Environmental Conservation, Turtles and Community

location
3 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Perfect 4.6  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Gain unique and valuable experience working with environmental conservation and animal species on a tropical island
  • Experience the authentic Tanzanian way of life by living within the local community in Zanzibar.
  • Learn about reptiles, conservation efforts, community challenges and opportunites in a developing country

Highlights

  • Gain unique and valuable experience working with environmental conservation and animal species on a tropical island
  • Experience the authentic Tanzanian way of life by living within the local community in Zanzibar.
  • Learn about reptiles, conservation efforts, community challenges and opportunites in a developing country
  • Explore the beauty of Zanzibar with like-minded volunteers, enjoying weekend trips and tours.
  • Relax on pristine white beaches and swim in the crystal-clear aqua blue waters during your free time.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Work and learn about endangered reptile species whilst supporting environmental conservation initiatives in Jozani Forrest. Educate the local community on conservation

    Embark on a transformative journey with our volunteer program dedicated to environmental conservation and turtle sanctuary initiatives nestled within the lush expanse of Jozani Forest. At the heart of our mission lies a grassroots endeavor committed to safeguarding the precious mangrove ecosystem of ...

    About the program

    Embark on a transformative journey with our volunteer program dedicated to environmental conservation and turtle sanctuary initiatives nestled within the lush expanse of Jozani Forest. At the heart of our mission lies a grassroots endeavor committed to safeguarding the precious mangrove ecosystem of Zanzibar. In a region where traditional community livelihoods often clash with environmental preservation. The organisation pioneers sustainable alternatives for both the people and the community, ensuring the welfare of both the forest and the local community and wildlife that live within. As a volunteer, you'll get to be involved in a diverse array of activities aimed at fostering conservation awareness, nurturing the turtle and reptile sanctuary, and engaging with local communities.

    Throughout the week, you'll immerse yourself in hands-on experiences tailored to deepen your understanding of reptile and turtle conservation. You will get to be do things including: research sessions, where you'll delve into the intricacies of local wildlife, environmental challenges, and conservation efforts. Roll up your sleeves and directly contributing to the sanctuary's operations, from animal care to habitat maintenance. But our commitment extends beyond sanctuary borders; community outreach, empowers you to impart environmental education in nearby schools and community centres, to help inspiring sustainable change within the local communities understanding of environmental conservation and animal protection.

    Expectations from Volunteers: We value enthusiasm, dedication, and a willingness to learn from our volunteers. We welcome individuals who are passionate about environmental conservation and eager to contribute to our efforts in Jozani Forest. Prior experience in conservation or working with animals is not required, but a positive attitude and a willingness to engage in hands-on tasks are essential.

    Expectations from Us: Volunteers can expect a supportive and inclusive environment where their contributions are valued. We provide comprehensive training and guidance to ensure that volunteers feel confident in their tasks. Our team is committed to fostering a rewarding experience for volunteers, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth throughout their journey with us.

    Special Equipment: Volunteers are not required to bring any special equipment. We provide all necessary tools and materials for the tasks at hand. However, we recommend volunteers to bring comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor work and closed-toe shoes for safety.


    Typical day

    A typical day begins around 8am, where you will leave the hostel to travel into the forest, about 15 - 20 minutes away.

    • Mondays serve as a foundation for the week ahead, with mornings dedicated to immersive research sessions at the sanctuary. You will get to work alongside qualified, local guides to ...

    Typical day

    A typical day begins around 8am, where you will leave the hostel to travel into the forest, about 15 - 20 minutes away.

    • Mondays serve as a foundation for the week ahead, with mornings dedicated to immersive research sessions at the sanctuary. You will get to work alongside qualified, local guides to better learn and understand the needs, challenges and work.
    • Tuesdays and Wednesdays find you fully integrated into the daily operations of the sanctuary. Roll up your sleeves as you assist in cleaning enclosures, preparing enriching activities for the animals, and contributing to habitat maintenance efforts. Whether it's feeding the turtles or ensuring the comfort of resident reptiles, each task plays a vital role in the well-being of the sanctuary's inhabitants.
    • Thursdays and Fridays are dedicated to community outreach initiatives, where you'll venture into local schools and community centers to deliver engaging environmental education programs.
    Afternoons are for you to relax in the pool, explore Paje and surrounding areas on the island, be on the beach and mingle with other travellers at the hostel!

    The week to week schedule may vary depending on the organisations needs, but throughout your program you will get an in-depth experience of environmental conservation efforts in Zanzibar!

    Typical Day Description:

    Each day begins at 8am, with volunteers departing from the hostel to the sanctuary in Jozani Forest. Upon arrival, volunteers engage in a variety of tasks aimed at supporting the conservation efforts of the sanctuary. This may include cleaning animal enclosures, preparing food for the inhabitants, assisting with habitat maintenance, and participating in educational programs.

    The typical workday lasts until late afternoon, with breaks provided for rest and meals.

    While there are no strict working hours, volunteers can expect a fulfilling day of hands-on conservation work in a vibrant natural setting.

    Free-time activities

    There are plenty of fun weekend activities to enjoy during your time in Zanzibar. You can easily organize these adventures with a group.

    Day Tours:

    • Stone Town & Prison Island Day Trip: Explore Prison Island, take a guided walking tour of Stone Town, visit the Slave Museum, and enjoy lunch at Lukmann.
    • Sa

    Free-time activities

    There are plenty of fun weekend activities to enjoy during your time in Zanzibar. You can easily organize these adventures with a group.

    Day Tours:

    • Stone Town & Prison Island Day Trip: Explore Prison Island, take a guided walking tour of Stone Town, visit the Slave Museum, and enjoy lunch at Lukmann.
    • Safari Blu: Experience a thrilling safari adventure, snorkel at Mnemba Island, swim in pristine waters, and watch dolphins.
    • Jozani Forest, Caves, and Spice Farm Tour: Trek through Jozani Forest, explore caves, and visit a Spice Farm to learn about Zanzibar's spices.
    • Mnemba Island, Snorkeling, and Dolphins: Snorkel around Mnemba Atoll, swim with dolphins, and relax on the beach.
    • Scuba Diving: Explore Zanzibar's underwater world with dive safaris offering multiple-day options.
    • Nungwi Trip: Visit the turtle sanctuary, relax on the beach, experience Dhow Boats Building, and enjoy lunch at the fish market. Optional: Horseback water trip.

    General Activities/Half Day Tours:

    • Dhow Cruise: Sail along the picturesque coastline and enjoy breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean.
    • Cave Swimming: Cool off in natural caves and experience the thrill of swimming in unique surroundings.
    • Kite Surfing: Ride the waves with exciting kite surfing sessions.
    • Stand-Up Paddle Board Hire: Explore the calm waters of Zanzibar on a paddleboard.
    • Kayak Hire: Paddle through scenic mangrove forests and crystal-clear waters.
    • Scooter Hire: Explore Zanzibar at your own pace with scooter rentals.
    • Car Hire - Self-Drive Tours: Discover the island's hidden gems with the flexibility of a self-drive tour.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    at High School or higher level

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Relevant experience, qualifications or skills are beneficial

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 14:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Boresha Maisha Projects

    The fee covers your living expenses whilst here in Zanzibar, and a percentage goes towards your placement itself, to further support the projects. During your stay, you will be living at a vibrant volunteer house and Hostel, only 300 meters from the beach!

    Program Inclusions:

    • Accommodation at our lively Hostel
    • 2 meals per day (Breakfast and dinner)
    • Airport pick up
    • Orientation and town tour
    • In-country program support
    • Your placement
    • Program Certificate
    • Access to a range of Day Tours and Activities to experience more of Zanzibar!

    Airport Pickup at Zanzibar International Airport

    Your airport pickup will be arranged closer to the time. All we need is your flight and arrival information.

    Accommodation

    During your stay, you’ll enjoy a warm welcome at our cozy hostel in Paje, where our local team and coordinators are always available to help. While this is budget accommodation, we’re proud to offer more amenities and comforts than most standard volunteer housing.

    Our hostel includes a vibrant Island dining area, plenty of cozy couches, a large pool, and a lively bar area! We are just a quick 3-5 minute walk from the beautiful white sand beach, and our location is ideal for exploring nearby cafes, ATMs, restaurants, gyms, supermarkets, and shops, all within walking distance.

    Your rooms have been newly renovated, are clean, and each has a private ensuite bathroom with a hot shower. Most, but not all, of our rooms also have air conditioning, which is a luxury on the island!

    Rooms are shared with other volunteers and travelers, making it easy to connect and share experiences. As such, you will need to be mindful of organization and use the small personal space you have to ensure everyone is happy. It’s also important to stay mindful that this is budget accommodation in a developing country, so you may not quite find everything you have back home, but it’s all about the experience and remembering where you are.

    Our common areas—both indoors and outdoors—offer great spaces to relax and unwind after a rewarding day at your placement.

    Also, being a hostel, we recommend bringing your own towel. And as with many developing regions, occasional power and WiFi cuts do happen, so a bit of patience goes a long way.

    With complimentary high-speed WiFi (when available!), you can still easily stay in touch with family and friends back home. We hope you’ll find our hostel to be a friendly, comfortable place to recharge and connect with fellow volunteers!

    Food & Beverages

    Breakfast and Dinner is provided each day.

    We offer a mix of local and Western dishes like rice-based meals, curries, fish, and pasta, along with drinks like fruit juices and chai. We're happy to cater to special dietary needs, like vegetarian or vegan diets, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious and satisfying meals during their time with us.

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Zanzibar International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    As the program is open year round, except over Christmas break, this project can be joined throughout the year. We will recommend that you arrive to Zanzibar by the end of the week so that you have the weekend to settle in and get comfortable in the house and area before beginning your work the following Monday.
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    3 weeks (min. stay) 643€
    4 weeks 858€
    5 weeks 1,072€
    6 weeks 1,287€
    10 weeks 2,145€
    18 weeks 3,860€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 10,723€
    Average fees 214€/week

    Program fees

    214€ per week 3 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    3 - 50 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Boresha Maisha Projects during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Boresha Maisha Projects

    Perfect 4.6 rating (32 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2014

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Lucy

    Spoken languages: English, Swahili

    About the project

    Boresha Maisha Projects seek to provide communities with education about sustainable solutions to their problems through the work of experienced volunteers.

    Meet your organization

    We wish to create possibilities for communities and individuals to grow and develop in order to create a better future. We seek to provide communities with education about sustainable solutions to their problems instead of fast and easy solutions. How do we plan to do that? By continues education provides by experienced individuals with knowledge and specific education to a certain field. And this is where we need you!

    Dealing with the challenges of today requires problem-solvers who bring different perspectives and are willing to take risks. We are searching for strong individuals, who wish to bring their knowledge and education and pass it on to communities and work places in Arusha, Tanzania. We believe that this education and sharing of knowledge is the way to solve many of the problems, the developing countries in the 21st century are facing. But we need you to help us with it.

    Boresha Maisha Project emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community. Having seen the bad effects of "voluntourism" many of the volunteering platforms create, we wished to find more sustainable projects, where the impacts will last and not just be forgotten with the next arriving volunteers. We wish to create platforms specifically for volunteers with the appropriate skills and this way ensure that the volunteers will be in surroundings where they feel safe and have an expertise. Look through our projects and see if we have one, that fits you. They get updated regularly, so don't worry if you don't find the one, you were looking for.  

    Established in 2017, we’re an organization driven by progressive ideas and bold actions. Help us break the circle of "voluntourism" and projects who are ruining communities and families instead of keeping them together.

    32 reviews · rating4.6

    Floo Vander Meeren rating5

    2024 at Medical Work & Support

    My stay at the hostel was great. The girls who work there and the owners are very friendly and social. My volunteering program was at Kitogani District Hospital where I would assist the doctors where they needed me. The people at the hospital were very welcoming and because it is a local hospital ...
    Lena Brandstätter rating5

    2024 at Childcare, Sports and Teaching Support

    I was working at the preschool for six weeks and this time completely changed my outlook on life! I bonded with the kids so quickly and was able to give them a safe environment to play, learn and make mistakes. Sadly, it was very difficult to communicate with the teachers, as they barely spoke any ...
    Megan Tatham rating5

    2024 at Animal Welfare and Rescue

    Amazing opportunity to help animals and gain invaluable experience.I loved volunteering here so much! Dr Evarest is amazing! He's a great man that cares deeply for all animals and people. This volunteering is like no other animal rescue as it's really hands on, not just feeding and cleaning like ...
    Lucas HENRY rating4.8

    2024 at Sports Assistant

    We come back transformed. It allows us to see where the real human values are. I worked on a sports project at a school in Arusha, and I’m going back there, so that we can win the competition and enjoy the end of the route. As for the White House, it’s a cosy little cocoon where you can relax ...
    Marylou Palanque rating4.8

    2024 at Childcare, Sports and Teaching Support

    It was the best experience I've ever had. I really enjoyed the mission with the children at the school. The accommodation and room is correct, the breakfast and evening meal are good too. The staff are very friendly. The accommodation is also well located in Paje. I really enjoyed this experience ...
    Eunice rating4.6

    2024 at Medical Work & Support

    Incredible and very enriching experience personally and professionally. Good level of English required to make the most of the experience. Excellent team support and flexibility. For what could be improved: not really a welcome upon arrival at accommodation and lack of concrete information ...

    Location

    Africa > Eastern Africa > Tanzania > Paje, Zanzibar

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    Contact Lucy
      Very high response rate
    English, Swahili

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