Volunteer abroad in Tanzania with Projects Abroad; international volunteer work in Africa

Volunteer Abroad in Tanzania

Tanzania Map

Tanzania is an attractive East African country where you can spend some time on a volunteer project or international internship. Our volunteer projects abroad in Tanzania are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a gap year, career break or as summer experience while between semesters.

Projects Abroad offers Teaching, Care and Medical internships 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 as tourism plays a large role in the town’s economy.

At the top of Mt Kilimanjaro

All Projects Abroad volunteers in Tanzania will 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.

International Volunteer Work in Tanzania with Projects Abroad

Tanzania is an intensely varied and colorful 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 a doubt one of Africa’s most appealing destinations and a great introduction to the African continent.

Fishing boat on Zanzibar beach

Tanzania has existed as a nation since 1964 after Britain granted Zanzibar independence. It was combined as a country with the previous British colony of Tanganyika at that time. 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 Abroad in Tanzania

Living in energetic, colorful 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 jewelry.

Mount Kilimanjaro

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 abroad in Tanzania will 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. Traveling 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 volunteer experience abroad will give enough time to visit the exotic spice island of Zanzibar where you can see an alternative side of Africa, one of tropical seas perfect for snorkeling and diving combined with a traditional Swahili way of life.