Girls' hostels are an intervention used in many countries to create safe learning environments and ultimately promote girls' enrolment, participation and academic success. In contrast, many of the girls' hostels built in Tanzania's community secondary schools are underutilised, and others are not used at all. Using Maslow's theoretical framework, this qualitative-based research was conducted in rural Tanzania to explore the motives for the underutilisation of the girls' hostels and the challenges facing girls when they shun hostels. Data were collected through interviews with girls, teachers, parents and the District Education Officer. Girls' hostels remain underutilised due to cultural beliefs, safety and cost, resulting in an unsupportive learning environment and unsafe accommodation. There is a need to educate various stakeholders on the importance of girls' education and the significance of girls living in hostels. Again, improving the quality of hostels is crucial to attracting girls and maximising their educational opportunities.