Voluntourism | Tanzania
Join World Wide Trekking and our sister nonprofit, the Human Outreach Project (HOP), for an unforgettable blend of service and adventure in Tanzania. Spend your days working on meaningful community projects at the Kilimanjaro Kids Community (KKC) and surrounding schools—and your free time exploring some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.
Trek Summary
Travel with Purpose. Make a Difference.
Voluntourism Activity Rating : EASY ACTIVE
The WWTrek Difference:
Seamless Planning: We take care of every detail—from pre-trip consultations to in-country logistics—so you can focus on the experience.
Trusted Partnerships: Our work is supported by HOP (Human Outreach Project), ensuring your efforts go directly to meaningful community projects.
Expert Leadership: Local guides, experienced staff, and our U.S.-based operations team ensure safe, smooth, and memorable travel.
Responsible Travel: Every trip emphasizes cultural respect, sustainability, and giving back.
Small Groups, Big Impact: Limited group sizes allow for deeper connections—with both the community and your fellow travelers.
The World Wide Trekking Difference
Our professionally trained Safari Guides work to provide excellent service and an abundance of knowledge to our guests. We crafted these Safaris with your comfort in mind, so we travel in spacious Land Cruisers that allow guests a window seat and access to a food and beverage cooler. You can relax in your seat, enjoy refreshments while gazing at African wildlife, or stand through the vehicle’s pop-top roof to observe the animals.
WWTrek Accommodations
Stay at the Kilimanjaro Kids Community Guest House, a comfortable home base with dorm-style rooms, private guest options, WiFi, and stunning Kilimanjaro views. Enjoy one lodge night in Karatu during the pool party celebration.
WWTrek Meals
Fresh, wholesome meals prepared daily, including local Tanzanian dishes and familiar comforts. Meals are shared with the KKC community, creating space to connect over food.
WWTrek Team
Our team of medically and practically trained Guides is here to help you every step of the way. From the first point of contact with the office through the end of your trekking experience with us, World Wide Trekking will work with you to ensure you feel comfortable and prepared to embark on your journey.
WWTrek Experience
We think it’s imperative to offer our guests the ability to hear from one another. This way, guests can get the nitty-gritty details about the trek… like finding out just how challenging that hike is!
“Dean and his team put together a fantastic trekking experience. The trails they selected were just right, with one stunning view after another. The hotels were first rate, and the food was amazing. The guides Tina and Matt did a great job of coordinating the transfers, handling the logistics and managing the schedule, all while keeping an eye on everyone. It was super fun hiking with kindred spirits and sharing the experience with them. Looking forward to future trips with WWT.”
– Joseph
WWTrek Guest Services
Once you sign on with WWTrekking, we are here for you every step of the way! You will be assigned an adventure specialist who will help you prepare for your trip. Whether your questions or needs are regarding flights, packing, early arrivals, departures, accommodations, or anything else, your adventure specialist is only a phone call away!
Once your trip begins, World Wide Trekking boasts an extensive support crew. We provide medically certified, Professional guide(s) for all adventures as well as a plethora of local professionals to aid the group. Additionally, you have access to a Local Operations Manager throughout your adventure.
Trek Itinerary
Arrival in Tanzania
- Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Tanzania, Africa.
- A World Wide Trekking representative will meet you.
We will have group orientation this morning before heading to Tarangire National Park for our first game drive. - Transfer to Kilimanjaro Kids Community (KKC) Guest House. Welcome snacks.
Orientation & Project Kickoff
- Morning orientation and tour of KKC
- Meet the staff and children
- Afternoon project setup
Project Work & Community Time
- Begin project
- Spend time with KKC children—games, meals, and connection
Service & Embokoi School Lunch Program
- Morning project work
- Afternoon visit to Embokoi School
- Assist with the HOP School Lunch Program
Project Work & Kids’ Activities
• Continue work on projects
• Engage with KKC children in afternoon activities
Project Work & Sustainability Tour
- Final stages of projects
- Learn about KKC’s gardens, livestock, and solar initiatives
Pool Party & Overnight in Karatu
- Travel with KKC kids and staff to Karatu
- Pool party and celebratory dinner
- Overnight at Karatu Lodge or similar
Ngorongoro Crater Safari
- Full-day game drive inside UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Spot lions, elephants, buffalo, zebra, and rhino
- Picnic lunch on the crater floor
- Overnight at Makuyuni Lodge or similar
School Lunch Program & Departure
- Visit Makuyuni School and assist with meal prep and service
- Return to KKC Guest House for final project wrap-up and farewells
- Evening international departure from JRO
What's Included
Pre-trip planning & personal consultation
All ground transportation in private vans & buses
8 nights at Kilimanjaro Kids Community Guest House (dorm-style accommodations)
1 night at Karatu Lodge (or equivalent)
All services, tours, hikes, and entrance/excursion fees listed in the itinerary
1.5 liters bottled mineral water per person per day
Services of professional English-speaking local guides
Support from local staff, cook, and crew
WWTrek Operations Manager coordination and oversight
Not Included
Personal gear and packing items
International airfare to/from Tanzania
Passport and visa fees (if applicable)
Medical expenses, vaccinations, or immunizations
Travel, evacuation, and medical insurance (required)
Meals or bottled beverages not listed in the itinerary
Items of a personal nature (laundry, soft drinks, souvenirs, etc.)
Costs from unforeseen circumstances beyond WWTrek’s control (weather, delays, etc.)
Gratuities for local guides and safari driver
The World Wide Trekking Difference
Kilimanjaro Kids Community (KKC)
The heart of our voluntourism journey. Spend time connecting with the children, learning their stories, and contributing to the home they love.
Volunteer Project
Be hands-on scheduled projects for the children—leaving behind something lasting and meaningful.
School Lunch Programs
Help prepare and serve nutritious meals at Embokoi and Makuyuni schools, where Human Outreach Project feeds over 1,200 children daily.
Celebration & Pool Party
Join the kids for a pool party and overnight trip to Karatu—a highlight they look forward to every year.
Ngorongoro Crater Safari
Cap your journey with a game drive in the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera—spotting elephants, lions, zebra, and possibly the rare black rhino.
Trip Add-Ons
Contact Our Team for pricing and details on adding a trip to Venice to your Dolomites Adventure!
Travel Notes
Best Time of Year to Visit
The best time for wildlife viewing is during the two dry seasons (June – October and January-February). Animals head to the grasslands to feed and congregate around water sources, enticing predators to stake out the watering holes. If you’re lucky, a dramatic chase may develop. June and July are the best months to catch Serengeti’s great migration, a spectacular sight of over 2 million zebra and wildebeest traveling together.
If you’d like to avoid the crowds during the popular dry season, you will still find plenty of fascinating wildlife viewing during the wet season. The wildebeest calving season (January – February) is a great time to see young, which can also lead to predator action. The wet season also offers spectacular green scenery and a kaleidoscope of migratory birds.
Arrivals and Departures
All flights should be made through the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) located in Tanzania. Often arriving to this location is most easily done through Amsterdam (AMS) on KLM airlines (one direct flight daily). You will connect from AMS on KLM airlines into Tanzania (JRO).
*Many guests prefer to leave after the scheduled itinerary to go on Safari, Gorilla Tracking, or to visit Zanzibar Island. We are happy to help you make these arrangements. Additional charges for transportation, lodging, meals, and activities will apply.
Recommended Flights
International airfares are not included in program pricing. When booking international travel, we recommend working with an experienced travel agent. One that World Wide Trekking is proud to coordinate with is Brian Mei from Eastern Travel. You can reach Brian directly by calling 801.792.1721 or by email at brian@easterntravel.com. Additional support is always available by calling the Eastern Travel Office at 801.466.8811 or by emailing Michelle at michelle@easterntravel.com.
The benefit of using a travel agent is in the event of itinerary changes, the travel agent will find the best flight connections, and land arrangements, for you. Though third-party travel websites are convenient, we do not recommend using them, due to instability in the itineraries. We also recommend that you protect your flight with travel insurance and a refundable ticket.
We also recommend that you protect your flight with travel insurance and a refundable ticket. Contact AIG Travel Guard to get more information.
Travel Insurance
We recommend you safeguard your trip by purchasing travel insurance. World Wide Trekking has partnered with AIG Insurance as our preferred travel insurance provider. For a price quote, or to purchase travel insurance, visit:
Please Note: You must purchase this plan within 14 days of your deposit payment. Please send us a copy of your plan if you choose to purchase one.
Customs, Visas, Immigration
Before your arrival in Tanzania, you will be required to purchase a 12-month multiple-entry tourist visa for $100. Please keep your landing card (received in flight) and a pen handy for customs.
Contact G3 Global Services for more information on how to complete your visa prior to your arrival.
*Please be sure to have at least six months validity on your passport. Most countries won’t allow travelers in their country unless their passport is expected to expire six months after the last day of travel. Make two copies of your passport, leave one at home and bring the other with you to Tanzania. Ensure you provide a copy of your passport to WWTrek 90-days prior to your departure date.
Accommodations
Dorm accommodations at the guest house
Transportation
A World Wide Trekking representative will privately transport you from the airport to your stay.
Meals
Typical meals include breakfast complete with coffee and tea, lunch, and dinner. Enjoy all of your meals in our luxurious dining tents complete with tables, chairs, dinnerware, and solar lighting.
*Please contact us if you have any special dietary needs or food restrictions. We can accommodate any special diets. We are happy to help!
Health and Safety
Our stringent commitment to safety means you have access to our medically certified guides before and throughout your trip. Our staff also carries emergency medical equipment such as satellite communicators and medical kits.
Before the trip, you will need to get a few prescriptions from your physician: Diamox for altitude sickness, Cipro for stomach ailments, and Z-Pack for respiratory ailments. In addition, we recommend visiting your local International Travel Clinic one month before your trip. Needed vaccinations include a current tetanus shot, annual influenza shot, Varicella, Typhoid, Hep A, and MMR.
Helpful over-the-counter medications include Imodium Ad, throat lozenges, ibuprofen, eye drops, and any other personal medications you may need.
For more information, feel free to contact us directly with any questions, at 801-943-0264. We can reschedule a phone call with our medical advisor, Dr. Levy, to answer any specific questions regarding your personal needs.
Gratuities
In many parts of the world, gratuities are given in appreciation for a job well done. Our guides will take care of tipping service personnel along the way so that you don’t have to think about it.
For any additional services outside of our itinerary, plan to tip 10% (transport, restaurants, baggage, lodges, etc). We will provide you with detailed tipping recommendations on your ‘Trip Detail’ site once you sign up.
At the trails end you will have the opportunity to contribute to a group tipping pool that will be presented to your WWTrekking guides and trekking staff as we say our goodbyes.
Currency Exchange
You will have the opportunity to exchange money after your WWTrek guide escorts you from the airport. You can easily exchange money at gift shops in both Venice and the other villages we visit. Exchange money as you go using your credit card or cash for your expenses at the lodge. Typically, our guests spend about $1,000 for various personal expenses, souvenirs, and incidentals.
General Information
Country
Tanzania is one of the world’s oldest inhabited regions. For three million years man has roamed its regions, savannas to mountains, carving out an existence from the African countryside. Drawn to exotic Africa, explorers have tried to tame her wildness to no avail. The story of Tanganyika, Tanzania, is one of unaltered wilds and progressive politics. “Kilimanjaro,” according to the President of Mozambique, Chissano, “carried the torch that liberated Africa.”
Population
49.25 million
Time Zone
Tanzania operates on East Africa Time Zone – UTC+03:00, putting it 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 11 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Capital City
Dodoma, Tanzania
People
Tribes of Tanzania
Sukuma comprise the largest tribe with three million Tanzanians. Living in the northwestern area of Tanzania, they speak Bantu and are traditionally cattle herders and farmers of subsistence crops such as cassava.
Nywamwezi, also known as the “people of the moon,” are the second largest tribe in Tanzania. Similar to the Sukuma, they are also historically cattle herders, farmers, and Bantu speakers. Living in the northwest of Tanzania, near Lake Victoria, the tribe has about 1.5 million members.
The third largest tribe of Tanzania reside on the south and eastern slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Mosh. The Chaga speak Kichagga, a Niger-Congo language. They were one of the first tribes to convert to Christianity. Among the richest and most powerful people in Tanzania, they hold a strong sense of identity. Known for their advanced farming techniques, trade, and politics, they thrive as a successful tribe.
Descended from Persia, the Shirazi make up the majority of the people of Zanzibar island. They speak Swahili and practice Sunni and Shia Islam.
Culture and Religion
Tanzanians bear a surprisingly strong national association, or ujamaa (family-hood). They rarely identify themselves by tribe upon an initial meeting. This collective attitude comes from the Julius Nyerere days and his push to unify over 120 tribes in a socialistic type society. This national mindset allows Tanzania a relatively peaceful existence with tribes coexisting. Christians and Muslims live side by side with minimal friction.
Currency
The official currency in Tanzania is the Tanzanian shilling abbreviated TZS. TZS replaced the East Africa shilling in 1966 and is abbreviated TZS. Currency exchangers subdivide the shilling into 100 senti and it is written as x/y where x is the amount over one shilling and y is the senti. Due to the fluctuating exchange rates, we recommend searching online to find out the current rate.
Human Outreach Project
OUR PLANET… HELPING OTHERS, CHANGING LIVES
