Volunteering in Mainland Tanzania

Our Mainland operations are based in Arusha, where volunteers and interns are supported from a centrally located volunteer house while working alongside trusted community partners across the city.

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Known as the gateway to Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit, Arusha is one of the country's most vibrant and diverse cities. Surrounded by national parks, Mount Meru, and rich cultural traditions, it offers an inspiring setting for meaningful volunteer experiences and internships while providing easy access to the people, places, and everyday life that make northern Tanzania so unique.

Why Arusha?

As one of northern Tanzania's fastest-growing cities, with a population of more than half a million people, Arusha is home to a diverse network of schools, healthcare facilities, community initiatives, and social enterprises working to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.

Through long-term partnerships with these locally led organisations, volunteers and interns have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while gaining valuable professional, cultural, and personal experience.

Arusha Highlights:

  • Gateway to Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Mount Kilimanjaro and more!

  • A vibrant city with bustling markets, cafés, and diverse cultural communities

  • A comfortable highland climate beneath Mount Meru

  • Rich Maasai heritage and multicultural traditions

  • Easy access to weekend safaris, hiking, waterfalls, and cultural experiences

A woman walking in a busy outdoor market carrying a large metal basin on her head, with a baby strapped to her back. The market is filled with people, stalls, umbrellas, and scooters, in an urban setting.

Our community partners

Our community partners reflect the diversity of Arusha itself.

From government schools and regional hospitals to grassroots initiatives, disability services, and animal welfare organisations.

Select a sector to explore the organisations we work alongside:

Education Partners
Sports Partners
Healthcare Partners
Community Development Partners
Conservation and Animal Partners

Education

  • A young woman surrounded by several children smiling and posing for the camera outdoors.

    Afroplan Foundation

    Established in 2012, Afroplan Foundation is dedicated to improving access to quality education for vulnerable children. Alongside its nursery school and daycare centre, the foundation sponsors children through primary school and vocational training, helping young people build brighter futures through education.

    How You'll Contribute

    • Support teachers and staff with early childhood learning, classroom activities and cooking

    • Encourage learning through arts, sport, games, and creative play

    • Assist with community initiatives that help provide educational opportunities for children

    ⚲Location: Leganga, Arusha (45 minutes - 1 hour from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 2pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Early Childhood, Teaching & Education

  • A classroom with young students sitting at tables, listening to a teacher pointing at alphabet charts on the wall, which include letters and corresponding pictures of objects or animals.

    Apple Junior Daycare & Nursery School

    Founded in 2017, Apple School provides quality education for around 150 students aged 3–12, including more than 30 orphaned children. The school is committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support local teachers in delivering engaging classroom learning

    • Build confidence through English, sport, arts, and creative activities

    • Become part of a welcoming school community where every contribution makes a difference

    ⚲Location: Kijenge, Arusha (30 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 2pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Early Childhood, Teaching & Education

  • Large group of school children in green uniforms gathered outdoors, with adults supervising, on a school grounds with trees and a building in the background.

    Baraa Primary School

    Baraa Primary School is one of Arusha's largest government schools, providing education to approximately 1,700 students from preschool through to Standard Seven. Volunteers work alongside teachers to create engaging learning experiences while providing additional support where it's needed most.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support literacy, storytelling, and classroom learning alongside local teachers

    • Encourage creativity through arts, crafts, sport, and extracurricular activities

    • Assist with school improvement projects and inclusive learning initiatives

    ⚲Location: Moshono, Arusha (30 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 2pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Teaching, Education & Creative Arts

  • Children playing in a playground with slides, basketball hoop, and colorful painted walls in a sunny outdoor area.

    Bright Hope Children's Organisation

    Founded in 2019, Bright Hope Children's Organisation provides a safe and nurturing early learning environment for vulnerable children while supporting local families and empowering women within the community.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support teachers through play-based learning and early childhood education

    • Assist with daily routines, meals, games, and creative activities

    • Help create a positive environment where young children can learn, grow, and thrive

    ⚲ Location: Ngulelo, Arusha (30 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴  Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 12pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Early Childhood, Teaching & Education

  • Kids in colorful uniforms participating in a classroom art activity with an adult teacher. The room has vibrant murals on the walls and art supplies like colored pencils on the table.

    Juhudi Kindergarten

    Established in 2010, Juhudi School is a small community kindergarten providing early childhood education for children aged 3–6 years. With small class sizes and a strong focus on individual learning, volunteers quickly become part of the school's close-knit community.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support classroom learning alongside the local teacher

    • Introduce creative extra-curricular activities including games, music, arts, and sport

    • Help young children build confidence through play, learning, and interaction

    ⚲ Location: Mianzini, Arusha (30 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 3pm with afternoon activities from 3pm – 6pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Early Childhood, Teaching & Education

  • Group of smiling children sitting and standing around a table in a classroom, with colorful chairs and educational posters on the wall.

    Loamo Primary School

    Founded in 2000, Loamo School is a vibrant private primary school educating around 400 students aged 5–14. The school provides a supportive learning environment where volunteers assist with both academic and extracurricular activities.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support teaching across a range of primary school subjects

    • Encourage learning through English, computer literacy, arts, crafts, and sport

    • Help foster a positive environment where every student feels supported to succeed

    ⚲ Location: Kijenge, Arusha (30 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 1pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Teaching, Education & Creative Arts

  • A young boy with dark skin wearing a black hoodie and black pants, and a young girl with light skin and long red hair in a white shirt, are hugging and smiling at the camera inside a classroom with a large world map on the wall behind them.

    Meru Deaf Unit & Special Needs School

    Established in 1998, Meru Deaf Unit is one of the few specialist deaf education units in Tanzania. The school provides inclusive education for deaf and special needs students alongside mainstream primary education and has extensive experience welcoming international volunteers.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support inclusive classroom learning alongside teachers and support staff

    • Encourage communication through creative activities, games, and basic sign language

    • Help students build confidence in a supportive and engaging learning environment

    ⚲Location: City Centre, Arusha (20 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 2pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Special Needs, Teaching & Education

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Working alongside the teachers and children at Apple Tree School was unforgettable. I left with a much greater appreciation for the little things and memories that will stay with me forever.

Education Volunteer • Apple Tree School • 1 month

 Jutta, Germany

Healthcare & Medical Internships

  • Group of five people standing in front of a building with a sign that reads 'Emergency Department'. They are wearing healthcare uniforms and casual clothing, smiling at the camera.

    Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC)

    Since opening its doors in 2008, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC) is one of northern Tanzania's leading referral hospitals. With more than 300 healthcare professionals, the hospital provides specialised and super-specialised medical services while delivering high-quality care to communities across the region.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Work alongside doctors, nurses, and specialists during ward rounds and clinical care

    • Observe and assist across departments such as Emergency, Paediatrics, Surgery, and Women's Health

    • Develop practical skills while gaining insight into Tanzania's healthcare system

    ⚲ Location: Makao Mapya, Arusha (10 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴  Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | From 8am, approximately 8-hour shifts

    ✧ Ideal For: Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health

  • A woman wearing a colorful, traditional African dress and headwrap is looking at a newborn baby wrapped in patterned cloth. The woman is smiling and touching the baby's hand in a hospital room.

    Kaloleni Health Centre

    Kaloleni Health Centre is a community healthcare facility providing essential medical services including outpatient care, maternity, laboratory, pharmacy, and minor surgical procedures. Its smaller size offers volunteers and interns the opportunity to experience a broad range of primary healthcare services while working closely with local medical teams.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Work alongside healthcare professionals across outpatient, maternity, and clinical departments

    • Observe community healthcare delivery and patient-centred care

    • Gain practical experience within a busy primary healthcare setting

    ⚲ Location: Kaloleni, Arusha (20 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | From 8am, approximately 8-hour shifts

    ✧ Ideal For: Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health

  • Two healthcare professionals, one African American and one Caucasian, in a neonatal intensive care unit, attending to an infant in a neonatal incubator.

    Levolosi Health Centre

    Established in 1993, Levolosi Health Care Centre is a government health facility providing maternity, child health, dental, surgical, and outpatient services to thousands of patients each year. The centre is particularly recognised for its busy maternity ward, offering valuable learning opportunities for healthcare students and professionals.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support clinical teams across maternity, paediatrics, outpatient, and surgical departments

    • Observe and assist with patient care under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals

    • Experience the day-to-day operation of a high-volume government health centre

    ⚲ Location: Levolosi, Arusha (20 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴  Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 4pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing & Allied Health

  • Two healthcare workers in white uniforms standing on outdoor steps in front of a building with a sign that reads 'EMERGENCY'. They are smiling, with palm trees on either side, under a partly cloudy sky.

    Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital

    Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital is Arusha's largest public referral hospital, providing comprehensive healthcare services to patients from across northern Tanzania. The hospital offers a broad range of specialist departments while serving as an important teaching and referral facility for the region.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support healthcare teams across departments including Emergency, Surgery, Paediatrics, and ICU

    • Observe patient care, clinical procedures, and multidisciplinary teamwork

    • Gain experience within one of Tanzania's busiest public hospitals

    ⚲ Location: City Centre, Arusha (10 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | From 8am, approximately 8-hour shifts

    ✧ Ideal For: Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health

  • A woman in white scrubs is smiling while holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket with her left arm; the woman appears happy and the baby is wearing a colorful knit hat and is being fed with a bottle.

    St. Elizabeth Hospital

    Established as a dispensary in 1974 before becoming a hospital in 1984, St. Elizabeth Hospital provides essential healthcare services to Arusha's surrounding communities, with a particular focus on supporting underserved pastoralist populations. Today it is one of the region's largest faith-based hospitals and an important referral centre.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support experienced healthcare professionals across a range of hospital departments

    • Observe patient care while gaining insight into community and rural healthcare

    • Learn within a collaborative environment serving diverse patient populations

    ⚲ Location: Sakina, Arusha (15 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴  Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | From 8am, approximately 8-hour shifts

    ✧ Ideal For: Medicine, Nursing & Allied Health

  • A light blue outline of a shield with a medical cross inside, on a beige background. Text reads: "Please note..."

    Healthcare Placement Disclaimer

    Healthcare placements are intended for students and qualified professionals with a relevant medical or allied health background. The level of participation will depend on your qualifications, previous experience, the policies of the host facility, and the direction of your supervising healthcare team.

    Participants are expected to:

    • Work under the supervision of qualified medical professionals at all times.

    • Follow the instructions and protocols of supervising doctors, nurses, and hospital staff.

    • Observe, assist, and learn within the scope of their experience and approved responsibilities.

    • Respect patient privacy, dignity, and confidentiality at all times. Photography or video of patients is strictly prohibited unless expressly authorised by the healthcare facility for an approved purpose.

    • Comply with all hospital policies, infection prevention procedures, and professional standards.

    Healthcare placements are designed to provide valuable cross-cultural learning and professional development opportunities. They are not intended to replace the role of qualified healthcare professionals or provide independent clinical practice.

Two stylized games controllers, light blue with black outlines.

Working at Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital gave me a completely new perspective on healthcare. I learned so much from the staff, experienced departments I'd never worked in before, and felt part of a team that was always willing to help one another.

Healthcare Intern • Mount Meru Regional Referral Hospital • 5 months

Pien, Netherlands

Community Development

  • A group of children and a young adult standing in front of a colorful mural with balloons representing the months of the year on a school wall. The children are wearing blue sports uniforms, and one child in a wheelchair is present. The mural is titled 'Maths' and has a motivational message at the top.

    Destiny Foundation

    Founded in 2017, Destiny Foundation supports children and young people with disabilities through education, therapy, family support, and community outreach. Working closely with families and caregivers, the organisation creates inclusive opportunities that help children build confidence, independence, and reach their full potential.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support inclusive classroom activities and individual learning

    • Assist with therapy sessions and child development programs

    • Participate in community outreach, home visits, and family support initiatives

    • Help deliver social, recreational, and life skills activities

    • Contribute your skills in areas such as physiotherapy, counselling, nutrition, special education, social work, or community development

    ⚲ Location: Sakina, Arusha (15 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 2pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Special Education, Psychology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, Social Work & Community Development

  • Four women sit in a room, engaged in a craft activity using yarn. One woman is barefoot, and two women have their feet covered with socks or slippers. There are pictures on the blue wall behind them, and the room has simple furniture and a patterned carpet.

    Tupendane Women Group

    Founded in 2012, Tupendane Women Group empowers local women through practical skills training, education, and community support. The organisation provides a welcoming space where women can develop new skills, build confidence, and create greater economic opportunities for themselves and their families.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support skills workshops, language lessons, and community education programs

    • Assist with arts, crafts, gardening, and sustainable livelihood initiatives

    • Encourage connection and confidence through activities that empower women and families

    ⚲ Location: Sanawari, Arusha (approximately 20 minutes from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 12pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Community Development, Women's Empowerment & Social Work

  • Group of women and children standing in a narrow outdoor space between two colorful buildings, with charity supplies and food packages on the ground, smiles, and peace signs.

    WEHAF (Widows Encouragement & HIV/AIDS Foundation)

    Established in 2016, WEHAF supports women, children, and families across rural communities in Arusha through education, health awareness, economic empowerment, and environmental initiatives. The organisation works to improve quality of life by helping women build sustainable livelihoods while promoting health, equality, and community resilience.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support women's empowerment workshops, education sessions, and community outreach

    • Assist with health and hygiene awareness programs in schools and local communities

    • Participate in home visits, environmental initiatives, and projects that strengthen community wellbeing

    ⚲ Location: Njiro, Arusha (approximately 1 hour from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | 8am – 2pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Community Development, Public Health, Social Work & Education

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WEHAF is such an important place for women to learn, grow and support one another. I learned so much about myself, Tanzanian culture and the people I met. I would return in a heartbeat.

Community Development Volunteer • WEHAF • 2 months

Sophie, Netherlands

Conservation & Animal Welfare

  • A young woman wearing gloves tending to an unconscious puppy lying on a green medical table in a veterinary clinic.

    Mbwa wa Africa

    Mbwa wa Africa is a Tanzanian animal welfare organisation dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming vulnerable dogs and cats. Alongside operating a veterinary clinic, the organisation leads rabies vaccination campaigns, sterilisation programs, and community education initiatives that promote responsible animal care.

    How You'll Contribute

    • Support the daily care, feeding, and rehabilitation of rescued animals

    • Assist with veterinary outreach, vaccination, and sterilisation campaigns where appropriate

    • Help promote responsible animal welfare through education and community engagement

    ⚲ Location: Usa River, Arusha (approximately 1.5 hours from accommodation)

    ◴ Typical Schedule: Monday – Friday | From 8am

    ✧ Ideal For: Veterinary Science, Animal Welfare & Conservation

  • Group of people standing and sitting on a white pickup truck in a dry forested area. The truck has a website URL and a license plate from Tanzania. The individuals are dressed in safari or field work attire, some with boots and hats, indicating a wildlife or conservation activity.

    Wild Rescue Tanzania (Coming Soon)

    Wild Rescue Tanzania is pioneering wildlife conservation through the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of injured and orphaned wild animals. Working alongside wildlife professionals and conservation experts, volunteers will contribute to the care of rescued animals while gaining insight into one of Tanzania's first dedicated wildlife rescue and rehabilitation programmes.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support the daily care and wellbeing of rescued wildlife under the guidance of experienced conservation staff.

    • Assist with animal husbandry, habitat maintenance, food preparation, enrichment activities, and general rehabilitation centre operations.

    • Learn about wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation while contributing to the protection of Tanzania's unique biodiversity.

    ⚲ Location: Wami Mbiki Game Reserve
    ◴ Typical Schedule: TBD
    ✧ Ideal For: Veterinary Science, Wildlife Conservation, Zoology, Animal Science & Environmental Studies

Large beige number 66 with black outlines on a black background.

Volunteer in Tanzania welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like family. My placement at Mbwa wa Africa was incredibly rewarding, and I always knew support was there whenever I needed it.

Animal Welfare Volunteer • Mbwa wa Africa • 4 weeks

Aukje, Netherlands

Sports

  • Children playing soccer outdoors on a grassy field with trees in the background, while an adult coach runs among them.

    Future Stars Academy

    Future Stars Academy empowers children and young people through football, education, and mentorship. By combining sport with personal development, the academy helps build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and life skills in a supportive community environment.

    How You'll Contribute:

    • Support football coaching, education, and youth development activities

    • Encourage teamwork, confidence, and healthy lifestyles through sport

    • Work alongside local coaches while building meaningful relationships with young people

    ⚲Location: Olasiti, Arusha (1 hour from accommodation)

    ◴Typical Schedule: Monday – Saturday | Approximately 8am – 4pm

    ✧ Ideal For: Sport, Coaching & Youth Development

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I loved working alongside the children and teachers. I learned so much about Tanzanian culture, and I'm already planning to come back with my family.

Education Volunteer • Bright Hope School • 4 weeks

 Eva van den Berg, Netherlands

Beyond the placement

Live like a local, explore at your own pace, and experience everything Arusha has to offer.

Outside working hours, volunteers often explore national parks, coffee farms, local markets, waterfalls, and nearby villages, while taking part in Swahili lessons, cultural activities, and weekend adventures organised by our local team.

Combined with comfortable accommodation and a welcoming volunteer community, Arusha quickly becomes a place many people proudly call their second home.

Explore Accommodation
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Ready to volunteer in Mainland Tanzania?

Whether you're travelling independently or booking through one of our international booking partners, we'll help you find the right placement and guide you every step of the way.

Start your journey

Discover our other locations

Why choose just one? Many volunteers choose to combine Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar into one unforgettable experience. Spend time in more than one location, experience different communities, and discover another side of Tanzania during your stay.

explore stone town
explore east coast
explore south east coast