Volunteering in Tanzania

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN TANZANIA

Experience international volunteering at Adventure volunteer’s Tanzania Responsible Programs, located off the coast of Tanzania in Africa. Learn alongside trusted volunteer projects for child development in Tanzania.

One of the ways to get to know a country is to volunteer, but not just as any volunteer, but a different volunteer experience; where you can meet, live and feel the true essence of that place and its people. You can do this through volunteering in Tanzania.

Get to know this wonderful country for yourself, which also needs that time that you can dedicate to a social cause as important as this.

The main objective of volunteer programs in Tanzania is teaching youth, children and people with different abilities, as well as working with women.


EDUCATION AND SCHOOL REINFORCEMENT IN TANZANIA

We seek to empower and develop all the skills and knowledge of children and young people from low-income communities in Zanzibar.

As a  volunteer in Zanzibar , you must keep in mind that there is not enough equipment to deal with the current demand for work. Therefore, we hope that our volunteers contribute new ideas and teaching methodologies and that these motivate our children and young people to continue learning and build a better future.

Classes are organized in the  volunteer program in Zanzibar teaching with children  where you will participate as a support to the teaching staff (the volunteer does not create the classes independently):

  • Mathematics, computer science, languages ​​and sport.
  • Art, dance and music activities.
  • Health and hygiene talks.
  • Environmental workshops and gardening.
  • Reading and theater spaces.
  • Cleaning and maintenance tasks of the center.
  • Assist the staff of the centers and teachers.

Open all year, except from December 9 to January 9. Hours from Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 12:30.

  • Minimum age: 18
  • Maximum age: None
  • Copy of resume required: No.
  • Required Qualifications: Sex Offenses Certificate and Basic English
  • Participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by parents.

In this program you can go from 1 week and it has a cost with the donation included of:

WeeksCost
1€495
two€585
ADDITIONAL WEEK€180

This amount is deductible on your next income statement

WHAT IS OFFERED BY VOLUNTEER IN ZANZIBAR?

  • Orientation and induction to the project or program
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the program
  • airport pickup
  • Certificate of weeks completed in your volunteering
  • Tax certificate to unlock in the income statement
  • Guide, advice and management in choosing the program.
  • RC and volunteer insurance
  • Accommodation during the stay of your volunteer.
  • Daily breakfast and use of common areas.
  • 24/7 support from the local organization
  • Orientation and induction to the project

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN THE VOLUNTEER IN ZANZIBAR?

  • Flight to Zanzibar
  • Visa if necessary
  • Vaccines, if required
  • Internal transport or excursions
  • Meals, use of common areas in the volunteer’s house
  • Trips or excursions within or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance with Covid coverage
  • Drinks, diets or special meals

SOCIAL CAUSES TO HELP IN TANZANIA

Needs where your volunteering in Tanzania can help in collaboration with local partners will be:

  • Financial need
  • School dropouts
  • Drug abuse
  • Food scarcity
  • HIV pandemic  
  • Resources to go to school
  • Domestic violence

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA?

To be part of the volunteer programs in Tanzania, no specific training is necessary, all that is required is that you:

  • Are a committed person, as you actively participate in educational and social activities that require your commitment.
  • Have the will and ability to work as a team. It is important, since you collaborate with other volunteers
  • Empathize (respect other cultures, or ways of life).
  • Must be flexible and easily adaptable.
  • Show good conduct and respect for Islam culture.
  • Be of legal age.

For each project, you can consult the requirements that are specifically requested to volunteer in Tanzania.


WHERE WILL I BE DURING MY VOLUNTEERING IN TANZANIA?

The projects are developed in different areas of the country such as Arusha or Zanzibar.

  • The projects are within walking distance of the volunteers’ home.
  • It is necessary for us to use public transport to go to the projects, since you can walk, which is approximately 10 minutes.

WHEN CAN YOU COLLABORATE IN VOLUNTEERING IN TANZANIA?

  • Teaching with young people is open all year starting January 15, it closes in the changes of trimesters depending on the school calendar.
  • Closed 1st half of January and July.

ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION

The local organization will welcome you at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport, also known as Kisauni Airport, the only airport in Tanzania.

The airport is located approximately 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) south of Stone Town.

Tanzania is a tourist destination and has car rentals; personally we don’t recommend people drive alone as the roads and driving are dangerous. We will pick you up at the airport and it’s easy to get a taxi or a local driver and if you want to travel like the locals you can take a dala dala or boda boda.

VACCINES 

Vaccines are recommended for tetanus, typhoid fever and hepatitis AB, in addition, yellow fever will be mandatory only if you have previously passed through a country at risk. (Verify with vaccination center)

COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS

  • Medical certificate of vaccination and PCR with negative result within 96 hours before arriving in Tanzania (whether or not you are vaccinated) and the date of sample collection. See embassy updates for more information.
  • Form to enter the country

You can be tested upon arrival and you are subject to quarantine

  • List of quarantine exemptions, you can find it here

IS A VISA NEEDED TO DO A VOLUNTEERING IN TANZANIA?

To enter Tanzania it is mandatory to have a visa. It is currently done online.

  • Depending on the country of origin, a visa is not necessary for stays between 30 and 90 days.
  • Valid passport for at least six months.
  • Economic soundness. Validate at the Embassy of Tanzania in your country.
  • Round-trip ticket 
  • Verify information when booking and purchasing a flight

IS SAFETY TO DO A VOLUNTEERING IN TANZANIA?

As in any country you have to take certain precautions and know how to handle yourself in certain zones and areas.

In general, tourist areas are safe, but we also recommend you keep these details in mind:

  • Notify your coordinator if you take any excursions or tours.
  • Have the phone numbers of your coordinator and the address of where you are staying.
  • Avoid giving information about the place where you are staying, the project and your colleagues (volunteers).
  • Avoid bringing anyone who is not from the organization to the volunteer’s home.
  • Do not go to risky areas in every place you visit.
  • Travel in austerity in your daily commute and in your excursions, do not show your things.
  • If you can, avoid taking your mobile phone out in public places.
  • Try to use the country’s safe transportation services.
  • Avoid walking alone on unfamiliar streets.
  • Do not drink anything that you do not know the origin of.

HOW IS THE ACCOMMODATION IN THE VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA?

You live with more volunteers. All the houses selected by the local organization have the basic amenities that a low-middle status family in Tanzania generally has.

There may be weird days where you’ll be the only volunteer there, but it’s rare. You will never be alone; Paula, our volunteer coordinator will be at the house as will Cosiano, our co-founder who lives nearby and you will have direct contact with him for any emergencies.

We also have two Masai (guards) who stay at the resort and are always available to help with anything minor you may need.

It’s a decent but basic work in progress at the moment. It’s comfortable, and you have common areas and a proper kitchen too. Water and electricity connectivity on the island can sometimes be a challenge, but we have installed phase 1 of a solar farm so we rarely experience blackouts. However, that does mean that we are very conscientious about the electricity we use and cannot accommodate heavy appliances such as hair dryers.

As for showers, we have fully installed bathrooms, but you will take cold showers, except on warm days when you can get “naturally heated” water.

We rely on donations to make the house more homey and if you’re thinking of bringing something to the house, we encourage you to choose something from our monthly volunteer house wish list.

WHAT WILL YOU FIND IN THE HOUSE?

  • Bed, in a room you share with other volunteers.
  • Kitchen equipped for cooking (meals not included)
  • Wifi (poor connection)
  • Clothes washing area (only cold water and hand washing).

MEALS IN MY VOLUNTEER

Integrating into these communities means enjoying the different rhythms of life and the fantastic opportunity to make local friends. This type of accommodation offers you these possibilities. 

A breakfast consisting of local fruits – mango, pineapple, banana, watermelon, peanut butter, bread/toast, and eggs is provided daily as part of your stay at the house. Also included is the following to use as needed:

  • Water
  • Coffee
  • Tea
  • Sugar
  • Milk
  • Rice
  • Flour
  • Oil
  • Spices (salt, pepper, spices)

For lunch/dinner, we offer a kitchen equipped with the basics so you can cook according to your needs. Upon landing we recommend you visit the local supermarket in Stone Town (the driver that picks you up will take you) to buy what you need for your stay.

The contribution in  volunteer projects in Tanzania for a period of 14 days is €558. On this contribution you will have a deduction of around 50% in your next income statement .

WEEKSTEACHING AND EMPOWERMENT
1€495
2€585
3€765
Additional€180

WHAT IS OFFERED TO THE VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA?

  • Welcome at the airport and accompaniment
  • Accommodation during your volunteer stay
  • 1 volunteer breakfast
  • 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
  • Monitoring and evaluation of the program
  • Orientation and induction to the project
  • Certificate of weeks completed in your volunteering
  • Guide, advice and management in choosing the program
  • CR and volunteer insurance
  • tax certificate

WHAT IS NOT OFFERED TO THE VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA?

  • Flight to Tanzania
  • Visa, if necessary
  • Vaccinations, if required
  • Internal transportation or excursions
  • Trips inside or outside the country
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Drinks, diets and special meals 
  • Bottled water

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN VOLUNTEERING IN TANZANIA?


CLIMATE

  • Between May and October, they are the ideal dates to volunteer in Tanzania because they are dry seasons. You will also be able to go on a safari with more animals to spot.
  • January and February are the driest months
  • March to May are rainy seasons.

MONEY

The currency used in Kenya is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).

The dollar is the reference currency (they don’t usually accept dollars that have not been issued in years prior to 2000). The euro is also usually accepted, although to a lesser extent.

1 euro is around 2600 TZS

A safari contracted with a local agency can cost you between €325 and €500, with transport, a guide, 3 meals and 2 nights included.

A safari through the Serengeti can be very expensive if you do not do it through the volunteer organization, by meeting local people you trust and the price will be lower.

  • It is recommended to carry cash in local currency at all times for those small purchases or to move around. 
  • Something you should know is that in Tanzania it is customary to give tips, more so if the service provided is very good. So we recommend that you always carry 100 shillings which is equivalent to 1 euro.

You have the option of taking money from your destination country or withdrawing from ATMs in Tanzania. There are some ATMs that allow you to withdraw in dollars, which will come in handy if you go on a safari (since many agencies charge in dollars).

FLIGHT

The most popular airlines that you can find to travel during your volunteering in Tanzania are: EmiratesQatarKLM, and  Lufthansa.

  • The flights range between approximately €550 and €750.
  • You can find good flight deals on Google Flights or Skyscanner.

TOURIST PLACES

THE GREAT MIGRATION

One of the spectacles of the wild nature of the planet, is set in the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. You can see dozens of herbivores beginning to arrive in the Masai Mara. This starts at the end of June and beginning of July in search of fresh pastures.

How to organize a safari in Kenya?

SERENGETI NATIONAL RESERVE

In just one day you can witness one of the most impressive things in the world. In one place you can see lions or “big five” as they are called, leopards, rhinos, buffalo and elephants, you can also see other animals such as hyenas, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and many more.

TANZANIA SAFARI

KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK

Nearly 6,000 meters high with a snow-capped peak, Kilimanjaro is one of the most spectacular sites in Africa. If you are a mountain lover, reserve a few days after your international volunteering in Tanzania to go trekking on the highest mountain in Africa.

TANZANIA REAL PARADISE

After the pandemic and being locked up, we have noticed a traffic of people who seek to carry out solidarity actions and help others, but without forgetting to enjoy a paradise like that of the white sands of Tanzania.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MONTHS TO DO A VOLUNTEERING IN TANZANIA?

The best months to travel to Tanzania are between June and October.

  • You can see the animals around the wells and rivers more easily.
  • Nearly no rain to enjoy Tanzania’s fantastic beaches.
  • Sunny days.
  • Good months to see the great migration.

You can also travel between November and May, you will find:

  1. You can see certain newborn animals.
  2. A lot of animals on safari
  3. More rain, but they do not prevent you from doing the safaris.

DO I NEED A PASSPORT AND VISA TO DO A VOLUNTEERING IN TANZANIA?

If you need a passport valid for 6 months and a visa to enter Tanzania.

You can consult the following link with the steps to apply for the visa.

What to take into account for the visa in Tanzania?

official visa

HOW TO MOVE IN THE VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMS IN TANZANIA?

You can go from one place to another in different means of transport, the safest and the most recommended is the internal plane of the country, it is economical and safe. Also if you are with a local person you can use local transport (buses) but it is not recommended alone.

If you want to go from Tanzania to the mainland, the plane option is very good and cheap.

HOW TO ORGANIZE A SAFARI WHILE YOU ARE A VOLUNTEER IN TANZANIA? 

We know that before traveling to Tanzania and doing a safari you have many doubts, we understand, that is why we recommend you to do a safari asking the local coordinators once you are there, you will also meet other volunteers and you can join the dates that They go. There are always spaces.

  • General questions
  • Travel information
  • Specific questions