Tanzania – Safari & Service

Arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by a Discover Corps representative and transferred to our bed & breakfast in charming Rau Village, overlooking Mt. Kilimanjaro. Settle in and enjoy a welcome dinner. (L,D)

We’ll take a crash course in Swahili, the local language, and walk through the village to practice our new phrases and meet our neighbors. Spend an afternoon with a local family, immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture and asking them any questions you might have. (B,L,D)

This morning we’ll visit the local village school where we’ll be volunteering. Our days will vary between teaching English to a classroom of students to working one-on-one with individual children who need extra help with a specific subject. This afternoon we’ll visit a local coffee farm and enjoy a traditional tribal dance. (B,L,D)

This morning we’ll continue volunteering at the local school, from teaching classes to painting classrooms and planting in the gardens. In the afternoon we’ll walk through Rau Village to an orphanage, where we’ll meet the kids and play games with them. (B,L,D)

After another morning of teaching, take off to visit the incredible Mt. Kilimanjaro. We’ll enjoy a nature hike around the base of the mountain, where we’ll visit caves and hike to a beautiful cascading waterfall. In the evening, relax at our lodge and enjoy a performance of local dances. (B,L,D)

After a final morning’s volunteering at the school, say goodbye to the students and staff before a lesson in traditional batik cloth making. This age-old technique involves brushing hot wax onto cotton to create traditional patterns. Tonight we’ll relax before our safari begins tomorrow. (B,L,D)

Today we’ll embark on a full-day safari drive in Tarangire National Park, encountering diverse wildlife including elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeests, monkeys, lions and leopards. Observe how these animals live in harmony with the environment and learn about the conservation efforts helping to preserve the natural order. We’ll spend the night at a simple lodge near the park. (B,L,D)

After breakfast in the bush, we’ll explore the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, once Earth’s tallest volcano before it erupted two million years ago. The crater floor is one of the most densely packed game areas in the world, home to animals including black rhinos and cheetahs. We’ll be given box lunches to enjoy in the afternoon alongside a lake inhabited by hippos. (B,L,D)

On our final day of safari, we’ll head out to nearby Lake Manyara, home to ecosystems ranging from dry savannah to marshes to evergreen forest. Zebras, giraffe and countless species of birds inhabit the park as well as the famous tree-climbing lions. Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to Rau Village to unwind before our flights out the next day. (B,L,D)

We’ll have a relaxing morning and head into the village to say our final goodbyes. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy our final meal together and have a chance for some last minute shopping before we head to the airport to catch our flights home. (B)