Tanzania: Volunteering in Africa

Volunteering Projects and Internships in Africa - Tanzania

Tanzania is an attractive and enthralling East African country in which to spend some time on a volunteer project or work experience placement. Our voluntary projects in Tanzania are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a gap year, career break or as summer work experience while studying.

Projects Abroad offers Teaching, Care and Medical projects in Tanzania, based in and around the town of Arusha in the north of Tanzania. Arusha sits at the foot of Mount Meru volcano, which forms an impressive silhouette above the low rise skyline of the town. Arusha is a popular place for tourists to arrange their safari trips and tourism plays a large role in the town’s economy.

All Projects Abroad volunteers in Tanzania live with local host families. This allows you to experience Tanzania from a local’s perspective, a very different world from the often luxurious hotels of the safari industry.

Volunteering on a Placement Overseas in Tanzania

Tanzania is an intensely varied and colourful land on the East coast of Africa. Home to Africa’s highest mountain, largest lake, huge wildlife reserves and hundreds of paradise beaches, it is without doubt one of Africa’s most appealing destinations and a superb introduction to the African continent.

Tanzania has existed as a nation since 1964 after Britain granted Zanzibar independence and it combined as a country with the previous British colony of Tanganyika. Tribal traditions and over one hundred years of colonial influences have produced an exciting, modern Tanzanian culture. Although Tanzania remains one of the least developed countries in the world, the economy has improved greatly in the last forty years and the country’s political stability forms a solid base for continued growth.

Healthcare and education have also improved since independence and volunteers working in schools, care homes and medical institutions can help this progress to continue.

Volunteer Travel and Tourism in Tanzania

Living in energetic, colourful Tanzania will certainly provide you with plenty of interests and entertainment when you’re not working. The vibrant markets are worth exploring, and are a great place to buy traditional batiks, wood carvings and Maasai jewellery.

Tanzania is now firmly established as one of the best safari destinations in the world with an impressive 25% of the country protected as national parks or conservation areas. Although working as a volunteer in Tanzania will primarily put you in contact with the welcoming Tanzanian people, the wildlife is not to be missed.

Our base in Arusha places you within easy reach of the vast Serengeti National Park and the lesser known Arusha National Park, which can be visited as a day trip from Arusha. Mount Kilimanjaro National Park is also less than two hours drive away, and climbing Africa’s highest mountain is an enticing and achievable challenge for most.

Travel around Tanzania has improved greatly over recent years and buses between the main towns are cheap and reasonably efficient. Travelling by train is an option to visit towns between the coast and the west of the country, whereas boat is the main option to get to Zanzibar. Having an extra week or two of travel time at the end of your placement will give enough time to visit the exotic spice island of Zanzibar where you can experience an alternative side of Africa, one of tropical seas perfect for snorkelling and diving combined with a traditional Swahili way of life.