Why should you choose some activities in Tanzania?Volunteering in Tanzania offers far more than simply lending a hand; it’s a chance to become part of a land that holds some of the most vivid natural and cultural landscapes on Earth. With a rich intersection of wildlife, coast, mountains, and community life, your time here can be both meaningful and exhilarating. Choosing well-designed tourism activities in Tanzania means you don’t simply observe, you engage, you learn, you reflect, and you grow. Whether it is exploring the plains on safari, wandering spice-scented streets in a coastal town, or helping with a community project, the mix of service and discovery here is powerful. |
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While your volunteering in Tanzania might centre on childcare, teaching, or healthcare, there are many ways to layer in memorable side experiences that enhance your stay. You might join a local cooking class, help build a community garden, or visit a coffee plantation to understand the livelihoods around you. You could take a half-day nature walk, join a cultural immersion with local families, or attend a clay-pottery workshop in a village. These kinds of cultural activities in Tanzania add depth to your volunteering stay and allow you to connect with the place in a lasting way.
Tanzania is famed for its wide-open spaces, wild animals, and epic adventures. With more than twenty national parks and conservation areas, you can experience game drives, walk in the shadows of elephants, watch flocks of flamingos, and witness the Great Migration in motion.
While one end is adventure, on the other end of the spectrum, you will find beautiful beaches and sapphire waters of the Indian Ocean coast. Leave your safari boots on the sand and let the sand run between your toes to be one with nature. Live the laid-back beach life while exploring coral reefs and spice farms for the most authentic experience.
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Day trips and other attractions in TanzaniaThere are many weekend trips that can be easily organized once here. These include overnight stays at tribal villages, especially the Maasai villages or Hadzabe Bushmen. An overnight stay at the beautiful Lake Challa or travel 2 hours by bus to Arusha town for some added nightlife and shopping.
If you’re looking for day trips, why not include a day hike on Mt Kilimanjaro, visit the hot springs, journey up to the waterfalls or take a coffee tour. At Hostel Hoff, we can assist with organizing any of these activities plus many more. |
Safaris are the most obvious and most popular excursions with 1-15 day trips available. Here you can experience the famous migration show in the Serengeti, search for the tree climbing lions in Manyara, view huge elephant herds in Tarangire or be lucky enough to spot a rhino in the spectacular Ngorongoro Crater, the 8th Natural Wonder of the World.
Small group camping safaris of 4-6 days are the most common option for volunteers as they are the most cost-effective and provide an incredible experience of sleeping in the middle of the Serengeti and other parks, a memory that will never be forgotten.
Mt. Kilimanjaro is right at our doorstep and one of the most famous and accesible mountains to hike in the world. Its diverse ecosystem is only surpassed by the amazing views from the summit.
Kilimanjaro is most commonly hiked over 6-8 days with various routes to choose from. Both seasoned trekkers and reasonably fit first timers can enjoy this incredible experience.
Other options include Mt. Meru a 3-4 day hike up Tanzania’s second tallest mountain, Oldoinyo Lengai at Lake Natron which includes a 10-12 hour hike up an active volcano, hiking the Pare Mountains for a weekend get away or various other local day trip options.
One of the most famous and iconic beach islands in all of Africa can be reached from Moshi via a one hour flight or bus and short ferry ride.
It’s beautiful beaches provide fun relaxing days of sunbathing, snorkeling, diving as well as a variety of beach activities.
Stone Town, a fascinating township filled with important history and cultural diversity is lined with narrow cobbled streets full of shops and local artisans. You can be sure to find some wonderful fresh sea food as well.
Many volunteer programmes in Tanzania make booking side-trips easy, offering trusted local partners to take care of logistics so your downtime is relaxing and safe. When you’re ready to book your safari or excursion, look for transparent notes on cost, what’s included (transport, meals, park fees), pick-ups from your base, and guide credentials. For example, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the northern circuit is a popular option, and you’ll want certified guides and clear equipment lists.
For those coming for longer periods of time, you can go in organise trips and excursions with other volunteers on arrival. Joining small groups together will make your Kilimanjaro climbs, trips or safaris more cost-effective.
If you are coming for a shorter stay, and have specific dates or activities in mind, it’s best to contact Hostel Hoff or African Scenic Safaris to help organise your Tanzanian activities. We will do our best to arrange groups for you to join that can be confirmed in advance.
Hostel Hoff and African Scenic Safaris share the same management, and while you can book activities otherwise, we offer substantial discounts for the volunteers during their volunteering stint in Tanzania. Click to see the latest Trip Advisor reviews.
Whether you choose a one-day trip or a multi-day safari, planning ahead ensures your volunteering schedule and adventure time are in harmony, so you can rest, reflect, and explore.
Once you’re done with your volunteer work, you can escape to the Zanzibar Archipelago. This tropical heaven provides a much-needed calm after an intense service stint. You can relax on its white-sand beaches, visit the spice farms and carved coral houses, and soak in the ocean sunset. A must-see place is Stone Town – its narrow alleyways and rich history make it a cultural highlight. Make it a perfect getaway with utmost relaxation, snorkelling, village visits, and seaside chats.
For the adventurous among you, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a bucket-list experience. Towering over the Tanzanian landscape, this peak gives you extraordinary vistas, a physical challenge, and a deep sense of achievement. It’s wise to plan rest days before or after such a climb so that your body and your mind can savour the moment rather than rush through it.
Set aside time for the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a vast collapsed caldera full of wildlife, forested hills, and sweeping views. The crater rim walks and vantage points allow you to appreciate wildlife, geology, and Tanzanian nature in one immersive setting. It’s a perfect blend of wilderness activity and contemplative time.
If you’re looking for hidden-gem terrain, the Udzungwa Mountains National Park offers rainforest hikes, waterfalls, and lesser-visited trails. You’ll leave the crowds behind and step into lush biodiversity. For volunteers who want nature-rich activity and a quiet pace, this is an ideal choice.
Tanzania also provides primate tracking experiences, walking through forest habitat, and observing chimpanzees in their natural habitat. It’s a different kind of adventure, one that connects you to conservation and the complex ecosystems of East Africa. These moments stay with you.
Tanzania is rich in biodiversity and has hundreds of species of interesting avians, that you would be fascinated with. If you want to go for the most peaceful, reflective, but patience-testing activity, bird-watching would win the spot. See if you can spot the seasonal migratory birds, colourful endemics or graceful water-birds – and with that, the early morning outings, quite binocular moments and listening to the birds at dawn would be the moments to cherish for life.
Volunteering in Tanzania brings you close to vibrant community life, unforgettable nature, and meaningful service. Whether you’re assisting local educators in class or supporting medical staff or women and empowering them with skill-building, you will get a rich blend of opportunities in exploration, reflection and fun. You will carry an impactful story of your stay in Tanzania.
Ready to combine volunteer work with memorable things to do in Tanzania? Let’s get started.
“Everything was well prepared and I got exactly what I expected and paid for. The safari was together with other people staying at the hostel, and I’ll never forget sleeping in a tent in the middle of nowhere hearing lions roar and elephants walking through our campsite in the middle of the night. It was truly amazing”
