Tanzania Program Details

Now in addition to the standard Tanzania Quest program, volunteers may choose a Basic Quest Option which is offered at a lower price with fewer activities included. These programs are focused on volunteering only and do not include the diverse cultural and learning activities or excursions included within our standard Quest.  See more information below.

Accommodation and Food

You will stay at a hostel in Dar es Salaam your first night in Tanzania and have orientation the next day. Then depending on your Quest, you will be staying with a host family, at a guest house or at the project site.

For all projects in Dar es Salaam, volunteers usually stay with host families who will provide three Tanzanian meals per day, often helping volunteers to pack a lunch during the week days.  You can also buy something yourself near the volunteer site for lunch. A guesthouse option is also available, but there will be an added charge for this arrangement.  In the guest house, all meals are provided along with a bottle of water either with lunch or dinner.

Families volunteering together will be accommodated in a homestay if a local family has two rooms available. Otherwise, families will stay in a hostel arrangement. There may be an added charge for this arrangement. The hostel has security with a 24 hour guard and is in a safe neighborhood. Hot water and electricity are available and a maid will prepare your meals, or you can prepare you own.

Insurance, Health and Safety

United Planet provides emergency medical insurance for all of its Short Term volunteers. You receive policy information by email prior to departure, and also the emergency number to call if you are treated for any medical issues.  Insurance also covers baggage loss up to $500 and trip interruption due to extraordinary circumstances.* Upon sign up you will also receive a full guide to health and safety in your country. We recommend booking a doctor’s appointment a few months out to update your vaccinations, etc. or visiting a travel health clinic. Your doctor can recommend the appropriate vaccinations and travel medicine. Please see the Health and Safety page for more information.

Transportation and Flights

Volunteers fly into Julius Nyerere International Airport  in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and from there will be collected by a United Planet representative and taken to a hostel where volunteers spend the first night. The day after, volunteers will participate in an orientation and then be transferred to their host family.

Tips on how to find an inexpensive flight can be found in our Cost Savings 2010 guide.

Start Dates

Programs start 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.