Gap Year in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar is famed for its breathtaking coastlines, crystal clear waters, spices, and eclectic cultural history. Once a pivotal meeting place for immigrants, explorers, slaves, and spice traders the island is now a coveted beach holiday destination.
The island is an exotic crossroad between Middle Eastern and African culture, with a primarily Muslim population that is a fascinating change from the Western world. In Zanzibar, gap year travelers will be able to enjoy adventure, blissful relaxation, and impactful volunteer work.
Zanzibar is a haven for travelers, volunteers, and adventure seekers. Despite being a spectacular destination to spend a gap year on its own, Zanzibar also combines well with wildlife conservation and community development projects in Kenya and mainland Tanzania.
Volunteering
Zanzibar is a great destination specifically for projects involving education and wildlife conservation (mostly marine conservation).
The unemployment of youth is a major problem in Zanzibar making philanthropic work highly gratifying. Education and community development projects are common, many programs using creative strategies like filmmaking to help alleviate the situations of affected locals.
Then of course, Zanzibar’s wildlife and natural resources are another focus for development agencies, and have projects for volunteers to get involved in.
Adventure Travel
Turquoise waters and white sand beaches out of a movie make this Indian Ocean island a mecca for adventure tourism -- though mostly in the nautical sense.
Diving and deep sea fishing is some of the best in the world in this area. Water sports also abound, giving thrill seekers the opportunity to play on the water’s surface as well as under it.
Internships
Interning abroad never looks bad on a résumé, and a destination like Zanzibar can set you even further ahead of the game when it comes to international interest.
A variety of internships are available for gappers on the island, including everything from hospitality internships at beach hotels to journalism and documentary internships.
Zanzibar’s rich cultural history and non-western flavor make it an ideal place for young people to gain international experience that will impress future employers!
Visas
Citizens of the United States and United Kingdom are required to purchase a visa to enter Zanzibar. This tourist visa can be purchased at a Tanzanian Embassy before travel, or at a point of entry into Tanzania upon arrival; however, pre-purchasing your visa can reduce risk of delay at ports of entry.
Tanzania is extremely strict when it comes to visas, so it is vital you purchase the correct type for your trip! Anybody who is visiting Tanzania to volunteer or work must purchase a special visa. Gap year travelers should consult their program advisers for more information.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your departure from Tanzania, and you must have at least one blank page available to stamp. Travelers who have also visited a yellow fever-endemic country will need to show proof of the yellow fever vaccination.
The local currency in Zanzibar is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). As international exchange rates tend to fluctuate it is a good idea to use a currency converter to find the latest exchange rate before you travel.
Prices in Zanzibar are low compared to that of the United States and United Kingdom. The cost of food and local entertainment is significantly lower than that of the US and UK. Rent and accommodation will still be relatively cheap, while imported luxury goods and some tourist activities will cost much the same as they did at home.
Cash is the primary mode of payment throughout Tanzania and Zanzibar; very few businesses will accept credit or debit cards.
For more detailed information on cost of living, visit Numbeo.
