Tanzania volunteering projects
Highlights
Volunteer in local villages for up to 3 months | variety of projects available | use your specialist educational, medical or agricultural expertise | receive comprehensive briefings and on the job training | stay in a comfortable lodge on the banks of Lake Victoria | optional excursion to Serengeti National ParkDescription of Tanzania volunteering projects
We help people in some of the poorest regions in East Africa. Working directly with local communities, you can choose to get involved in a wide variety of projects that really will change lives. From building water tanks that provide safe, clean water, assisting teachers in local schools, aiding farmers to maximise crop production and helping establish small business schemes to provide a sustainable long term income, you will be able to clearly see the difference you are making whether you stay for 2 weeks or 3 months. If you have a specialist area of expertise, for example in medicine, education or agriculture, we’ll make good use of your skills and you can even elect to use this experience as part of your studies or work development.Our volunteers are aged from 7 to 70 and you can volunteer as a solo traveller or as part of a group or family. You will receive a full briefing before you depart and extensive on the job training and support once in Tanzania. We are well known in the villages we work with and our volunteers establish close relationships with the local people. Most people make friends for life and we get many repeat bookings year after year.
Our comfortable, purpose built accommodation sits on the banks of Lake Victoria. The stunning wooden lodge is a home away from home, sleeping 38 people and a local cook who prepares filling and tasty meals. There is a great sense of community here and volunteers love chilling out in the evenings, chatting about their day over a game of cards or making music.
It’s not all hard work as we can arrange for you to explore this amazing part for the world. You can spot African wildlife on safari in the Serengeti National Park, relax on the shores of Lake Victoria or even go climbing.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.
We have a strict policy of the frugal use of water in Tanzania by our volunteers. We have a rainwater harvesting system in our lodge which provides all of our drinking water and 30% of our toilet water usage. Our volunteers selectively flush the toilets to minimise the use of water. We use the waste water from sinks and showers to irrigate our garden. All of our volunteers use reusable water containers when they operate in the bush. Our dairy goat scheme operates a zero grazing scheme which prevents the goats from wandering freely in the bush eating trees. We encourage recycling of animal manure and the planting of trees. Our farming initiatives with local farmers encourage coppicing of trees rather than clear felling and burning. We are actively attempting to improve the quality of the soil of our partner farms by encouraging farmers to introducing materials which are biodegradable such as sawdust and wood shavings. We encourage farmers to rotate their crops to introduce nitrogen into the soil. We are working with local environment agencies to encourage the protection of the wildlife and ecosystem of the remaining areas of uncleared bush.
The Impacts of this Trip
All our projects are joint projects with local people and are agreed with the local government and village communities. The recipients of the projects we are involved in are selected by a local committee who manage the farmers co-operative that we helped set up. We work in partnership with the co op meeting regularly with the farmers and their management committee. We discuss possible projects and agree our short and long term strategies. The farmers are encouraged to be self reliant and to take initiatives in new business projects.
Our projects employ many local people such as cooks, cleaners, drivers, translators, managers, tradesmen and labourers. We have a training programme to train local people in the skills required to build water tanks, toilets, goat sheds, schools and low cost housing. We have built a joinery workshop to make doors and windows. We are training local people to help manage our projects.
We make a significant contribution to the local economy by using local builder’s merchants, food markets and safari companies to supply our volunteers and projects. Our projects enable hundreds of individuals and families to be financially self-sufficient via their involvement in our sustainable income generating projects.
We have a strict policy of the frugal use of water in Tanzania by our volunteers. We have a rainwater harvesting system in our lodge which provides all of our drinking water and 30% of our toilet water usage. Our volunteers selectively flush the toilets to minimise the use of water. We use the waste water from sinks and showers to irrigate our garden. All of our volunteers use reusable water containers when they operate in the bush. Our dairy goat scheme operates a zero grazing scheme which prevents the goats from wandering freely in the bush eating trees. We encourage recycling of animal manure and the planting of trees. Our farming initiatives with local farmers encourage coppicing of trees rather than clear felling and burning. We are actively attempting to improve the quality of the soil of our partner farms by encouraging farmers to introducing materials which are biodegradable such as sawdust and wood shavings. We encourage farmers to rotate their crops to introduce nitrogen into the soil. We are working with local environment agencies to encourage the protection of the wildlife and ecosystem of the remaining areas of uncleared bush.
The Impacts of this Trip
All our projects are joint projects with local people and are agreed with the local government and village communities. The recipients of the projects we are involved in are selected by a local committee who manage the farmers co-operative that we helped set up. We work in partnership with the co op meeting regularly with the farmers and their management committee. We discuss possible projects and agree our short and long term strategies. The farmers are encouraged to be self reliant and to take initiatives in new business projects.
Our projects employ many local people such as cooks, cleaners, drivers, translators, managers, tradesmen and labourers. We have a training programme to train local people in the skills required to build water tanks, toilets, goat sheds, schools and low cost housing. We have built a joinery workshop to make doors and windows. We are training local people to help manage our projects.
We make a significant contribution to the local economy by using local builder’s merchants, food markets and safari companies to supply our volunteers and projects. Our projects enable hundreds of individuals and families to be financially self-sufficient via their involvement in our sustainable income generating projects.
1 Reviews of Tanzania volunteering projects
Reviewed on 23 Oct 2018 by William Unger
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Our experience volunteering with the operator was unique and fulfilling. We
had the opportunity to work with Tanzanians in schools and health centers, get to know the local staff and help a little with a building project, all of which were memorable.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be aware that the lodging is not luxurious (cold showers), roads are rough and dusty. Project sites are often far apart, so a good amount of time is spent in the Land Cruiser. The staff was very attentive to our safety. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The projects include building water tanks for local villagers to supply them with a safe water source and latrines, along with education about sanitation. They also support health centers in remote areas and supply necessary medications. It is an organization that has far reaching impacts on the poorest local villagers.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had an outstanding and unforgettable experience. We would recommend it to adventurous people who want to interact with people in their authentic environment.
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