Volunteer in Tanzania

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions Tanzania program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group and connect with other participants and our team.
To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit,  Meet a Volunteer section on our website. 

As we have limited spots available in our programs and we follow the first come first serve basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online 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.

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.

The necessary requirements to participate in the Arusha volunteer projects are as follows:
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Medical Program volunteers must be at least 18 at the time of joining.
Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing student or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join this program.
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. 
A volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
The participant must be in good health.

We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.
In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for student groups- college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.

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. 

Volunteering Solutions offers volunteer placements in and around the region of Arusha, which is surrounded by some of Africa's most famous landscapes and national parks. Situated below Mount Meru on the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley, it has a mild climate and is close to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, and Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as having its own Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.

All volunteers need to arrive in Tanzania on the mentioned program starting dates. 
Volunteers are picked up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by the in-country coordinator or representative. You will be transferred to the volunteer house accommodation in Arusha followed by an orientation session. Kilimanjaro International Airport is around 50 km drive from Arusha city and it takes around 45 minutes to reach.
Volunteers also have an option of arriving in Nairobi and then taking a shuttle bus to Arusha. Pickup will be provided from the bus station. Drive from Nairobi to Arusha takes around 5 hours. This option is chosen by many volunteers. Volunteers should note that airport pickup is not provided from Nairobi airport.

Our in-country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to your project after providing a basic orientation about the program, city, culture etc. You will be provided with the directions for the project from your accommodation and will be briefed about the mode of transport to be used.

All participants joining the Tanzania volunteer projects, need to apply for Visa at the nearest Tanzanian Embassy or Consulate. Along with the visa application, you need to attach the required supporting documents. Volunteers are provided with the necessary supporting document for their Tanzanian Visa application. More information shall be provided after you become a Volunteering Solutions’ enrolled participant. 
Participants also have the option to take the Visa on arrival at the airport. Tourist Visa can be obtained on arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport or at the border when arriving overland.
All volunteers working in Tanzania need to get a Class C Permit while in Tanzania. The Work permit costs $200 USD and you will be provided assistance by the local team in Arusha to get the necessary work permit.

Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) has flight connections from Europe and other African destinations. KLM Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Kenya Airways, Condor Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Precision Air and Ethiopian Airlines are the major airlines flying in directly to Arusha, Tanzania.

Arusha is regarded as the gateway to the popular Northern Safari circuit and attracts tourists from around the world. Arusha is a safe city, however,   as in any country around the world, you need to take general precautions for safety. You will be given safety precautions and instructions by your coordinator during the orientation as well as in your Pre-departure handbook after you become an enrolled participant.

We recommend you to consult your physician or travel doctor before traveling to Tanzania. All travelers are required to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) to show proof of Yellow Fever immunization. 
The following vaccinations are recommended for travelers going to Tanzania.
Yellow Fever
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid
Rabies

Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. If you do not have a travel insurance, you have the option to purchase the Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from us.  To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider. 

Volunteers in Arusha are provided accommodation in a volunteer house/ hostel. The accommodation is centrally located and it is not far from the central part of the town and Arusha clock tower. It is exciting to stay at the volunteer house as you get to meet and interact with other volunteers from around the world. The volunteer house has a guard, a cleaner, and cook who prepares meals for the volunteers. Volunteers share the rooms on the same gender basis. Usually, 2 -3 volunteers share a room together. 
Volunteers are provided with all three meals. Breakfast usually comprises of Tea, Coffee, Bread, Jam, Butter, Eggs and/or Fruits. Lunch and Dinner usually comprise of a mix of Western and local dishes such as vegetables, chicken, rice, spaghetti, meat, and fruits. The dishes can vary on a daily basis and lunch is usually packed for the volunteers or you can eat at the house if you are there.

Yes - please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help ensure you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.

Volunteers typically work for around 5-6 hours in a day, for 5 days a week. Depending on the workload every day, working hours can vary. Evenings are free for the volunteers when they can get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Weekends are free for the volunteers and you can go for short weekend trips.Volunteers go for Safari trips to Serengeti, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro. You can also go for shorter trips to Arusha National Park or Hot Springs outside Arusha. Local sightseeing trips are arranged for the volunteers by the local coordinators. Volunteers are encouraged to explore different places on the weekends and do sightseeing so that you can see as much of the country during your stay in Tanzania.

Your program fee covers your Airport Pickup, Accommodation, Food and In-country Support. 
You will have to get an work permit, which will cost around $200. The in-country coordinator will guide you about it.
You will need to cover your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, weekend trips etc. However, you should carry around $50-60 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on Safari trips. The cost of the safari trips varies between $300- $600 depending on the safari option you choose.
Airport drop is no included in the fee but we can arrange for it at an extra cost of approx $50.
 

VolSol volunteers usually put 5-6 hours of volunteer work, 5 days a week depending on their program. You will have the weekend for yourself to explore in and around the city. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change on certain occasions.

Being at foothills of Mount Meru, the weather in Arusha is extremely pleasant and moderately cold at night. You can carry light jackets. 

On arrival in Arusha, you can change your currency to Tanzanian Shillings at the currency exchange shops at the airport. There are several ATMs available and, mostly Visa and Mastercards are accepted. During the orientation, the coordinators would show you the nearest ATM as well as foreign currency exchange shops. Tanzania is mostly a cash-based society and you would need to pay in cash at most of the places you shop. Credit cards are not accepted at many places.  

As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online 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.

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.

The program requirements for the program in Zanzibar are as follows: 
The minimum age requirement for the programs in Zanzibar is 18 years. 
Volunteers joining the medical volunteer project must be either Pre-Medical, Medical or Nursing students or possess other qualifications related to medical and nursing field such as CNA or EMT. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses are also welcome to join this program.
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. 
The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
The participant must be in good health.

We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.
 
In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for student groups- college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.

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.

Visa in Zanzibar can be attained upon arrival for $50 as the Visa fee. Volunteers also have to attain a volunteering permit of 250 USD upon arrival. You can also write to [email protected] for your visa queries.

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.

Zanzibar thrives on tourism. The stone town attracts many tourists from around the world. The beach area is crowded with tourists and is safe. However, during the evening avoid going out alone. Consult your in-country coordinator for information on nightlife and where all to go in the evening. Since Zanzibar is a Muslim country, it is advisable for all to dress decently and wear full trousers and full sleeved casual shirts. Beachwear can be worn when on the beaches.

Some pointers for the project:
Ensure that you are modestly dressed. 
If you are diving or snorkeling, you may be tempted to collect some shells from Zanzibar's many coral reefs. Please do not, as this kills entire reefs, the devastating effects of which can be seen in the well-trodden areas of the East African coast. Although there are shell sellers, you are asked not to buy shells from them, as it simply encourages this harmful industry.
Zanzibar is an amazingly photogenic place but if you want to take photographs of people, please ask for their permission first, out of respect for them.
If you are not Muslim, do not enter any of Zanzibar's mosques.
Keep in mind that your safety comes with your own behavior and looking for your personal items. Lock your room if possible, give valuables to the coordinators to keep for you and be aware of your surroundings.
Zanzibar is alluring to many different tourists and many women from the west will find their African lovers here. Be aware of the smooth talking beach boys that you will encounter and can organize everything for ‘free’ for you or very cheap, there usually is a price to pay somewhere down the line.

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

Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

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 in the medical and teaching project are provided accommodation with host families in the safe area of Mbwemi just outside Stone Town and close to the airport. You can expect to share a room with other volunteers. We typically use 3-4 host families in the area for our volunteers to stay.Meals are provided 3 times a day by your host

For volunteers in the turtle project, there are two different accommodations available in Nungwi for your Sea Turtle project. The first accommodation is located directly on the project site in Nungwi where the house has several 4-bed rooms with private bathrooms. The outdoor dining area is under a large coconut canopy right on the turtle project. You can also use an open fitness room, which is located directly on the property. About 30 volunteers can be accommodated here. 

The second accommodation is about a 5-minute walk from the project site, and about 8 volunteers can be accommodated here. The volunteers are accommodated in 2-bed rooms with bathrooms. There is a kitchen, a living room, and an outdoor area with a garden and terrace. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the volunteers have the opportunity to eat with all the other participants under the large coconut roof and sit together comfortably. 

Volunteers in the Football project stay in volunteer house accommodations in Kwerekwe district of Zanzibar Town or in Chuini.

Depending on your project VolSol volunteers are required to put around 5-6 hours of volunteer work for 5 days in a week. Evenings and Weekends are free for you to explore in and around the city and indulge in your personal work or activity. You can:
Visit the old forts, museums and beautiful streets of Stone Town.
Eat the seafood you can at Forodhani Gardens in the evening.
Go on a spice tour to see how cloves, nutmeg and much more are grown.
Go swimming in crystal clear water.
Snorkel or dive in some of the beautiful reefs of the world.
Relax and enjoy the island!

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 $50 - $60 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.You will also need to pay for Work Permit as it is mandatory to take while volunteering in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
 

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.

There is one Bureau De change at Airport and an ATM point. Also, there is another Barclays ATM point on the way to Pongwe at Mwanakwerekwe Barclays branch, just 10 minutes from Airport. Stone Town also has one Bureau De Change. Most shops in the Stone Town accept Dollars, Pounds, and Euros.

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.