Volunteer and Travel in Tanzania
Volunteering in Tanzania
As a volunteer in Tanzania on the island of Zanzibar you will be on a special tropical island enthralled in history, culture and smiling people. Our volunteer teaching and community project is based right on the beach and is a fabulous place to volunteer. Help develop tourism, computer literacy and teach English to the community of Zanzibar.
For other teaching and volunteer opportunities in Africa also take a look at volunteer projects in Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
About Tanzania
Tanzania is a small country on the East Coast of Africa where you can find some of Africa's most infamous treasures. Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Zanzibar and the mountain rock art sites of Kolo-Kondoa all shape Tanzania into an unbelievable landscape of snow peaked mountains, flat open grass lands where the 'big 5' roam and the white sand, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.
The island of Zanzibar, just off the coast, is where our projects are based. This archipelago is famous for amazing powder white beaches with crystal clear water and a lush tropical inland. Zanzibar is famous for it's spice plantations, with which it was a hub of trade between Asia, Africa and the West. At the heart of Zanzibar Town is the old Stone Town, with its labyrinthine alleyways and fascinating architecture.
Although rich in beauty Tanzania is a poor country, with 90% of the population living on less than $2 per day. Much of their income comes from fruit and timber crops but they are sold to wholesalers at low prices and do not realise the real potential of their produce. Over recent years a number of initiatives have been developed to economically take advantage of their agricultural industry.
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Tanzania Travel Highlights
Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa. It's made up of 3 inactive volcanoes with the highest standing at 19,331ft. It remains the highest peak that a regular tourist can climb. It will take 5 days to climb up and down and you will cover over 80km, which is still a great test of your endurance. Throughout the climb you will pass initially through the tropical forests and up to an expanse of open moorland. Moving closer to the summit you will pass through the unpredictable alpine desert landscape made up of rocks, ice and temperature fluctuations. Once at the summit you get an unbelievable view of the wild plains of Tanzania.
Serengeti National Park
The Serengeti is Tanzania's oldest national park and is what makes Tanzania famous. The park covers 14,763 km² (5,700 square miles) of grassland plains and savanna as well as riverine forest and woodlands. The Serengeti is home to the 'big 5' as well as cheetah, giraffe and gazelle. Due to it's biodiversity and ecological importance UNESCO have declared it a world heritage site.
Kolo-Kondoa Rock Art Sites
The Kondoa rock art site is a series of caves carved into the side of the hills around 30,000 years ago. The highly artistic images depict the time line from hunter gatherer to an agro-pastoralist society. The paintings show human figures engaging in hunting, playing musical instruments, and crossing rivers with elephants, giraffe and antelopes. These cave sites are still used by the local communities today for weather divination, medicine and initiation ceremonies.
Looking out over the steppe. The cave site is nine km. off the main highway from Kondoa to Arusha, about 20 km. north of Kondoa. The caves contain paintings, some of which are believed by the Tanzania Antiquities Department to date back 1500+ years. The paintings depict elongated people, animals, and hunting scenes. Tourists are asked to report to the Antiquities Department office on the highway at the village of Kolo and ask for the cave paintings guide.
