If you close your eyes and envision the quintessential romantic image of Africa, images of Tanzania will most likely appear; the migration of wild beasts along a seemingly endless savanne; the snow and glaciers of Kilimanjaro; the stately Masai fighters; the exotic palm-fringed beaches of Zanzibar. It's all there.
Tanzania has some of the most impressive national parks and game reserves in Africa. The Serengeti National Park is considered the continent's premier place to watch wildlife roam unimpeded across vast plains.
Within the steep walls of the Ngorongoro Crater lives the largest population of African mammals. Then we should certainly not forget the Selous game reserve, which is larger in area than Belgium and the Netherlands and is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Even further off the beaten track are the parks in the far west of the country. These offer the unique opportunity to track chimpanzees in their natural habitat on the edge of Lake Tanganyika, one of the largest lakes in Africa.
Moreover, Tanzania has a beautiful coastline of no less than 804 km with pearly white beaches with a number of beautiful islands off the coast. It is known as the Swahili Coast. This was a favorite stop on ancient trade routes between the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. Spices, jewelry and slaves passed here, bringing a medley of cultural riches that are still visible today.
Tanzania also has no shortage of mountains. The most striking is of course the snow-capped Kilimanjaro and is also the highest mountain in Africa at 5.895 m.
Tanzania has more than 120 different ethnic groups and cultures, but it has seen little ethnic or religious violence that has affected other nations in the region. In fact, the country is a peaceful place and embraces its multicultural heritage, adding to its wide appeal.
Located at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Moshi is the country's coffee-producing center. Around the city and on the slopes of Kilimanjaro there are large plantations of coffee that cover the area.
Coffee is a mainstay of life in Moshi. The Seasonal Coffee Auctions, offering wholesale coffee, packaged and sold to international buyers, is an event not to be missed while in town. In addition to the coffee auction, Moshi's coffee roaster provides a delicious-smelling insight into the production of this famous drink. Sugar plantations are also critical to the region's economy.
Walking around Moshi and visiting the coffee plantations are activities that most visitors come to Moshi for. But the main reason visitors come to Moshi is for Mount Kilimanjaro, the mountain whose thick cloud and snow-capped peak towers over the farming town. Climbing expeditions depart early in the morning from the city to Kilimanjaro National Park.
Whether you're in Moshi to trek to the top of Africa or to learn more about coffee growing and production, Moshi is a haven of peace and tranquility, whose quiet streets offer a warm welcome in beautiful surroundings.
The local NGO believes that they can develop self-reliance together with the local partners (adapted to the disability: for children, youth and young adults.). The target group is made aware of their own abilities that are created by this. You work for an I-NGO that offers tailor-made care for children with a mental disability and their families.
An exchange program will enable our Tanzanian partners to better fulfill their role in the special education and healthcare system. This is made possible thanks to the dynamism of our volunteers and the cooperation of local and other stakeholders. Our cooperation is based on a respectful dialogue, the exchange of knowledge, taking into account long-term cooperation.
You stay in a hostel or with a family. Depending on your wishes and in consultation with the implementing NGO. Your project is a 25-minute drive from your accommodation. The costs of the stay are agreed in consultation. The transport to and from the center is done with the transport of the partner organization in the morning at 7.30 AM and 4 PM in the evening.
The bathrooms have a western toilet, sink, mirror and shower with hot water. Sheets and towels are included, these must remain inside, for trips you must bring your own towel. Bring an African plug, wifi is sometimes more difficult, but then we can always go to the center. There is free or very cheap Wi-Fi in most places. Consulting with Umoja is easier and prevents stress. It is useful if you bring your own laptop.
You always have breakfast and dinner (Mon-Fri) in your hostel or family, you usually have your lunch at the project. In the family cook yourself. In the hostel you can order breakfast or dinner for 2,5 €.
The center of Moshi has changed in recent years due to the many motorcycle taxis and bajajs and is therefore chaotic. Be sure to discuss with our local partner which transport you should take to keep it safe.
De markt of Moshi is a colorful and lively place that should definitely be visited. As you walk around Moshi town, you will notice colorful shops with African printed fabrics, such as Kanga's, Kitenge's and Batiks. Don't forget to visit Arusha.
Speak directly to our partner organization as there is so much more to do on the weekends and much cheaper to book it here.
The Seasonal Coffee Auctions, offering wholesale coffee, packaged and sold to international buyers, is an event not to be missed while in town. In addition to the coffee auction, Moshi's coffee roaster provides a delicious-smelling insight into the production of this famous drink. Sugar plantations are also critical to the region's economy.
Walking around Moshi and visiting the coffee plantations are activities that most visitors come to Moshi for.
The main reason visitors come to Moshi is for Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain whose thick clouds and snow-capped peak towers over the agricultural town. Climbing expeditions depart early in the morning from the city to Kilimanjaro National Park.
Obviously it is for the most adventurous among us. Are you adventurous and in Tanzania? Then you should not miss this opportunity.
If you are not able to or do not have the right condition, a day walk might be a nice alternative.
The Mandara day trip starts from Kilimanjaro National Park headquarters and the walk takes about 4 to 6 hours to reach Mandara depending on how fit you are. It's an easy hike that will reward you with stunning views all the way to plains in Kenya wannbefore you reach Maundi Crater.
Take a fun day trip to the Marangu waterfall.
Materuni waterfalls are less than an hour's walk from the nearby village. With a height of 150 m, it is considered to be the highest waterfall in the Kilimanjaro region. If you want to swim in chilly waters, don't forget to bring a swimsuit as the lagoon is safe to swim in.
Lake Chala is amazing. A real piece of Africa. Bordering Kenya and about two hours away from Moshi by car. It is a perfect choice for those who want to relaxannand by walking a bit around the crater lake, enjoying the tranquility of the place and if you go at the right time of year, herds of elephants will keep you company in the distance.
Yes, Tanzania is full of surprises and Chemka Hot Springs is one of them! If you want to escape the crowds in Moshi, these hot springs are the best place to relaxannand. One of the rare places that looks exactly like the internet photos. The lagoon has warm water that is pleasant to swim in and small fish to nibble on your toes.
Spend your time on the weekend or after work on one of the beautiful tropical beaches such as Zanzibar or Pangani.
Go on safari in the Serengeti.
Volunteering abroad comes at a cost and it is not the intention that the community you will help have to pay for it. If there were sufficient budgets to cover these costs, we would spend it on a local employee who knows the local culture and daily customs. If you want to know more about our transparent system, take a look at the transparency page.
These costs, which you pay on site, are specific to your stay, such as your accommodation and meals. Through payable locally you are also sure that your contribution will go directly to the person who organizes it and will not be left behind at various “intermediate stations”.
Note: these costs are only for individual volunteer work. For group projects, different prices apply depending on various factors
Do you pay from €4 for 300 weeks, depending on your wish list? In close consultation, we will look together for a room that you feel comfortable in. The 1st and 2nd nights are arranged and then you can make your own choice together with the local partner. The prices below are indicative.
We want to ensure that there is sufficient influx of volunteers to keep each project viable. After all, many projects require continuity from volunteers in order for the project to succeed or to create sufficient impact. Unfortunately, marketing and raising volunteers costs a lot of money. The budgets that the participating organizations collect during recruitment campaigns are used to develop projects in the south for the benefit of the local population and we therefore do not want to address these funds for marketing campaigns.
The membership fee serves to cover the costs of our volunteer platform. We ask each participant for a one-time contribution of €130. This is only the first time volunteering and only after you have been accepted. After payment of this contribution, you can do unlimited volunteer work in the future at any project (if there is room and you meet the requirements of course).
As soon as you are a member, we will inform you as soon as new projects are added to our alliance.
What is your connection fee used for?
You can read all about the possible costs on our transparency page.
We will of course not let you leave without thorough preparation and guidance. With Volunteer Abroad Allliance we have developed a system that ensures that you can sleep soundly and leave with peace of mind for your volunteer work abroad. As soon as you have been accepted and everything has been arranged, you can count on the guidance of our experts.
Once you are registered and accepted for your project, your preparation can begin. You already get a lot to read on the website, but you can also prepare for your trip in other ways. Once you have arrived, you can also count on the guidance of our local team.
Volunteering will have an impact on you and on the local population. We think it is very important to create awareness for you as a volunteer, so that you can optimally prepare for what awaits you as a volunteer. That is why you will receive the login codes for the project page after acceptance as a volunteer. Here you will find information that is important to you as a volunteer for your preparation. You can read everything about your project, accommodation, instructions for a visa application, a packing list, cultural advice for your country and much more…
Our experienced mentor will contact you and will help you with advice and answers to the questions you have. Your mentor is a member of an organization that is part of our alliance and has been working with fundraising for the project you are traveling to for years, so you can speak of a real specialist. Our mentors are members of our alliance and have years of experience in the projects. This system ensures that you receive 100% expert guidance from VAA.
Despite the fact that we consist of great projects, it is no longer feasible for our volunteers who carried this alliance.
Soon you will find a list of the participating organizations so that you can contact them directly.
In the meantime, the registration form on this website has been closed.
