the rating is more reliable (×12)
4.  10 more restaurants and cafés within 500 m (+10)
5.  More walkable surroundings (walk grade 48 vs 15) (+33)
6.  3 more sights within 1 km (+3)
7.  Earlier check-in (12:00 vs 13:00) (−1h)

### Why is Swahili House better than Arusha Backpacker?

No clear advantages in our data.

## All compared facts

Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel.

 

|  | Arusha Backpacker | Swahili House |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Score by category |
| Guest rating | 8.6 | 8.4 |
| Location | 6.2  (+4.0) | 2.2 |
| Facilities | – | 3.3 |
| Families | – | 0.0 |
| Spa & wellness | – | 0.0 |
| Public transport | 9.2 | – |
| Ratings & reviews |
| StayVersus score | 8.6  (+0.1) | 8.5 |
| Guest rating | 8.6  (+0.2) | 8.4 |
| Number of reviews | 59  (+54) | 5 |
| Rank in Arusha | top 45%  (+10%) | top 55% |
| Location |
| Location score | 6.2  (+4.0) | 2.2 |
| Distance to the centre | 1.8 km  (−2.3 km) | 4.1 km |
| To the airport | 5.6 km | 4.1 km  (−1.4 km) |
| Restaurants within 500 m | 11  (+10) | 1 |
| Sights within 1 km | 4  (+3) | 1 |
| Rooms & building |
| Rooms | 1 | 3 |
| Newest building or renovation | – | 2021 |
| Listed amenities | 10 | 12  (+2) |
| Policies |
| Check-in from | 12:00  (−1h) | 13:00 |
| Check-out until | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Amenities |
| Free Wi-Fi | ✓ | – |
| Laundry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free breakfast | ✓ | – |
| Terrace | ✓ | – |
| Kitchen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Balcony | ✓ | – |
| In-room safe | ✓ | – |
| Free parking | – | ✓ |
| Shuttle | – | ✓ |
| Car hire | – | ✓ |
| Concierge | – | ✓ |
| Luggage storage | – | ✓ |
| Bar | – | ✓ |
| Room service | – | ✓ |
| Which hotel suits you |
| Families with children | ✓ | ✓ |
| Couples | ✓ | – |
| Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | – |
| Business trips | ✓ | – |
| Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ |

## Location

3.0 km apart

Arusha Backpacker: city centre: 1.8 km, Arusha Airport (ARK): 5.6 km, 11 places to eat within 500 m, 4 sights within 1 km.

Swahili House: city centre: 4.1 km, Arusha Airport (ARK): 4.1 km, 1 places to eat within 500 m, 1 sights within 1 km.

## Arusha Backpacker or Swahili House: common questions

### Which is better, Arusha Backpacker or Swahili House?

Arusha Backpacker leads in 9 of 13 categories, including StayVersus score, guest rating, number of reviews. Swahili House is stronger in to the airport, listed amenities.

### Which is cheaper, Arusha Backpacker or Swahili House?

Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side.

### Which hotel is closer to the centre?

Arusha Backpacker is closer: 1.8 km from the centre, against 4.1 km for Swahili House.

### How far apart are Arusha Backpacker and Swahili House?

The two hotels are 3.0 km apart in a straight line.

## More match-ups

-   [Arusha Backpacker vs Home Villa Eco Boutique](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/arusha-backpacker-arusha-vs-home-villa-eco-boutique-arusha/)

## Compare now

Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/)

---
Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/arusha-backpacker-arusha-vs-swahili-house-arusha/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/