I feel I gained more understanding of myself as a person and what I can do. Seeing different a culture and different ways of living around the world is something that has really opened my eyes and I hope I’m able to continue doing it .
Animal Welfare Volunteering in Tanzania - Arusha
Purpose
Care for domestic and farm animals
Start dates
Programs start on the 1st and 15th of every month
Duration
Choose from 1-16 weeks
Volunteer hours
5 - 6 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Stay in a volunteer house or a homestay
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.
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.
Project details
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.
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.
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 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document 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.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
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
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IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Medical project
IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Construction project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Construction project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Medical project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Construction project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Construction project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Teaching project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Women's Education project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ Maasai Immersion project
IVHQ volunteer orientation
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
LF
LeaMae Flanagan
01 Aug 2024
...
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.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
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 creditLocation
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 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.
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 June, July, and August, the volunteer accommodations in Arusha may reach capacity. To ensure everyone is comfortably accommodated, some volunteers may be hosted in a nearby hotel in dormitory-style rooms separated by gender. Volunteers can expect to share a room with up to seven people.
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 for US$35 (approximately £28) per person, 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 as an add-on 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 US$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.
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer room upgrade
Typical volunteer room upgrade
Typical volunteer bedroom
Volunteer living room
Volunteer living room
Outside of volunteer house
Outside of volunteer house
Volunteer kitchen
Volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer dinner
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer lunch
Typical volunteer dinner
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$329 (approximately £263), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$329 (approximately £263) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
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 | $460 Equivalent to $66/day |
| 2 weeks | $610 Equivalent to $44/day |
| 3 weeks | $815 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,030 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,245 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,460 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,890 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,320 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,750 Equivalent to $33/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,610 Equivalent to $32/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately £263) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- 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, including transportation to and from placement each day and airport drop-off.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, 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.
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- US$100 donated to the veterinarian at your placement to cover costs with logistics, materials and supervision
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- 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.
- 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.
Free-time experiences & tours in Arusha
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Arusha! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Arusha program.
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.
£278
Maasai Village Tour
Gain an authentic insight into the Maasai way of life on a full day tour to Maasailand.
£92
Moshi Weekend Escape
A weekend getaway to Moshi Town, the last village before the Kilimanjaro National Park, and and its surroundings.
£92
Check what's required to visit Tanzania
Safety and support
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.
Essential country information
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.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
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