Welcome to Banana Farm Eco Hostel
Banana Farm is located in Ambureni Village, Arusha, Northern Tanzania, in the green highlands between Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, at an elevation of 1,450m above sea level. Banana Farm is a 100% locally owned and operated Tanzanian farm and hostel.
We are a large working farm where nature, farming and hospitality come together. The farm is home to banana plantations, coffee, fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, cows, goats, chickens and a river running through the property.
We use solar and biogas energy, with 100% of the hostel’s energy coming from renewable sources and around 80% generated right here on the farm. Our biogas system provides energy for cooking and heating water, while the waste from the system is returned to the farm as natural fertilizer. Guests can also learn more about our biogas system during a farm tour.
Our cows provide milk, yoghurt and biogas, goats provide milk and fertilizer, and chickens provide eggs and fertilizer. We use organic farming methods, including cow manure and natural herbs to care for our plants.
Here is a taste of what we grow:
16 varieties of bananas, which you can discover on a farm tour
Hass, Fuerte and local varieties of avocado
Arabica coffee
Vegetables including spinach, lettuce, okra, celery, chayote, chillies, peppers, tomatoes, leeks, mchicha, eggplants and tree tomatoes
Herbs including mint, sage, rosemary, parsley, dill, oregano, basil, chives, thyme, cinnamon and lemongrass
4 types of passion fruit: purple, yellow, giant passion fruit and sweet granadilla
Seasonal fruits including papaya, mangoes, guavas, soursop and jackfruit
Much of what we grow is used in our hostel kitchen, giving our guests fresh produce straight from the farm. We also sell some of our produce at local markets and to selected farm-to-table restaurants, while sourcing other products from organic and local farmers around our village.
There is plenty of space to slow down and enjoy the farm. Walk beneath the banana plants, follow the river path, relax in a hammock, dip your feet in the river, or take a swim in our swimming pool while enjoying beautiful views of Mount Meru. You may spot monkeys moving through the trees, chameleons hiding among the plants and colourful birds around the farm.
You can also join a village walk, learn how to milk a cow, take a traditional Tanzanian cooking lesson, explore the farm, or simply find a quiet place to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Come stay, slow down and make Banana Farm your home.
Location
Banana Farm is located in Ambureni Village, just 9 km from Arusha city centre and about a 20-minute drive, depending on traffic.
You can easily reach us by local daladala from Arusha. Take a bus marked Tengeru / USA River from the A23 highway or the central daladala station at Kilombero, and get off at Peace Point or Barabara Mpya. From there, you can take a bodaboda up to the farm or enjoy a 1.5 km walk through the village.
If walking, simply follow the village road uphill until you reach the cross intersection, then take a left here and continue towards the farm. You can also find us easily on Google Maps by searching “Banana Farm Eco Hostel.” If you need help finding your way, just give us a call and we will guide you.
Prefer an easier arrival? We can also arrange private pick-ups from Arusha town, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) at reasonable rates.
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