
Zanzibar is a tropical group of islands in the Indian Ocean, located about 2 hours by ship or 25 minutes by flight from the Tanzanian mainland.
When you refer to "Zanzibar," it usually means the main island of Unguja. In the past, Unguja was very prosperous because it served as a major trading post along the sea routes between Africa, Arabia, India, East Asia, and Europe. You can still see remnants of this history today in the blend of cultures, with Arab-Islamic influence being predominant. Tourism is now Zanzibar's main source of income, and it has become a trendy travel destination with hundreds of hotels and numerous tourist offers along the island's paradise beaches.
Unguja measures approximately 85 km in length and 30 km in width at its widest part. All areas of the island are easily accessible. The capital, "Zanzibar Town," with its UNESCO World Heritage historic old "Stone Town," is situated on the southwest coast.
We offer a wide range of volunteering and internship placements in Zanzibar Town, where we also operate two shared houses for program participants. One of our “Mother Nature” environmental conservation camps is located in the tropical Jozani rainforest in southern Zanzibar, and another one is situated on the beach of Matemwe in the northeast. Another attractive location for various volunteer and internship placements is Kizimkazi in the south of Zanzibar. Hotel internships are available at many beach resorts throughout the island.
There are direct flights from Europe to Zanzibar (ZNZ), as well as flights from several airlines with one transfer. Zanzibar is considered a safe travel destination, and even as a female solo traveler, there is no increased security risk if you adhere to a few basic rules. The national languages are Swahili and English.
We have been active in Zanzibar since 2006 and have been welcoming thousands of participants to Zanzibar up until now. This makes us the organization that has been consistently active on the island with volunteering and internship programs for the longest period. No other provider has as much experience in Zanzibar or is as well connected with the local communities as we are.

Mother Nature Camp Matemwe
Our Mother Nature Camp is located in Matemwe, North East Zanzibar, just 3 minutes walk to one of the most beautiful beaches in Zanzibar overlooking the Mnemba Coral Atoll. For the camp, we have converted a formerly sandy and sparsely overgrown plot of land into a green oasis using permaculture techniques.
Matemwe stretches along the coast for around 8 km, with one tourist hotel next to the other in the first line behind the beach. The village itself is relatively poor and the population mainly works in fishing and tourism. However, there are a few small shops in the village with products that are also aimed at tourists, as well as "local bars" that often play live music. Along the long beach we conduct our daily patrols in search of sea turtle nests.
Accommodation in Matemwe
Mother Nature Camp Matemwe
The camp is just a 3-minute walk from one of Zanzibar’s best paradise beaches, where marine turtles also nest. The site was designed based on the philosophy of permaculture and sustainable building in order to conserve and revive biodiversity and nature on the site.
There are eight fully furnished tents, each equipped with two bunk beds. Tents can be booked for twin or four-share occupancy. Each tent has lockable clothing storage for each volunteer, a small fridge, fan, electric light, and electricity outlets, including USB ports. All tents are situated under a solid thatched palm roof on an elevated wooden platform, designed in rustic African style. Mosquito nets are provided.
Sanitary facilities are available in a building located between the tents and are shared among the participants. They include six showers with solar-heated hot and cold water, as well as six environmentally-friendly evapotranspiration toilets. Our solar heater is supplemented by an electric heater during the rainy season, providing hot water throughout the year.
Communal areas, used for meals, project work, and leisure time, include the covered roof-top and the terrace of the main building. Meals are prepared by our two chefs in a fully equipped restaurant kitchen, adhering to international hygiene standards. Chilled drinking water is available from a water filter machine. Volunteers can use our office room if they want to do work that requires a computer. Additionally, there is a sun-bathing lawn with two small ponds and an outdoor splash shower for refreshment. Free unlimited Wi-Fi and a washing machine are provided, and there is 24-hour security. Valuables can be stored in a safety deposit box.
In cooperation with our permaculture expert, we have designed a system to optimize water usage as much as possible. We collect rainwater from the roofs, which is used, for instance, as a backup for the showers. All greywater is filtered and used for our plants. We employ an evapotranspiration toilet system, which is an on-site sanitation system for the biological treatment and reuse of blackwater as fertilizer for our banana grove. On the premises, we have an aquaponics system and two colonies of stingless bees for pollination.

Mother Nature Camp Jozani Forest
Staying at the Mother Nature Camp Jozani Forest makes you feel like you're deep inside a natural forest, even though it's just a 3-minute walk to the main road and the village of Kitogani.
Kitogani is located in the south of the island, bordering the Jozani Forest National Park. Since the only tourists who visit the area are day visitors to the national park, and there are no beaches or tourist hotels in the area, the people from the surrounding villages benefit less from tourism financially and in terms of the development level of their village compared to the residents of the villages along the beaches. The farmers' cooperative "Uwemajo," with which we also cooperate, strives to generate income through various tourist offers, benefiting around 300 member families. In Kitogani, you will be warmly welcomed in the village and fully integrated into the village society.
The mangrove areas near Kitogani are Zanzibar's largest and are part of the Jozani Forest Chwaka Bay National Park, holding great ecological importance.
The village is situated on the road that connects the capital, Zanzibar Town, with the tourist beaches of the southeast coast (Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi) and the southwest coast (Kizimkazi). Thanks to the excellent connection to Zanzibar's local transport system, you can reach the city in 40 minutes via Daladala, and Paje in around 20 minutes.
Accommodation in Jozani Forest
Mother Nature Camp in Jozani Forest
Located right next to the Jozani Forest National Park in southern Zanzibar, our World Unite! Forest Camp offers exclusive accommodation for volunteers of our Mother Nature program. The camp is situated on a natural forest property. There are three comfortable safari tents (6 m x 3 m x 3.5 m high), each accommodating a maximum of 6 participants in 3 bunk beds with mosquito nets. The tents are elevated on a platform and protected from the sun and rain by a solid thatched roof. They feature large windows with insect nets, allowing for a pleasant breeze and ensuring comfortable temperatures inside. Each participant has a lockable cabinet in the tent. In a solid building, to which each tent is attached, there is a toilet and a separate shower with both cold and hot water. Outside each tent, participants can relax on chairs made of coconut wood on a wooden veranda deck and enjoy the atmosphere. Adjacent to the tents is a communal area in the form of a large terrace, which serves as an ideal lounge area for relaxation, work, and meals.
The kitchen of our camp prepares three meals a day for participants. Meals are served at the terrace that also serves as a working space for project activities. It also has a drinking water station, where participants can refill filtered and chilled drinking water for their personal use at no extra cost. In the garden of the World Unite! Forest Camp, there is a sunbathing meadow, fascinating tropical ornamental plants and fruit trees.
Volunteers have access to a washing machine. All tent lighting and charging stations for cell phones are powered by solar energy. Solar water heaters generate hot water for the showers. Shower wastewater is directed through a small biotope with layers of gravel and plants, including rushes and yams, where it is filtered before seeping away or evaporating. Creative recycling ideas, such as lampshades and curtains made from recycled plastic bottles, can be found throughout the camp, made by World Unite! volunteers.
The camp has three security guards on watch 24/7, and a safe is provided for storing valuables.
Host Family in Kitogani
If you want to immerse yourself even more deeply in the traditional culture and way of life of the rural Zanzibari population, you can stay with a host family in Kitogani. Many of these host families only have basic English skills, but they make an incredible effort to welcome you and integrate you into the Kitogani village community as if you were a member of their own family.
You will have your own room, and if 2-3 participants of the same sex book together, they can also share a room with a host family. Due to cultural reasons, non-married participants of different sexes cannot live together with a host family. If you choose this option, you should be prepared for simple living conditions. The rooms are usually furnished with very basic and sometimes poorly maintained furniture. Some of the building materials may be of poor quality and not in the best condition. Not all families have access to electricity, so paraffin lamps are used for lighting at night. Outhouses are usually the only available toilet facilities, and showers are taken with a bucket.
The majority of the population of Zanzibar still lives under such conditions, and staying with a host family in Kitogani will provide you with a profound insight into the authentic Zanzibari life. Your rent payment helps the host families improve their standard of living. If you stay with a host family you will still take your meals at our Jozani Forest Camp, but the host family will of course also occasionally invite you to enjoy their local dishes.

Zanzibar Town
Stone Town, the historic old town of Zanzibar Town, is the only intact historic coastal trading town in East Africa. The fascinating labyrinth of alleys, bustling little squares, and small shops make you feel like you're in a dream from "Thousand and One Nights". As Zanzibar has developed into a trendy travel destination in recent years, most of the historic buildings in Stone Town have been renovated and many have been converted into hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
In addition to Stone Town, Zanzibar Town has many other districts such as Mlandege, Migombani, Kiembe Samaki, Mwanakwerekwe, Mbweni, and others. Furthermore, the city is expanding in all directions and merging with previously neighboring villages such as Fuoni and Bubububu, which are all undergoing urbanization. Many of these areas are home to the organizations with which we arrange internships and volunteer work, and that have their offices there. A growing middle class in Zanzibar, living in the city, now has the financial means to adopt a 'modern' lifestyle, which includes having family meals in Western or Arabic fast food restaurants and doing their shopping in small supermarkets and shops that try to emulate the ideals of places like Dubai or Oman.
Accommodation in Zanzibar Town
Shared Accommodation in Zanzibar Town
We operate two World Unite! shared apartments in Zanzibar Town. If you choose shared accommodation, we will assign one to you based on availability and proximity to your internship or volunteering location. Both flat shares offer a comparable standard of accommodation. One apartment is located in Baghani, and the other one is in Migombani.
The spacious apartment in Migombani is located on the 2nd upper floor with views of the blue ocean. It has its own kitchen, toilets, bathrooms, and a communal living room. There is also a spacious garden. You can choose between 4-share rooms (each with 2 bunk beds), double rooms, and single rooms. The 4-share rooms have their own en-suite bathrooms, while the double/single rooms share a bathroom and toilet with other residents. The beds/bedrooms are equipped with mosquito nets, a wardrobe or chest of drawers, and a fan. Bed linen is provided, but please bring your own towels. The bathrooms have western flush toilets and cold showers, which can be refreshing given the temperatures in Zanzibar. The shared kitchens are equipped with electric or gas stoves and a basic set of kitchen utensils for cooking and eating. The shared living room has a sofa and dining table. There is also a communal washing machine in the house. For security purposes, the windows are barred, and a night watchman is present at night. Shopping and dining options are within easy walking distance.
The Baghani apartment is located on the first floor of a historic building in the Baghani area of Stone Town. It offers four fully furnished bedrooms suitable for single and double occupancy. The kitchen is equipped with a gas and electric stove, refrigerator, and functional kitchen equipment. There are two bathrooms with cold showers and western water toilets. Bed linen is provided, but please bring your own towels. Each room has a ceiling fan and mosquito nets. There are many dining options available in Stone Town.
Host Family in Zanzibar Town
Staying with a host family provides you with a unique opportunity to gain a more in-depth insight into the culture and society of Zanzibar. We collaborate with several host families in Zanzibar Town who can be described as belonging to the upper-middle class of Zanzibar. Most of our participants consider their houses to be absolutely suitable to be accommodated at. The houses often have two tiled bathrooms, one for the use of the parents of the family, and another one for the children and guests like yourself. Please note that hot water may not always be available. The houses are equipped with either Western-style toilets or Arab squat toilets with flushing water.
The host families provide two meals per day, typically breakfast and dinner, which usually consist of Zanzibari-Arabic dishes. Breakfast may include deep-fried donuts and chapati, while dinner often features pilau rice and biryani, accompanied by tea, boiled water, or homemade fruit juice. Vegetarian meals are available upon request. The families typically employ domestic helpers to assist with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. They usually have a fridge that you can also use. In the living rooms of these families, you will often find decorative Arabic curtains, ornamental objects, a stereo system, and a large flat-screen TV. Additionally, the families may own a used Japanese car. However, in order to purchase those items, the family often had to make savings during many years, and the family may, even though it might not look like that, still face financial difficulties, such as financing their children's higher education. They often only use the car for absolutely necessary journeys as petrol is expensive.

Kizimkazi
Kizimkazi is a village located on the southern tip of Zanzibar. The area is known for its lush greenery and fertile soil, distinguishing it from the northern part of Zanzibar. However, the area of Kizimkazi is relatively sparsely populated. The coastline is characterized by coral rock formations, with sandy beaches that are mostly accessible only during low tide. In Kizimkazi, there are several hotels of varying standards, some of which have built jetties for convenient access to the water even during high tide. Dolphin viewing tours usually depart from Kizimkazi, but we discourage participation in these tours due to the unsustainable way of how these tours are carried out, disturbing dolphin populations. Our Forest Camp in Jozani is only about 30 minutes away from Kizimkazi by public transportation.
In Kizimkazi, you will reside within the tropical paradise grounds of a non-profit foundation. These grounds are designed based on permaculture principles and serve as a training center for women from the village in the field of tourist services. The foundation also offers various tourist activities, providing the women with financial benefits and helping to improve their standard of living
Accommodation in Kizimkazi
Sea-view Eco Villas in Kizimkazi
The accommodation provided is in the tourist sea-view eco villas of the foundation. These villas are situated within a captivating tropical campus spanning 15,000 square meters right on the seafront. The bungalows offer high standards of comfort and are tastefully decorated. Volunteers have the option to choose between 4-share dorm rooms, each equipped with 2 bunk beds, and twin rooms, all of which have en-suite bathrooms. Every room is equipped with a private bathroom featuring hot water. Additionally, all villas provide a shared living room and a shared kitchen.
Three meals are served daily (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at an outdoor terrace. The food offered is a nutritious and delectable combination of local Zanzibar cuisine, Turkish/Middle Eastern dishes, and Western food. Many of the ingredients used in the meals are sourced from the foundation's own permaculture garden.
Our Team in Zanzibar

Lena

Abdi

Emylight

Gabriel

Deogratius

Alphonce

Laura

Ludovic

Severina

Jaku

Zainab

Saddam

Mohammed Jr.

Glory

Scholastica

Faraij

Shauri

Antje
Questions?
your consultant for Zanzibar is
Kareen Leodgard
(she/her)
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