GENERAL QUESTIONS
Traveling to a foreign country often gives rise to a lot of questions. Here we have tried to answer some of the most frequently asked questions in order to provide you with some of the information you will require before your travel
How do I get to the White House hostel?
Most travellers either arrive to Tanzania with plane or bus, and we will explain the easiest way to get to the hostel using either of the two options.
When arriving with plane, there are two airports close to Arusha - Kilimanjaro International Airport, located approximately an hour away, and Arusha Domestic Airport, located approximately 20 minutes away. The easiest and most convenient from either of the airports is to take a taxi, as there is not any public transportation going all the way to the airports. Certain airplanes have shuttle services that travellers can join, but make sure to check the time table before planning to use this.
If you arrive by bus, you will usually arrive at the central bus station in Arusha, which can be quite hectic. From here we also recommend you to hire a taxi to transport you the last part of the way - from central Arusha it is only a 10-15 minutes drive to the house.
Can the White House hostel arrange a pick up?
Yes, we most certainly can. Just make sure to provide us your arrival details upon your reservation, and we will make it happen.
From Kilimanjaro Airport, the price is 50 USD and from Arusha Airport the price is 20 USD, which is payed to the driver directly.
If you are arriving with bus, we usually advise our guests to find a taxi at the bus station when they arrive and then have the driver call our house for correct directions - as busses can be late, we find this option to be easier than to send a driver to find the guests in the station. The price should not be more than 15.000 TSH - remember to agree on this before entering the car. Please let us know upon your reservation if you are arriving with bus, so we can give you the proper guidance!
Which vaccines do I need? Do I need malaria prophylaxis?
We advise you to look into the recommendations from the Foreign Ministry in your country. To give you an idea of what is required, we have enclosed the list of vaccines recommended by the Danish National Health Service upon travel to Tanzania:
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A + B are highly recommended.
Yellow Fever is mandatory, as you will most likely be asked to show your Yellow-fever card upon arrival in Tanzania, especially if you have been in transit in another East African country, or of you want to enter Tanzania through any other border points.
Furthermore, it is also advised to use a malaria prophylaxis.
Depending on what you will do in Tanzania, the Tuberculosis-vaccine and Typhoid-prophylaxis can also be considered, but we advise you to discuss this with your doctor before your arrival.
What currency is used?
In Tanzania the currency is Tanzanian Shillings = TZS
The approximate exchange rate is 1 USD = 2250 TSZ, depending on the daily rate.
In Arusha, you will find various ATMs open 24 hours a day, where money can be withdrawn. Very few places in Arusha accepts credit card and it is therefore necessary to have cash. Often accommodations and safari-companies accept payment in dollars (if regarding big amounts), which is why we will recommend you to bring some dollars from home to save the fees from withdrawing at an ATM.
When is the best time for me to go to Arusha?
Tanzania has a big rain season from April-May and a smaller one around November. During these periods, the weather is very unpredictable - some days it rains 10 minutes, some days it can rain for a full day. It's not a problem for your trip, but good to keep in mind when planning!
Many guests come to Arusha for safari-trips and a eternal questions is therefore always which time of the year is the best season to see the amazing wildebeest migration through the Serengeti. The answer is, that since the migration is continuous, the wildebeest moves through the parks throughout the year. A good time to spot the migration in the central parts of Serengeti is around June-July.
Is it safe for me to travel to Arusha?
Yes, it is perfectly safe. Tanzania is a peaceful country with a welcoming people without either religious or political conflicts. Arusha is the 5th biggest city in the country, and as all big cities it hosts pockets thieves. However, if you take the proper precautions and carry your valuables sensible, there is no danger and the city is safe.
AT THE WHITE HOUSE
Here we have tried to collect answers to some of the most frequent questions about staying at the hostel.
Is the White House hostel safe?
Yes, our hostel is very safe. We are located in a safe area of Arusha, called Njiro. Further more, the house is fenced by a great wall and guarded by 24-hours security.
During day guests can freely walk on foot, but at night it is not safe for our guests to walk on foot even though we are located in a safe area. After nightfall, we urge all guests to use taxi as transportation.
Does the price include breakfast?
Yes, our prices include breakfast. At the hostel, we serve a breakfast buffet from 7:30 AM - 10:00 AM. Our breakfast includes juice, tea or coffee, eggs, bread, Tanzanian baked goods, pancakes, warm beans and fresh fruit.
Can I wash my own laundry?
Yes, you can. At the hostel, we have two options - hand washing or machine washing. Guests are always welcome to wash their own laundry by hand free of charge. If guests wish to use the machine, we charge per load of clothes - no matter the size! Our machine can carry a load up to 7 kilos and the price for one load is 10 USD.
As for drying facilities, our guests can use our clothing racks free of charge. For rainy days, we also have a drying machine. If guests wish to use this, we also charge per load - 10 USD.
Can I rent a towel?
We provide one towel per guests free of charge - no rent needed.
Can I bring and cook my own food?
No, unfortunately not. Our hostel does not provide opportunity for the guests to cook for themselves. At our house, breakfast is included in the room price as mentioned in an earlier question.
As for lunch and dinner, we offer these meals at the house. Both meals are served as a single meal buffet at a certain time of each day - we therefore don't have a proper restaurant with a menucard that guests can choose from. The meals are announced (and changes) each day and guests can join in for a small fee - 5000 TZS for lunch and 10.000 TZS for dinner - the price is charged per plate.
The meals served are traditional Tanzanian food - e.g rice with meatsauce or beans, chapati with sauce (pancakes), banana stew or vegetable stew and much more. Our chefs are always considerate of guests needs and provides vegetarian options if needed.
These meals are optional, and guests are always free to enjoy their meals elsewhere.
Is there WIFI?
Yes, we have great WiFi.
AROUND AND ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE
Travellers often wonder what activities they can do in the house and in Arusha in general - here we have tried to provide answers to the most frequent questions.
What activities can I do at the hostel?
Our hostel usually hosts travellers from all over the world and is therefore a very social place. As all of our guests usually enjoy their meals together - also often joined by the staff - friendships and plans for future trips are often formed and made during dinnertime.
In the house, we have a large outside common area with endless different boardgames for guests to use. We also have a chilling area with hammocks in the shade of the trees as well as tanning chairs for guests to enjoy the sun in. Inside the house, we have a large common room with a TV-set that guests are also welcome to use.
We often make large barbecue parties at the house and as we have an on-site bar, guests are also able to enjoy drinks before heading out in the Arusha-nightlife.
Which activities can I do nearby?
Arusha and the area around the city are full of activities - varying from different length and price range! If you need inspiration, go to our ACTIVITIES section to find suggestions that suits you.
Can I book and organise activities through you?
Yes, you absolutely can. At the hostel, we can arrange all kinds of activities for you - safari, trekking, day-trips, transportation - you name it. At the bottom of our ACTIVITIES section, you will find a direct link to the website of our tour-company, Safari Njema Adventures. Here you can see examples of safari-trips and price ranges as well as day trips and much more. If you have the wish for an activity that you do not see mentioned, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly when you book, so we can help you organise.
All activities can either be arranged beforehand or upon your arrival.
Can I volunteer while staying at the White House?
Many guests, especially longterm guests, wish to do some volunteer work while they are staying with us. At the ACTIVITIES section, you will find a direct link to our volunteering organisation, Fursa Projects Tanzania, where you can find more information about this matter and check if your qualifications and timeframe fits any of our projects and programmes.
How do I get around town?
The White House hostel is as mentioned located in Njiro Area, which is approximately 15 minutes drive from the city center. From the hostel, it is a 10 minute walk to the main road, from where you can either hire a taxi to take you to town or catch a mini-bus, that will drop you close to the town center. The mini-busses are very cheap but crowded, and usually you are squeezed in with many others - a real Tanzanian experience.
If you are planning longer excursions, we can always help you organise a private car with a driver. It is also possible to rent cars, but unless you plan to do a self-drive safari, this is usually not necessary. Let us know what your needs are, beforehand or when you arrive, and we can help guide you to the best transportation!
Are there any good bars and restaurants in Arusha?
Yes, Arusha have a big variety of restaurants and a great nightlife. Ask us at the hostel for suggestions, but a few of our personal favourites are Georges Tavern (delicious greek food), Khans Barbecue (amazing indian street food), Kitamu cafe (affordable and delicious Tanzanian food) and Chinese Dragon (chinese food).
As for nightlife, Arusha has both great karaoke bars, fun outdoor clubs and chilled hookah-bars. Ask our staff where to go when you get there!