Volunteer Teaching in Tanzania - Zanzibar

Your program coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc.You will be briefed about the local transportation and also about your transfers to the project every day from the accommodation. 

Volunteers will be staying at our volunteer house which can accommodate up to 12 volunteers. The volunteer house has 3 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and large kitchen, as well as dining room and lounge area. The house has a garden with a secure wall and gate to make sure you are as safe as possible. 

Bedding is provided in the form of sheets but bring a towel for personal use. Mosquito nets are not provided so you can bring one if you choose to. There is no malaria on the island so a mosquito net is for your comfort and not needed for health. If you don’t have enough space in your suitcase: it is cheap to buy things locally. The accommodation can be basic, standards are very different on Zanzibar then back home most probably, and showers do not have hot water, but the weather is hot enough to shower cold!

3 Basic Meals per day are provided at the volunteer house. These will be local food, and should you want to supplement with your own luxury items you are welcome to do so at your own cost. 

Meals are based on local ingredients and breakfast will offer bread, coffee and tea,omelette, sausages, jam, peanut butter, margarine and fruit. Lunch and dinners are cooked and will include meat, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, as well as the favourite ‘chips’ (fries) and pancakes. You can bring lunch to work by making sandwiches in the morning. Safe boiled drinking water is supplied in the house. If you would like bottled mineral water, you can buy this at TsH 800 per 1.5 liter = 0.35 USD. (Please note that exchange rates can change on a daily basis). 

Your program fee covers your accommodation, airport pick-up, orientation, pre-departure information, and in-country staff support. You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing, return airport drop, weekend tours etc. However, you should carry around $80 - $100 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.
 

VolSol volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day for 5 days a week. The working hours can vary and is dependent on your program type. You will have the weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends.

Yes, there are ATM’s in Zanzibar and the coordinator can assist you and suggest money change shops in Stone Town for exchanging your money for Tanzanian shillings.

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer section on our website.

We can only provide contact details for former volunteers who have consented to having their data shared. However, there is a Facebook group for past and current volunteers which you are welcome to join. There are also hundreds of reviews online from our former volunteers as well as social media posts on Instagram, TikTok and our You Tube Channel.

Visa in Zanzibar can be attained upon arrival for $50 or $100 as the Visa fee depending on the nationality. 

Recommended airlines to fly into Zanzibar are Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Fly Dubai, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines and KLM. There are good connections from European and Middle Eastern countries to fly into Zanzibar.

The in-country coordinator will be there at the airport to receive you and will ensure that you safely reach the accommodation.

VolSol volunteers typically contribute 5–6 hours of work per day, five days a week, leaving evenings and weekends free to explore. In your downtime, you can wander through Stone Town’s historic forts, museums, and vibrant streets, or enjoy fresh seafood at Forodhani Gardens. Many volunteers also take spice tours, swim in crystal-clear waters, and snorkel or dive in stunning reefs. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, the island offers plenty to enjoy.

Zanzibar is a tourism-driven destination, and while Stone Town and the beach areas are generally safe, it’s best to avoid going out alone at night and to consult your in-country coordinator about nightlife. As a predominantly Muslim region, volunteers should dress modestly, reserving beachwear for the beach. Please respect local guidelines—avoid collecting or purchasing shells, ask permission before photographing people, and do not enter mosques if you are not Muslim. Keep your belongings secure and stay cautious of overly friendly “beach boys,” who may offer free or cheap favors that come with hidden expectations.

All travelers to Zanzibar need to purchase a mandatory travel insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Please visit, https://inbound.visitzanzibar.go.tz/ for more info.

Volunteers should carry general medicines along with them on their travel. Medicines like antacid, aspirin and basic painkillers should be carried. You are recommended to take advice from your general physician before you embark on your journey. 

We recommend these basic vaccinations for your safety:

• Hepatitis A and B
• Typhoid
• Yellow Fever (if coming from a YFV infected country)

After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.

You can book your slot by filling the online application form and pay the application fee. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments, however,  the complete payment should be made 45 days prior the start of the program.  If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form. The initial application fee is refunded in the unlikely event that we’re not able to offer you a place on the program, and you have the flexibility to request a change of start date up until the 45 day payment deadline (this is subject to availability for other dates). 

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with children. You should also be proactive and have an ability to take initiative  All volunteers must provide a clean criminal background check report prior to joining the program.

For individual volunteers:

You will arrive on the same start date as other volunteers joining at the same time and will be part of a cohort for your program. This means you’ll share the same orientation day, accommodation, and overall experience; a great way to meet new people and make friends from around the world. The best time to join if you want to meet lots of other volunteers is July and August as these are the most popular months.

For groups:
If you already have a group, we also accept applications from university and college groups, high school groups, corporate teams, families, and groups of friends. Your group can fill in our Group Application Form, providing details such as the number of participants, preferred duration, budget, and destination. We take special care in providing your group with a placement that best suits your goals, and we can customise your itinerary to ensure you get exactly the experience you’re looking for. For groups of five or more, we can even design special group programs that combine meaningful volunteer work with cultural immersion and travel opportunities. All our programs, whether individual or group, are designed to be safe, affordable, and rewarding, offering every volunteer a memorable and impactful experience
 

Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.

If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program. 

Volunteers are picked up from the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport located in the Unguja Island by the in-country coordinator or representative. Those coming via the sea route would be picked up from their docking station. Upon arrival at either the airport or ferry terminus, you will be welcomed by one of the coordinators who will show you around and take you to your accommodation. After freshening up and getting to know the staff, you will be given an introduction and go through some rules and regulations.

Yes! On our application form you can detail the name of the friend(s) or partner you are applying with. You will be placed in the same project and accommodation with your friend.Private room upgrades are also available at additional charges.

We will refund your application fee if the program isn’t available after you have applied.