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Volunteer in Tanzania

Tanzania is one of the most beautiful and politically stable countries in East Africa and a fantastic destination for a career break abroad. Tanzania borders Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda and Mozambique and contains some of Africa’s finest game reserves, (Ngorongoro and Serengeti), as well as Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. From Zanzibar on the coast, to the fabulous bush scenery near Arusha, Tanzania provides the perfect opportunity to volunteer in Africa and experience the continent in safe and happy surroundings.

Tanzania as a Career Break Destination

Career break abroad -Tanzania Before you volunteer in Tanzania, it is worth finding out a little more about this fascinating country. Modern day Tanzania was formed in 1964 with the merger of Tanganyika and the island of Zanzibar, but the history of the territory itself goes back much further.

Migrating tribes from across Africa settled on the land as early as the first century BC, while Arab traders occupied the coastal regions from around the 8th century onwards. The Portuguese added to the mix when they colonised the country from the 16th century. By the 19th century, the European presence was stronger than ever, with explorers such as Stanley and Livingstone arriving, and the country became part of the German Empire until the British took control after WWI. Despite this European heritage, Tanzania retains strong African traditions and volunteers teaching in Tanzania or taking part in one of our volunteer projects in Tanzania will find it a fascinating career break experience.

Summer in Tanzania runs from December to March, while its winter season runs from March to May. The country is hot all year round with the most agreeable temperatures from June to September, when they average in the high 20s. Those considering volunteering in Tanzania should be aware that the winter season is the main rainy season, when heavy rains can make travel on unpaved roads and dirt tracks difficult. In Zanzibar the rainy season arrives in April and May. Volunteer work in Africa is the perfect opportunity to see some spectacular wildlife. The most opportune time to see lions roaring and wildebeest roaming is to visit the Serengeti from January to March, or the beginning of June and mid-November, when the great migrations to and from Kenya take place.

Volunteer Work in Tanzania

Teach English abroad Tanzania is one of our key destinations for volunteer teaching and community development work overseas. MondoChallenge offers a wide choice of voluntary projects and locations, giving career break volunteers a range of opportunities to make a difference in developing communities.

Teaching English abroad is one of the most popular choices for a career break in Africa, and those wanting to teach in Tanzania can help out at primary and secondary schools, or provide additional adult teaching and vocational training. These volunteer teaching projects take place in the Arusha region, in the shadows of Mt Meru, or in other areas in Northern Tanzania, perhaps with the Maasai in Longido, or in the stunning Pare Mountains.

For those not wanting to teach in Africa, we also offer business development projects, where career break volunteers can help families affected by HIV/AIDS to women’s empowerment and community development through micro-finance. This is a great opportunity to use your business skills to help local communities in Arusha, Longido, Moshi and Usangi on your career break in Tanzania.

MondoChallenge also provides placements in childcare in Tanzania, where you can work as an orphanage volunteer. For those with a medical background and experience dealing with HIV/AIDS, there are also opportunities to get involved with HIV awareness and training in local communities.

Career Break Travel Opportunities in Tanzania

Volunteering abroad As a volunteer in Tanzania, you will find it relatively easy to travel around the country. Volunteers working or teaching in Tanzania often choose to visit other voluntary project locations and travel in the area on their weekends off. Expeditions could include staying in Longido and climbing its eponymous mountain (which proves to be quite challenging!), travelling to the Pare Mountains and sampling the locally made cheese, or visiting a Tanzania orphanage and meeting the terrifically enthusiastic children of Malaika.

MondoChallenge has developed a range of exciting travel itineraries for those wanting to explore more of Tanzania while they teach in Africa or take part in volunteer work abroad. We highly recommend that you allocate some time for trekking and safaris, and this can take place either before or after your volunteer programme, or at weekends. Our experienced career break team will be able to help you arrange these activities, and may be able to match you with other volunteers in Tanzania.

Here are a few travel suggestions:
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro (5-6 days)
Northern Circuit Safari (2-5 days)
Climbing Mt. Meru (3-5 days)
Zanzibar (4-10 days)
White water rafting and gorilla trekking in Uganda (7-10 days)

Volunteers Travelling to Tanzania

Career break volunteers Tanzania Flying is one of the easiest ways to travel within Tanzania while you volunteer in Africa. Air Tanzania and Precision Air fly the main domestic routes, including flights to Zanzibar, (around 20 minutes flying time from Dar es Salaam), with the main flight hubs based at Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Kilimanjaro. Zan Air, Zanzibar’s airline, also flies to the mainland and to the island of Pemba. Coastal Aviation specialises in Safari trips and has a fleet of small planes varying from 3 to 12-seaters.

Volunteers taking a break from volunteer teaching, childcare or business development projects, can also reach Zanzibar by ferry from Dar es Salaam. Ferry operator Azam Marine provides a daily service that takes around 2 hours, while its route from Zanzibar to Pemba takes just over an hour and runs a couple of times each week. Faster services are available from companies such as Sea Express and Flying Horse.

Another option for career break volunteers is to travel by bus. Private companies like Scandinavia Express offer air-conditioned buses that cover the major routes. Dalla dallas, (minibuses), are also in abundance and often travel to more remote areas, though they don’t have the best safety records. Buses only travel during daylight hours as bus travel is not permitted at night. Renting your own car is not recommended. Most four-wheel drives for safaris must be hired with a driver and some car rental companies don’t allow you to drive outside of Dar es Salaam.