The Backyard Hostel

The rooms were okay, but the toilet and shower were disappointing. Neither had a lock, even after I asked the staff to sort it out. The self-service bar is nice, and food is available, though we didn’t try it. Laundry is very overpriced at 20,000 tsh per Kg. A few staff members came across as rude. It was very quiet during our stay, so it wasn’t a great place to meet people, though that may just have been the timing. They offer lots of tours, but you can arrange them with locals for a much lower price.

Karim said he’d take responsibility if anything went missing, but I genuinely doubt that would help if someone stole really expensive equipment. The place felt safe, and there were only a couple of women in the house during my two nights, so I wasn’t generally worried. Still, not being able to lock my room was unacceptable. I can’t imagine sleeping with the risk of someone coming in, and hope they replace the lock soon or add a hasp so guests can use their own locks. That’s the only reason I’m giving 3/5. The staff were super nice and able to help with everything, even at short notice. The outdoor area was a nice place to relax, meet people, and share family-style meals. I loved the homemade cooked breakfast, and they could handle early departures and special dietary needs. There was also a cute dog and some kittens. They let me check in early and helped with my luggage in the crazy rain and mud. My private room couldn’t be locked because the previous guests had apparently stolen the key. The wardrobe inside was lockable too, but its key was missing. I carry my own locks, but there was nowhere to attach one, so I had no way to make sure my things were safe.

Soook unique, with mud houses you can sleep in. It’s a perfect place, with nice coffee and a super cool environment.

The backyard was amazing, and I wish we’d stayed longer than two nights. I really liked that they care about the environment: everything is built from recycled materials, and they filter the water so you don’t see plastic. The food was delicious, and so were the craft beers. They also run different courses and excursions. Karim and the whole staff were funny and welcoming. One night we all cooked pizza together, which made for an amazing evening. I hope I can go back one day, and I’d suggest it to anyone passing through Moshi.