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Animal Welfare Volunteering in Tanzania - Arusha

Animal Welfare Volunteering in Tanzania - Arusha

Interested in caring for and ensuring the well being of animals in Tanzania? International Volunteer HQ’s Animal Welfare project is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to assist a local vet with treating farm and domestic animals. Volunteers gain animal care experience helping in a shelter and while visiting farms and homes around Arusha to deliver veterinary care in action in a developing country.

Highlights:
  • Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
  • Affordable fees from AU$601 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Help a local vet care for and treat farm animals and pets

  • Experience Africa’s amazing wildlife and landscapes

  • Explore Tanzania’s rich and diverse culture

Key information

Care for domestic and farm animals
Diverse work across a clinic, a shelter and home visits
Stay in a volunteer house or a homestay
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$601 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 16 weeks
Add on a safari in the Serengeti
Up to 6 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers who love animals and are passionate about animal welfare. No experience of animal care or veterinary training is required as you’ll be working closely with a local veterinarian.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

The Animal Welfare project is a unique and exciting chance for volunteers to help treat farm and domestic animals, delivering animal care and experiencing veterinary care in a developing country. As an Animal Welfare volunteer you’ll be placed with a local veterinarian, treating animals such as:

  • Donkeys
  • Chickens
  • Cows
  • Other livestock
  • Domestic animals such as dogs and cats

This is a diverse project where volunteers work across a basic clinic, a shelter and travel with the vet to farms and homes around Arusha, learning about common diseases and ailments in animals in Tanzania. The vet has advanced knowledge about animal welfare so he also offers advice and training to farmers on multiple subjects, when required, including providing donkey clinics advising people on how to make basic donkey patted carriers and saddle bags.

The vet has a small clinic with basic equipment, so the vet is able to perform small procedures and surgeries which you can support him with where possible. Volunteers can get involved with a variety of tasks such as vaccinations, delivering treatment to sick animals, neutering animals and much more.

Every day with the vet is different. The vet owns dogs and cats at the shelter based just next to the clinic, which volunteers can help with dog walking, washing, feeding and playing, as the aim is to get these pets adopted.

Volunteers wishing to take part in the Animal Welfare project are recommended to get the Rabies vaccination to do hands-on work with some animals. Volunteers can take part on the project without having had the vaccination, but it is important to keep in mind that this may limit the amount of hands-on work you can do.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #15: Life on Land

Human activity has altered almost 75% of the earth’s surface and around 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction. Nature is critical to our survival. We must promote kindness to animals and use regenerative techniques to combat deforestation, conserve biodiversity and protect wildlife.

Why do Animal Welfare volunteering in Arusha with IVHQ?

When you volunteer with animals in Tanzania you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Assisting a local vet to care for animals
  • Learning about animal welfare in a developing country
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining animal care experience
  • Immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture
  • Discovering Africa’s incredible wildlife

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or friend who is over 18 to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program independently, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure, or if aged under 18 need to provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

LS
Lise St-Jean
17 Oct 2023

I was very happy with the family I was staying with. The local family was always helpful and generous with their time, kept extremely clean home and were wonderful company. I would highly recommend them to others. My experience was somewhat what I was expecting it to be. But I didn’t expect be so touched by so many kind, compassionate, caring people as I have been, both within IVHQ and outside.

I discovered a culture that has at its very roots a mentality and desire to get along with others, not a typically arrogant culture based on war and rejecting outsiders but accepting and assimilating to maintain peace with others. I’ve witnessed and experienced this natural ability and desire in the Tanzanian people to greet and converse with perfect strangers as though they were best friends. Of course, I know, I’m viewing this through the eyes of a tourist visiting for a short time but I’ve sense and felt this genuine love and curiosity for others everyday and everywhere. There is something special here despite the terrible hardships the majority are experiencing. Part of my heart will always be here, I have never left a country feeling so much affection for a people.

I hope that I can come back some day and truly help in some way. I came here because through IVHQ I knew I would be well protected and cared for while trying to do some good in a country that was totally foreign to me. Anyone, young or older as myself (age 64), who wants to travel and feel safe should not hesitate to choose the IVHQ volunteer programs.

...
EN
Emmalyn Norman
04 Oct 2023

I gained a sense of accomplishment by stepping outside my comfort zone and experiencing something totally new. It was amazing meeting people from all over the world with the same values and desire to give back as myself.

...
CM
Caoimhe McMahon-Walsh
02 Aug 2023

I've gained confidence and independence within myself as I went out of my comfort zone and loved everything about my trip.

...
EW
Ellie Watkins
02 Aug 2023

Volunteering in Tanzania was amazing to learn about a new culture and to meet people from all over the world, I was only there for 2 weeks and have made some friends for life 100%.

...
AH
Aulikki Hyrskykari
22 Mar 2023

It is very important, that the older volunteers are provided with the possibility of homestay. It was one of the things that help us to get a deeper understanding of the local customs and culture. In terms of food, it was very interesting and enjoyable to get home cooked meals. Days at work were very interesting, learning to know the country and its culture would have been much more superficial without the placement. I could understand how people are basically so similar everywhere, after all, even if the circumstances and culture are very different. Be prepared to step out of your comfort zone.

...
MB
Molly Ann Barre
21 Sep 2022

My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was the evenings spent with the other volunteers. Also, working at my placement with the dogs in the shelter was very impactful. It's an experience like no other and will definitely alter you for the better. Volunteering on my own as a female was made easier and safer by IVHQ's care.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

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Volunteer Abroad in Tanzania with IVHQ

Location

The IVHQ Tanzania volunteer program is based in Arusha, a small city often used as the base of many safari trips into the Serengeti and other national parks. It’s also near Africa’s highest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro. Tanzania as a whole is known for its seemingly boundless areas of wilderness where African animals roam, sometimes migrating in vast groups across the plains; and also being the country where the oldest human skull and even older fossils of human ancestors were found.

Despite its many attractions, communities in many parts of Tanzania still lack access to the basic necessities of life. Volunteer projects based in rural and urban areas around Arusha and nearby help to provide better access to healthcare, education and childcare.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the 1st and 15th of every month and volunteers need to arrive in Arusha on the day before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport (ARK) in Arusha. Your airport pick-up is included in your program fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation. When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Arusha. Your accommodation is covered by your program fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in Tanzania prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Arusha on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our local team at one of the volunteer houses in Arusha. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date. If your start date falls on a weekend or a public holiday, your orientation will begin on the Monday or day following the public holiday. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Tanzania – an introduction to Tanzania, Tanzanian customs, rules and expectations, language lessons (Kiswahili), safety, travel opportunities in Tanzania, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On the first day of the volunteering placement, you will be escorted to the project by our local staff and introduced to the staff at the project you will be working with

Weekdays - Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at. A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

07:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.
8:00 AM Volunteers leave accommodation and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the placement that volunteers are working at.
1:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing. Medical, Construction and Renovation, Sustainable and Agriculture, Animal Welfare and Maasai Immersion volunteers can work in the afternoon if they wish.
6:30 - 7:30 PM Dinner is available at the volunteer accommodation.

Weekends

On the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore Cape Town or other areas in South Africa. See unusual wildlife like antelope and penguins, visit the spot where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, paraglide off a rock high above the city, visit a local vineyard, or watch the sun sink into the Atlantic ocean with a glass of the region’s finest wine in your hand.

Long weekends can be taken if volunteers wish to go on safari, bungy jump, or travel to places further afield, such as the Garden Route or Stellenbosch.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers in Tanzania are accommodated in dorm-style volunteer houses or homestays located in Sakina, Arusha. In the volunteer houses, volunteers can expect to share a room with one to ten other volunteers of the same gender; however, the majority of rooms accommodate 4-6 people.

Currently, there are two homestays available, located next to each other. One homestay can accommodate up to 10 volunteers, and the other can accommodate up to 6, with rooms also being separated by gender. Typically, rooms can fit a maximum of 4 people.

Living conditions are basic, but the volunteer houses and homestays have running water and electricity. It’s important to note that there are often power outages, which can affect the availability of hot water and electricity. There are cooks who prepare meals for the volunteers, and each volunteer house has a security guard.

Please be aware that private room upgrades are not available in Tanzania.

If you would like to stay connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Tanzania. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card and data during your program orientation. Additionally, you can access WiFi at cafes and restaurants in Arusha.

If you wish to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you at US$35 (approximately AU$56) per person per night, including meals, subject to availability. You will be able to book extra nights via your profile after you register.

Meals

Tanzanian cuisine varies across the country due to differences in produce found inland and along the coast. The immigration of Khoja Indians has influenced local dishes with Indian flavors. Staple foods in Tanzania include rice, ugali (maize porridge), chapatti, and beans. Please keep in mind that rice and beans are significant components of meals in Tanzania, so you can expect to be served these quite often.

Volunteers are provided with three meals a day at the volunteer houses and homestays. Breakfast typically consists of eggs served with pancakes, mandazzi (deep-fried dough balls), or cake, along with plenty of fresh fruit, bread, and a selection of jams and other spreads for toast.

Lunch and dinner usually feature a traditional meat dish (chicken or beef) alongside a vegetable dish, beans, lentils, or cooked vegetables served with rice, pasta, chips, or chapatti.

Meals are served at the accommodations, but lunch boxes with fruits and sandwiches can be provided upon request if your placement is scheduled to finish after lunchtime.

Bottled water is readily available in Tanzania, and volunteers should budget approximately $5 per week for 2 liters a day. Filtered water is also available at the accommodations, and you can choose between purchasing bottled water or using the free filtered water provided in the houses.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please inform us so that the local team can make arrangements for you. They can provide vegetarian meals and options that are dairy and gluten-free; however, please note that vegan, halal, and kosher options are not available. Keep in mind that your eating experience may differ from what you’re accustomed to at home. The local team will do their best to accommodate your needs and ensure volunteers are well taken care of, but it’s essential for volunteers to remain flexible.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$600 Equivalent to AU$86/day
2 weeks AU$793 Equivalent to AU$57/day
3 weeks AU$1073 Equivalent to AU$51/day
4 weeks AU$1297 Equivalent to AU$46/day
5 weeks AU$1538 Equivalent to AU$44/day
6 weeks AU$1778 Equivalent to AU$42/day
8 weeks AU$2283 Equivalent to AU$41/day
10 weeks AU$2812 Equivalent to AU$40/day
12 weeks AU$3340 Equivalent to AU$40/day
16 weeks AU$4398 Equivalent to AU$39/day
  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Independent volunteers under the age of 18 will have an additional cost of US$80 per week added to their program fee to cover extra logistical support provided by the local team.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Tanzania generally find US$75-100 per week to be sufficient for expenses.

Free-time experiences & tours in Tanzania

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Tanzania! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Tanzania program.

Kifaru Safari
Kifaru Safari

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.

AU$558
Maasai Village Tours
Maasai Village Tours

Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life. Volunteers can choose between half or full day trips.

From AU$128
Moshi Trips
Moshi Trips

An opportunity to visit Moshi Town, the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park. Volunteers can choose between 1 or 2 day trips.

From AU$112
Maasai Village Tours
Maasai Village Tours

Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life. Volunteers can choose between half or full day trips.

From AU$128
Kifaru Safari
Kifaru Safari

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.

AU$558
Rafiki Safari
Rafiki Safari

A 4 day safari in Serengeti National Park & Ngorongoro Crater where you will have the opportunity to see amazing wildlife in their natural habitat.

AU$1091

Check what's required to visit Tanzania

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Dodoma
Population 58 million
Languages Swahili and English
Currency Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Time zone UTC+03:00

Weather and climate

Tanzania is hot throughout the year and is humid on the coast and dry on the central plateau. The heavy rains last from March to June and can make unsealed road travel difficult. The hot, dry weather in January and February attracts the most tourists. The best time to visit the Serengeti is from January to March, when the grazers are calving and there are plenty of lions around. Or witness the wildebeest migration to and from Kenya, which occurs at the onset of the dry season and again with the first rains, usually around the beginning of June and mid-November.

Other projects you may be interested in

How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
Get ready to volunteer abroad, we’ll support you every step of the way!