Tanzania is known as the 'The land of
peace’ and is most famous for the magnificent Mount
Kilimanjaro! The stunning beaches are another big attraction. It is one
of the most popular countries in Africa because of its beauty and
fascinating culture.
Tanzania conjures up visions of Safaris on the
awesome plains of Serengeti where you discover the animals of Africa -
Elephant, Lion, Zebra, Giraffe, and much, much more ... Whatever you do, visit Tanzania! Pure Africa with
glorious beaches and the not-to-be-missed exotic island of Zanzibar.
Our programmes are located in
Arusha at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Here you'll get to experience
real Africa and real African people in their daily lives.
Most of our projects in Tanzania don't require you to have any
qualifications, but lots of enthusiasm and zest for life are a distinct
advantage!
Tanzania was originally named after its
mainland, “Tanganyika”, and the island of Zanzibar, with which it united
in 1964. The country lies in an absolutely ideal
situation on the edge of the continent, facing the Indian Ocean. It has
stunning weather and breathtaking sites to visit, such as the immense
Serengeti Plains and exotic white beaches of Zanzibar. Zanzibar Island is known throughout the world as the African Spice Island!
Tanzania has a huge array of interesting tribes and cultures as a result
of sharing borders with so many other African countries. It has borders
with Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zaire, Burundi and
Rwanda. The incredible richness of Tanzanian society makes this country
an amazing cultural experience whilst on your placement!
The Tanzanian people are
free and peaceful and they value highly community and family togetherness
- you will be warmly welcomed into a very social
and friendly environment!
The total
area of Tanzania covers almost a million square kilometers, with a
population of some 38 million people. The capital is Dodoma, but the
largest city is Dar-es-Salaam. The main official languages are Swahili
and English, but Arabic and local tribal languages are still spoken. The
currency used is the Tanzanian Shilling, labelled as TS. Religions are
spit into thirds of Christian, Islam and indigenous beliefs, while on
the Island of Zanzibar 99% consists of Islam.
The Exotic Island of
Zanzibar: This very popular tourist destination island
is a must-see. Zanzibar’s coastline offers some of the best
beaches in the world, but sand and surf vary depending on what side of
the island you’re on. On the east coast, waves break over coral reefs
and sand bars offshore, and low tide reveals small pools of starfish,
small minnows, and anemones. Up north, ocean swimming is much less
susceptible to the tides, and smooth beaches and white sand make for
dazzling days in the sun.
The port city of Stone Town dominates the
west coast, and although the beaches of Mangapwani, where slave caves
are visible at low tide and nearby Bububu are less than half an hour’s
drive away. The Chole Island Marine Park just off Stone Town – and
nearby Prison, Grave, and Snake Islands – make a refreshing day-trip and
a good break from exploring the winding passageways of the old city.
On the south coast of Zanzibar lies the
Menai Bay Conservation Area, a sea turtle protection area for the
endangered species that come to breed on the island. To the southeast
coast you'll find the Jozani Forest, home to Zanzibar’s rare Red Colobus
monkeys and a number of other primate and small antelope species.
Climate:
The coastal region of Tanzania is consistently hot and humid, although
temperatures do vary quite a bit throughout the country. The more
central regions are cooler. The rainy, yet warm season stretches from
November until early January and then again from March to May, with
temperatures ranging from 13ºC-30 ºC, but averaging 25 ºC.
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The majestic snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro
PROJECTS YOU CAN DO IN TANZANIA
Teaching:
You can
teach anything from English to Maths and Sports to
children aged between 3 and 17 years.
Care
for Orphanage Children:
You'll work in a poor community orphanage in Arusha. Some of our
orphanages are
for very young children and babies and others for older children.
You'll be able to help with all ages.
VOLUNTEER
FEEDBACK: Read what our volunteers have to say about their
programmes in Tanzania.
A market in Arusha - these can sometimes be very
bustling and can get packed with crowds
Tanzania's most famous tourist attraction - its Game
Reserves
ABOUT ARUSHA:
"Arusha is the safari capital of East Africa, a bustling, vibrant town
with the streets filled with 4X4 game viewing vehicles criss-crossing
the potholed roads. Maasai warriors in full regalia stroll the streets,
mingling with tourists in crisp khaki, fresh off the plane."
Situated under the shadow of the mighty
Mount Kilimanjaro (which is just WAITING for you to climb it.), and Mt. Meru (a 15,000ft extinct volcano), as well as idyllically situated on one
of the Great Rift Valley’s plateaus, Arusha really is the perfect
location to live and work in Tanzania.
The city is world-renowned for its
exquisite weather, breathtaking countryside and its lively music scene!
With a population of around 350,000 people, there is still a great
balance between a vibrant, social city with a relaxed ‘small town’
feel, making it a perfect tourism attraction for all types of travellers. Arusha alone receives over 400,000 visitors each year.
Arusha
lies amongst the great Serengeti Plains, Lake Manyara, Ngorogoro
Crater and the awe-inspiring Mount Kilimanjaro,
The city is bordered by farm
estates growing coffee, wheat and maize, which have been tended to by
the Arusha and Meru tribes since the 18th century.
Arusha is
also the main starting point for safaris into the country. This means
that while on your project, so you will have
many opportunities to go out into the plains and see the great
African game. And there are plenty of them, ranging from wildebeest, lions, cheetahs, leopards, zebras,
giraffes, elephants, gazelles, impalas, warthogs and many different
types of other wildlife.
Arusha personifies modern
Africa. The International Conference Centre has hosted the signing of
some of the most important peace treaties and international agreements
in modern African history. It was also the venue of the Rwandan war
crimes tribunals
The curio markets crammed
between the Clock Tower and India Road are filled with high quality
crafts and are well worth a visit, much better (and cheaper) than the
purpose-built curio shops outside the town.
Everything you need can be found in Arusha, from banks, hotels, airline
companies and immigration to markets, safari companies and craft
markets. Although it’s easy to get carried away meandering amongst the bustle of people and
interesting craft stalls, the central clock tower acts as the city’s
most famous landmark to keep you orientated and stop you getting lost.
Some interesting facts about Arusha:
Arusha is the Hindi name for the “rising sun”.
Arusha's clock tower was thought to be situated at the midpoint between
Cairo and Cape Town, representing the halfway point between the two
locations of the old British Empire in Africa.
The film ‘Hatari!’ (starring John Wayne) was set in Arusha.
The local slang name for Arusha is "A-Town".
Princess Margaret visited
Arusha in 1956.
Fresh produce sold at the Central Market
Arusha mid-town with an Islamic Mosque in the background
Map of Tanzania, showing neighboring countries
THINGS TO DO IN
Tanzania:
There really is a vast array of things to do in Tanzania, from going out
on one of the many game reserves on safari, climbing the two highest
mountains in Africa, to just strolling amongst the hustle and bustle of
some
interesting cities. You can't fail to fall in love with the friendly, smiling people
and the truly
amazing culture!
Some of the most popular activities are:
Visiting Tanzania’s
oldest and most popular park, the Serengeti National Park,
renowned for its annual wildebeest migration.
Climbing Mount
Kilimanjaro, which is actually ‘walkable’ due to its relatively
unsteep slopes.
Viewing the
Ngorogoro Crater, the magnificent fauna and flora wonderland and
labeled as the “Eight Wonder of the World”…!
Experience the
tropical rainforests of the Usambara Mountains, which is a
treasure of botanical and zoological diversity.
Amble through the
vibrant Central Market, discovering local fresh produce,
herbs, colourful local clothing like the kanga and kitenge.
Definitely not to miss!!!
Visit the rim of the
Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano, which is still active! This is one
HOT activity!
J
The Arusha
Declaration Museum provides a relaxed experience while you take
in the archeological, historical and ethnographical material on
display of the country’s history and culture.
The spectacular basin of the Ngorogoro Crater
LIVING IN TANZANIA:
“Socialising”
is definitely the name of the game in Tanzania. People visit each other
all the time and just ‘socialise’. This really does make Tanzania the
friendly people-orientated place that it is. While friends and family
often visit each other, even unexpected guests are VERY warmly welcomed
and made to feel extremely comfortable.
Local
food
and diet is mainly made up of staples like grain, fruit and vegetables,
with common meats being chicken, beef, goat and lamb. A popular snack
food is “kitumbua”, which is a delicious fried bread, common in most of
East Africa. There are also dishes like “Ugali”, a porridge made of
maize meal, millet or sorghum. The food is wholesome and well balanced
and very very tasty.
The most popular sporting activities including football, boxing and
athletics, with the country producing many world-class runners, like
Martin Sulle, who won silver in the men’s Half Marathon in the All
Africa Games
Tourism, on the other hand, is definitely aimed mainly at the huge array
of safari opportunities. However, just as popular are the coastal
water-sports.
Diving the coral reefs off the coast of Zanzibar, or sailing with one of
the many charter yachts is an absolute must. Or maybe you just prefer
lying on the tropical beaches to tan and watch people passing by.
Tanzania has it all - No-one could possibly want to miss such an exotic experience.
Typical Tanzanian meal
(VERY)
BRIEF HISTORY OF TANZANIA:
Arab traders first began to colonize the area in the early 700’s.
Portuguese explorers reached the coastal regions in 1500 and held some
control until the 17th century, when the sultan of Oman took power. With
what are now Burundi and Rwanda, Tanganyika became the colony of German
East Africa in 1885.
The two sovereign republics of Tanganyika and Zanzibar formed the United
Republic of Tanzania in 1964. Ali Hassan Mwinyi is Tanzania’s current
president, and has been since 1985.
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