Job Orientation Internship in Zanzibar

In Zanzibar Town you will stay in one of our shared self-catering apartments with other participants. You can choose between single, double and dorm rooms. Alternatively, you can stay with a host family on full board.

In Nungwi you will live in the bungalow of the sea turtle sanctuary directly on the beach. You can choose between single and double rooms.

In Jozani accommodation is at the Mother Nature Forest Camp:

Further details about the accommodation options can be found here.

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I. World Unite! Service Package and Accommodation

First week: 530 EUR; every additional week: +60 EUR including a maximum of 3 internship placements and including accommodation in a 4-share dorm room (at an apartment in Zanzibar Town) without meals
Each additional internship (from the 4th): +80 EUR

Upgrade double room Zanzibar Town (instead of 4-bed room): +15 EUR / week per person
Upgrade single room Zanzibar Town (instead of 4-bed room): +35 EUR / week per person
Upgrade host family of medium standard with full board Zanzibar Town: +80 EUR / week per person
Upgrade host family to a high standard with full board Zanzibar Town: +110 EUR / week per person
Accommodation Nungwi sea turtle bungalow double room with full board: +150 EUR / week per person
Accommodation at Jozani Forest Camp in a 6-person tent with full board: +110 EUR / week per person

Combination with Job Orientation Internships in Moshi/Kilimanjaro: 200 EUR including one internship in Moshi; any additional one + 80 EUR.

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Arrangement of your internships
Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype; together with further participants
Arrangements for your Residence Permit, Work Permit or similar permit and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them (See costs below)
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) on arrival and departure
Accommodation with/without meals (as booked)
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Zanzibar
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to each of your selected placements
CO2 compensation of your long-haul flights: Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
Local SIM Card with 10.000 TSH air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by Budget Safari Tanzania
In Jozani/Muungoni: Once per week half-day cultural activity in Muungoni Village
In Jozani/Muungoni: Use of a Mountain Bike

The Rates do NOT include:

Travel to/from Zanzibar (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa and Residence Permit (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)

Overview of other costs:

If meals are not included: around 130-220 USD/Month for self-catering (eating out at affordable yet good restaurants and/or cooking by yourself; you are much more flexible in this way compared to if we would serve food at your accommodation)
Official Permits: For placement duration of up to 90 days: Visa 250 USD (for most nationals; to buy on arrival at the airport in Tanzania) + Work Permit 200 USD (we arrange through Zanzibar Labour Office); For placement of 91-180 days: twice the costs as in case of up to 90 days.
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings. Please contact us to know more! Check out our other listings in the areas of "World Learner" and "Active Travel" at your travel destination to make your stay even more interesting.

Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Day Trips, Watersports

As "Budget Safari Tanzania" we are arranging cost-effective yet high-quality safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs, excursions, and watersports activities in Tanzania and Zanzibar. You will group with other World Unite! participants and further travellers.

As a World Unite! participant, you get a 15% discount on all offers of Budget Safari Tanzania. We will share a Discount Code with you that you can use with the online booking of your safari, Kilimanjaro climb, excursion or watersports activity.

Learning Swahili in Sansibar!

It is always helpful to know Swahili while doing your project here. Swahili is a relatively easy language to learn. With our one-to-one teacher, after a short time, most learners are able to do basic conversation. You can choose the intensity of the lesson. If you are volunteering or doing an internship, we recommend a maximum of ten hours per week.

The cost for Swahili lessons: 1 Student - 10 EUR

Groups of 2 or more people can join language lessons with an NGO at a rate which is a little cheaper per person!

Please check "Language Training Required" in the registration form, specifying the desired duration (minimum 20 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a liability and travel cancellation insurance.

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get an immediate booking confirmation.

Zanzibar

Check out our video on Zanzibar Town!

This video shows a day in Zanzibar Town with the volunteers Sabrina and Uwe from Hamburg. They show their placements at the Cultural Arts Centre and Vikokotoni environmental group, their accommodation, visit their host family and explain various interesting aspects of their daily life in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar - Spice Island in the Indian Ocean

Zanzibar is a tropical island in the Indian Ocean. Zanzibar is about 2 hours away from the Tanzanian mainland by boat or 20 minutes by plane. When you research “Zanzibar”, it usually means the main island of Unguja. Unguja was very rich in the past, because the island was a major trading port along the sea routes between Africa, Arabia, India, East Asia and Europe. This can be seen today in the mixing of cultures, the Arab- Islamic influence, but is relatively liberal in Zanzibar. Today, tourism is the main source of income of Zanzibar, besides the cultivation of spices and tropical fruits.

Stone Town, the historic core of Zanzibar Town is the only intact historic coastal trading town in East Africa. Within the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets full of small shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels and hectic smaller places, it feels like one is in a dream of the "Thousand and One Nights”. Fantastically, there are also the heavenly white beaches and crystal clear waters with colorful coral reefs, which compete with the Caribbean or the Maldives in catering to wealthy tourists. Zanzibar Town, in addition to Stone Town have plenty of other neighborhoods like Kiembe Samaki, Mwanakwerekwe, Mbweni and others, in which many organizations have their offices and are active.

In addition, there are many villages along the beaches and in the interior of the island.

The biggest problem of the island is the overwhelming poverty of the population, whose only employment consists of cultivation and fishing for their own and thus, have no money, cannot afford education for their children, medical care, etc. A lack of education means that the following generations can hardly escape the vicious circle of poverty. Population growth, which is mainly due to immigration of people from mainland Tanzania, results in the exploitation of nature.

Things to do in Zanzibar

In Zanzibar, there is a wide range of excursions: day and half day trips include a visit to a spice plantation, the Jozani Forest National Park, the mangroves of Mungooni and Uzi, beach resorts such as Nungwi, Paje and Jambiani, a "Safari Blue”, sailing through the Menai Bay Conservation Area, Prison Island, the Island Chumbe Coral Park and a city tour of Stone Town, where there are lots of interesting souvenir shops, bars, cafes, regular concerts and even a handful of "clubs" and events.

In your spare time, you can also take music and dance lessons, yoga classes and interesting workshops by the Cultural Arts Centres participants in Zanzibar.

Many participants also travel to the mainland of Tanzania to do a safari or to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. You use our accommodation Moshi, Kilimanjaro at affordable prices to stay as a base for activities in northern Tanzania.

Getting To Zanzibar

Several airlines fly directly or with an intermediate stop at Zanzibar (ZNZ). Remember to book your flight and share with us your flight details. From Zanzibar airport, we will pick you up and bring you to your accommodation in Zanzibar.

If the flights to Dar-es-Salaam (DAR) are much cheaper, you can also fly there. From Dar-es-Salaam, you can travel to Zanzibar by a connecting flight or take the ferry. We can arrange a transfer for you from the airport to the ferry for 30 EUR/35 USD. The ferry ticket costs 35 USD and the ferry takes about 2 hours. We will take you in this case from the airport to the seaport. In Zanzibar, you will be picked up at the ferry terminal and taken to your accommodation. A connecting flight from DAR to ZNZ only takes 20 minutes and costs 50-80 USD.

If your placement is on Pemba Island, you can either take a daily flight from Zanzibar to Pemba, or you can take a ferry (Azam Marine), which however doesn't have daily departures. In Pemba you will be picked up from the airport or ferry port and brough to your accommodation.

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Teaching English and vocational skills to youth

Learning for Life is an NGO that provides youth and young adults in Zanzibar with skills to improve their vocational chances by offering vocational courses and workshops as well as foreign language and mathematics lessons. The NGO runs several small businesses where students can gain work experience. You can also advise and support these small businesses in management, marketing and administration.

What is your placement organization doing?

The NGO was founded in 2006 with the aim of providing free vocational education and training for young people who have not completed full-time education for a variety of reasons.

The NGO offers foreign language courses, as foreign language skills significantly increase the job prospects in Zanzibar, for example in tourism. The NGO also runs several small businesses such as a farm with chickens and home-grown vegetables and fruits, two bicycle repair shops and a catering service, run by the students themselves, through which they gain practical professional experience, for instance in leadership, finance and management. In the respective "clubs" of the small businesses, new students are taught relevant vocational skills in the respective business area. These clubs are funded by the revenues of the small businesses.

The goal of Learning for Life is to empower students with confidence in their skills and to give them the knowledge to run their own small businesses. The NGO's microfinance system makes the start of a new business possible.

How can you get involved?

Language and Mathematics teacher

Learning for Life offers language courses in English, French, Spanish and German. English and math courses are permanently offered and you can at almost any time join a running course and support a local teacher. If you want to teach English or Maths, you should get involved for at least one month.

Courses for other foreign languages such as German, French and Spanish only take place if there are volunteer teachers. If you are interested in teaching one of these languages, you should volunteer for at least 3 months and be able to independently work out and teach lessons on the basics of each language.

Classes for language and math classes are usually from 4pm to 9pm.

Clubs & Workshops

At the Learning for Life clubs, Zanzibar youth and young adults can acquire professional skills. As a volunteer, you can teach provide such workshops:

Chicken Farm and Organic Farming Club: You will teach about the keeping and breeding of chickens and ducks (e.g. proper feeding, care etc.) as well as plant cultivation. The NGO runs its own small farm and sells the products in a shop. (Workshop duration at least 2 weeks)
Bicycle Repair Club: You teach how to repair bicycles. The NGO operates two shops for second-hand bicycles. (Workshop duration at least 2 weeks)
You can also teach how to repair or restore used electrical appliances or furniture. (Workshop duration at least 2 weeks)
Healthy Nutrition Club and F&B Training: Some students have been trainees in restaurants and hotels, and the goal is for more students to find such professional training and ultimately a job as a chef. You can support their endeavour by imparting skills about healthy eating and cooking. Students also occasionally offer tourists a cooking class with dinner. Read a report by Katharina and Martina, who developed a nutritional manual and implemented it with students. (Workshop duration at least 2 weeks)
Sewing, craftsmanship, art club: You teach sewing skills as well as arts and crafts techniques. (Workshop duration at least 2 weeks)
Business Skills: You can give workshops on topics contributing to the success of small businesses, such as finance, accounting, marketing & sales, administration, product design, etc.
Girl's Club: You can provide workshops on hygiene, body awareness, sex education, dental hygiene and the like (at least 1 day)

Sales & Marketing and Administration for the Small Businesses of the NGO

The profits resulting from Learning for Life's small businesses are used to fund the clubs and course offerings in which students acquire vocational skills. Among the small businesses run by the students of the NGO are two bicycle workshops, a shop for used electric appliances, a farm with a small vegetables and fruits shop, and cooking classes for tourists. These businesses are run by the students who do not have higher professional education. As a volunteer in marketing and sales, you'll advertise the offers and make important business contacts (such as collaborations with hotels as fruit and vegetable buyers) to create a stable income base for the vocational course offerings.

As a volunteer in administration, you'll help the team writing reports, update websites, help with budget planning or do other administrative tasks (such as preparing meetings).

For volunteering in Sales & Marketing and Administration you should have at least 2 weeks of time.

Your Impact: This contribution you make for your placement organisation!

Learning for Life gives you the opportunity to make use of your skills and interests, and share your knowledge with students who are keen to gain a foothold in the job market. You give them language and/or vocational skills that will help them find a job or suceed in exams.

A typical week at your placement:

Foreign language classes and mathematics classes are usually from 4pm to 9pm. The hours for workshops and clubs are discussed locally with the team.

Typically, your volunteer work is from Monday to Friday, while the weekends are off. However, as there is always a lot to do at Learning for Life (which also has collaborations with other NGOs in Zanzibar), you can also contribute longer than the normal working hours if you wish. Tasks are discussed with you on site depending on your interests.

Info Box

Location: Fuoni (Zanzibar Town), Zanzibar
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 1 Week
Maximum Duration: 12 Months
Language Requirements: English
Further Languages Of Advantage: Swahili
Accommodation:
House, Host Family, Hotel

Supervision Possible: No
Qualification Of Supervisor: -
Minimum Qualification Of Intern: -
Further Contribution To Project: -

Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: See Text
Further Contribution To Project: no
Expectations:
Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude?

Accommodation in Zanzibar Town

In Zanzibar Town, there are accommodation options of various standards:

Most popular! - This is the preference of most of our participants. You share an apartment with other participants (where you can choose between dorm room, twin/double room, and single room) or live in a house of middle standards with a host family.

Comfort+ - For those with a need for comfort: Accommodation at a hotel or at a house of higher standards with host family.

Adventurer - For simplest and cheapest deals: Homestays of simple standards.

Shared Accommodation:

Shared Accommodation in Zanzibar Town

There are several World Unite! shared accommodations throughout the city of Zanzibar Town - we choose them according to availability and proximity to your placement site. These are houses or apartments that are shared by our participants. All apartments are of comparable standard. We currently have such shared accommodations in the districts Shangani, Malindi, Baghani, Kigwajuni, Migombani and Mombasa.

Here are some examples of shared accommodation options:

World Unite! House in Zanzibar Town

The house is located in Zanzibar Town at a preferred residential area at walking distance to a beach. You can even see the blue ocean from the upper floor! The building has two floors, each with its own entrance, kitchen, toilets, bathrooms and shared living rooms. Furthermore, there is a large garden.

You can choose between 4-share dorm, twin/double room and single room (subject to availability). The 4-share dorm rooms are self-contained. The twin/double and single rooms share toilet and bathroom with other residents. All bed/rooms have mosquito nets, a wardrobe or chest of drawers, and a fan. Bed linen is provided; you have to bring your own towels however. The bathrooms have western flush toilets and cold showers, which is anyway more refreshing for the temperatures of Zanzibar. The kitchens are shared with other residents and have an electric or gas hob and a basic set of kitchen utensils that you need for cooking and eating.

There are communal living rooms with sofas and a dining table on each floor. The house also features a shared washing machine. The windows are barred for security reasons and at night, a night porter is on duty at the house. There are several small shops and supermarkets in the area, as well as restaurants.

Apartment in Stone Town

The apartment is located on the first floor of a historic building in the Baghani Area of Stone Town. It has four fully furnished bedrooms, suitable for single and double occupancy. In the kitchen, there is a gas and electric stove, refrigerator and functional kitchen equipment. There are two bathrooms with cold shower and western toilets. Bed linen is provided; you have to bring your own towels however. Each room has a ceiling fan and mosquito nets. There are plenty of restaurant options in Stone Town.

Host Families:

Rooms of middle standards with Host Families

Staying with a host family provides you with the opportunity to get a more intensive insight into the Tanzanian culture and society. We work with many host families in the city of Moshi. For boarding of middle standards, families are of the upper middle class of Tanzania. Their houses are of quality construction, equipment and furnishing for most of our participants. Often the houses have two bathrooms (which are also tiled), one for parents and one for the children and you. The shower is often cold, since a water heater consumes too much power. There is usually a western toilet in the house. There is Tanzanian and Western food like toast with jam, omelette and tea for breakfast; Meat/fish with vegetables and rice/ugali and chapati for dinner and to drink, tea, boiled water or homemade fruit juice. Vegetarian dishes are available on request. There is a fridge; food is usually cooked on gas. Most such families have one or two domestic workers who cook, clean and wash clothes by hand. Often, in the living room you'll find decorative curtains and doilies, stereo, television and an older laptop. The family also often, has a motorcycle or a thirty year old used Japanese car. Most of these things are, however, saved up over many years and the family still has financial difficulties to finance a college education for their children and use the car only for absolutely necessary journeys.

Hotel Accommodation and Accommodation of High Standards with Host Family:

Al Minar Hotel

Al Minar is a tastefully in Arabic and African style designed hotel with 22 rooms, located in a historic building at a central location of Stone Town, the historic part of Zanzibar Town, at walking distance to the Old Fort and the Forodhani Gardens. The rooms are all equipped with AC, minibar, traditional Zanzibari beds and tasteful furniture, free wifi, coffee and tea making facilities and a flat TV. From the large rooftop terrace you have a good view over the old town. The hotel is professionally managed and has attentive and friendly staff.

Accommodation of High Standards with Host Family

Staying with a host family provides you with the opportunity to get a more intensive insight into the Tanzanian culture and society. The food is usually very generous and cooked by maids who serve this for you and the family. Our participants have always been extremely pleased with boarding with host mother Rahma, who runs a catering company. Often, there are also drivers, nannies, gardeners and security guards as domestic staff who live in a separate house on the property. Such families usually have a power generator that is turned on in case of frequent power outages. Older children are often in boarding schools abroad like Malaysia, Emirates and England and you live in their nursery. Younger children are often at home and want to play with you.

Host Family of simple standards

Accommodation of Simple Standards with Host Family

For accommodations of simple standards, we cooperate with the NGO "ZASO"(Zanzibar AIDS and Orphans Support), with whom we also carry out the program "Social Reality Tour". Some employees of ZASO, who are social workers or teachers, and belong to the middle class of Zanzibar, offer the accommodation to our participants with their families. The rents of our participants contribute to an improvement in the average income of the families.

Simple standard here, means that the house is built simply. The floors are mostly of bare concrete, the roof is of corrugated iron with no ceiling; there is often only an Arab Squat toilet (but with flush) and we shower with a bucket or a simple water pipe. The furniture is minimalistic and purely functional. In the living room, there are some slightly more representative pieces of furniture made of Chinese wood. The family usually has an old, used fridge; a radio and an old tube television are also often present. Your room has a bed with a mattress and mosquito net and probably some hangers on the wall and a small shelf or the like. The houses have electricity. Food is usually cooked outdoors over an open fire or gas cooker. The food is usually without options - for breakfast, there is tea with chapati; for lunch, ugali or rice with beans and vegetables, for dinner, the same. Meat is only taken for special occasions, and if so, in small quantities. The families usually consist of mother, father and some children; many more children from the neighborhood visit the house and are around the house. As transportation, the family has bicycles and sometimes, a motorcycle. Income from the rent you pay are often the only way for the family to finance the education of their children.

The families from ZASO are particularly hospitable to World Unite participants; however, please note that some are conservative Muslims, who do not have as much experience in dealing with Western foreigners. Please conduct yourself accordingly. Female and male participants can only share a room if they are married.

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype; together with further participants
Arrangements for your Residence Permit, Work Permit or similar permit and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them (See costs below)
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) on arrival and departure
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Zanzibar
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project (except for electives/internships at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital)
CO2 compensation of your long-haul flights: Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
Local SIM Card with 10.000 TSH air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by "Budget Safari Tanzania"

The environmental conservation programs in Nungwi and Jozani also include:

Our own World Unite! full-time program instructors
In Jozani/Muungoni: Once per week half-day cultural activity in Muungoni Village
In Jozani/Muungoni: Use of a Mountain Bike

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Zanzibar (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa and Residence Permit (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

You can choose between the following options:

All rates in US-Dollar. Convert Currency		All durations of stay (1-365 Days)
Shared House/Apartment or Hotel
Shared House/Apartment	1 Person (Single Room)	14 USD/Night
	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	9 USD/Night
	4-share dorm room p.p.	6 USD/Night

Host Family
Host Family on full board	1 Person (Single Room)	26 USD/Night
Host Family on full board	2 Persons p.p. (Double/Twin Room)	26 USD/Night

*You pay incomplete months (exceeding the first month) proportionally per day

In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

If meals are not included: around 150-250 USD/Month for self-catering (eating out at affordable yet good restaurants and/or cooking by yourself; you are much more flexible in this way compared to if we would serve food at your accommodation)
Official Permits: For placement duration of up to 90 days: Visa 250 USD (for most nationals; to buy on arrival at the airport in Tanzania) + Work Permit 200 USD (we arrange through Zanzibar Labour Office); For placement of 91-180 days: twice the costs as in case of up to 90 days. Only for placements at public hospitals of up to 90 days: Visa 50 USD (for EU Citizens, Australians, New Zealand Citizens; 100 USD for US and Canadian Citizens) + Exemption Certificate 100 USD (no further permits needed)
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.

The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Day Trips, Watersports

Marine Turtle Conservation

Learning Swahili in Sansibar!

The cost for Swahili lessons: 1 Student - 10 EUR

Groups of 2 or more people can join language lessons with an NGO at a rate which is a little cheaper per person!

Please check "Language Training Required" in the registration form, specifying the desired duration (minimum 20 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get an immediate booking confirmation.

Zanzibar

Check out our video on Zanzibar Town!

Zanzibar - Spice Island in the Indian Ocean

In addition, there are many villages along the beaches and in the interior of the island.

Things to do in Zanzibar

In your spare time, you can also take music and dance lessons, yoga classes and interesting workshops by the Cultural Arts Centres participants in Zanzibar.

Getting there

Getting To Zanzibar

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?

No, you can arrive at any date and you can hence, plan your trip according to your availability and the prices of flights. We can pick you up from the airport even at night.

Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?

Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.

During my stay, can I travel around the country?

Zanzibar is a relatively small island, and you can use public transport during the weekends to travel throughout the island; such as to the beaches of the north and east. In Moshi and Zanzibar, we ourselves often offer day trips, such as to Kilimanjaro or the national parks, for which you can join other volunteers and interns when you travel there. We share these trips with you in our monthly subscriber list and you can book them. Participants often organize on-site travel together. In Moshi and Zanzibar, you can stay at the same low rates as our Zanzibar or Moshi participants in accommodations provided by us. If you plan to travel during your volunteering/internship period, you should seek permission in advance. We recommend that you plan your travel after your volunteering/internship. For this, you can also stay longer in your accommodation at affordable rates.

Is it safe to travel in Zanzibar alone as a single female traveller?

Approximately 80% of our participants are female and many of them, only about 20 years old. Not a single instance of a serious security breach has occurred. Our coordinator will advise you on how you should conduct yourself in order to avoid problems - your dressing style, valuables, and in dealing with local men. Our preparation materials elaborate on this matter. If you follow these basic rules that apply equally to many other places, the risk in Zanzibar is not great.

Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Zanzibar?

The total number of participants that participate simultaneously with an organization depends on the size and activity of the organization and responsibilities of volunteers/interns. We try to avoid too many volunteers/interns in an organization at the same time. It may be that you are alone in your work site, but usually there are, throughout the year, other participants in Zanzibar, who you can meet in your spare time, if you desire so. Zanzibar Town is a small town, where you walk around quite a bit. In addition, there are well-known places such as the Forodhani Gardens, where you actually meet other participants. If you are in a different place (Nungwi, Mungooni, etc.), the probability is higher that there are more participants from us. You can access these places relatively quickly by public transport from Zanzibar Town, if you want to meet other participants of your country over the weekend. We also have regular meetings with all participants and you will get a list of participants who are in the country, with their contact information. You need not be concerned that you are "alone" in Zanzibar, nor must you stay away from the locals because you spend all your time with other foreign participants.

What vaccinations do I need?

Our Info-PDF that you get as a participant, gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations

Where do I live?

Please find details in the tab "Accommodation".

Can I choose my accommodation?

We give you choices (Most popular!, Comfort +, Adventurer) and you can tell us if you prefer a shared accommodation or homestay; we will then seek an accommodation for you. We organise accommodation, taking into consideration the distance from your work site. However, since Zanzibar is not a very big town, is relatively easy to reach locations in other parts of the city by public transport ("Daladala") or by bike.

How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?

With the host family, you can have your freedom, and do not need to join them during meal times or have any other obligations. If you will return late in the evening, you need to let them know in advance, so that they can unlock the doors for you (which are locked at night for security reasons). Bringing home casual acquaintances is taboo. They look to integrate our participants into their family life, but you can determine to what extent you want to be part of it.

Does my accommodation have internet facilities?

In Tanzania, Internet is accessed via the mobile phone networks. With smartphones, you can use the Internet. For laptops, there are USB modem sticks for about 10 EUR. There are no flat rates; you use data packets, depending on your needs. You might consume 2 GB of data in a week, which costs about 4.50 EUR. In the centers of cities (Moshi Town, Dar-es-Salaam, Mwanza, Zanzibar Town, Karatu, etc.), the connection is good, the speed is satisfactory and sufficient for Skype phone calls. In the suburbs and in the country, there is connection, but usually almost impossible or very slow and unreliable. We will provide you information on the use of mobile Internet in Tanzania.

How can I do my laundry?

In general, laundry is washed by hand in Tanzania. You can ask your landlord or host family if they have someone who can wash your clothes. Usually, someone offers that to you for a small fee. Please ask your local supervisor, what the appropriate thing to do is.

I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?

Host families are familiar with participants who are vegetarians and prepare appropriate food. In some restaurants in Zanzibar Town, there are vegetarian options. In the market, there are a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Special dietary needs (e.g. Vegan, allergies to certain foods) can be specified to the host families.

What language skills do I need?

You should be able to make yourself understood in English. The national language of Tanzania is Swahili, but knowledge of English is widespread, especially among people who have a better education or work in tourism. In everyday life, there is usually no problem to be able to communicate in English; if you should come across someone who can not speak English, you can almost immediately find someone who offers to translate in English. If you are in a social project for a longer duration, you will have to deal with people who have little or no education. For this, it is useful to acquire at least a basic knowledge of Swahili before your arrival through any book (or audio CD). You can also take basic Swahili lessons while on site. We also have vocabulary lists with useful words that can help you.

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Mother Nature Zanzibar: Marine Turtle, Coastal and Rain Forest Conservation

Conservation of sea turtles, restoration of coral reefs and mangrove forests, protection of the Red Zanzibar Colobus Monkeys, permaculture and sustainable living, environmental education with children... at two locations in Zanzibar: a white paradise beach and in the tropical rainforest.

At our Mother Nature Conservation Camp Zanzibar - Rainforest and Beach you can join a wide range of activities related to environmental protection. All activities are guided by experts in the field using the latest scientific findings, providing you the chance to learn a lot in the process. It is suitable for animal and conservation enthusiasts of all ages.

You will stay at our brand new Mother Nature Camp in Matemwe (opened October 2022) and at our Mother Nature Camp in the Jozani rainforest.

The Project Activities

(Click on an activity to read more and to see pictures!)

You can join the conservation of endangered marine turtles at our beach location in Matemwe.

Five of the world‘s seven species of sea turtles can be found in the oceans of Tanzania. The two species of Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) are critically endangered, and the three species of Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) are classified as endangered. Sea turtles have a long life and it takes them 20-30 years to reach adulthood. This makes them particularly vulnerable to human intervention during all phases of their life. It is estimated that only one in 1000 hatchlings reaches adulthood.

Marine turtles nest on the beaches of Matemwe. Even though it is illegal and punishable by law, their eggs are poached by local people for human consumption. One critical factor to support the survival of the species is to increase the total number of hatchlings. According to the latest scientific consensus, marine turtle hatchlings should not be kept in captivity, even for a short time, but released to the ocean immediately after their birth, as they develop their sense of orientation and other critical ocean survival skills soon after their birth. Crossing whole oceans and swimming thousands of kilometers making use of ocean currents, to nest, female turtles after 20-30 years will eventually return to the beaches in the area where they were born.

In cooperation with the NGOs “Under the Wave” and "The Living Ocean" we are doing marine turtle egg relocation in Matemwe/Zanzibar. When nests are found, before the eggs can be poached, they are relocated to a protected hatchery. As soon as the baby turtles hatch, they are released to the ocean. Volunteers joining the program will get an orientation about marine turtle and marine turtle conservation. They will learn how to spot turtle nests. The volunteers are split into various sub-groups to patrol different beach sections every morning after sunrise. Through volunteers, a larger area can be patrolled and more turtle nests can be rescued.

Once a turtle nest is found, the biologists of Under the Wave will come to the location and relocate the eggs. It is crucial to exactly replicate the depth of the nest when moving it to another location and to handle the eggs correctly. Volunteers can observe and assist with this task. At the hatchery, turtle nests are under 24 hours camera and watchman surveillance. As soon as new baby turtles hatch, volunteers release them into the ocean, making sure they are not eaten by birds, dogs or other animals on the beach, or tourists carry them around or step on them. This can happen at any time, including at night.

Volunteers also maintain the hatchery and input data, such as the number of eggs, dates and locations of nests into a database.

Location: Matemwe

Coral Reef Monitoring and Restoration

One of the jewels of Zanzibar is Mnemba atoll, located just in front of our beach location in Matemwe. The coral reef displays a diversity of marine life. Intact coral reefs are essential for healthy fish populations because many fish spawn and juvenile fish spend time there before making their way to the open sea. Coral reefs in Zanzibar however suffer from an increase of the water temperatures resulting in coral bleaching and from unsustainable tourism and fishing practices, such as boats throwing their anchors on the reef, tourists touching and breaking corals, or dynamite fishing.

To evaluate the health of the reef, monitoring is needed. Volunteers who join the program for a minimum of 2 weeks will get an introduction to coral reef monitoring, identification of species of fish, invertebrates and corals, and evaluation of coral health. Once per week you can join monitoring on the reef, which is done by snorkeling. World Unite! provides snorkeling masks, but no snorkeling flippers. They are not absolutely needed, but if you want to use them, you can bring your own.

Volunteers who have PADI Open Water Diver certification can join coral farming activities whereby corals are grown in the ocean with the aim to relocate them to the reef. A small extra is charged to join this activitity for the scuba equipment rental. If you don't have the required scuba diving experience yet, beginners can book a 3 days on-site dive course to get this certification. You would have to take theoretical online lessons before joining the on-site dive course, which can be done either prior to their trip to Zanzibar, or while in Zanzibar.

Location: Matemwe

Ocean and Climate Mondays - Educative sessions and assignments

Every Monday a live educational session about marine biology and conservation and other related environmetal topics is provided to volunteers by an academic lecturer.

These sessions are provided either on-site or remotely. The aim of the session is to provide important background information to volunteers in order to understand complex topics. The

topics currently covered include:

* Introduction to 6 Types of Ocean Pollution and their negative impact (plastic, chemical, biological, thermal, sound, light pollution)
* Plastic Pollution (more specific session)
* Overfishing
* Sharks
* Seagrass Beds
* Mangroves
* Introduction to Climate Change
* Agriculture and Climate Change
* Loss of Biodiversity
* Insects as Biocontrol Agents
* Animal Welfare

At the end of each session, the lecturer gives a small research assignment related to the topic that volunteers work on locally during the following day(s). The idea is to apply the theory in a local context. Then there is a followup session during which volunteers present their findings to the lecturer and get feedback.

The contents of these sessions are also used by volunteers to work out the environmental education they provide at local schools.

Locations: Matemwe and Jozani

Sustainable Income Generation for a Farmers' Cooperative - Protection of Red Colobus Monkies and Reptiles

Even though the endemic Red Colobus Monkeys are an endangered and protected species, they are killed by farmers, as the monkeys are taking fruits from their farms. The farmers see the monkeys as a threat to their livelihood. Likewise, out of superstition, fear or "fun", many local reptiles such as snakes, land tortoises and lizards are killed in the villages.

The Uwemajo Farmer's Collective, which has around 300 member families in the Jozani area of Zanzibar, runs several programs of alternative income generation for the members. One of them is the "Zanzibar Turtles and Tortoise Land", a small zoo that only has reptiles. The enclosures and way how the reptiles are presented are designed under guidance of a German reptile specialist. Local school classes are visiting the attraction free of charge and the idea is to raise awareness for the young generation about the importance of those animals. Tourists can visit and the money generated is used to develop farming projects such as greenhouses that make the farmers less affected by potential losses of their produce from Red Colobus Monkeys and hence not kill the monkeys.

The project has several Aldabra Giant Tortoises that roam freely on the site and regularly have offspring. 4 Aldabra Giant Tortoises were sent from Aldabra Island (Seychelles) to Zanzibar in 1919 by the British governor of the Seychelles. The ones that are in Zanzibar now are the decendents of those original 4 ones. A few specimens still live freely in the forests of Zanzibar, where however they are poached for their shells, which are popular as home decoration. The species is considered vulnerable and on the IUCN Red List.

Volunteers are working on the maintenance and development of the Zanzibar Turtles and Tortoise Land, on farming activities with the cooperative's members, and are planting alternative food sources for the monkeys to keep them away from the farms. Also other species of monkeys such as Blue Sykes Monkeys and Bushbabies (Galagos) are regularly showing up at this project.

Location: Jozani

Environmental Education and Awareness Raising

Environmental Education has the purpose of sensitizing involved stakeholders about critical issues related to environmental conservation.

The two main stakeholders foreign volunteers can address are local children and foreign tourists. Children are usually more receptive to new concepts than adults and it is our aim that they grow up with an awareness for the environment. Assisted by our team members, volunteers work out educational contents, based on the information they get from the Ocean Mondays sessions and communicate them at local schools.

Tourists in Zanzibar get involved in destructive behaviors such as swimming with marine turtles that are kept in captivity, visiting zoos that are keeping wildlife in inappropriate ways, touching and collecting marine species, or consuming seafood which is caught using unsustainable fishing practices. They usually do so due to a lack of awareness. Volunteers prepare contents about these topics to be published on blogs and social media. Furthermore we regularly arrange a stand on the beach, informing tourists about critical issues.

Locations: Jozani and Nungwi

Permaculture Farming and Sustainable Living

Chemicals used in industrial farming are a major source of ocean pollution. Volunteers at the program should get an understanding that there are regenerative ways of farming and gardening that are more environmentally friendly.

At the World Unite camps we aim that many of the ingredients used for the food provided are sourced from our own permaculture garden inside the camp.

Besides providing a green and beautiful environment, the permaculture garden in Matemwe gives volunteers the opportunity to learn about the permaculture approach and other regenerative ways to sustainable land management and farming. The permaculture and gardening activities are supervised by a permaculture expert, who has been practicing and teaching permaculture in Zanzibar for more than 30 years.

Activities related to regenerative farming and sustainable living involve:
* Growing vegetables, lettuces and herbs in keyhole gardens whereby composting of organic waste materials is done in the center of raised beds
* Growing fruits making use of permaculture principles
* Demonstrations and use of energy-efficient cooking methods, incl. Solar cooker and heat-retaining nonelectric cooker
* Visits to external projects and workshops, e.g. making biodegradable soap

Location: Jozani

Mangrove Forest Restoration

We are regularly planting mangroves in the mangrove area between Uzi Island and Muungoni, which is the largest in Zanzibar. Mangrove forests play a very important role against coastal erosion and as a breeding ground for many marine creatures such as fish, crabs, mussels and shrimps and therefore must be protected. As a volunteer you can contribute to the conservation of the mangrove forests.

We are also planting fast-growing casuarina trees that can meet the local population's need for wood in a more sustainable way than cutting mangroves.

Location: Jozani

Waste Management - Recycling/Upcycling

The Zanzibar archipelago generates over 96,000 metric tonnes of waste a year. Due to a lack of proper waste management systems, an equivalent of the weight of a Boeing 747 gets dumped uncontrolled into Zanzibar’s environment every day, contaminating the environment and causing implications to public health. This amount is even growing due to the increase of population size in Zanzibar and “modern life” that brings more plastics and industrial farming practices to the island.

Plastics and other waste materials on beaches and coastal villages will eventually end up in the ocean where they impose a threat to marine species. For example, marine turtles mistake plastic bags floating in the ocean for jellyfish and suffocate when eating them. Millions of marine animals die being caught by ghost fishing gear floating in the oceans. When decomposing, plastic turns into microplastic that is eaten by fish and through the food chain finally enters the human body, causing cancer and other diseases.

Every piece of trash removed from beaches and coastal villages reduces the chance of ending up in a fish or marine turtle.

Activities done related to waste management:

* Visits and support of local recycling/upcycling organizations including özti (recycling/upcycling of HDPE) and chako (recycling/upcycling of glass and HDPE)
* Beach & Village Clean-Ups
* Management of a waste collecting point at our plot in Matemwe
* Composting
* Beach cleanups during the daily morning beach patrolling, evaluate the findings and working on solutions (e.g. putting up trash bins)

Location: Matemwe and Jozani

Seaweed farming with local women

Seaweed farming is one of Zanzibar's main economic activities, contributing to around 90% of Zanzibar's marine export product. The seaweed is mostly used to make medicinal and cosmetic products. Seaweed farming is mostly done by women, providing them with an income on their own and hence contributing to economic women empowerment. Volunteers are helping the women and can learn about the whole process from planting to drying. Due to an increase of water temperature resulting from climate change, seaweed has to be farmed at increasingly greater depths, making it increasingly difficult for women who cannot swim or dive. Seaweed is also a very effective carbon sink, capturing CO2 from the atmosphere. Therefore seaweed farmings should be promoted also for reasons of climate action.

Location: Matemwe

Swimming lessons for children

Besides fishermen, few people in Zanzibar know how to swim. This results in tragic and often avoidable deaths every year. Our volunteers are providing swimming lessons to local children. This activity was started when three children who were all siblings from the village tragically died when surprised by the incoming high tide.

Location: Matemwe

Teaching English and other Subjects at Village Schools and Kindergarten

The kindergarten and the primary school of Kitogani are run by the village community. You can teach English and other subjects at the kindergarten or village school, either completely on your own, or supporting a local teacher.

Location: Jozani

Cultural Immersion & Community Work

As a volunteers you can regularly meet people in the villages of Kitogani, Muungoni and Matemwe who show us traditional skills and knowledge, such as making clay pottery, weaving with dried coconut leaves, or tech us local cooking. These encounters are also a great way to learn about the life of people from the area and to understand about their needs and life situation. This is essential to understand for instance the human-wildlife conflict, which needs to be considered when doing any form of environmental conservation efforts.

Occasionally, volunteers can support community activities in the village. This includes restoration and construction works at the community school, the building of wells and water supplies, or helping the village community with the preparation for celebrations and special occasions. Completed projects include the construction of a new school building in Muungoni, a new school building in the neighboring village of Charawe, and the renovation of the Charawe medical dispensary.

Location: Jozani and Matemwe

The Locations & the Shuttle

You will join volunteering activities at 2 locations. Every Wednesday, a shuttle will connect the two locations, making it possible for you to change from one location to the other. The two locations are firstly, the village on Matemwe, a beach destination on the North-East coast of Zanzibar, known for its paradise white beaches and mostly luxury beach resorts, and the region around Jozani Forest National Park, which is characterised by dense tropical rainforest, vast mangrove areas, and small traditional villages. At both locations we have our own team members who direct, instruct and supervise the activities, which are planned following a weekly schedule.

In Matemwe, you will stay at our Mother Nature Coastal Conservation Camp, located only 3 minutes to walk from one of Zanzibar's best beaches where turtles nest, and you will join a variety of activities, directed by the marine biologists of our cooperation partner Under the Wave, by permaculture specialist Antje, by team members of our recycling/upcycling partners and our team members Gabriel, Gloria and Pascal. Matemwe is a quite village with mostly luxury resorts along the beach, but you can also find small shops in the village and a local bar nearby. The protected Mnemba atoll is located just in front of the beach of Matemwe.

Around Jozani Forest National Park, near the village of Kitogani, you will stay at our Mother Nature Forest Camp or if you prefer, with a local host family in Kitogani village. The volunteering activities are guided by our team members Deogratius who has three BA Degrees (Wildlife Conservation, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine) and plenty of experience in the field. He is supported by the team members Shauri, Minimo and Saddam. There is a weekly work plan which includes a variety of activities that you can join with a group of volunteers. If you prefer to focus on certain specific activities only, it is also possible to spend more time or full time on one or just a few selected activities only. It is possible to decide this on location. All volunteering activities are located within a 3 km radius from the accommodation, reachable by bicycle, which is provided to you at no further cost.

The Jozani Forest area boasts several tropical coastal habitats and is a paradise for nature lovers. The little villages around the area have barely changed over the last hundreds of years, as they have remained largely uninfluenced by tourism. They give visitors the opportunity to become part of a village community and to get to know traditional life of Zanzibar.

Every Wednesday you can use our shuttle at no extra cost to move between the two locations (Matemwe and Jozani Forest). You can also just stay at only one location if you prefer.

Arrival into this project should also be on a Wednesday. The introduction to the project work will then be with a small group of volunteers on the following Thursday. You can also arrive to Zanzibar on any other day of the week, but in this case we would charge an extra of 60 EUR for the additional logistic support.

You'll get reduced combination rates (compared to two separate bookings) if you combine the Mother Nature Environmental Camp Zanzibar with the Mother Nature Environmental Camp Kilimanjaro! Please contact us for details.

Info Box

Locations: Matemwe and Jozani Forest Region, Zanzibar
Availability: throughout the year, arrival EVERY WEDNESDAY (see details above)
Minimum duration: 1 week
Maximum duration: 12 weeks
Language requirements: English
Other languages of advantage: Swahili
Accommodation: In Matemwe: World Unite! Mother Nature Coastal Conservation Camp; in Jozani: World Unite! Forest Camp or Host family

Supervision possible: Yes

Qualification Supervisor: MA Marine Biology, BA Wildlife Conservation, BA Agriculture, BA Veterinary Medicine, Permaculture Certification

Minimum Qualification Intern:
no formal qualification required
Further project contribution: No

Volunteering possible: Yes
Expected Qualification Volunteer: None
Further project contribution: No
We expect:
Professional work attitude, "the right attitude"

Videos

Mother Nature Forest Camp Zanzibar:

Use of Solar Cookers:

The Accommodation

In Matemwe, you will stay at the World Unite! Coastal Conservation Camp, only 3 minutes to walk to the beach. In Jozani, you will stay at the World Unite! Forest Camp Zanzibar or with a host family in the village of Kitogani.

Mother Nature Coastal Conservation Camp in Matemwe

Accommodation for volunteers is at the Mother Nature Coastal Conservation Camp in Matemwe. The camp is just a 3 minutes walk from one of Zanzibar’s best paradise beaches where also
marine turtles 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 that have two bunk beds each. Tents can be booked for twin or four-share occupancy. Each tent has has lockable clothing storage for each volunteer, a small fridge per tent, fan, electric light and electricity outlets, incl. USB. All tents are under a solid thatched roof on an elevated wooden platform, designed in rustic African style. Mosquito nets are provided. We try to separate the bed occupancy by gender, however we cannot guarantee this, depending on varying booking numbers of males and females.

Sanitary installations are available in a building between the tents and shared among the participants - encompassing six showers with solar-heated hot and cold water and six environmentally-friendly evapotranspiration toilets. The solar heater is backed up by an electric heater during rainy season.

Communal areas (for meals, project work, leisure time) include the covered roof-top and the terrace of the main building. Meals are prepared by our two chefs at a fully equipped restaurant kitchen, adhering to international hygiene standards. There is chilled drinking water from a water filter machine. The office can be used by volunteers for computer-based assignments. There is also a sun-bathing lawn with two small ponds and an outdoor splash shower for refreshment. Free unlimited Wifi and a washing machine are provided. There is 24 hours security. Valuables can be stored at a safety deposit box.

In cooperation with our permaculture expert, we have designed a system trying to optimize the use of water as much as possible. We collect rainwater from the roofs that is used for instance as a backup for the showers. All greywater is filtered and used for our plants. We make use of an evapotranspiration toilet system, which is an on-site sanitation system for the biological treatment and reuse of blackwater as a fertilizer to our banana grove.

World Unite! Forest Camp Zanzibar in Jozani

Just next to Jozani Forest National Park in southern Zanzibar you can find our World Unite! Forest Camp on a natural forest ground. It is the exclusive accommodation only for the participants of our Mother Nature Conservation Camp in Zanzibar.

There are three comfortable safari tents (6 m x 3 m x 3.50 m high), which are shared by a maximum of 6 participants, each featuring 3 bunk beds with mosquito nets. The tents are on platforms and covered by a solid wooden thatched roof, protecting the tents from rain and sun. The tents have large windows with mosquito netting, allowing wind to come in for an enjoyable temperature inside the tent. Each tent has lockable cabinet compartments for every participant. A solid building hosting a toilet and a separate shower with cold and hot water is attached to and accessible from inside every tent. In front of each tent you can sit on a wooden verandah deck and enjoy the tropical forest atmosphere.

Just next to the tents there is a large terrace, serving as communal space, covered by a large sail that provides protection from sun and rain. It is a space for everyone to relax, work, and enjoy the meals. The kitchen is next to the terrace, catering for three meals per day. There is a drinking water outlet at the kitchen where participants can refill their bottles with filtered and chilled drinking water at no extra cost. There is also an additional toilet at the communal area.

The tropical garden of the World Unite! Forest Camp has a lawn for sunbathing and a refreshing small pool.

Volunteers can make use of a washing machine.

In the garden there are also several fruit trees and the Keyhole Gardens where we grow vegetables, lettuces, herbs and spices in a resource-saving way for your meals.

Ecological aspects were of great importance when building the World Unite! Forest Camp. All illumination and the mobile phone chargers we provide are solar-powered. The hot water of the showers comes from solar water heaters. Local and renewable construction materials have been used as far as possible. The greywater from the showers is filtered through several layers of gravel and flowing into a small biotope, which is planted with yams and reed, where the water infiltrates or evaporates. You can find creative recycled artefacts all around the camp, such as lampsheds and curtains made from recycled plastic bottles by World Unite! volunteers.

The camp has three watchmen, providing 24 hours security. Valuables can be stored at a safe deposit box.

We try to separate the bed occupancy by gender, however we cannot guarantee this, depending on varying booking numbers of males and females.

Host families in Kitogani

If you want to immerse even deeper into the traditional culture and life of Zanzibar's rural population, you can live with a host family in Kitogani. Not all families are experienced in hosting foreign guests and they often only have very basic English language skills. However, they are extremely friendly and will integrate you just like their own family members into the village community.

You will have your own room. 2-3 participants of the same sex, booking together, can also share a room at the same host family. For cultural reasons, participants of opposite sex cannot share a room with a host family.

You have to be prepared for the most simple living conditions. The rooms generally only have very basic furnishing which is not always well maintained. The construction materials are also often very basic and not in a very good condition. Not all families have access to electricity, so that illumination at night has to be done using oil lamps. There are usually only pit latrines. Showers have to be taken making use of a bucket. Such living conditions are the reality for the vast majority of Zanzibar's population and staying with a host family of such standard in Kitogani will give you the most intensive insights into the „real“ Zanzibar life. Your rent payment will contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the host families.

The Meals

At all accommodation you will get three meals per day: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At the Forest Camp the meals are mostly local whereas the kitchen at the Matemwe Camp provides a mix of local and Western dishes.

We are trying to provide a balanced and healthy diet, rich in vegetables and proteins. It makes use of a lot of ingredients that are from our own permaculture garden or sourced from local farmers and markets. For sustainability reasons, we are trying to reduce the amount of meat and fish served,and if we do, we try to source it sustainably from local providers. Vegetarian options are available, but vegan options cannot be guaranteed. To reduce food waste, meals are served in buffet style.

If you stay in Kitogani with a host family, there will most likely be purely Zanzibar food without any western influences.

At both camps we have drink water filtering machines, making use of a modern multilevel filtering system. You can bring your own water bottle and refill it as per your convenience.

World Unite! Mother Nature Zanzibar Program

Convert rates to GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The first week is: 620 EUR/ 660 USD

Every additional week at the Matemwei location (Marine Turtle and Coastal Conservation): +280 EUR/300 USD
Every additional week at the Jozani Forest location: +180 EUR/190 USD

Extra in Matemwe: Supplement twin occupancy at the tent (instead of 4-share): + 180 EUR/190 USD per week.

In case of 2-4 people who book and travel together: 50 EUR/ 55 USD discount per person. Groups of 5 or more: Contact us for group rates.

The rates include:

Our own full-time World Unite! employees running all program activities
All program activities (following a weekly activity plan; Not all activities described can be guaranteed at all times)
Accommodation on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner), as booked (at the Mother Nature Coastal Conversation Camp at fully furnished 4-share tent; at the Jozani Forest Camp, in a fully furnished 6-person tent (sharing) or, if desired, with a host family in the village of Muungoni/Kitogani)
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) on arrival and departure to/from Matemwe/Kitogani
Shuttle between the two project locations every Wednesday
In Jozani/Kitoganii: Use of a Mountain Bike
Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (Mobile-friendly knowledge base incl. Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Arrangement of your Residence Permit, Work Permit or similar permit and other official permits (as required), but not the official government fees for it/them (See costs below)
Orientation and Introduction in Zanzibar
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro for the CO2 compensation of your long-haul flights
In Jozani: Local SIM Card with 10.000 TSH air time; in Matemwe: local SIM card without air time (wifi is provided at the camp)
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by "Budget Safari Tanzania"

Extras:

3 Days PADI Open Water Diver Course incl. theoretical E-Learning module and Certification 430 EUR/480 USD (PADI Open Water Diver Certification is only required if you want to join the coral farming activities)
Joining the Coral Farming incl. Scuba equipment rental 25 EUR/28 USD per dive

The Rates do NOT include:

Travel to/from Zanzibar (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa, Residence Permit, Work Permit (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Extras (PADI Course; joining coral farming dives)

Overview of other costs:

Official Permits: For placement duration of up to 90 days: Volunteer Visa 50 USD (for most nationals; to buy on arrival at the airport in Tanzania) + Work Permit 200 USD (we arrange through Zanzibar Labour Office); For placement of 91-180 days: twice the costs as in case of up to 90 days
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Getting To Zanzibar

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Mkoani Hospital on Pemba Island

Abdulla Mzee Hospital in Mkoani on Pemba Island is the most modern public hospital on the whole Zanzibar archipelago. It was built in 2016 and isfinancially and medically supported by the Chinese government. Elective placements and nursing internships are possible at the hospital's various departments, and also midwifery internships, physiotherpay internships and psychiatry internships. Additionally, healthcare professionals are accepted as volunteers.

Abdalla Mzee Hospital was opened in 2016 and named in the memory of the locally very famous physician Abdulla Mzee who treated patients on the site free of charge. The hospital is a joint partnership between the Government of Zanzibar and China Aid. It is situated in the town centre of Mkoani and is the main public hospital for the Island of Pemba. All smaller district hospitals refer patients to this hospital.

The hospital has a total capacity of 157 beds. It features the following departments: Surgery, ENT, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Gynaecology and Ostetrics, Orhopaedics, Emergency Department/Triage, Psychiatry, TB Clinic, Dental Medicine, Physiotherapy, Laboratory, Pharmacy and general bed wards for men (34 beds), women (40 beds), children (40 beds), and maternity (43 beds). Currently there are 11 general practicioners, 8 specialists and 45 nurses working at the hospital, but this is growing quickly as the hospital takes in more and more patients. Furthermore there are permenant Chinese doctors and hospital staff at Abdulla Mzee Hospital who are training the local staff.

The usual working hours are Monday to Friday from 7 am to 1:30 pm, however these times can be flexible depending on the ward/clinic you are placed on. If you want, you can also work on Saturdays and Sundays, and you can do night shifts as long as this is cleared with your supervisor.

Foreign students have to pay an official elective student supervision fee of 70 USD per week. This makes the elective/internship placement in Pemba more affordable than at the Mnazi Mmoja Hospital of Zanzibar Town.

Additionally, students can participate at the "Zanzibar Outreach Program (ZOP)", paying a small additional contribution. Once a month, ZOP does medical outreach activities of varying focuses including screenings, treatments and training in rural areas of Pemba. This can be arranged on-site through your supervisor.

Your elective/internship supervisor can speak English, but many hospital staff and patients can only communicate in Swahili. As Pemba Island is more conservative and less influenced by international tourism, it is important that as an intern you adapt to local culture in terms of dress code and behaviour. World Unite! will prepare you for this.

Students should bring their own white coat, clean shoes (clogs or new sneakers), single-use gloves, and if you want to join surgery, you should also bring scrubs, hairnet and surgical mask. It is also recommended to bring one's own hand disinfection liquid and one's own stethoscope (if needed).

Volunteer placements are possible at the hospital for healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, therapists and medical technicians. There is a particular need for surgeons, cardiologists, gynaecologists (only female doctors), diabetes specialists, radiologists, paediatricians, orthopaedists, general physicians, nurses and laboratory technicians.

Info Box

Location: Mkoani, Pemba
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 2 Weeks
Maximum Duration: 12 Months
Language Requirements: English
Further Languages Of Advantage: Swahili
Accommodation: House, Host Family

Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Specialist Doctors, General Practitioners, Nurses, Therapists
Minimum Qualification Of Intern:
Studying or working in relevant field
Further Contribution To Project: 70 USD per week contribution to hospital

Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: Healthcare professional
Further Contribution To Project: 40 USD/month (no fees if you volunteer for full 12 months)
Expectations: Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude?

More Infos

Background Information for Medical Placements/Electives Abroad

The following text tries to provide background information about the medical systems in the different countries and tries to classify the medical institutions where we arrange placements within these system, in order to assist you finding the right option for your elective, final year rotation, internship or medical volunteer work.

Tanzania

In Tanzania we can arrange placements for medical elective students, interns of nursing and therapies, pre-medical students and professional volunteers into a wide range of public and private medical institutions.

The public health system in Tanzania has a referral system: Someone who needs treatment usually first attends a small medical dispensary. Dispensaries are in all parts of towns and cities such as Moshi, Dar-es-Salaam etc. and in many villages, treating all common things such as small injuries, infectious diseases, Malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure etc.; also they often do deliveries.

There are public and private dispensaries. The public dispensaries are usually very simple in terms of equipment and facilities. In villages and outskirts of cities, they often they don't even stock elementary medicines and can only offer very basic medical services. The private dispensaries are often very similar to the public ones, but sometimes they are of higher standard in terms of facilities, equipment and services offered.

Any state-approved nurse can open a private dispensary. Dispensaries are usually run by a nurse or by a "medical officer" who is something between a nurse and a physician; some might employ further nurses, medical officers and laboratory technicians. The nurses and medical officers at the dispensaries can prescribe and use all standard medicines. There is typically no real physician who has studied medicine for 4-5 years. If it is a requirement from the university that for an elective/medical internship a proper physician is needed as a supervisor, this is not possible at a dispensary. For volunteers who have professional skills such as nurses, therapists and physicians, dispensaries are very good places to volunteer at, as through their skills they can support the local staff a lot and work like a regular team member, including stitching wounds and treating patients, assisting with deliveries, even without supervision if they are sufficiently qualified. Also internships for pre-medical students are possible at dispensaries.

Examples for such dispensaries where we can arrange placements are Hosiana Clinic and Dorcas Laboratory in Moshi. In Zanzibar, placements at dispensaries are usually not possible, as the Health Ministry doesn't allow so for foreigners.

The number of patients at dispensaries might fluctuate a lot during the year. Usually during the rainy season (March to June and November) there are more infectious diseases and more cases of malaria.

If a patient needs something of higher specialization that cannot be done at a dispensary or which is beyond the competence of the nurse or medical officer, he or she is referred to a Regional Hospital such as Mawenzi Regional Hospital in Moshi.

Patients however can also go directly to a Regional Hospital. Particularly people living in the cities near a regional hospital often prefer to go directly to the hospital and skip the dispensary, as they expect better service at the hospital.

Regional hospitals usually have many, many patients and elective students and professional volunteers have the chance to see many cases, often in very late stages of diseases.

Regional hospitals are used by patients who are of average income, or poorer parts of the population, if they feel so sick that they don't have any other option. A lot of time often passes between having been at a dispensary and going to the Regional Hospital, during which the patient’s medical condition can get worse, because poor patients usually have to collect the money to cover costs for the treatment from relatives, neighbours, churches and other sources, which can take days to weeks. The costs for a consultation by a doctor at a regional hospital might be around 5,000-7,000 TSH (around 2.50-3 €/3.30-4 USD), plus costs for medicines which might be typically between 2,000 and 10,000 TSH (1-5 €/1.30-6.50 USD). Major surgery and having to stay as an inpatient might cost around 100,000-200,000 TSH (50-100 €/65-130 USD). An average monthly household income is around 90 €/120 USD (for a whole family), but around 65% of Tanzanian households only have 30 €/40 USD or less per month. Patients usually don't seek medical treatment for minor reasons; nobody goes for prevention.

Regional Hospitals have various common departments; you can read the list of available departments at Mawenzi Regional Hospital and other hospitals on our website. Work at the regional hospitals is often tough, as doctors have to treat many patients who have serious medical conditions within a very short time. Therefore they often don't have a lot of time to give lengthy explanations to elective students. Students usually assist the doctors and nurses with tasks such as stitching wounds, changing dressings, assisting during the consultation, attending doctors during the ward round etc, always under supervision. There is qualified staff who can sign and stamp forms about electives as required by universities.

Above the level of the Regional Hospitals there are very large and higher specialized hospitals which are called "Referral Hospital" such as Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam and Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, which are often attached to medical universities. Patients cannot go directly to a Referral Hospital, but they need a reference from a regional hospital first. Mnazi Mmoja Hospital in Zanzibar is a Referral Hospital where patients can go directly, but this is because on the small island of Zanzibar there are no Regional Hospitals.

The standard of the departments/wards within one hospital can vary very much (both at Regional and Referral Hospitals), some departments might have good equipment and might be in good condition, typically resulting from money provided by foreign development programs. For instance the HIV/AIDS and physiotherapy wards at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital Zanzibar are very modern, but the pediatric ward is very poor and needs renovation. At Mawenzi Regional Hospital they have recently renovated the main surgery theatre.

As the public medical system in Tanzania is not very satisfying, there are many private healthcare facilities.

Some are (compared to the public hospitals) expensive and provide better standard (either/or or all in terms of facilities, equipment, or time that a doctor provides to patients), attracting patients who have more money. SIIMA Hospital in Moshi is one of these. Others are funded by charitable organizations or churches (e.g. St. Joseph Hospital). They are of higher price level than the public hospitals to the general public, but might offer free services to particularly poor people in need (which are financed by the money paid by the "richer" patients). In terms of facilities and equipment they are usually better than most public hospitals (unless the public ones have a particular department or ward which got a lot of foreign money). Usually there are fewer patients at the private hospitals and therefore doctors/nurses have more time to give explanations to foreign students/interns.

When it comes to doctors, the same doctors work at the public and at the private hospitals. As the salaries are low, they need income from several employers and therefore work at 2-3 hospitals (usually one public and 1-2 private) at the same time.

The Regional Hospitals and Referral Hospitals of Tanzania are usually accredited by all international medical universities for elective placements. Final year medical rotations are possible at Muhumbili Hospital in Dar-es-Salaam and Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, which are teaching hospitals of medical universities.

Ghana

The public health care system of Ghana has three reference levels.

The smallest facilities that provide medical first aid (Tertiary Level) are the so-called CHPS (Community Health Compounds), health centers and small hospitals. These facilities perform only outpatient treatment and are usually run by nurses. Each facility is aimed at a population density of about 20,000 people.

At Secondary Level are the district hospitals, which are aimed at a population density of about 100,000-200,000 people. The bed capacity is usually not more than 100 beds.

These have at least one operating theater and a laboratory and usually offer better medical care than institutions on the tertiary level.

The highest level (primary level) are Metropolitan Hospital, Regional Hospital and Municipal Hospital. They are located in cities whose population exceeds 200,000 people and have a correspondingly larger bed capacity. In addition to several operating rooms and relatively good technical equipment, there are general practitioners and specialists in various disciplines to treat patients.

The primary level hospitals and many private hospitals such as the University Hospital in Cape Coast are of high standards in terms of facilities, management and expertise. Secondary and Tertiary institutions are often underfunded.

Morocco

In Morocco we arrange elective placements at private clinics which are of higher standard, often coming close to Western/European standard in terms of facilities, equipment and professional level of the staff. We currently don’t work with public hospitals, as they are very bureaucratic.

The private hospitals are expensive for many local people, but they often collect funds for people who are in need, allowing them to provide cheap or free treatments.

At these hospitals, medical students/interns should have no problem to get accreditation for elective placements by international medical universities or nursing schools.

Professional volunteers (nurses, therapists and physicians) can volunteer at church-run charitable dispensaries such as the one by the Franciscan Brothers of the White Cross in Tangier, which are typically managed by a nurse, providing free basic medical services to the poorest parts of population. As there is no medical supervision, elective placements are not possible at such dispensaries.

India

In India, we work with private hospitals of higher standard, for the same reasons as in Morocco. The standard of equipment, facilities and qualification of the doctors are comparable to Europe/North America/Australia. They offer a wide range of departments with high specialization.

At these hospitals, medical students/interns shouldn't have any problems to get accreditation for elective placements by international medical universities or nursing schools.

Professional volunteers (nurses, therapists and physicians) can volunteer at charitable hospitals which are funded by charitable organizations, but also at medical outreach programs run by several NGOs in slum areas.

Nicaragua

In Nicaragua we can offer placements at the public hospital HEODRA and private hospial AMOCSA in León.

The standard of the public HEODRA hospital is low in terms of equipment and facilities, comparable to Tanzania. Also the situations that many patients have difficulties in raising the funds needed for their medical treatment, that they often only seek for medical services at a late stage of their disease, and the working conditions at the hospitals are very similar to as described in the text about Tanzania. Professional volunteers are very much needed at the public hospitals.

HEODRA as a large teaching hospital of León medical university should be fully accredited by all foreign medical universities and nursing schools for electives, internships and final year rotations.

The standard of the AMOCSA private hospital in terms of facilities and equipment is better than HEODRA. There are less patients and fees are higher. The doctors have more time for each patient. HEODRA is bigger and has a larger variety of highly specified departments; students will have the chance to see more patients than with AMOCSA.

Also, the same doctors work at HEODRA and AMOCSA. To make a living, they additionally even work at further private hospitals or run their own consultancies.

Bolivia

The standard at the public hospitals of Bolivia can fluctuate a lot. While some private hospitals are chronically underfunded, others such as the hospitals of the VIEDMA Health Park where we arrange electives, internship and volunteering options often can offer a standard that comes close to the one of European/North American/Australian hospitals. They have a wide variety of specialization and departments.

A problem that regularly recurs is that the funds for the salaries of staff and to pay for medicines is not provided, resulting in shortages of medical services.

Similar to the what has been described before about Tanzania and Nicaragua, many people cannot afford the treatments at the public hospitals. They only attend medical institutions when their disease is in an advanced stage and in absolute emergencies.

Arco Iris is a charitable private hospital in La Paz of very high standard. Relatively rich people pay high fees for their treatment which is of one of the highest standards available in the country, and the money is used to provide free treatment to poor people, particularly street children and children from the poorest classes of society. 40% are paying patients and 60% are not paying.

Volunteer placements for healthcare professionals and elective placements/internships for students are possible at all of these hospitals. The hospitals of the VIEDMA Health Park in Cochabamba as large teaching hospitals of medical universities should be fully accredited by all foreign medical universities and nursing schools for electives, internships and final year rotations.

Mongolia

The medical system of Mongolia is of high standards. There is medical faculty at the University of Ulaanbaatar, also many doctors have studied in Russia or China or even have higher qualifications. There is no teaching hospital at the Mongolia university, so final year rotations are probably not possible. Mongolian medical students do electives with you in various medical institutions.

The health care system in Mongolia is organized as a tripartite reference system where patients first seek a "Family Health Center", which is a general physician's office. From there, the patient, if necessary, is referred to the district health centers, the second stage of the reference system, where there are more general medical facilities with more medical equipment (e.g. X-ray, ultrasound, endoscopy) and where general surgical procedures are performed. In such district health centers, about 12 physicians and 60 nurses are available to patients. Both family health centers and district health centers only treat outpatients. In these facilities, electives and internships are available from the 1st year.

The third stage in the Mongolian reference system are specialized clinics. There are no major hospitals in Mongolia, which have many specialisations, but instead clinics that are each limited to a field of study. These include hospitalization. For an elective or a nursing internship in these clinics, you should be at least in the 3rd year of study.

There is a shared volunteer house available for students and volunteers within a 10-minute walk from Abdalla Mzee Hospital.

Accommodation is at single room. If two of you travel together, you can share a twin/double room.The twin/double and single rooms usually share toilet and bathroom with other residents.

All bedrooms have mosquito nets and a wardrobe or chest of drawers, and a fan. Bed linen is provided; you have to bring your own towels however. The bathrooms have western flush toilets and usually cold showers, which is anyway more refreshing for the temperatures of Zanzibar.

The kitchens are shared with other residents and usually have an electric or gas hob and a basic set of kitchen utensils that you need for cooking and eating; in Mkoani there are also some options for you to you to eat cheap outside the home.

Participants are expected to do their own laundry, or this can be arranged locally for a small fee. There is a communal living room with sofa and dining table. The windows are barred for security reasons and we constantly check cleanliness and safety of the house.

A single room at the shared apartment is 10 USD per night not including meals; twin/double room 7 USD/person/night.

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype; together with further participants
Arrangements for your Residence Permit, Work Permit or similar permit and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them (See costs below)
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) on arrival and departure
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Zanzibar
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
Local SIM Card with 10.000 TSH air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by "Budget Safari Tanzania"

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Zanzibar (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa and Residence Permit (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

For internships with hotels and watersports centres in Zanzibar there are either no accommodation costs if accommodation is provided by the hotel or watersports centre, or there are accommodation costs that we will tell you when we suggest a specific hotel or watersports centre, if that hotel or watersports centre doesn't provide accommodation.

For all other projects at special locations in Zanzibar you will find the accommodation costs in the tab "Accommodation"

Overview of other costs:

If meals are not included: around 130-220 USD/Month for self-catering (eating out at affordable yet good restaurants and/or cooking by yourself; you are much more flexible in this way compared to if we would serve food at your accommodation)
Official Permits: For placement duration of up to 90 days in Zanzibar: Visa 250 USD (for most nationals; to buy on arrival at the airport in Tanzania) + Work Permit 200 USD (we arrange through Zanzibar Labour Office); For placement of 91-180 days: twice the costs as in case of up to 90 days.
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Day Trips, Watersports

Learning Swahili in Sansibar!

The cost for Swahili lessons: 1 Student - 10 EUR

Groups of 2 or more people can join language lessons with an NGO at a rate which is a little cheaper per person!

Please check "Language Training Required" in the registration form, specifying the desired duration (minimum 20 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get an immediate booking confirmation.

Zanzibar

Check out our video on Zanzibar Town!

Zanzibar - Spice Island in the Indian Ocean

In addition, there are many villages along the beaches and in the interior of the island.

Things to do in Zanzibar

In your spare time, you can also take music and dance lessons, yoga classes and interesting workshops by the Cultural Arts Centres participants in Zanzibar.

Getting To Zanzibar

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there fixed start dates for the project, which I must adhere to?

No, you can arrive at any date and you can hence, plan your trip according to your availability and the prices of flights. We can pick you up from the airport even at night.

Can I stay longer at my accommodation after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?

Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.

During my stay, can I travel around the country?

Is it safe to travel in Zanzibar alone as a single female traveller?

Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project or in Zanzibar?

What vaccinations do I need?

Our Info-PDF that you get as a participant, gives detailed information on health care. Also refer to Recommended Vaccinations

Where do I live?

Please find details in the tab "Accommodation".

Can I choose my accommodation?

How free or bound am I in my accommodation with the host family?

Does my accommodation have internet facilities?

How can I do my laundry?

I am a vegetarian. Can I get vegetarian food?

What language skills do I need?

BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!

BOOK / INQUIRE!

Sustainable community tourism development in Zanzibar

In the village of Muungoni in the south of Zanzibar there is a local community tourism initiative that provides and permanently further develops ecotourism and cultural tourism offers. Internships and volunteer placements in sustainable local tourism development are possible with this initiative. Besides several tours the villagers also provide eco-friendly tourist accommodation. There is a strong partnership between World Unite! and the Muungoni tourism initiative.

What is your placement organization doing?

Muungoni is a small village in the south of Zanzibar where most people are fishermen or farmers. As the village boarders the mangrove area between Unguja and Uzi Island, there are no wide sandy beaches in the area and hence, no tourism development in terms of hotels has taken place in Uzi yet. For this reason Muungoni has preserved its centuries-old rural structure, however, the villagers also didn't have the chance to benefit financially from tourism.

In Muungoni, in 2015, a community tourism initiative of local citizens was founded, directed by Mr. Mohammed, a biology teacher of the village, who was the only one who so far managed to attract visitors to the village during the past years, through his small reptile zoo „ZALA Park“. Muungoni is conveniently located close to the main road that connects Zanzibar Town/Airport with the tourist destinations of Zanzibar's south east coast. 50% of the profits generated by ZALA Park go to community projects of the village such as Muungoni primary school and to the community tourism initiative, that has already developed several nature tourism and cultural tourism offers.

The initiative currently offers educational and entertaining canoe trips through the mangroves, a nature trail through the forest, a cultural village tour, and a house in the forest which has one room/2 beds, built following permaculture principles, providing visitors with accommodation on full board (local food) at a very exotic and fascinating location in the forest next to the village.

The Community Tourism initiative currently has 12 members.

How can you get involved?

Interns/volunteers work with Mr. Mohammed and the Muungoni tourism initiative. They have the unique opportunity to get to know a completely community-based, very proactive local tourism initiative. Tasks include public relations/marketing (communication and positioning of the ecotourism and cultural tourism offers as a sustainable development project for the social development of the village, for environmental conservation and conservation of protected species), development of new tourism offers with the community, and establishing relations with tour operators and hotels. Internship supervision for university credit is possible by World Unite! staff who hold MA degrees of several subject areas. World Unite! is a partner of the project and consults the initiative in product development and marketing.

Info Box

Location: Mungooni, Zanzibar
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 1 Week
Maximum Duration: 12 Months
Language Requirements: English
Further Languages Of Advantage: Swahili
Accommodation:
House, Host Family

Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Biology Teacher
Minimum Qualification Of Intern:
No formal qualification required
Further Contribution To Project: None

Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: None
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations:
Professional Conduct, Do you have the "right" attitude?

More Infos

Video ZALA Park

Feedback of Carlotta

"We both really had a very great time in Zanzibar. I'm really glad that we were privileged to go to Zala Park, meet Muhammad and all the others ... I think I can speak for Julia that we all grew really fond of each other. Thanks for the great time that you have allowed us World Unite!; I can now say that I was very satisfied with the organization and you will be diligently recommended.:)"

Love and Regards,
Carlotta

Accommodation in the Jozani Forest area

Volunteers at our Mother Nature Environmental Conservation Program in the wider Jozani Forest area are staying at the World Unite! Jozani Forest Camp or with host families of simple standards in the village of Muungoni.

World Unite! Jozani Forest Camp

Just next to Jozani Forest National Park in southern Zanzibar you will find our World Unite! Jozani Forest Camp on a natural forest ground. Using a mountain bike, you can easily reach all placements in the area.

There are three comfortable large safari tents, which are shared by a maximum of 6 participants, each featuring 3 bunk beds with mosquito nets. The tents are on platforms and covered by a solid wooden thatched roof, protecting the tents from rain and sun. There is a solid bathroom with a hot shower and a separate toilet attached to each tent.

Next to the tents there is a large terrace, serving as communal space, covered by a large sail that provides protection from sun and rain. It is a space for everyone to relax, work, and enjoy the meals. The kitchen is catering for three meals per day. There is a drinking water outlet at the kitchen.

The tropical garden of the World Unite! Forest Camp has a lawn for sunbathing and a refreshing small pool.

Volunteers can make use of a washing machine.

Ecological aspects were of great importance when building the World Unite! Forest Camp. All illumination and the mobile phone chargers we provide are solar-powered. The hot water of the showers comes from solar water heaters. We use high-tech compost toilets.

Host Families in Muungoni

Accommodation in Muungoni is usually in a small house of simple traditional standards, on the grounds of the Zala Park. This has a bedroom, bathroom and a lounge. The bedroom has 2 beds with mosquito nets; the windows are equipped with mosquito nets and metal bars for protection. The bathroom has a flush toilet and a cold shower with running water. The lounge has a table, book shelves, chairs, and a view of the park. The house, like most houses in Muungoni, do not have electricity; it is possible to charge phones, laptops, etc. in the house in the neighborhood, belonging to Park Head Mohammed, where there is electricity. The food is cooked by Mohammed's wife, Mariam and brought you; there is Zanzibarian food like chapati, rice, beans, spinach, fish, Pilau, etc. You can also learn how to prepare these dishes from Mariam. There are always many children and neighbors outside and around the house, as is common in Africa; so, you need not have any anxiety about not finding connections with people. You will soon find yourself part of the village community! There are employees and security guards from Zala Park, watching over the household day and night. If we have two participants of the same sex, you share a room; we would inform you of this in advance.

If required, we can also organize accommodations of simple standards with host families in the village of Muungoni. Please be aware that there are only simple standards in the village; the houses usually have no electricity or running water. Water must be fetched by bucket from a well. For participants who are looking for an experience of rural Africa, Muungoni is a perfect place.

I. World Unite! Service Package

Mobile/Cell Phone Users: If you don't see the rates for your desired duration of stay, hide other (shorter) durations of stay.

		up to 31 Days	32-60 Days	61-90 Days	91-120 Days	5 Months or longer
	1 Person	450 EUR	600 EUR	700 EUR	750 EUR	850 EUR
	2-4 Persons (Rate per Person)	400 EUR	500 EUR	600 EUR	650 EUR	700 EUR

Convert rates to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies

The World Unite! Service Package includes:

Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
Arrangement of your Residence Permit, Work Permit or similar permit and other official permits (if required), but not the official government fees for it/them (See costs below)
Pick-up and Transfers from/to Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) on arrival and departure to/from Nungwi/Muungoni
Muungoni: In case of accommodation at the Mother Nature Forest Camp: Use of a mountain bike
Personal support staff at your location and at our international office
Orientation and Introduction in Zanzibar
Accompanying you to your placement on your first day
24 Hours emergency support by local support team
50 USD Contribution to your project
Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
Local SIM Card with 10.000 TSH air time
Issuance of Confirmations/Certificates for your university, scholarship, insurance, etc. and filling out/signing Internship Contracts for your university
15% Discount for Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Excursions and Watersports Activities offered by "Budget Safari Tanzania"

The Rates do NOT include:

Accommodation and Meals (see below)
Travel to/from Zanzibar (you book it on your own; we can assist you)
Official fees for Visa, Residence Permit, Work Permit (see below)
Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
Personal Expenses
Vaccinations
Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
Please note that for supervised/mentored internships, some organizations charge further contributions. You find this information in the "Info Box" below the respective internship description.

II. Accommodation Costs

In Muungoni: Host family on full board (single or double room, simple standard) or bed in a fully furnished 6-person tent in the Mother Nature Forest Camp: EUR 20/night

KINS: Single room USD 250/month in the volunteer house on the school premises. (Incomplete months are calculated exactly to the day), without meals (kitchen can be used)

* Full board = Breakfast, lunch, dinner (not incl. industrially bottled beverages). On the arrival day, lunch and dinner are included. On the departure day, breakfast is included.
In case of 3-4 person: Same rate as in case of 2 Persons. 5 or more persons: Contact us for group rates.

Overview of other costs:

If meals are not included: around 130-220 USD/Month for self-catering (eating out at affordable yet good restaurants and/or cooking by yourself; you are much more flexible in this way compared to if we would serve food at your accommodation)
Official Permits: For placement duration of up to 90 days: Visa 250 USD (for most nationals; to buy on arrival at the airport in Tanzania) + Work Permit 200 USD (we arrange through Zanzibar Labour Office); For placement of 91-180 days: twice the costs as in case of up to 90 days
Small local expenses (e.g. Internet, local transport): around 30-50 USD/Month (Estimate)
Insurances around 30-50 USD/Month

How do I pay?

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

Safaris, Kilimanjaro Climbs, Day Trips, Watersports

Learning Swahili in Sansibar!

The cost for Swahili lessons: 1 Student - 10 EUR

Groups of 2 or more people can join language lessons with an NGO at a rate which is a little cheaper per person!

Please check "Language Training Required" in the registration form, specifying the desired duration (minimum 20 hours).

Travel Health Insurance

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Muungoni

Muungoni is a village in the south of the island, where there is no tourism except for the few visitors to the "Zanzibar Land Animal Park" by teacher Mohammed; this is probably because this is away from white sandy beaches and large mangrove areas of the coast. Most residents of Muungoni are fishermen or farmers and little has changed in their lives over the past hundreds of years. Here, you can still get to know a part of original rural Zanzibar. By being accommodated in the village, you are in the middle of their living and will be warmly integrated in the village society. The mangrove areas are the largest of Zanzibar and part of the Jozani Forest Chwaka Bay National Park; they are of priceless ecological value.

The village lies on the road connecting the capital, Zanzibar Town, and the tourist beaches of the south-east coast (Paje, Jambiani, Michamvi) and the West Coast (Kizimkazi). Due to the excellent connection by the public transport system of Zanzibar, the area is 40 minutes by Daladala from the city and 25 minutes to Paje.

Please watch the video, "Faces of Muungoni", which was created by our volunteer, Iris from Hamburg: