Overview

Looking to teach and get a tan?

On sun-drenched Zanzibar, hidden cleverly in the Indian Ocean, truly away from it all, you will have plenty of opportunity to get in your teaching and tanning time. You will be based in Stone Town, the cultural center of Zanzibar, known for its narrow alleys, bustling bazaars, mosques and extravagant houses of the Arab elite. Stone Town is so fantastic that it was even declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. A TEFL certificate is included in your placement fee so that you can make the most of your experience from day one.

Trip Highlights:

• Exploring the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar
• Tasting the excitingly exotic island dishes
• Bonding with children and adults in the community 
• Experiencing the world in a whole new way

Itinerary & Details

What the project does and why it needs you!

Students in Zanzibar are eager to learn English but there are not enough English teachers to go around. The government is hoping to improve the level of English spoken by the population in order to enable people to work in tourism and/or other professions where English is required.

Who is it for?

This project is ideal for anyone hoping to teach English and be immersed in a magnificently different culture.

What you’ll be doing

We work with several schools in the Stone Town area. You will be teaching English to children and/or adults depending on which school you are assigned to. Schedules will vary but you will generally be teaching Monday to Friday. Schools that we work with are usually government funded although you could be working in a private school which can be more resourced than government ones. Zanzibar is incredibly laid back and so volunteering will hours will be very flexible. You may find yourself starting the day very early some days and then not teaching until the afternoon on other days. You could also find yourself teaching adults at 18.30 in the evening! It`s a real chance to slip away from the old routine!

Where you’ll be staying

You will be staying in a basic hostel right in the center of Stone Town, a fantastic location with access to shops, bars, restaurants and the great local vibe. You will be sharing a room with up to three others.

What you’ll be eating

Your breakfast is included in your stay and may include local delicacies such as rice dishes, fruits and crepes. For lunch and dinner you are free to explore the various restaurants and food stalls around the city. Be bold! Don’t be afraid to try new and exciting dishes. When it comes to foreign food, looks can be deceiving, so don’t let a mysterious color or texture scare you away!

Advice and what to bring

Tanzania is a conservative Muslim country. Please dress modestly while teaching at the schools and when away from the tourist areas.

When you arrive

Fly into Dar es Salaam (airport code DAR) and meet an i-to-i representative at the airport. You will spend your first night in Dar es Salaam in a comfortable hostel outside the city. Early the next morning you will board the ferry to Zanzibar. After a beautiful ride you will be met at the ferry port and taken to your accommodation in Stone Town.

Your last day

Your last day will come around more quickly than you realise and it will be time to head home or on for your further travels. You can take a taxi to the ferry port and then after the ferry trip you can take a taxi to Dar Es Salaam airport. If your flight is early in the morning you can transfer to Dar Es Salaam on the Friday and stay overnight in before travelling on to the airport - our team can help you with these arrangements. Please note that the return transfer is not covered within your project fee.

Visa Information:

When you’re volunteering in Tanzania the project you work on benefits from your help and adds to the ongoing work of others. You’ll need to apply for a Class C permit in order to do this; it’s a working permit that allows you to volunteer. We’ll send you all the documents straight after booking so you know what you to do. There are a just few things you’ll need to know about the permit when preparing your itinerary:

You’ll enter into Tanzania on a tourist visa which you can get on arrival (cost is US$50, or US$100 if you’re Irish)

IMPORTANT: If you want to travel around Tanzania, go on safari, climb Kili etc please ensure that you do this BEFORE your project start date whilst you are still on a tourist visa - the tourist visa you enter the country on gives you far greater freedom in terms of where go and what you do!

On arrival at your project you will be switched over to a Class C work permit from your tourist visa

Once you have started your project, due to the rules and regulations regarding work permits in Tanzania you will only able to take tours offered by our in-country partners.

Throughout your time at project we ask you to confirm all weekend travel plans with the in-country team. This is to ensure that both they and you are able to ensure that you remain within the regulations of the work permit.

If you are looking to travel in Tanzania after the end of your project you will need to submit an itinerary to the in-country team when you apply for your class C Work Permit. However, again due to the work permit restrictions, you will only be able to go on an organised tour with our in-country partners as it is not possible to alter the status of your work permit once it has been issued unless you leave the country.

Any questions about planning your trip to Tanzania just give us a call!