Tanzania & Zanzibar Island: African Safari, School Construction & Education, and Swimming with Dolphins

I highly recommend traveling through give volunteers. It was an experience of a lifetime and I’m looking forward to another trip with them. This is a legit program and they are very knowledgeable. I had a lot of questions through the whole process and someone was there to answer them all in a timely manner. There is a great balance of fun, work, and learning. I met so many new friends that I can count on even after the trip ended. The Tanzania program specifically was wonderful the community there is inspiring. The guides are amazing people who are there for you, very supportive, and really made the trip one to remember. If you are reading this because you’re undecided and need a sign, take this as your sign to book the Tanzania trip!

I was not expecting such an awesome trip with GIVE. I was nervous signing up because I hadn’t heard of this program before and it seemed too good to be true, but it’s the real deal. I’m happy I picked the Tanzania trip and got to learn so much from my time there. With GIVE you can fully immerse yourself in the culture there and learn so much from the community. This experience was great and it was so much fun. It was nice to have everything set up for me and the schedule was reasonable. Work hard play hard. You will be doing a lot of good with your time in Tanzania and actually be able to see your impact and progress which I thought was really cool. You will also gain fun memorable experiences only a few people will get the chance to experience. Only thing left to say is get on it and take this trip!

My GIVE Tanzania + Zanzibar trip was a life changing experience to say the least. EVERY single GIVE guide, volunteer, and community member inspired me throughout the trip and made the experience unforgettable. I cannot recommend doing a GIVE trip enough... I cannot wait to embark on my next trip -- and continue to impact the communities GIVE works with. This trip genuinely changed my life and impacted me in ways I would have NEVERf expected. If you are on the fence, GO FOR IT. You will not regret a single thing.

Along with 25 other volunteers, I arrived on the island of Zanzibar, a part of the country of Tanzania, to immerse ourselves in the local culture and leave a positive impact within the community. We had the opportunity to learn the rich history of Kairo and the island of Zanzibar as a whole. Previously, Tanzania was split into two countries, Tanginika and Zanzibar. When their governments merged together, the country of Tanzania was formed. Life on the island looks a little different than on the mainland, but that doesn’t take away from the beauty of the land and it’s people.
The past two weeks have been full of hauling rubble (gravel), mixing cement, clearing brush, and teaching English and computer skills to the citizens of Kairo. As a group, our main goal was to finish the stage being built in the new testing center at the local elementary school, as well as clear ground for a new computer lab to be built (which future volunteers will continue to work on until it is completed!) The school can then use the stage for local events and make an income towards school fundings. The computer lab will be used for the GIVE tutoring program, since they currently use the elementary school’s computer room. Right now, my group is beginning our two-day water & land safari before we all fly home (U.S., Canada, & Australia!) and the second volunteer group of the summer is arriving on the island to take over where we left off!
The impact this opportunity has left on my life is immeasurable. Along the way, I got to learn some of the Swahili language (not spoken anywhere else in the world!!) and try so many local food dishes. Being able to experience first-hand the living conditions in Tanzania was life-changing, and seeing how genuinely happy the citizens are means so much more. This experience has proven that materialistic things cannot create happiness, but the people we surround ourselves with.
Speaking of the people, the citizens of Kairo are some of the kindest people I have ever gotten the pleasure of meeting. There was never a time when someone would pass you on the street without offering the greeting “Mambo!” (Hello!) with a smile on their faces. Each of our students were so eager to learn. They would show up to class early everyday and ASK for homework. It was so inspiring to watch them grow in their education and openness to our teaching.
The people I met along the way were just as inspiring. From my fellow volunteers to the local staff and guides, each one of them had the purest hearts and biggest aspirations. I’ll miss the daily laughs we shared and each unique personality of the local staff members who never failed to put a smile on my face. The relationships that I have built with them have been incredibly hard to leave behind, knowing there is a slim chance I will see any of them again.
I am incredibly thankful to GIVE Volunteers for offering me this incredible opportunity, the positive impact they are making all over the world is truly amazing, and I am so blessed to have been able to be a small part it. I highly recommend looking into their efforts of leaving our home better than before, there are so many ways to participate.

It's truly hard to put into words how incredible my experience with GIVE was. From day 1 we were all welcomed into the vibrant culture of Tanzania with open arms. I fell in love with teaching each and every student. Seeing their level of hard work and dedication was truly inspiring. Days working on construction were so rewarding and the guides did a fabulous job of keeping group energy up with so much dancing and fun! Of course aside from the volunteer projects there was so much adventure involved, swimming with dolphins and the safari felt so surreal. It can definitely be intimidating to take the leap but it is 100% worth it. This was my second trip with GIVE and I would do it all again in a heartbeat!

My trip to Zanzibar, Tanzania with GIVE was nothing short of life-changing. From the moment my guides, Sophi and MC, picked me up at the airport to the day I left, I felt safe, loved, and had the time of my life. Although I grew up traveling the world with my family, I had never been as immersed in a different culture as I was in Kairo village. The locals welcomed us with open arms and were eager to share their stories and lifestyles with us.

Days at the construction site were filled with laughter, dancing, and hard work. Seeing the progress we made at the school by the end of the trip was incredibly rewarding and exciting. Teaching the vibrant, kind, and dedicated local women exceeded all my expectations. Their fun energy and strong work ethic truly changed me for the better.

Additionally, my fellow volunteers are now people I can call best friends. There were 26 volunteers in my group, and I can confidently say I got to know each and every one of them on an individual level. I have never laughed and cried as hard as I did with this group. The love, kindness, and acceptance I felt were unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

I am beyond grateful to GIVE for this experience, and I highly recommend this trip to everyone. Take the leap; I promise you won’t regret it.

The experiences I had on my GIVE trip gave me a new perspective of travel and everyday life. I felt confident traveling with like minded individuals and leaving a net-positive impact on the communities surrounding us. We connected with community members and locals who welcomed our group in with open arms. Along with volunteering at school and construction projects, we swam with wild dolphins, visited a spice farm, learned about the extensive and rich history of the island, and went on a two day safari.

My trip to Tanzania changed my outlook on life. For the longest time, I was yearning for an experience that would truly show me what I am meant to do in life and where my passions lie. The community of Cairo was so loving, hospitable, and kind. I felt more at home on this island than I do in my own house! I learned so much that still continues to build my character, and I am so thankful I went despite the stereotypes and misinformation I heard about the continent of Africa prior to my trip. If you are looking for an experience to change the way you look at the world, open your mind to a higher cultural understanding, and actually put money into something that benefits more than just yourself- go on a GIVE trip! Not only were the locals so amazing, but the other volunteers and GIVE staff will never fail to uplift you, support you, and validate your life goals even after your trip ends. Additional shout out to Green Paw Adventures- the phenomenal partner group that leads you on the most amazing safari and guides the Kili climbers to success!

If the cost is what worries you, keep in mind everything your money is going towards. Whether towards local businesses, the sustainable projects, or the fun excursions on your off days, all of the money you pay aside from your flights directly benefit the local communities. What a way to vote with your dollar!

Also, if you have the opportunity to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro...DO IT. I have learned so much about myself from this experience, and I came home with the most confidence- knowing I can do anything I put my mind to! I will forever be grateful for my first GIVE trip to Tanzania, I can't wait to join GIVE for more!