Tanzania & Zanzibar: Safari, Construction, Education, & Swimming with Dolphins

I honestly can’t recommend the Tanzania GIVE trip enough. It was one of the most meaningful and unforgettable experiences of my life.

What made this trip so special was that it wasn’t just about seeing Tanzania—it was about truly experiencing it. In Kilwa, we worked alongside the local community planting mangroves to help restore the coastline, and it was incredible to see the direct impact of the work. We also spent time with members of the community, cooked traditional meals together, and learned about their daily lives and culture. Those moments of genuine connection were some of the most rewarding parts of the trip.

Another highlight was spending time with the Maasai. We had the opportunity to help herd sheep, reinforce the protective enclosures for their livestock, and learn firsthand about their traditions and way of life. It wasn’t something you could experience as a typical tourist, and I came away with a much greater appreciation for their culture and hospitality.

The safari was another unforgettable part of the experience. Seeing elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and so many other animals in their natural habitat was surreal. It felt like something out of a documentary and was easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced.

After the volunteer portion of the trip, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was the perfect way to finish the adventure. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. Standing on the summit after days of climbing is a feeling I’ll never forget.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to Gabby and Baboi. They are truly the best guides you could ask for. They were knowledgeable, supportive, hilarious, and always made everyone feel included. They worked incredibly hard to make sure we had an amazing experience, and they played a huge role in making the trip so memorable.

If you’re thinking about doing this trip, my advice is simple: go. Come with an open mind, be willing to step outside your comfort zone, and fully embrace every opportunity. You’ll leave with incredible memories, lifelong friendships, a deeper appreciation for another culture, and experiences that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

By far my favorite trip I’ve ever taken in my life. I feel as I have a whole new family and a second home. The guides and locals were so welcoming and friendly. The others on the trip were in the same boat as me so I was very comfortable and happy. I will for sure be taking another trip with GIVE volunteers. 100/10 experience, if you think you wanna do it, don’t think, just go for it! I loved to see all the wild animals in their nature habitats, helping the community plant trees and play around with the children. All the kids were so happy to see us and crowded around us in excitement. I will never forget these moments.

ASANTE SANA ZANZIBAR & TANZ MAINLAND I could not imagine a trip to this beautiful country being as fulfilling traveling without GIVE! I learned so much about culture, the land, and gained a #secondfamily while doing so! ASANTE SANA to talha for sharing her inspiring story as how she worked her way up to becoming the Ed coordinator of Zanzibar program, Amour for his amazing energy, Juma our legend driver and sweetest soul, BIG HEADDD the concrete and cement master, Kasha for being the most perfect example of a leader I have ever seen, and EVERYONE ELSE we met and worked alongside of the entire way! I’m also so grateful to have been able to hop over to mainland! It was so awesome getting to experience the new program and I’m so happy to see what the future holds for this trip. Asante Sana again to Baboi, MC, and Gabby for being apart of my entire journey in East Africa, y’all were truly THE BEST!!!!

Absolutely amazing! The local guides were so knowledgable and made the experience extremely unique and one that will stay with me forever. The entire trip I felt so safe, was well fed and learned lots about the culture and how I can apply different lessons to my life that I learned in Zanzibar. One moment that sticks out in particular is when we were invited to the School's award ceremony. This school has been built by GIVE volunteers and seeing the children who use the school recieving the awards was touching to understand how much of an impact it can have on people.

Had the most amazing experience! So many guides available at all times for support and genuinely just the coolest itinerary. You get to see the difference you make in real time! We taught English in the mornings to local women and the Maasai Tribe. Then, in the afternoons we would work on constructing the school. Mixing cement, carrying bricks, wheeling wheelbarrows. We would have the evenings to ourselved to explore and relax at the most beautiful beaches. But the program also gave us opportunities for Swahili classes and weaving classes with locals for our downtime.

This was an amazing experience. I did the Zanzibar trip. It was amazing to get to know all the locals and be immersed into their community in the village of Kairo. They are lovely people that taught me a lot about how to live my own life back home. It was also great to see the work that we did be used in the community, as well as seeing exactly where the money is going to help these people. I highly recommend taking a trip with GIVE, especially the Zanzibar program. Our guides were amazing and became a second family to me.

Honestly the best 2 weeks of my life. I had a blast and have made many memories on this trip I will never forget. First of all, the guides were awesome and amazing people. Very friendly, easy to to talk to, and always checking up on you and making sure you are having fun. The group I was with were also amazing and always had excellent energy throughout the whole trip. Everyone was willing to connect, share stories, play games, and let their authenticity show. I really loved the way the trip was organized and scheduled. We knew what time to wake up, go to sleep, when we were going to do our activities, etc. It was very educational and I learned a lot about the people, the culture, the environment, and the problems the country faces. I loved the diversity in activities and how we actually connected and exchanged cultural ideas with locals in rural communities that you don’t usually get to see. Overall, a 10/10. Would totally go on another trip in the future!

Exploring Tanzania and all it has to offer has been the best and most valuable experience of my life. I got to learn so much while making a positive impact. Alongside a lively community in Kilwa, our team planted nearly 5,000 mangrove trees, making a forest to sustain marine life. Through Tanzania’s welcoming culture, I learned to be a happier and more loving person. Everyday was filled with laughter, dancing, and learning. Anyone wondering if this is the trip for you, my advice to you is to take a chance and embrace the hakuna matata lifestyle. My love for this amazingly resourceful and vibrant country has only grown stronger and I wish that everyone could have the chance to experience the beauty of Tanzania.