Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Want to be a volunteer Teacher in Tanzania? International Volunteer HQ’s Teaching project is a fantastic way for volunteers to assist in schools in Arusha where classes are often large and understaffed. Volunteers gain teaching experience by leading classes or helping local teachers with lessons in a range of school subjects. Alternatively, volunteers are also able to work in a school for students with disabilities who need a great deal of attention and support to thrive and succeed at school.
Children in Tanzania love going to school and highly value the education they receive. However, once they become teenagers, many students leave school to support their families. Volunteers bring a unique variety and perspective to the education children receive while they’re at school, fostering their love for learning, broadening their minds, encouraging them to further their education and build better futures.
As a Teaching volunteer you will be based in English-medium or government schools. These have busy classes of between 30 and 50 students, where volunteers make a real impact by enabling more focused teaching. You’ll assist local teachers or leading classrooms in a range of subjects, including:
There is also an opportunity for volunteers to work in a special needs school, helping students with a range of mental and physical disabilities. These students require a great deal of attention and support in their studies. If you have experience in working with disabled people, or are interested in this option, please make a note in your application.
Please note, schools in Tanzania all have different holiday periods, so your project may be closed for a time. If your project coincides with a holiday, you can either take the time off to enjoy tourist activities around Tanzania, or transfer to another teaching placement in a school which is open.
School Holidays:
Nevertheless, many schools (especially classes four and seven), daycares and kindergartens remain open during these holidays, ensuring that volunteer opportunities in education are always available. Volunteers should, however, remain flexible and prepared to adapt/switch to different placements as needed, while noting that the number of children may be considerably smaller than during regular school terms.
As a volunteer teacher in Tanzania you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
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Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
From volunteering to coming back to work at home, I have brought with me so many stories and experiences that my students at home have never heard of! I have also brought teaching strategies that I can use in my own professional practice.
The staff at the volunteer house were lovely and always willing to help or have a chat. This made my stay so much more enjoyable.
I would like to express my profound gratitude to the local team for their exceptional efforts. Their dedication and hard work throughout the entire process have been truly outstanding. The time and effort they have invested in the organisation surpasses all expectations.
In terms of my accommodation, both the house and the people living/working in the house have played a significant role in my experience during the project. The family I stayed with has been exceptionally warm and helpful, making me feel almost at home from the very first day. Their hospitality has been truly remarkable.
I would advise prospective participants to take the leap and embrace this opportunity. Throughout the entire program, you will never feel alone; there is always someone to support you. You will be immersed in a new culture, meet new people, and have enriching experiences, all while making a meaningful impact.
When selecting a volunteering organisation, I highly recommend IVHQ and the local team in Arusha.
It was amazing! I was prepared for something else and it ended up being better. Everything was very well organised and I felt so comfortable during my stay. I would definitely go on another volunteer program with IVHQ again, including Tanzania for a second time.
Since I arrived, my whole perspective has changed and I have not stopped extending my weeks in Arusha. At the end of the day, I believe that volunteers learn more than children, but going with the children, doing woman's outreach, connecting with all the local people, learning about a whole new culture, starting with the people to the music here, is an experience that I will not stop recommending because you meet many people who are looking for the same thing as you, it is like having another house where you can always return but above all return to continue making a change, since I did see a difference with the children I taught.
Everything with IVHQ worked very smoothly and was very easy to organise.
This program was one of the best experiences of my life. Tanzania is a wonderful country and the people are incredible. My placement at a primary school was amazing. I was here for four weeks and I honestly could have stayed longer. My heart is so full from my time here.
The local team in Tanzania was absolutely fantastic. Everything was very easy to organise and they were always able to help with any issues. The food was good. After being there for four weeks it does get a bit repetitive but I understand why. The accommodation was probably better than I expected. It was very comfortable and clean and the mamas were all amazing. They looked after us very well.
I have gained a love for Tanzania and a deep appreciation for their culture and what they go through in this country. It has made me think so much more about what I could be doing to help others and my heart has never been fuller. To anyone hesitant I would say don’t be because you will not regret it. It might just be the best thing you’ve ever done like it has been for me.
IVHQ stepped me through the process, alleviating any concerns of mine. The local team were always friendly and went out of their way to offer everything they could. My host mama offered a gorgeous house which far exceeded my expectations. She was an excellent hostess and her housekeeper is a wonderful person.
It is remarkable how much, just a normal Westerner, can achieve in such a short time. I can't wait to return! You'll have the time of your life!
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course credit
We encourage volunteers on IVHQ’s Teaching and Childcare projects to come prepared by completing some relevant training, such as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course. Although formal teaching qualifications are not required on these projects as volunteers are supported by local staff, taking a TEFL course enables you to gain more from the experience. Visit our Online TEFL Course page to learn how to gain an internationally recognized TEFL certification at a discounted rate.
Get TEFL certified online
The IVHQ Tanzania volunteer program is based in Arusha, a small city often used as the base of many safari trips into the Serengeti and other national parks. It’s also near Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. Tanzania as a whole is known for its seemingly boundless areas of wilderness where African animals roam, sometimes migrating in vast groups across the plains; and also being the country where the oldest human skull and even older fossils of human ancestors were found.
Despite its many attractions, communities in many parts of Tanzania still lack access to the basic necessities of life. Volunteer projects based in rural and urban areas around Arusha and nearby help to provide better access to healthcare, education and childcare.
The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month and volunteers need to arrive in Arusha on the day before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) in Arusha. Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Arusha. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Tanzania prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Arusha on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our local team at one of the volunteer houses in Arusha. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date. If your start date falls on a weekend or a public holiday, your orientation will begin on the Monday or day following the public holiday. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Tanzania – an introduction to Tanzania, Tanzanian customs, rules and expectations, language lessons (Kiswahili), safety, travel opportunities in Tanzania, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
First Day
On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the project you will be working with.
Weekdays
Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day would be as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer house or homestay. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. |
| 1:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home for lunch at their accommodation, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing. |
| 8:30 PM | Dinner at the volunteer house or homestay |
Weekends
Tanzania is a wildlife lover’s dream. In your free time you can venture out on a safari and see Africa’s Big 5 - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino - as well as the mind-blowing number of other species that call Tanzania home.
In Arusha itself you can find great markets, take a few days to hike up the nearby Mt Meru, or learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes of the area. You can also take take a short flight down to Zanzibar for a weekend of sun and sandy beaches or save some time before or after your program to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Volunteers in Tanzania are accommodated in dorm-style volunteer houses or homestays located in Sakina, Arusha. The local team currently hosts volunteers in three volunteer houses, typically for younger volunteers, and two homestays, often preferred by families and mature volunteers.
In the volunteer houses, volunteers share a room with one to nine others of the same gender, with most rooms accommodating up to six people. Homestays can accommodate up to 10 volunteers, with rooms also separated by gender and a maximum of four people per room.
Living conditions in Arusha are basic but comfortable. Both volunteer houses and homestays have running water and electricity. Toilets and showers are Western-style, though power outages are common, which can affect the availability of hot water and electricity.
During the busy months of January, June, July, and August, the volunteer accommodations in Arusha may reach capacity. To ensure everyone is comfortably accommodated, some volunteers may be hosted in a nearby hotel in dormitory-style rooms separated by gender. Volunteers can expect to share a room with up to seven people.
Wifi is not available at homestays, and although volunteer houses have wifi, it is slow and unreliable. To stay connected, we recommend purchasing an e-SIM before arrival or bringing an unlocked mobile phone and buying a local SIM card in Tanzania. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card and data during your program orientation. Complimentary wifi is available at the hotel.
If you wish to arrive before your recommended arrival date or extend your stay, extra nights at the standard accommodation can be arranged for US$40 (approximately CA$60) per person, per night. Extra nights include three meals a day, are subject to availability, and bookings can be requested by registered volunteers via their profiles.
For added privacy and comfort, private room upgrades are available year-round at a nearby hotel for an extra cost. These rooms can accommodate one or two persons and offer private bathrooms. They are subject to availability and can be booked as an add-on through your MyIVHQ account after registration.
Tanzanian cuisine varies across the country due to differences in produce found inland and along the coast. The immigration of Khoja Indians has introduced Indian flavors to local dishes. Staple foods in Tanzania include rice, ugali (maize porridge), chapatti, and beans. Rice and beans are significant components of meals, so expect to be served these often.
Volunteers are provided with three meals a day. Breakfast typically consists of eggs served with pancakes, mandazzi (deep-fried dough balls), or cake, along with plenty of fresh fruit, bread, and a selection of jams and other spreads for toast. Lunch and dinner usually feature a traditional meat dish (chicken or beef) alongside a vegetable dish, beans, lentils, or cooked vegetables served with rice, pasta, chips, or chapatti.
Meals are prepared for volunteers by host families at homestays and by cooks at the volunteer houses. Those accommodated in the hotel, whether in private room upgrades or during the busy season, will receive their meals on-site. Lunch boxes and sandwiches can be provided upon request if your placement is scheduled to finish after lunchtime.
Bottled water is readily available in Tanzania, and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 per week for 2 liters a day. Filtered water is also available at the accommodations, and you can choose between purchasing bottled water or using the free filtered water provided in the houses.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please inform us so that the local team can make arrangements for you. They can provide vegetarian meals and options that are dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. However, vegan, halal, and kosher options are not available.
Keep in mind that your eating experience may differ from what you’re accustomed to at home. The local team will do their best to accommodate your needs and ensure volunteers are well taken care of, but it’s essential to remain flexible.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$452) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $370 Equivalent to $53/day |
| 2 weeks | $520 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 3 weeks | $725 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 4 weeks | $940 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,155 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,370 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,800 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,230 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,660 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,520 Equivalent to $31/day |
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Arusha program.
A 2 day safari in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life on a full day tour to Maasailand.
A weekend getaway to Moshi Town, the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park, and and its surroundings.
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
| Capital | Dodoma |
| Population | 58 million |
| Languages | Swahili and English |
| Currency | Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 |
Weather and climate
Tanzania is hot throughout the year and is humid on the coast and dry on the central plateau. The heavy rains last from March to June and can make unsealed road travel difficult. The hot, dry weather in January and February attracts the most tourists. The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to March, when the grazers are calving and there are plenty of lions around. Or witness the wildebeest migration to and from Kenya, which occurs at the onset of the dry season and again with the first rains, usually around the beginning of June and mid-November.
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