Qualified professionals or volunteers who are in their third or subsequent year of medical or nursing school. Paramedics, EMTs and CNAs are also welcome, however it’s important to note that you’ll be volunteering in a general practice clinic or hospital, rather than working within your field.

Project details

Want to be a Medical volunteer in Tanzania? International Volunteer HQ’s Medical project is an exciting opportunity for volunteers to help improve access to healthcare for low-income communities in Arusha. Volunteers gain medical experience by shadowing local professionals at either a clinic or hospital and may also be able to take part in medical outreach campaigns in local villages.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

In many poor communities in Tanzania, healthcare is not easily accessible or affordable. The Medical volunteer project aims to change that by placing volunteers in medical facilities that serve vulnerable people.

As a Medical volunteer you’ll work in health centers and both governmental and private hospitals based in Arusha city, primarily shadowing local medical professionals and assisting with daily duties. Local regulations and language barriers mean volunteers are unable to perform independent tasks; however, you can observe healthcare in action in a developing country and help where permitted. Your placement will be determined by local medical professionals based on your previous experience and training.

Work can be hands-on depending on placement, the need at the time and your medical experience and education. Some hands-on work might include assisting with surgery or delivery, HIV testing, stitching, wound care and other basic medical care.

Please see below a list of departments where medical volunteers can work on rotation or stick with one, depending on the need at the time :

Out Patient Department (OPD)
In Patient Department (IPD)
Family Planning
Laboratory
Dental
Ophthalmology
Pharmacy
Labour and delivery
Antenatal
Pediatrics
Midwifery
Surgery (Minor Theatre and Major Operation)
Tuberculosis Department
HIV Department
Diabetic Clinic
Hypertension Clinic
Mental Health Department

You shouldn’t expect all placements to offer all the above departments, however, if you have any preferences with regard to the work you are helping out with, please feel free to note it in your application. The local team will take this on board as best as they can, although it’s important to be flexible as we cannot guarantee that you will work on your chosen department.

You may also be able to take part in Medical Outreach campaigns twice a week. Campaigns take place in local villages, delivering basic medical care which is not often available. On the day, volunteers are transported to either a community group that has been organised to offer free medical support or they will visit a number of homes in a rural area nearby Arusha to assess patients. They are escorted and assisted by a registered nurse, a social worker and a local team staff member for translation purposes.

These campaigns are fully arranged and funded by volunteers, and you’re welcome to reach out to your Program Manager for more information about these.

Why do Medical volunteering in Arusha with IVHQ?

As a healthcare volunteer in Tanzania you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Improving access to healthcare for low-income communities
Learning about a medical system in a developing country
Developing your communication skills
Gaining medical experience
Immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture
Discovering Africa’s incredible wildlife

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers must be in their third year or later of medical, nursing or dental school, or be a qualified professional. CNAs, midwives, paramedics, and fully qualified EMTs are also eligible to participate.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older to participate in this program. If you are under 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad to explore these options.

Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.

All volunteers must speak English and have adequate volunteer travel insurance.

Are you eligible to volunteer?

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

Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Tanzania photo gallery

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

An IVHQ volunteer at the childcare project taking photo with children and local staff in Tanzania

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ volunteers at the construction project in Tanzania

IVHQ Construction project

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

An IVHQ animal welfare volunteer with the local vet in Tanzania

IVHQ Animal Care project

IVHQ Childcare project

An IVHQ Medical volunteer introducing the use of a toothbrush to a local kid in Tanzania

IVHQ Medical project

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

A group of students in Tanzania with an IVHQ teaching volunteer

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ women's education volunteer project in Tanzania

IVHQ Women's Education project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

A volunteer looking after animal at the IVHQ animal welfare project in Tanzania

IVHQ Animal Care project

A volunteer working at the construction project in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Construction project

Tanzania Maasai Immersion volunteer project with IVHQ

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

A group of happy children with IVHQ childcare volunteer in Tanzania

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Tanzania project manager with volunteers at the Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

Volunteer renovating local facility at the IVHQ Tanzania construction project

IVHQ Construction project

One hundred Tanzanian students in class studying with IVHQ volunteer at IVHQ Tanzania teaching project

IVHQ Teaching project

Maasai Immersion volunteer teaching the locals with IVHQ in Tanzania

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

Maasai Immersion volunteer planting with the locals with IVHQ in Tanzania

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

A puppy animal receiving IVHQ volunteer help in Tanzania

IVHQ Animal Care project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ Tanzania animal welfare project office and facilities on site

IVHQ Animal Care project

Hand craft works displayed at the IVHQ Tanzania women's education volunteer project

IVHQ Women's Education project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

Animals at the IVHQ animal welfare project in Tanzania

IVHQ Animal Care project

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

A childcare volunteer working in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching project

Maasai Immersion volunteer project in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

Animals outdoor activity at the IVHQ animal welfare project in Tanzania

IVHQ Animal Care project

A volunteer working at Maasai Immersion project in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

An IVHQ animal care volunteer with the local vet in Tanzania

IVHQ Animal Care project

Students at the IVHQ Tanzania teaching project

IVHQ Teaching project

A group of IVHQ Medical volunteers in Tanzania

IVHQ Medical project

Maasai Cultural Immersion volunteer project in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ construction volunteer working on site in Tanzania

IVHQ Construction project

IVHQ Tanzania teaching project with students in the classroom

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion volunteer project in Tanzania

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

An IVHQ teaching childcare volunteer in Tanzania

IVHQ Teaching project

A dog being looked after at the IVHQ Tanzania animal welfare project

IVHQ Animal Care project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ construction volunteer project in Tanzania

IVHQ Construction project

A teaching childcare volunteer in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ volunteer teacher with local teacher and local kids at Tanzania

IVHQ Teaching project

Volunteers on the Maasai Cultural Immersion project in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ Childcare project

Volunteers on the IVHQ Maasai Cultural Immersion project in Tanzania

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ Animal Care project

Tanzania local women learning with IVHQ volunteer

IVHQ Women's Education project

Maasai Cultural Immersion volunteer project with IVHQ in Tanzania

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

Volunteers on the Maasai Immersion project in Tanzania with IVHQ

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ Tanzania Maasai Immersion volunteer project

IVHQ Maasai Immersion project

IVHQ volunteer orientation

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!

Learn about course credit

Location

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 traveling 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 socializing.

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:

7:30 AM	Breakfast at the volunteer house or homestay.
8:00 AM	Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. Work and hours are dependent on the project and placement that each volunteer is working at.
1:00 PM	Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home for lunch at their accommodation, 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.
8:30 PM	Dinner at the volunteer house or homestay.

Please note that the schedule may occasionally change due to weather, public or school holidays, or other unforeseen events that could affect your placement. We recommend checking in advance whether your intended travel dates coincide with any public or school holidays.

Weekends

Tanzania is a wildlife lover’s dream. In your free time you can venture out on a safari and see Africa’s Big 5 - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino - as well as the mind-blowing number of other species that call Tanzania home.

In Arusha itself you can find great markets, take a few days to hike up the nearby Mt Meru, or learn about the Maasai and Meru tribes of the area. You can also take take a short flight down to Zanzibar for a weekend of sun and sandy beaches or save some time before or after your program to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Looking for more ideas of things to do in Tanzania? Check out our Tanzania Tours & Experiences!

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers in Tanzania are accommodated in dorm-style volunteer houses or homestays located in Sakina, Arusha. The local team currently hosts volunteers in three volunteer houses, typically for younger volunteers, and two homestays, often preferred by families and mature volunteers.

In the volunteer houses, volunteers share a room with one to nine others of the same gender, with most rooms accommodating up to six people. Homestays can accommodate up to 10 volunteers, with rooms also separated by gender and a maximum of four people per room.

Living conditions in Arusha are basic but comfortable. Both volunteer houses and homestays have running water and electricity. Toilets and showers are Western-style, though power outages are common, which can affect the availability of hot water and electricity.

During the busy months of January, June, July, and August, volunteer accommodations in Arusha can reach full capacity. To ensure everyone is comfortably accommodated, some volunteers may be placed in a fourth volunteer house or, alternatively, in a nearby hotel offering dormitory-style rooms separated by gender. In the house, volunteers can expect to share a room with up to nine others, while hotel rooms typically accommodate up to seven.

Wifi is not available at homestays, and although volunteer houses have wifi, it is slow and unreliable. To stay connected, we recommend purchasing an e-SIM before arrival or bringing an unlocked mobile phone and buying a local SIM card in Tanzania. The local team can assist you with purchasing a SIM card and data during your program orientation. Complimentary wifi is available at the hotel.

If you wish to arrive before your recommended arrival date or extend your stay, extra nights at the standard accommodation can be arranged and additional cost per night. Extra nights include three meals a day, are subject to availability, and bookings can be requested by registered volunteers via their profiles.

For added privacy and comfort, private room upgrades are available year-round at a nearby hotel for an extra cost. These rooms can accommodate one or two persons and offer private bathrooms. They are subject to availability and can be booked through your MyIVHQ account after registration.

Meals

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

Volunteers are provided with three meals a day. 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 prepared for volunteers by host families at homestays and by cooks at the volunteer houses. Those accommodated in the hotel, whether in private room upgrades or during the busy season, will receive their meals on-site. Lunch boxes 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-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. However, 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 to remain flexible.

IVHQ Tanzania accomodation bedroom at the volunteer house

Typical volunteer bedroom

A typical bedroom at volunteer house in Tanzania

Typical volunteer bedroom

Typical volunteer bedroom

Typical volunteer bedroom

An IVHQ hotel bedroom upgrade in Tanzania

Typical volunteer room upgrade

Typical volunteer bedroom

A typical lounge at volunteer house in Tanzania

Volunteer living room

Volunteer living room

IVHQ Tanzania accomodation volunteer house overview from outside of the building

Outside of volunteer house

IVHQ volunteer house overview from outside of the building in Tanzania

Outside of volunteer house

A typical kitchen at volunteer house in Tanzania

Volunteer kitchen

Volunteer kitchen

Volunteers eating a meal in Tanzania with IVHQ

Typical volunteer meal

Typical volunteer dinner

Volunteer Breakfast in Tanzania with IVHQ

Typical volunteer breakfast

IVHQ Volunteers eating a meal in Tanzania

Typical volunteer lunch

A volunteer dinner in Tanzania with IVHQ

Typical volunteer dinner

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

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 United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
1 week	$420 Equivalent to $60/day
2 weeks	$620 Equivalent to $44/day
3 weeks	$875 Equivalent to $42/day
4 weeks	$1,140 Equivalent to $41/day
5 weeks	$1,405 Equivalent to $40/day
6 weeks	$1,670 Equivalent to $40/day
8 weeks	$2,200 Equivalent to $39/day
10 weeks	$2,730 Equivalent to $39/day
12 weeks	$3,260 Equivalent to $39/day
16 weeks	$4,320 Equivalent to $39/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately $329) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Airport pick-up
US$50 per week for the medical placements to cover additional supervision, materials and logistics involved
Accommodation
24/7 in-country emergency support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
Discounts on travel, tours, and experiences
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

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

Return to the airport when your program finishes
Transport to and from your placement each day
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular tours & experiences in Arusha

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 Arusha program.

Kenya, Tanzania Overland Safari & Participation Camping (10 days, 9 nights)

Start in the buzz of Kenya’s capital before spending 10 days tracking the “big five” across the Serengeti, exploring the top and bottom of the Ngorongoro Crater, and kicking back for a taste of island life in Zanzibar on the area’s beautiful beaches. Kr on the area’s beautiful beaches. Knowledgeable CEOs will improve the group’s chances of seeing some of the world’s most incredible wildlife, camping under the stars will keep the group close to the action, and travelling across the two countries will ensure you never skip a beat.

From $2499

Popular

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.

$436

Popular

Kilimanjaro Day Hike

Experience the Roof of Africa: One-Day Hike to Mandara Point with Stunning Scenery and Wildlife Encounters

$232

View all tours & experiences

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.

Safety and support

A smiling volunteer traveller wearing a traditional Andean poncho stands in front of the breathtaking Rainbow Mountain in Peru. The landscape features vibrant red, yellow, and green hues across the mountains, with a small lake visible in the background.

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.

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Yuliana Camacho Aguilar

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.

...

Nathan Lotter

I had an absolutely incredible experience volunteering with IVHQ in Tanzania, and it’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

The volunteer accommodation was basic, but clean, comfortable, and more than adequate. One of the highlights was the people — I met so many like-minded volunteers from all over the world, and it was easy to connect and form genuine, lasting friendships. Even though I travelled solo, I never once felt alone. The local team were exceptional: always approachable, helpful, and genuinely invested in making sure we had the best possible experience. The food was also fantastic, lovingly prepared by the local mamas, and something I looked forward to every day.

I was placed on a medical volunteer project, which was truly unmatched. The local team did an excellent job of introducing me to the areas of the hospital that needed the most support. Despite only being a third-year medical student, over the three weeks I felt that I was genuinely making a difference. I learned an enormous amount, both clinically and personally, and the experience broadened my worldview in a way that will undoubtedly make me a better doctor. I returned home recommending this program to every medical student I knew.

The optional activities were equally outstanding. I joined a four-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari and also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. The staff involved were incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and highly experienced. I’ve been on many safaris before, and I can confidently say that THE is among the very best in the business.

Overall, this was a life-changing experience. I couldn’t recommend IVHQ and the team in Tanzania more highly.

...

Ella Steward

Volunteering in Tanzania was the best decision! There is so much to take away from the experience, immersing in a new culture, meeting people from around the world and having a positive impact.

...

Amali Batson

My time volunteering in Tanzania was the most incredible experience, and I honestly feel that I gained more than I could have ever given or helped. This opportunity has forever changed me and my outlook on life. I am forever grateful for the things I learnt and also the family I made during my time abroad.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

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