Location
  • Tanzania
    • Arusha
Length
2 to 24 weeks
Project Types
Childcare Education Teaching Health Medical

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
17
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
375
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Feb 10, 2025
Sep 30, 2024
19 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Volunteer in Tanzania with Plan My Gap Year (PMGY), an award-winning international organisation offering safe, trusted and affordable programs in the heart of East Africa. Based in the vibrant northern city of Arusha, PMGY provides a variety of impactful programs, including Childcare, English Teaching, and Medical, opportunities.

Our volunteer in Tanzania programs start on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month, running year-round with flexible durations of 2 to 24 weeks. Volunteers stay in a comfortable Volunteer House, where they enjoy freshly prepared breakfast and dinner daily. With comprehensive pre-departure support, airport pick-up, an orientation, and a dedicated local team, PMGY ensures a rewarding and hassle-free experience.

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

Plan My Gap Year is committed to providing ethical volunteer opportunities that truly benefit the local communities. We have personally vetted all of our Volunteer Programs in every destination. We support a small network of Volunteer Programs abroad that we have specifically chosen due to their efforts being sustainable for our volunteers and the local communities alike. We work closely with each of our local teams to ensure we are assessing and adapting to ensure quality experiences for all involved.

For this reason, PMGY does not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.

Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.

Program Highlights

  • Most Affordable – PMGY’s programs are accessible to everyone who wants to make a difference, through low fees and high-impact projects.
  • Best Support – Our international and local teams provide extensive around the clock services to assist you every step of your PMGY adventure.
  • Safety Prioritised – With safety a PMGY number-1 priority, we have taken all necessary precautions to ensure our programs are as safe and structured as possible.
  • Extraordinary Experiences – With PMGY, you have the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in amazing cultural and travel experiences, ensuring you leave with unforgettable memories.
  • Friendships for Life – Your PMGY experience not only opens up a doorway for new experiences and exciting memories, but also life-long friendships when meeting new people from around the world.

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Program Reviews

4.95 Rating
based on 21 reviews
  • 5 rating 95.24%
  • 4 rating 4.76%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.65
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.9
  • Value 4.55
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 9 - 16 of 21 reviews
Default avatar
Melissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Arusha

The whole experience was amazing, I felt prepared before I left and was greeted at the airport and taken to the volunteer house. I volunteered at Nourish school and orphanage and it was such a rewarding experience. No two days were the same, we also visited a baby orphanage and that was emotional. The experience was amazing and I've made lifelong friends who I hope to volunteer with again in the future.

What would you improve about this program?
More variety of food
176 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tanzania Medial Placement

I spent 2 weeks in Arusha at a Medical placement with PMGY and I cannot recommend it enough !! The staff were so helpful before getting to the country and whilst there, they provided 24 hour support to all the volunteers. The accomodation was a lot nicer then I had expected and the food wasn't too bad. There were always other volunteers around to hang out with during time off and there are lots of things to do. On the weekends and days off the staff can help you plan trips away so that you can explore Tanzania which was really good. There is a bar and restaurant at the volunteer house which was good and town is literally only a 2 minute walk away. I can't wait to plan my next trip with PMGY and even return to Tanzania because it was such an amazing place ! Ideally next time I would like to go from a little more time 3-4 weeks as 2 weeks was only just enough to settle in and meet some new friends.

177 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lucy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Unforgettable experience!

I did the medical program for 3 weeks, the overall experience was amazing and I wish I had stayed longer . The doctors at the hospital are more than happy to explain things and let you help out. I learnt so much during my time there.
The accomodation is basic but comfortable and the house Mama's prepare lovely food. The support was excellent as there was always a member of staff at house if there were any problems.
The people you meet soon become like family and saying goodbye is the hardest part!

What would you improve about this program?
More food options as the menu becomes quite repetitive especially for those staying longer periods of time.
149 people found this review helpful.
Alex
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 week orphanage project in Arusha

From start to finish, my experience with Plan My Gap Year was excellent. The handbook and support given pre-departure was extremely helpful and Josh answered my emails promptly and thoroughly.
The support given on arrival, during and on departure in Arusha was great and I always felt very safe and secure.
I did the 2 week orphanage project at Nourish school and orphanage. It was an incredible experience and a very hard goodbye.
For potential volunteers looking to join the programme, I would highly recommend PMGY. There's so much more to do as well as your programme and the people you meet become friends for life.

What would you improve about this program?
The wifi was broken for the duration of the time I was there and we weren't told this before we went!
154 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!

The pre-departure support from PMGY was so useful, I would recommend using it as much as possible! Josh was great to speak to over the phone, friendly and informal - really knowledgeable about the programmes.
I spent 4 weeks in Tanzania and I wish I had gone earlier and stayed longer as the experience just gets more enjoyable as you get to know the other volunteers and the staff. The accommodation is relatively basic - there was no WiFi while I was there (not always the case) and the showers aren't consistently warm - but it was extremely social, comfortable and I wouldn't change anything major. The house Mama's cook amazing food, just be open to trying some new things and you'll never go hungry! The Mulberry (bar and restaurant on-site) serves more Western foods and is a great little social hub to have right next door.
The staff in-country are fantastic and there is always someone available to chat to and ask any questions or reports any concerns. I did an orphanage placement and a member of staff escorted me and the other volunteer on the first day to show us the journey and introduce us. I took food every day for the kids breakfast and toys (from the resources shelves at the volunteer house). Apart from playing with the children, I helped with food preparation and keeping the orphanage clean and tidy.
I would definitely recommend this experience if you're willing to be spontaneous and settle into the 'pole pole' lifestyle in Tanzania :)

136 people found this review helpful.
Caroline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

PMGY Tanzania Meldical Program

Amazing! I was scared that it wasn't going to be as good as other programs due to the price being much more affordable. However this was not the case! I can't fault anything and I had an experience of a lifetime. Everyone was so friendly, the accommodation was fantastic, the food was better than I was expecting, there was a bar and restaurant at the accommodation, the medical program was great. I can't wait to choose another destination to volunteer at through PMGY or to go back to Tanzania!

What would you improve about this program?
N/A
114 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Will
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tanzania 2017

I stayed in Arusha, Tanzania for 1 month from the 3rd of June till the 2nd of July volunteering in an orphanage. I cannot recommend this trip enough! i think 1 month is the perfect time limit to go as you have enough time to really get to know the other volunteers and locals that work there. I also think that going in June/July time is perfect as there are always other volunteers around and the weather isn't too hot.
It's difficult to describe how it's so enjoyable but it is definitely worth doing through PMGY.

What would you improve about this program?
Hot water
113 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tanzania orphanage programme

I have recently returned from a months trip in Arusha in Tanzania I would say the experience overall was amazing. At the airport we were immediately greeted by the staff at the airport, and helped with our luggage and even given a gift! Everything was well explained and we were shown and told how to get to our placements and back - that staff came with us for our first day. Our accommodation was pretty standard 4 people of the same sex per room and we were provided with mosquito nets, etc. The food varied, breakfast and dinner was included in our package and it was mostly traditional African stuff with some western bits aswell. Loved every minute an would highly recommend to anyone.

What would you improve about this program?
More space for people as is very crowded when busy. More options for food as a few of us didn't eat most of it.
76 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers