Rainforest and Coastal Conservation in Zanzibar
Thrilled at the thought of doing Rainforest and Coastal Conservation volunteering in Zanzibar? International Volunteer HQ’s Rainforest and Coastal Conservation project is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to explore the Jozani Forest. It’s the largest tract of native bush on the island and is famously home to the endangered Red Colobus Monkey which is found only in Zanzibar. Volunteers will gain conservation experience by supporting local initiatives that aim to protect and preserve the natural environment and its wildlife through a range of conservation and sustainability activities and community education programs.
Highlights:
- Programs start every Wednesday
- Affordable fees from CA$729 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, meals, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
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Protect endangered monkeys, and snakes, lizards, tortoises and chameleon
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Discover Zanzibar’s incredible natural environment
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Camp out in a lush rainforest near the tiny village of Jozani
Who is this program suited to?
Key information
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
The Jozani Forest is the largest area of indigenous rainforest on the island of Zanzibar. It’s home to a host of rare and unusual species of wildlife and a few which are found nowhere else in the world, including the endangered Red Colobus Monkey.
As a Rainforest and Coastal Conservation volunteer you’ll work with the local community assisting in conservation and environmental education efforts through a range of activities. Volunteers will be involved in tasks such as:
- Helping at a small reptile sanctuary
- Working at a farm co-op which grows fruits and vegetables
- Upcycling of waste materials
- Mangrove tree planting
- Replanting fruit trees in the forest as a source of food for the Red Colobus Monkey
- Small construction and renovation projects
- Teaching environmental conservation education in local schools
Why do Rainforest and Coastal Conservation volunteering in Jozani with IVHQ?
As a Rainforest and Coastal Conservation volunteer in Zanzibar you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Assisting with local initiatives to support conservation efforts
- Protect endangered wildlife in their natural habitat
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining a wide range of conservation volunteer experience
- Learning about wildlife conservation and preservation
- Exploring Zanzibar and its amazing rainforest
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Zanzibar photo gallery
Location
The Rainforest and Coastal Conservation project is based in Jozani which is located in the southeast of the island, close to the picturesque Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park.
Arrival and orientation
Volunteers need to arrive in Zanzibar on their start date and their orientation will take place the following day.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar. 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. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Wednesday night before your Thursday program orientation.
If you are traveling in Tanzania prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Zanzibar on your start date.
Orientation is hosted by our local team at the volunteer accommodation. Orientation begins on the Thursday morning after your chosen start date. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Zanzibar – an introduction to Zanzibar, Zanzibar customs, rules and expectations, language lessons (Kiunguja), safety, travel opportunities in Zanzibar, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and the local team you will be working with.
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 placement you will be working with.
Weekdays - A typical day would be as follows:
| 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM | Volunteers travel to their placements |
| 1:00 - 2:00 PM | Lunch at the volunteer accommodation |
| 2:00 - 5:30 PM | Volunteers resume work for the afternoon |
| 9:00 PM | Dinner at the accommodation |
Weekends
Volunteers have free time on the weekends and are able to make the most of the gorgeous beaches, explore Zanzibar’s historic Stone Town or other towns, shop for souvenirs, or enjoy a range of adventure and outdoor activities including snorkeling, diving, swimming, wildlife viewing and fishing. If you’re staying for a while you may also like to fly back to mainland Tanzania or other parts of Africa where you can go on safari or otherwise explore.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers on the Rainforest and Coastal Conservation project in Zanzibar stay at a forest camp in semi-permanent tents. Volunteers can expect to share a tent with up to 5 other volunteers of the same gender. Forest Camp living is basic but comfortable with compost toilets, solar-heated showers and filtered drinking water.
Bedding is provided, however you will need to bring your own towel and toiletries. It is also recommended to bring a sleeping bag for weekends away. There is a cook who prepares meals for the volunteers and the local team are also available on a daily basis during the week for support and via phone over the weekend.
If you would like to keep connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and the local team will provide you with a local SIM card at your orientation. The local team will provide more information on how to top up your SIM at the orientation.
If you would like to arrive a day earlier than your recommended arrival date, or wish to spend a few extra nights after finishing your program, we can arrange extra nights of accommodation for you for US$19 (approximately CA$25) per person, per night, on the Rainforest and Coastal Conservation project. Meals are included, and extra nights are subject to availability. There is an additional surcharge attached when volunteers need airport pick-up earlier than their Wednesday start date.
If you would like to arrange extra nights of accommodation, just make a note in your application or contact your IVHQ Program Manager who will be happy to assist you.
Meals
Zanzibar’s cuisine varies across the island, owing to the difference in produce inland and along the coast. The immigration of Khoja Indians has resulted in local dishes influenced by Indian cuisine. Staple foods in Zanzibar include rice, ugali (maize porridge), chapati and coconut milk.
Volunteers are served three meals per day. Breakfast usually consists of a hot Zanzibari spice tea, instant coffee, chapati, mandazi (deep fried dough), toast with jam, and fruit.
Lunch and dinner are usually plain white rice or pilau rice (which in Zanzibar includes cardamom, cinnamon and cloves), pasta, french fries or ugali with meat or vegetables (usually carrot, potatoes, peas, okra) typically cooked in a coconut sauce that contains some herbs and spices.
Please note that while the local team can cater for vegetarians, they are not able to cater to other special dietary requirements or requests, you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home and there is the need to be flexible or prepared to supplement the food provided. If supplementing food, volunteers must note that the kitchen is not available for volunteer use.
At the Rainforest and Coastal Conservation project accommodation, volunteers will have access to filtered water and we recommend volunteers bring their own reusable water bottle. Bottled water is also readily available in Zanzibar and volunteers should budget approximately $5 per week for this (2 liters per day).
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | CA$727 Equivalent to CA$104/day |
| 2 weeks | CA$976 Equivalent to CA$70/day |
| 3 weeks | CA$1225 Equivalent to CA$59/day |
| 4 weeks | CA$1474 Equivalent to CA$53/day |
| 5 weeks | CA$1723 Equivalent to CA$50/day |
| 6 weeks | CA$1972 Equivalent to CA$47/day |
| 8 weeks | CA$2471 Equivalent to CA$45/day |
| 10 weeks | CA$2922 Equivalent to CA$42/day |
| 12 weeks | CA$3326 Equivalent to CA$40/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteering
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of CA$404 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 CAD.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations and criminal background check.
- Please note: Volunteers staying for 2 weeks or more will need to budget US$200 to obtain a work permit.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Zanzibar generally find US$50-75 per week to be sufficient for expenses.
Check what's required to visit Zanzibar
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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.
Protecting against COVID-19:
Volunteers tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours of travel
Health & safety information provided during orientation
Strict disinfecting standards for programs & accomodation
Greater physical distance between volunteers
Essential country information
| Capital | Dodoma |
| Population | 58 million |
| Languages | Swahili and English |
| Currency | Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 |
Weather and climate
Zanzibar follows very similar weather patterns to that of mainland Tanzania but is always a little more humid and warm weather should be expected all year round. The island’s rainy season runs from March through May when humidity is high and afternoon downpours are common. The dry season occurs from June through October and rain is infrequent. During November and December there’s another short rainy season followed by a short dry season across January and February.
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