Tanzania

30 Years Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.  We accept volunteers from all over the world and place them in meaningful overseas missions.  

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Tanzania is a large country in Eastern Africa within the African Great Lakes region. Tanzania is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. It also sits alongside the beautiful Indian Ocean. Tanzania is home to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, in its north-eastern region. The trek to the top is challenging but provides stunning mountain views. The country is also considered the Safari capital of the world, with incredible wildlife viewing throughout Tanzania, in particular, the Serengeti.

Tanzania is a presidential constitutional republic, and its official capital city has been Dodoma (since 1996). Here you will find the President’s Office, the National Assembly, and other government buildings. Dar es Salaam, the former capital is still the largest city and holds most of  the government offices, as well as being the country’s principal port and leading commercial hub.

Climate can vary greatly within Tanzania. Up in the highlands, temperatures range between 10 and 20°C during cold and hot seasons.

The rest of the country is usually pretty consistent, with temperatures rarely falling lower than 20°C. The hottest period months are between November and February (25–31°C) while the cooler months occur between May and August (15–20°C). Tanania can recieve some cooler evenings and mornings, so be sure to bring along something warm to wear. 

Tanzania has two major wet seasons: one is uni-modal (October to April) which is experienced in southern, central, and western parts of the country, and the other is bi-modal (October to December and March to May), found in the north from Lake Victoria and up along the east coast.

The Serengeti can be visited throughout the year but is most popular during March to May, due to very little rain. For the wildebeest migration, travel from June to September. And for Zanzibar, this is best visited from June to October, which is dry season.

Tanzania has a large and diverse population, consisting of many different tribles, ethnic communities and religous groups.

Christians and Muslims make up the majority and 2% still practice Traditional African Religion.

incredibly, there are over 100 different languages are spoken in Tanzania, making it the most diverse country in East Africa for language. All four of Africa’s language families are spoken (Bantu, Cushitic, Nilotic, and Khoisan), with Swahili and English being the official languages. Although some locals speak great English, Swahili is predominantly spoken throughout the county. 

Most of our projects are in the mountain district of Monduli, which is situated within the Arusha region, in North-Eastern Tanzania. The Monduli district is a great place for visitors to learn how the traditional Maasai people live and to experience an authentic local village. The region is situated between the famous Mt Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti- making it a perfect place to go on a safari or trek in the mountains. Lake Manyara and Mount Meru are also popular attractions to explore in this beautiful region of Tanzania.

For our Maasai projects you will staying  in a very simple, traditional, family home in a Maasai Village in Arusha (or surrounding villages). Moita is quite a bit off the beaten path. Located several kilometres away from the main roads near Arusha, there are many smaller towns along the way to this small village. The terrain is rough with patches of grass, bushes, and trees. In the dry season the community of Moita village must walk several kilometres to gather water for cooking, drinking and sometimes for bathing.

For our Monduli location you have a choice to stay at the volunteer house or with a host family, which will be basic but comfortable. There will usually be western-style toilets, but some homestays will have a squat-style flush toilet in use. Sometimes showers might be a bucket style, using heated water (this just adds to the experience!). The accommodation will be on a local school campus with green spaces to enjoy on days off. From the big garden on clear nights, you can even see the Milky Way! We advise that all participants buy a cheap local SIM card for local calls and internet access. 

There are plenty of shops situated within walking distance of your accommodation, such as small local restaurants, hair salons, a pharmacy, an ATM and local markets. There is a well-equipped hospital is also within walking distance.

The local transport is called a “dala-dala” (minibus) and can take you to into Arusha, which is a large city in Tanzania. Here you can find numerous supermarkets, coffee shops, clothing shops, Western restaurants, a cinema and everything else you might need. The journey will take just over an hour.

For the Maasai projects, expect a ‘back to nature’ and very simple accommodation during your stay here. You will sleep in a local homestay which may include a traditional house made from wood, sticks, cow dung and clay-soil. The Maasai mostly live without any electricity, and although some houses have recently put up solar cells, it should not be something to expect. There is no running tap water and no western toilets. Expect squat toilets and the occasional showering is only done by using a bucket. All volunteers are asked to be environmentally considerate and to use all resources with extreme restraint, particularly water, paper, and electricity. This accommodation is located in a Maasai village in Arusha, but for more cultural immersion you may be placed in various surrounding villages.

3 meals per day are included and the local cuisine consists mainly of potato, rice & corn, beef, goat, beans,  green leafy vegetables, and some fruit such as oranges, banana & avocado.   

Please note in the Maasai Mara Homestay’s there is usually no refrigeration or local shops within walking distance so supplementary food items may be worth bringing if you are feel you may not be amendable to certain local dishes.    We will help ensure you’re well prepared in advance so don’t worry too much!   

An arrival airport pickup is included in the cost of your placement. Accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees. Arrivals are on Saturdays and Sundays (please check the individual project for the pickup window times, as they can differ). 

If arriving outside the pickup times we can arrange a private transfer and extra night’s accommodation, depending on availability, or you can make your own way to the project. 

Car

Rentals, Taxis, buses and mini buses (known locally as “dala dala”) occupy the main methods of transportation. 80% of traffic in Tanzania is by road even though many of the roads can be found in poor condition. Some of the main roads are well tarmacked but expect dirt roads out towards the rural areas. 

Train

Tanzania’s railways have a somewhat average safety record and it is not uncommon for passengers to get frustrated with slow journeys, frequent cancellations and delays. If you are prepared for this however, it can be a unique way to travel, viewing amazing landscapes along the way. 

Airplane

Tanzania has four international airports, including over 100 small airports or landing strips. Airports are not as built up as you may be used to although there are reports of improvements in the conditon of local airports. Local Tanzanian airlines include Air Tanzania, Precision Air, Fastjet, Coastal Aviation, and ZanAir.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Home to the Ngorongoro Crater, this stunning area of vast plains, green forests and wild savannahs, sits next to the Serengeti National Park. You will see the highest concentration of animals here from lions, zebra, wildebeest and elephants. The views from the crater are absolutely stunning, with an atmospheric mountain backdrop. This should be at the top of your bucket list for Tanzania!

Serengeti National Park

Another one for your bucket list and a perfect way to spend your weekend off. The Serengeti is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the big 5 (lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo & elephant). You will also find zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, baboons, hyenas, ostriches and many more incredible animals. The best way to explore is by camping out in the open or in one of the many lodges. The area is huge, and we recommend at least 2 days here.

Tarangire National Park

A quieter park in Northern Tanzania, Tarangire is known for its large population of elephants and the incredible Baobab tree. In dry season you can spot all kinds of amazing animals that congregate to the Tarangire river. Spot anything from zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, wildebeests and even lions of you’re lucky.

Moshi and Mount Kilimanjaro

Moshi is about a two and half hour drive from Monduli and can be easily reached using a “dala dala” or taxi to Arusha and then changing again onto Moshi from there.

Moshi is a quiet town with several Western cafes and coffee shops. It is also the closest town to the starting point of the Mount Kilimanjaro trek. On a clear day, you can get excellent views of Kilimanjaro right from the roadside (Tip: Moshi Train Station, which is no longer is use, has fantastic views of Africa’s highest mountain, with locals selling drinks and snacks up the top).

Arusha National Park and Mount Meru

Mount Meru is located in Arusha National Park and is the second largest mountain in Tanzania. If you’re looking to Climb Kilimanjaro ,then Mt Meru can be a great acclimatisation trek, taking you through various types of vegetation. There are also scenic trails around the mountain at ground level. Other attractions include Meru Crater, the Jekukumia River, Ngurdoto Crater and the Momelia Lakes which are known to change colour! You might even find wildlife here including giraffes, warthogs, cape buffaloes, lions, elephants, flamingos and more.

Lake Manyara National Park

If you love bird watching, then head to Lake Manyara during the dry season where pink flamingos flock to the vast lake. During wet season see if you can spot the lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, blue monkeys, gazelles and cheetahs roaming the park.

Kikuletwa Hot Springs

A somewhat ‘secret’ pool of clear blue water, situated in between Arusha and Moshi is the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. The water isn’t actually hot but totally refreshing after the dusty drive getting there. Enjoyed by tourists and locals, this is a beautiful spot for relaxing and swimming in the crystal clear water, surrounded by jungle. There’s even a rope swing into the water for more fun and games. If this wasn’t on your list before, it should be now.

Arusha

Just over an hour’s drive from Monduli, Arusha is a large city in Tanzania which has many Western style eateries, a cinema, Maasai markets, shopping malls, supermarkets and a cultural centre. There are a lot of things to do here and a great way to spend your weekend. Close to the Serengeti, Arusha is a popular starting destination for wildlife safari tours.

Hiking Around Monduli

If you’re looking for off the beaten path trails then there’s no better place to look then in Monduli. There are numerous treks, one even takes you to a beautiful waterfall. You will need to ask your local coordinator to arrange certain visits, as the government needs to grant you permission (for a fee) to visit beyond certain spots, this is to conserve the area.

Iringa and Ruaha National Park

If you have the time after finishing your project, Ruaha National Park is a quieter and much less visited place for wildlife viewing. It’s located in Central Tanzania, near the small and quiet town of Iringa (which is a great stop off for visiting Ruaha). The park is actually the largest in Tanzania but less frequently visited by tourists, although visitors are rarely disappointed by its natural beauty. It’s home to cheetahs, the second largest population of Leopards in Africa, buffalos, hippos, and more!

Zanzibar

A little further afield, it is still possible to fly to Zanzibar for a weekend from Arusha (although several days here would be ideal). Zanzibar is known for its sandy white beaches, turquoise water and unique culture. Stone Town is an interesting town, known for its mazes and spices. Other things to do is a visit to Prison Island, where prisoners were once held but is now home to giant tortoises. You can also spot dolphins and try snorkelling off the island. The North and East of Zanzibar have some of the best and cleanest beaches in the world.

Would you like to raise money in order to afford your trip abroad to volunteer? Or perhaps you would like to set up a funraiser to gain enough money to give as a donation to the local project? Crowd funding is a great way to do this. Read this article on Crowdfunding tips to find out how you can raise funds for your trip.