The experience was one of the best I've had in my life! Being able to live with the Massai and getting to learn their culture was amazing. They are warm welcoming people and I felt safe the whole time there.
Volunteer in Tanzania
Discover International Volunteer HQ’s popular Tanzania volunteer abroad program. Choose from a wide range of trusted Tanzania volunteer projects, including Teaching, Medical, Childcare, Women’s Education, Sustainable Agriculture, Construction and Renovation and Animal Welfare. Volunteer opportunities in Tanzania are based in Arusha and surrounding rural communities. With affordable Program Fees and top rated volunteer projects trusted by over 158,000 travellers, IVHQ is the best volunteer organisation in Tanzania.
- 8 meaningful project options available year-round
- Program Fees from AU$541 for 1 week
- Includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals, and 24/7 in-country support
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Accommodation is in either a volunteer house or homestay in Arusha
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Incredible tours and experiences available, including safari, Mount Kilimanjaro and Maasai village tours
Key information
Volunteer opportunities in Tanzania
Volunteer with animals
5-6 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$688
- Duration: 1 - 16 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Diverse work across a clinic, a shelter and home visits
- Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Assist a local vet delivering mobile care to farm and domestic animals around Arusha.
Increases access to education
3-5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$541
- Duration: 1 - 16 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Based in childcare centres
- Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Volunteer in childcare centres and kindergartens in low-income areas, helping with all aspects of supervising and stimulating local children, including in lessons, games and in break times.
Supports community development
3-5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$613
- Duration: 1 - 16 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Based at community centres & schools
- Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Get involved in important renovation and building projects in kindergartens, childcare centers, schools and other community spaces in Arusha. By helping improve infrastructure in Tanzania, you'll be supporting the learning and development of local people.
Develops cross-cultural learning
3-5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$1274
- Duration: 2 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Based at a village in remote Maasailand
- Volunteers aged 18+, and 14+ accompanied
Live like the Maasai people on this truly unique cultural immersion experience. Help in the village with farming, teaching, bead making or building to support the learning and development of local people.
Improves health & wellbeing
4-6 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$615
- Duration: 1 - 16 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Based in clinics and hospitals
- Volunteers aged 18+
Shadow and assist local medical professionals in clinics and hospitals around Arusha. Observe healthcare in a developing country and learn about efficient treatment in an underprivileged community.
Conserves the environment
Up to 8 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$688
- Duration: 1 - 16 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Based on community & family farms
- Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Help improve sustainable farming techniques within the local community in Tanzania. Support local farmers by implementing sustainable practices to ensure food security.
Increases access to education
5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$541
- Duration: 1 - 16 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Based in local schools
- Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Teach a wide range of subjects in schools in low-income parts of Tanzania. Help local teachers and lead classes of up to 50 students, delivering more focused education for underprivileged children.
Supports gender equality
3-5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from AU$659
- Duration: 1 - 16 weeks
- Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
- Based with a local NGO
- Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Help to elevate local Tanzanian women who come from challenging backgrounds, giving them a chance to upskill and work towards earning a sustainable income.
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
Although I had initially applied for IVHQ out of curiosity and because it was the most affordable program I found, I fully pursued this opportunity because of how organized and trusted the program was. Especially since it was my first time travelling that far from home. The whole team was excellent from start to end and made me always feel safe.
My orientation provided all the information I needed to feel comfortable and I felt safe during my whole stay in Arusha. Plus the cooking is amazingggg. Their food is so good.
I gained amazing friends with similars perspective about giving to others. I have never been to Africa before and I learned so so much about their culture! I got to see the richness of their land and people. If someone is hesitant I would say do it! You will gain so much from this experience. The team is so supportive and flexible with everything that you won't feel alone and they walk with you at every step of the process.
I learned a great deal about myself during this trip. It was my first time traveling solo, and the experience allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, build meaningful connections, and form new friendships. It also opened my eyes to different ways of life, which was incredibly humbling. The people I met along the way made the experience even more special, and I truly appreciated every moment and everyone involved.
For anyone who may feel hesitant about taking this kind of journey, my advice is not to be afraid or intimidated by new adventures. You are guided every step of the way, and the support you receive makes the entire process comfortable and rewarding. By the end, you may find that you don’t want to leave!
Volunteering through this program has genuinely been one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I gained so much more than I expected, not just practical experience, but perspective, gratitude, resilience, and a deeper understanding of community.
Working alongside the local teachers and meeting the children completely shifted the way I see the world. It reminded me how powerful connection, love, and education really are. Despite limited resources, the joy, generosity, and strength within the community were incredible. I learned that meaningful impact isn’t about doing something huge, it’s about showing up consistently, listening, and being willing to learn.
I also gained confidence in myself. Being placed in an unfamiliar environment pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way. It strengthened my adaptability, cultural awareness, and ability to communicate across language barriers. I left with lifelong friendships, both with fellow volunteers and the local community, and a renewed sense of purpose in the work I want to pursue in health and community settings.
To anyone who feels hesitant about joining, it’s completely normal to feel nervous. I did too. But growth happens in those moments. If you are open-minded, willing to be flexible, and ready to learn, this program will give you more than you could imagine. It’s not always easy, but it is deeply meaningful. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Webinar: Volunteering abroad in Tanzania with IVHQ
Considering volunteering abroad in Tanzania? Watch the replay of our webinar where our experts will answer all your questions, give their top program recommendations, and give you tips and tricks to make the most of your volunteer abroad program.
Popular tours & experiences in Tanzania
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular tours and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Tanzania program.
A 2 day safari in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Experience the Roof of Africa: One-Day Hike to Mandara Point with Stunning Scenery and Wildlife Encounters
Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life on a full day tour to Maasailand.
A 2 day safari in Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.
Experience the Roof of Africa: One-Day Hike to Mandara Point with Stunning Scenery and Wildlife Encounters
Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life on a full day tour to Maasailand.
Check what's required to visit Tanzania
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.









