Stretch yourself in all directions in Tanzania
Live as a local and volunteer in the heart of Africa, surrounded by beautiful safari parks and friendly people. Get immersed in the busy and cheery little town of Arusha with snow-capped Mount Meru on your doorstep and Kili, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, just an hour's drive away! Throw yourself into Tanzanian life and live with at least one other volunteer in basic village accommodation, close to the heart of the community (and school if you have chosen to teach). Being at the centre of the action means you'll soon be embraced as a member of the community.
Get together with other volunteers at the weekends, enjoying the fantastic social life of Arusha or heading further afield. We recommend our very popular safari to grab the best chance to see the 'big five'. Why not also take on a trek to Mount Meru, or even Kili, or visit the paradise island of Zanzibar for a relaxing snorkelling and dolphin-spotting opportunity surrounded by white sandy beaches and great friends. We feel it is the chance to really make a positive impact that makes this project so popular with gappers and career breakers alike.
What will I do in Tanzania?
The great thing about Arusha is the variety of projects:
- Teaching: Many Primary village schools are crying out for volunteers; they may not have much, but the children are happy, full of energy and keen not only to learn English but to benefit from other skills you may have, such as sport, music, singing or drama. Volunteers have been welcomed since 2000
- Orphanages: Two orphanages have welcomed our volunteers as care workers since the year 2004: they provide a permanent, loving home for unwanted or orphaned children.
- Healthcare: Gain valuable experience volunteering in a local village hospital. This is a rewarding and fascinating experience for medical or healthcare students.
- Journalism: Volunteers can get stuck in as a junior journalist on a local Arusha newspaper - something that is increasingly difficult in Europe and gives you an amazing insight in African life.
- Sports coaching: Introduce kids to the thrills of football, rugby, hockey, frisbee and cricket to name a few. Work with local schoold and organise extra-curricular sessions
Read our blog for more information.
Getting there
Tracey will meet you on arrival, sort your paperwork and take you to your accommodation (usually in or near the school or home). She also runs the orientation course.
Representative
Tracey
Tracey became the Oyster representative in Tanzania in the summer of 2011. Having taken a career break to Tanzania as part of our January 2009 group, Tracey decided that Tanzania was the place for her and now calls Arusha her home. Tracey lives with her partner, Frank, and they have a son, Joshua.
Having experienced life as an Oyster volunteer first hand, Tracey is well placed to offer help and support to our volunteers throughout their stay in Arusha. She is very friendly and approachable and is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience with you!
Supporting you
Tracey is always there for our volunteers and has years of experience of dealing with Oyster volunteers. Your orientation course will include basic Swahili lessons and an insight into every aspect of Tanzanian life and culture. Tracey lives within easy distance of all our volunteers.
Highlights
- A sense of achievement that you've made a real contribution to Tanzanian life; bringing education, fun and friendship to African children.
- Learning Swahili, learning about a completely different culture and becoming immersed in it.
- Enjoy a day expedition to waterfalls located on the north slopes of Mount Meru.
- Experience African life as a local rather than as a tourist.
- Making great friends, from your group and from Arusha.
- Seeing elephants, lions and other animals in their natural home, climbing Kilimanjaro and staying on Zanzibar.
Accommodation
Enjoy living on site or at least very near to your community project. You have to adapt to traditional and basic accommodation but this is all part of the experience. At weekends you can always treat yourself to a little luxury, staying in a touristy hostel in Arusha.
Food and transport is very affordable with £20 a week easily covering this and a few local 'Kili' beers!
Cost and what is provided
The cost for one month is £1425, excluding flights. We encourage volunteers to stay for longer and charge £400 for each additional month.
What is Provided?
- Phone or face-to-face interview and informal briefing
- Pre-departure briefing course covering medical, safety and placement advice
- Help and advice from our UK office before departure and whilst in Tanzania
- Advice on obtaining a visa
- Oyster polo-shirt
- Finding you a suitable work placement in Tanzania
- Accommodation for the duration of your placement
- (Optional) flight with flexible return date (modest fee levied by airline for date changes). Please add £700 to the above price if you want us to organise your flights.
- Oysters local representative who will meet and welcome you on arrival
- Induction course in-country to orientate you and brief you on local matters
- Basic Swahili training
- Tanzanian SIM card
- Mosquito net
- Day trip to local water falls during the orientation
- Transportation to your school from the airport
- Assistance and support from our representative during your placement
- Oyster is able to offer volunteers an optional 4 day luxury safari for around £500. This is a fraction of the cost of booking from the UK
- Excludes food (approx. £2 per day)
What do I need?
- A passport valid for the duration of your stay
- A Class C permit for Tanzania, which at the time of printing costs around £340 for up to 3 months. This can be extended for another £340 for the following 3 months if applicable. We help you obtain this.
- Insurance (covering your placement time and any planned independent travel)
- Cost of changing your return flight date if you need to (approx £100)
- Independent travel costs and return to the airport
- Food and living costs (about £20 per week)
- Any home country travel costs (to airport and interview if face-to-face)
And one more thing...
If you can get to Zanzibar, don't miss the slave memorial and Old Slave Lodge in Stone Town, in commemoration of the brutal trade in humans.
