Nestled in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's most epic peak, you'll find the small town of Moshi. And this topographical giant is just one of the incredible wonders of nature that you'll find in the region. During your time as a volunteer in Tanzania with the Chagga community, the people of Moshi, you'll be working in a landscape full of waterfalls, coffee plantations, and banana fields.
You'll be working among a landscape full of waterfalls...
Among the most prevalent issues that local people in Moshi deal with are those presented by the lack of resources, residual effects of a colonial past, and the impact of HIV/AIDS. As a Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer in Tanzania, you'll have a chance to work side by side with local communities as they work to address these social issues and work toward a more economically independent and sustainable future.
As a volunteer in Tanzania, you'll assist with the growth and development of children, improve education for children, improve the quality of care of people with disabilities, or support those affected by HIV/AIDS. With CCS, you'll experience a culture like never before. With constant opportunities to immerse yourself in the local community, discover your surroundings, and engage in genuine cultural exchange, when you volunteer in Tanzania you'll see the world as you never have before.
Each volunteer does their part in small and large ways working side-by-side with community members to contribute to effecting change in the following areas of work…
Say hujambo -- hello -- to your new home on a CCS staff-led tour of Kilimanjaro. You'll learn where to find the internet cafes and money exchanges, and how to catch the bus. You'll also pick up some useful tips on how to navigate the market crowds and haggle with local vendors. You'll kick your Tanzanian street smarts up a notch or two, and in no time, start to feel comfortable and at home.
Practice your Swahili, the official and national language of Tanzania, twice a week with a local teacher right in the comfort of your Home-Base. Start with the basics before graduating to the advanced lessons. You’ll find yourself communicating more effectively at your volunteer assignment, and haggling like an expert at the market in no time.
Learn how to prepare traditional Tanzanian dishes during cooking classes with our amazing CCS cook. You’ll become acquainted with common ingredients like cardamom, saffron, and coriander, as well as how each dish fits within broader cultural traditions.
Weekly discussions hosted by CCS staff and guest speakers will help provide context to your experience. You'll enjoy an incredible variety of relevant topics including common greetings and local slang, everyday dress, rituals and ceremonies, “Tanzanian Flex Time,” gender issues, education, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Each week, you and your group will venture out for a staff-led adventure. You may have a chance to take a day trip to rural villages in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro and learn about traditional trades or perhaps you'll learn about the indigenous Chagga tribe when you visit a Chagga museum. No matter where you go, you'll likely have a chance to wrap up the day with a nice hike through the uniquely Tanzanian landscape.
What better way to learn about life in Kilimanjaro than from the experts – local families. Visit the home of a local family to learn first-hand about family structures and cultural norms, including the significance of being a guest in someone’s house. Join a family for tea and take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions and share your own story, too.
If you're not yet familiar with Africa's "Big Five," study up. Soon you'll be reciting this list of the five most sought after animal encounters on command, and after a visit to Serengeti, you'll have your own stories to share. Watch as water buffalo graze along a river's edge, herds of elephants walk out of the African night and into view, leopards zip across grassy flats, rhinos wander between shady oases, and lions sun themselves on rocky outcrops.
Ngorongoro Crater is not only a prime safari destination, it’s also an incredible natural and historical wonder as the site of the oldest known human fossils. Start with a day trip to Lake Manyara and rent a canoe for an afternoon paddle. Next, head to Ngorongoro Crater and camp out under the star-filled sky in the birthplace of mankind. Drift to sleep to the distant sounds of roaming lions.
photo credit: kitetravellerWhether you opt for a day trip or the more rigorous week-long summit, Kilimanjaro is right in your own back yard, so take advantage! Climb to the top and count yourself among those few adventurers who have summitted Africa's highest peak. If you're interested in a day hike, the site of the Tanzanian landscape from 8858 feet will be worth it.
In Swahili, "Chemka" means boiling, or bubbling. Visit Chemka Hot Springs for a tranquil dip in the warm mineral spring water. Fig trees line the natural pool's perimeter and make the setting a perfect spot for a peaceful picnic or a relaxing afternoon soak.
Spend a day among the Maasai, a people who have sustained their traditional practices and semi-nomadic lifestyle for centuries. Maasai elders guide you through their village and explain their rich culture and way of life. Sit spellbound as you watch a powerful drumming and dance performance, and don't pass up a chance to join in.
Hit the markets to pick up some beautiful kangas -- brightly colored fabric with popular sayings or morals printed on them -- and take them to the local seamstress and you’ll be decked out in a custom-made outfit in no time! Join your new friends from Kili at a downtown café, where you can share some fresh Tanzanian coffee and socialize in Swahili, or just jam to some East African reggae.
A semi-autonomous island off the coast of Tanzania, Zanzibar is a destination not to be missed. Enjoy the fusion of Muslim and traditional influences in historic Stone Town, or take a spice tour just outside of the capital's perimeter. Haggle over a local fisherman's fresh catch on the island's white sand beaches, or slip into one of many hammocks strung along the beach and get lost in the ebb of flow of the vivid blue ocean that stretches on forever.
Reserve your spot today with a deposit of just $275!
