Trip Details

Culture Week in Tanzania

Add this Culture Week in Tanzania to your project for even more adventure!

When you think of the Maasai culture, you might at first think of brightly coloured robes and intriguing body accessories, but there is so much more to their rich culture, their character and history to discover! This Tanzanian Culture Week offers an incredible opportunity to learn about, and experience the Maasai and wider Tanzanian culture from a first-hand perspective.  Further, you will get a real feel for Tanzanian life – and even a little of the language, before you start your project!

Immerse Yourself in Tanzanian Culture, Traditions and Way of Life

Our programme will give you a real insight into the Tanzanian culture, its history and its people. Try your hand at Maasai bead-making, scout animals in their natural habitat and take a hike up the beautiful Monduli mountains. Dance and song is also a really important aspect of Maasai culture, and you’ll be able to take part in some of the traditional dances during your time here. And if you want to take something home with you, how about our cooking class! That way, you’ll be able to taste the memories of your incredible stay here, long after you’ve returned home!

A Taste for Adventure starts here in Tanzania!

Aside from having amazing stories to share with friends, this project week is really beneficial for volunteers ahead of their project. Many of our volunteers will plan their own adventures with new friends they meet along the way, and spend their evenings and weekends exploring their surroundings together. Of course, if you just want to relax, you can simply hang back in your accommodation, whether that’s at the volunteer centre, or with your host family. We should mention too, that Tanzanians are a really friendly people, and you’ll feel supremely welcome, wherever you are! Whatever your taste for adventure, Tanzania offers it in bucket-loads!

Why Book our Culture Week in Tanzania?

  • Get to know about Tanzanian culture before you start your volunteering project
  • Learn about the Maasai people and gain a first-hand experience of their culture
  • Find new friends and make new adventures during your stay here in Tanzania!
  • Relax back in your safe accommodation, at our volunteer centre, or with a host family
  • Discover (and learn to cook!) Tanzanian cuisine, with all meals and beverages* included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

There’s so much to see in Tanzania! And this cultural holiday will help you get to grips with Tanzanian culture in advance of your project, as well as providing an exciting fun-packed adventure!

Mandatory Orientation Day

On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day to familiarise yourself with the surroundings, as well as local culture. This will also be a fun day, however, ending with hike and a chance to relax with your fellow travellers.

Weekly Schedule

Here’s what we have in store for your during your culture week in Tanzania:

Monday

  • Breakfast
  • Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
  • Tanzanian Do’s and Don’ts, Culture introduction and country
  • history and Intensive Swahili Language Lessons.
  • Tour around the compound and local area; where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary.
  • Lunch
  • Hike up the beautiful Monduli mountains (weather and time permitting)
  • Dinner

Tuesday

  • Breakfast
  • Visit Maasai Museum/Snake Park & Handicraft Gallery
  • Lunch
  • Visit local Maasai Livestock Market
  • Cooking class
  • Dinner (enjoy what you helped to prepare)

Wednesday

  • Breakfast
  • Visit Arusha town: Cultural Heritage Art Gallery & local craft market
  • Lunch
  • Visit Arusha: Museum, Monuments, and supermarket
  • Dinner

Thursday

  • Breakfast
  • Depart for Walking Safari
  • Explore local terrain and scout animals in their natural habitat
  • Lunch
  • Enjoy sports activities with the community or take some free time
  • Dinner

Friday

  • Breakfast
  • Handicrafts: Beadwork session with Maasai women – learn how to make your own jewellery!
  • Lunch
  • Learn Maasai dress and some Maa language
  • Evaluation meeting and placement introduction/or free time
  • Dinner

Please note:

Cost of transport to locations is not included, but will usually be around £1.50 per day.

This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

Your evenings and weekends are free to do as you please, and you can choose to explore the area or simply kick back with your new-found friends back at your accommodation. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures as they go!

Places to Visit

Whilst our Culture Week will be an amazing experience in itself, Tanzania is vast, and has beautiful places to visit. Here are some of our top must-sees!

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Explore plains, forests, and savannahs within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, which also has the world’s largest crater.  This is where incredible wildlife coexist with the Maasai. A must when in Tanzania as it is one of the most emblematic locations of the continent.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire is famous for its population of elephants and the symbolic Baobab tree. During the dry season, wild animals inhabit the park and you will be able to find zebras, giraffes, buffaloes, elephants, wildebeests and more! While not as common, you might be able to find a lion here, too, if you are lucky!

Serengeti National Park

Serengeti is probably the most worldwide known National Park in the world. It is believed to hold the largest population of lions in the world! Aside from that, cheetahs, buffaloes, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, hippos live here. Make sure you allow yourself at least two days to visit and stay overnight in either a campsite or a lodge. Serengeti cannot be done in just one day !

Arusha National Park and Mount Meru

The home of Mount Meru, the second largest peak in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro and of many species including giraffes, warthogs, Cape buffaloes, lions, elephants, flamingos and more! However, the main attractions are the Meru Crater and the Jekukumia River, the Ngurdoto Crater and the Momelia Lakes. These lakes vary in colour due to algae and are made even brighter by many different species of birds who love to swim in the water!

Lake Manyara National Park

During the wet season, pink flamingos brighten up the lake, which make it the go-to place for bird watchers. They do leave during the wet season, but Masai Lions, Leopards, hippos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, blue monkeys, gazelles and cheetahs can be found here year-round!

Moshi and Mount Kilimanjaro

Moshi is located about two and a half hours away from Monduli and can be easily reached from Monduli by taking a “dala dala” to Arusha and then another one to Moshi from there.
This is a sleepy town with a Western vibe as it is the starting point of the Mount Kilimanjaro climb! On a clear day, you can get excellent views of the highest mountain in Africa (tip: head over to Moshi Train Station for a top-notch view!)

Kikuletwa Hot Springs

A lesser-known but still amazing attraction located between Arusha and Moshi are the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. The water isn’t actually hot, but its temperature is perfect for swimming and relaxing.  Known as an oasis, the water here is so blue that you wouldn’t believe it! It is a favourite go-to place for locals and ex-pats alike and there is even a rope you can use to dive into the water with style.

Arusha

Arusha is one of the main cities of Tanzania and is easy to reach from Monduli in less than an hour and a half. From here, most safari companies depart to many of the national parks surrounding it, so it is your go-to place for wildlife! In Arusha, you will find a myriad of things to do – from Maasai markets selling crafts to bring back home, to cinemas, shopping malls, western food, and more!

Hiking Around Monduli

Monduli is set amidst lush mountains that are a great opportunity for hiking off-the-beaten-path. There are numerous trails, one of which leads to a breathtaking waterfall. Speak to our coordinator to arrange, as the government needs to grant you permission (for a fee) to visit beyond certain spots in order to conserve the area.

Iringa and Ruaha National Park

A little while away, but an interesting place nonetheless if you have the time after finishing our programmes! Ruaha National Park is a much lesser visited place for wildlife, but its few visitors are never disappointed by its beauty! In fact, it is the largest National Park in Tanzania and boasts cheetahs, the second largest population of Leopards in Africa, buffalos, hippos, and more!

Zanzibar

Whilst a sizable journey, it is possible to fly to Zanzibar for a weekend from Arusha airstrip, a small airport that operates domestic flights and is not too far from our centre! Zanzibar is known for its sandy white beaches and unique culture. When here, don’t miss Stone Town, a place that is emblematic for its mazes and spices (take a spice tour for sure!). Another must is a visit to Prison Island, where you can spot dolphins and marine life. Travel north or east of the island for some of the best and cleanest beaches in the world and enjoy the Indian Ocean at its best!

Trip Accommodation

About the Accommodation

During your culture week in Tanzania, you will be based in the district of Monduli, where you will stay at our local Volunteer Centre or with a welcoming host family. There may be western-style toilets, but the traditional squat-style flush toilet are more common. Sometimes, water will be heated for showers and these may be bucket-style – but this is all part of the experience of Tanzanian culture! Lastly, we suggest that all participants get a local SIM card and buy a bundle to maintain personal internet access.

Food Arrangements

If you haven’t tried Tanzanian food before, then you’re in for a real treat! The food here is influenced by a combination of Swahili, Indian and Arabian foods and is deliciously aromatic. Breakfasts usually consist of chai (tea), toast, fruit, and fried dough, and lunch and dinner can include meat, vegetables, rice, Chapatis, and fruit.

Facilities

There are plenty of small shops nearby that will sell all the basics you’ll need throughout the week. There are also ATM’s, banks, a local pharmacy and a hospital within walking distance.

Transportation

From this location, we do not provide free transport to other locations. Our staff will support you with arranging transport if you are planning a weekend away outwith your planned cultural holiday events.

Trip Country Info

Tanzania

Population: 55 million
Capital: Dodoma
Language: Swahili, English
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Time zone: EAT (UTC +3)

Parts of the country are in Southern Africa and it is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south; and by the Indian Ocean to the east. It is home to Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, in its northeastern region and is considered the Safari capital of the world!

Tanzania is a presidential constitutional republic, and since 1996, its official capital city has been Dodoma, where the President’s Office, the National Assembly, and some government ministries are located. Dar es Salaam, the former capital and its largest city, retains most government offices and is the country’s principal port and leading commercial centre.

Volunteer holidays to Tanzania are enjoyed in a land of spectacular beauty, and one of the largest countries in Africa. It lies on the east coast of Africa and is bordered to the north by Kenya and Uganda, to the west is Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia and to the south are Malawi and Mozambique. Tanzania comprises of coastal lowland, volcanic highlands, the Great Rift Valley and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. We have a selection of volunteering programs in Tanzania with placements at orphanages, teaching & medical placements.

Tanzania is the only country in the world which has allocated at least 25 per cent of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas, including the world famous Serengeti National Park. We provide exciting gap adventures to Tanzania, backpacking holidays and volunteering work experience programs.  If you are interested in volunteering in Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro have a look at our latest programs below or give us a call for more information.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent

Additional Requirements

Recommended Vaccinations

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa