Arusha & Kilimanjaro · Niyara by Ardhi Africa
Niyara Hotel
A contemporary African hotel in Burka, on the western side of Arusha, with garden-facing rooms, family connecting rooms and a fully plant-based kitchen.
Plan a safari with this lodge- Area
- Burka, western side of Arusha
- Style
- Contemporary African hotel
- Room types
- King, Superior King, Twin, Triple, Connecting and Suite
- Largest option
- Connecting rooms, up to 6 guests
- Food
- Plant-based only, at every meal
- Meals on our safaris
- Bed and breakfast, lunch and dinner on request
- Check-in / check-out
- 14:00 / 11:00
Niyara is a contemporary hotel in Burka, on the western side of Arusha, run by Niyara by Ardhi Africa. The design mixes polished concrete floors, walnut furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass with African prints, woven wall baskets and a large mural in some of the rooms. The garden rooms open onto a wide lawn, with a pool and sun umbrellas on the far side of the garden.
The main difference from other hotels in Arusha is the food. Every meal served at Niyara is plant-based, from breakfast to dinner and the packed lunch boxes for the drive to the parks. This makes it a natural choice for vegan and vegetarian travellers.
We suggest Niyara for the first or last night of a northern Tanzania safari, and in particular for families, as the hotel has triple rooms, suites for four and connecting rooms for up to six.
What it's like
There are six room types. King rooms have one king bed, and Superior King rooms add a single bed, so they sleep up to three. Twin rooms have two queen beds, and Triple rooms have three single beds. For families, the Connecting rooms are two rooms joined by a door, one with two queen beds and the other with a king and a single bed, and they sleep four to six. The three Suites have a king bed and two single beds and sleep up to four.
The rooms have walnut platform beds, linen bedside lamps, green velvet cushions and African-print bed runners against a dark feature wall. The garden rooms have a full glass front with a sliding door onto a terrace with a hanging swing and woven chairs, looking across the lawn.
The lobby is a bright, double-height space with white columns, hanging plants and clusters of woven baskets on stands, and seating areas spread across the floor. The restaurant has white tables with African-print runners and glass walls onto a terrace. Outside, there is a lounge area on the grass in front of a tall stone wall, with water running down the stones and ferns growing out of it.
Breakfast is served from 06:00, which suits an early start to the parks. Lunch, dinner and packed lunch boxes can be added.
Getting there
Times are best estimates measured from Arusha town and can be longer in traffic. Burka is on the western side of Arusha, near Arusha Airport, where most scheduled flights to the Serengeti depart. This usually makes the drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport longer than from the town centre, so allow extra time for an international flight.
Park fees
The hotel is outside the national parks, so no park fees apply for nights here. Arusha National Park can be visited on an arrival or departure day, and park fees for that day go into our quote as a separate line. Current figures are on our park fees page. See Tanzania park fees.
Who it suits
A good fit for
- Vegan and vegetarian travellers
- Families, with triple rooms, suites for four and connecting rooms for up to six
- A first or last night in a modern hotel with a large garden
- Fly-in safaris that start from Arusha Airport
Look elsewhere for
- Guests who would like meat or fish with dinner on their first night. For them, we suggest a different hotel in Arusha.
- Late arrivals at Kilimanjaro International Airport who want the shortest drive to bed. A hotel on the airport road is closer.
- Travellers who want to walk to restaurants and shops in Arusha town centre.
When to go
The hotel is open all year. Arusha has two rainy periods, the short rains in November and December and the long rains from March to May, but the town is a comfortable stop at any time of year, and the best time to stay depends on when you plan to visit the parks.
Common questions
Where is Niyara Hotel?
Niyara is in Burka, on the western side of Arusha, near Arusha Airport. The national parks of the northern circuit are reached by the main road west from Arusha, and Kilimanjaro International Airport is to the east of the town.
Does Niyara serve meat?
No. All meals at Niyara are plant-based, including breakfast, lunch, dinner and packed lunch boxes. If you would prefer meat or fish on your first night, we will suggest another hotel in Arusha.
Is Niyara good for families?
Yes. The hotel has Triple rooms, Superior King rooms for three, Suites that sleep four and Connecting rooms that sleep four to six, with the two rooms joined by a door. Tell us the ages of your children and we will suggest the right room.
Is breakfast included at Niyara?
Yes. Our stays at Niyara include breakfast, which is served from 06:00 to 10:00. Lunch, dinner and packed lunch boxes for the drive to the parks can be added.
Can we have a room on our last day before an evening flight?
Yes. The hotel offers late check-out until 17:00, subject to availability, so you can rest and shower before the drive to the airport. We can add it to the end of your safari.
How much does a stay at Niyara cost?
It depends on the room type, the season and the rest of the route. We can quote the stay on its own or as part of a full safari quote with the vehicle, guide and park fees included. Send us your dates and we will cost it properly.
Other places to stay in Arusha & Kilimanjaro
Arusha Serena Hotel, Gran Meliá Arusha, Arusha Coffee Lodge, Kibo Palace Hotel, Arusha Planet Lodge, Airport Planet Lodge.
See all lodges and campsSources and Maintenance
Where these figures come from
Fees, rules and official guidance can change at short notice. Every figure on this page is checked against a primary source on the date below and rechecked on a regular schedule.
- Niyara 2026-2027 sales materials sent to tour operators (room types, bed set-ups, meal plans, meal times, check-in times, photos) (received 4 November 2026)
- Niyara terms for tour operators (plant-based meals, meal plan definitions, child policy) (received 4 November 2026)
- Niyara contact details (address: Burka, Arusha) (checked 5 November 2026)
- Saleh Safaris route and drive-time notes (operator observation) (drive times are ranges, conditions vary)
Saleh Safaris is an independent safari operator based in Arusha. This is our own guide to Niyara Hotel, not the lodge's official website.