Volunteering in Tanzania: Arrival Procedure in Arusha and Dar es Salaam

A member of Projects Abroad staff meets all the volunteers who are working in Arusha at either Kilimanjaro or Arusha airports. Kilimanjaro airport is about one hour taxi ride from the town of Arusha, whereas Arusha airport is about 20 minutes from the town centre. It is also possible for a member of Projects Abroad staff to pick volunteers up from the bus station in Arusha if you decide to travel from Nairobi or Dar es Salam by bus. If volunteers are working in Dar es Salaam then a Projects Abroad member of staff will meet the volunteer at Dar es Salaam airport.

The staff member will be waiting for you in the arrivals area holding an A4-sized laminated “Projects Abroad” sign. You will then travel by taxi to your host family.

The volunteers based in Arusha live in various districts in and around the town. Some volunteers live in Arusha town itself, whereas others live in an area called USA River which is about 40 minutes east of Arusha or in the Monduli district about one hour west of Arusha. Volunteers living and working in Dar es Salaaam are mainly based in the Kinondoni area in the northern part of the city.

You will be introduced to your family and spend time unpacking and settling in.

Volunteering in Tanzania: Orientation and Induction.

You will have your induction on the next working day after you have arrived. A member of staff will come and pick you up from your host family and show you around the town. You will start the day by going to our office where a member of staff will go through the Tanzanian Handbook with you, including all the necessary safety and security measures.

You will also be required to fill in two forms which will be given to you by a member of staff in order to get your volunteering permit. Volunteers who are working in Arusha will need a Permit C, this allows you work in Arusha as a volunteer. In addition to completing the forms you will need to have 5 passport photographs, US$500, a copy of your passport, visa and CV.

Volunteers who are working in Dar es Salaam need to apply for a CTA permit, a requirement when volunteering in this city. You will be given the necessary forms by our local staff but in addition you will need to have 4 passport photographs, US$200, a copy of your passport, visa and CV.

A member of staff will go to the immigration office and get your Permit C or CTA permit processed for you.

You will then be taken around the town of Arusha or Dar es Salaam and shown important sites and landmarks including internet cafes, the post office, where to change money and how to get to each place from your host family. You will also be shown where other volunteers live and get the opportunity to meet some of them.

Depending on the time and your programme, you may be introduced to your placement on the same day as your induction. If not, we will pick you up and take you the next day. We will show you how to use public transport so that you become familiar with the route and landmarks. You will need to cover the cost of your journey to and from work. Most volunteers travel to work on the local bus, which costs on average 25p per journey.

The majority of our volunteers stay with host families, however, a few volunteers stay at the orphanage or centre where they work. Tanzanian people are known for their hospitality and you will experience this first hand when you meet your family. The houses are spacious and usually have a garden or outside terrace where you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. You will get an authentic Tanzanian home-stay experience.

Host families speak Kiswahili and English. The children in the host families are always eager to teach the volunteers Kiswahili and practice their English. Vegetarians can easily be catered for.

Our Projects Abroad office in Arusha is based in the centre of the town near the football stadium. The local bus station is just next to the office making the office very accessible. It is easy to find, because not only is it based next to the football stadium, but it is in a tall blue building known as Blue Rock House which is a landmark in itself. The office has a great view over the city of Arusha and on a very clear day you can even see Mount Kilimanjaro.

Our office in Dar es Salaam is also in a prominent position and can be easily found outside the large shopping complex known as Milimani city. Buses, taxis and bhajajis make regular stops outside the big shopping centre making our office easily accessible by public transport.

Both the offices in Arusha and Dar es Salaam are spacious and not only have work areas for our members of staff but also workshop rooms where doctors and teachers come and talk to the volunteers on a regular basis. There is equipment in both offices for the volunteers including materials, books and medical equipment. Finally there is also a room for the volunteers with comfortable chairs, a water cooler and local newspapers and books to read.

Tanzania has two main seasons; summer (dry season) from June to November and winter (wet season) from December – May. In the northern and eastern regions of the country (where Projects Abroad is based), the rainfall is bimodal, with two rainy seasons. The 'short rains' or Vuli last from October to December, and the 'long rains' or Masika last from March to May. Volunteers should bring a jumper and jacket with them as it can get chilly.

At the end of your placement we will arrange your journey back to the airport by taxi. If you are based in Arusha then it will be to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport, if you are based in Dar es Salaam then it will be to the Dar es Salaam airport.