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

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

Location
  • Tanzania
    • Zanzibar
    • Kilimanjaro
    • Dar es Salaam
Length
2 to 3 weeks
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Short Term Summer Winter
Housing
Guesthouse Lodge
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Solo Women

Pricing

$2,795
Price Details
What's included:
-All accommodations
-Group and ground transportation, including airport pick up and drop off
-All meals and drinking water
-Epic adventures and cultural immersion activities
-Funding toward volunteer projects
-24/7 guide support
-Park fees (Nyerere & Kilimanjaro National Parks)
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Dec 31, 2025
Jul 13, 2026
34 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

GIVE’s East Africa Programs take you from the tropical paradise of Zanzibar Island to the wild plains of mainland Tanzania. Work with the community to build additional classrooms for the first school ever in the community of Kairo, teach English lessons to students of all ages, support Women’s Co-ops, and volunteer on marine conservation! Experience ultimate adventures such as a Blue Safari, swimming with wild dolphins in the Indian Ocean, sailing over turquoise waters, snorkeling above coral reefs, and experiencing a 2-day safari through the African savannah!

If you want the ultimate adventure, extend your trips, Zanzibar or Tanzania, and climb Mount Kilimanjaro with our fellow group members!

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Volunteers form deep connections with locals while teaching English and building community projects in Zanzibar and Tanzania.

Program Highlights

  • Build a primary and secondary school for community of Kairo
  • See wild lions, elephants, giraffes and more on safari
  • English education
  • Swim with wild dolphins in the Indian Ocean
  • Empower local women and learn about their co-ops

Video and Photos

Impact 🌎

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.
Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.

Program Reviews

4.99 Rating
based on 121 reviews
  • 5 rating 99.17%
  • 4 rating 0.83%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.85
  • Safety 5
Showing 9 - 16 of 121 reviews
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Transformative

Kairo truly transformed my heart in the most wonderful ways. GIVE volunteers never ceases to show me how easily a complete strangers and a new community can become a second home so quickly. when you are surrounded by the authentic, likeminded people there is an instant sense of comfort. We were given the chance to learn so much about a community that is a true beating heart of GIVE. By breaking down so many barriers, stereotypes and opening our minds to new perspectives, Kairo village welcomed us with open hearts and taught us so many wonderful lessons about their culture. From learning how to make local food to teaching ESL and Computer skills and even connecting with wildlife on positive ethical levels, we were able to be truly immersed in a new culture and community in the most incredible ways, that I am so immense grateful for. My time in Zanzibar truly taught me the importance of being a global citizen, and it was reflected by the locals and volunteers everyday.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The Tanzania trip is truly so beautiful on so many levels. If I have any advise to give its to go with an open heart and an open mind- a genuine willingness to learn about a new culture. The local staff and community is so kind and welcoming, your perspectives on life, people, and the interconnectedness of the world around you changes in such a wonderful and meaningful way.
83 people found this review helpful.
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TRAVEL TO AFRICA WITH GIVE!

GIVE was the best experience of my life! Every aspect of the adventure was incredible! By the end of the trip you most certainly will have new perspectives on life, genuine friendships across the world and wonderful memories! The worst part of the trip is saying goodbye to your GIVE family and your new favorite place. Being a volunteer, you get to help others accomplish their dreams and goals, encourage women empowerment, support and learn about indigenous culture, educate many individuals, construct the locals needs and participate in wildlife conservation. The adventures are also unforgettable. To name a few- swimming with dolphins in the ocean, seeing the big 5 on an African Safari, summiting the largest free standing mountain in the world, exploring a spice farm, using recycled waste to make glass cups and dancing,cooking and weaving with the local women!!!

Hakuna Matata- The guides and local staff take care of all your needs (including complicated diets) all while encouraging a positive environment. You will be supported and loved the entire journey! It was my first time traveling out of the country, but I felt secure and safe throughout the entire experience. Absolutely do a GIVE trip, you won’t regret it!

What would you improve about this program?
I would increase the time in each place… it went by way to fast!
Pros
  • Adventure is endless
  • Culture
  • Volunteer work is life changing.
79 people found this review helpful.
Luke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tanzania

This was my first Give trip and it was nothing short of incredible. From the moment I was picked up from the airport to when I was dropped off I felt safe and welcomed everywhere we traveled. The guides have this trip down like clockwork and it was so easy for us volunteers because all we had to do was show up. Having the local staff with us in the village definitely made me feel very comfortable as they welcomed us into their home. At no point in this trip did I feel like I was not safe. Mixing volunteer days with many adventure days gave me the perfect balance between feeling a sense of gratitude when giving back to the community but also exploring and learning about the amazing culture that Tanzania has to offer. I encourage anyone who is even slightly interested in coming on this trip hit the sign up button because it was an adventure of a lifetime. Memories from this trip will live with me forever. Say yes to the opportunity and explore the world!

53 people found this review helpful.
Elle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tanzania Experience

This experience was INCREDIBLE! I felt so supported by the staff and the local community was so friendly and welcoming. Everywhere we went people brought us in with open arms and they were so excited to share about their culture. We were able to create such genuine human connections with the people living in the village that will be bonds that last a lifetime. I felt very safe and the accommodations we were staying at were nice and comfortable. I learned so much not only about the community of Kairo but also myself as a future educator. I am so glad I had a helping hand in building the future of Kairos schooling system and I can’t wait to see how other volunteers help it grow and flourish in the future. I wouldn’t trade anything for this experience and I want to continue traveling with a purpose in the future! Thank you GIVE staff for all your hard work! You make travelling so organized, easy, and fulfilling!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I saw a man climb a 30ft tall tree to get us some coconuts!
54 people found this review helpful.
Stella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TIME OF MY LIFE!

I think one thing that was truly amazing about the Zanzibar GIVE trip is that it struck the perfect balance of fun and hard work. The first 2 days were spent immersing ourselves in the Zanzibar culture in Stone Town and Kairo Village, allowing us to settle in and get a feel for what the rest of the trip would be like. Throughout our time volunteering, we had a day off to swim with wild dolphins, hang out with locals, go on a sunset cruise, and go on a safari. Volunteering was definetly the best part though, it was super rewarding after putting in so much hard work doing construction, and being able to teach the locals English. This allowed me to effectively make connects with the staff, other volunteers and the community!

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was dancing with the local women after English class! During each class, they would be a little reserved because they were nervous about learning a new language, but when the speakers came on at the end of class and played their favourite music in Swahili, they couldn't stop dancing! It was so much fun to see them loosen up and also get other volunteers to dance with them!
Pros
  • Provides amazing opportunities for the village
  • Many opportunities to engage in the culture
  • Super safe
56 people found this review helpful.
Shaylyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Make your way to Zanzibar— Hakuna Matata!

If you have any desire to travel, volunteer, or connect with people from a different culture, you need to book yourself a trip with GIVE. After completing the Zanzibar/Tanzania program, I have so much more insight on how to travel sustainably and in a way that centers locals and their way of life, as well as my own JOY. I never could have connected to the locals in Zanzibar or experienced as much of their culture as I did without GIVE. Safe, well-fed, guided and taken care of at all times, I was able to live in the present moment while supporting local business, teaching students how to use computers, swimming with wild dolphins, building a road for the school, seeing wild elephants up close, and so much more. Add in the facts that I did all of this with local staff guiding and educating me and answering all of my questions while also focusing on sustainable practices for the environment, economy, and locals livelihood, and this trip becomes completely unbelievable and life changing. I hope everyone I know takes the opportunity to travel with GIVE in such a meaningful way.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Soak up every single moment of joy! Take pictures but only once you’ve experienced the present moment yourself. Never doubt the impact you’re making on those around you and learn as much as you can while on the trip so you can take it back home with you.
Pros
  • staff/other volunteers
  • local community/students
  • local food and adventures!!!
49 people found this review helpful.
Atsah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience of my life!!

During this trip I learned and experienced so much. Every moment was so impactful, as well as all the people I met. I’m so grateful to GIVE for this opportunity and I wouldn’t change anything. If you have the chance I highly recommend taking this life changing journey. Not only did it change me as a person, but this trip also made so many impactful positive changes for the community. It’s a great chance to get fully immersed in the culture and help where it is needed. From teaching to construction to even just supporting the locals. A great opportunity to be the good that is needed.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was very nervous to teach, especially by myself. But the local staff and students make me feel welcome and we all worked together:)
Pros
  • Learned and experienced so much
  • Made meaningful connections and relationships
  • Grew as a person
Cons
  • Saying goodbye
50 people found this review helpful.
Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST TRIP EVER!

This was the trip of a lifetime! I met such amazing like-minded people and also had the time of my life. I got to learn soooo much more than expected and see so much of Tanzania! I always felt safe and well taken care of as well with my guides! They are all amazing people, and everyone is so beyond kind. ❤️

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I got to eat and try so many different fruits! It was so awesome and I loved most of them!!
54 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers