Trip Details

Cultural Holiday Zanzibar – Tanzania

Add this week to your volunteering projects for an even greater adventure in Zanzibar!

Our Culture Week in Zanzibar is packed with fun activities for every kind of traveller! And you’ll find everything from wildlife and bustling markets to stunning beaches – all within breathtaking settings!  However, this is an educational week too, and during your holiday, you will learn all about local culture, customs and traditions, as well as learning some of the language too! In fact, all of this will be really helpful when you start your volunteering week with a better grasp of Tanzanian culture, and how to fit in during your stay.

Join the TRU Team on a Fun-packed Culture Week in Zanzibar!

During your cultural holiday, you can lose yourself in the maze-like Stone Town, glimpse the turtles of Prison Island and take part in cultural activities from dance and crafts to music – and even cooking! You will also visit highlights of the bustling town of Monduli, and visit museums and art galleries where you’ll learn about this country’s struggles. And did we mention the stunning beaches? Lastly, famous for its cuisine and its unique atmosphere, Zanzibar offers a vibrant nightlife and many places to try out Zanzibari delicacies!

Immerse yourself in the Vibrant Tanzanian Culture!

One of the great things about our Culture week is that you get to know many of the people that you will be working alongside during your volunteer week. Further, our accommodation is the perfect place to kick back with friends, enjoy the sunshine or use as a base camp for further adventures. In fact, many of our volunteers plan and travel as a group at the weekends on their own excursions through this beautiful country! So whether you’re a beach bum, a city person or a nature lover, you’ll find it all on our cultural holiday programme in Zanzibar!

Why book our Cultural Holiday in Zanzibar?

  • Explore Zanzibar and get to know the friendly and colourful local community
  • Discover more about the country with an action-packed week of culture
  • Make new friends and settle into life in Zanzibar before your project start
  • Stay in safe accommodation, either at our hostel or with a host family
  • Taste the delights of Tanzanian cuisine, with all meals and beverages,* included

*tea, coffee and drinking water

Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.

Trip Itinerary

There’s so much to see in Zanzibar! And our cultural holiday experience will provide even greater adventure to your volunteering project!

Weekly Schedule

Here’s what we have in store for your during your exciting week of Tanzanian culture!

Monday

  • Breakfast
  • Orientation
  • Swahili Language Lesson
  • Lunch
  • Walking tour visiting local shops near the accommodation
  • Dinner

Tuesday

  • Breakfast
  • Guided Stone Town City Tour with History
  • Lunch
  • Visit local market
  • Swahili food cooking lesson
  • Dinner

Wednesday

  • Breakfast
  • Swahili Language lesson
  • Lunch
  • Spice Farm experience
  • Swahili house visit
  • Changuu island experience
  • Dinner

Thursday

  • Breakfast
  • Village Cycling Tour
  • Learn about the traditions and practices of local healers or “Witch Doctors”
  • Lunch
  • Khanga Demonstration
  • Coconut ropes making
  • Coconut roof making
  • Dinner

Friday

  • Breakfast
  • Full Beach Day
  • Bag lunch provided
  • Souvenir/Spice shopping
  • Dinner

Please note:

Cost of transport to locations is not included, but will usually be around £1.50 per day.

This schedule can be changed depending on weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Evenings and Weekends

Your evenings and weekends are free to do as you please, and you can choose to explore the area or simply kick back with your new-found friends back at your accommodation. Many of our volunteers enjoy mixing with their friends during the week and plan their weekend adventures as they go!

Places to Visit

Zanzibar is known for its sandy white beaches and unique culture. While here, don’t miss Stone Town itself, a place known for its mazes and spices (take a spice tour for sure!). Another must is a visit to Prison Island, where you can spot dolphins and marine life. Travel north or east of the island for some of the best and cleanest beaches in the world and enjoy the Indian Ocean at its best!

Trip Accommodation

About the Accommodation

You will be staying in a traditional and comfortable guesthouse with multiple bedrooms (single gender) in Stone Town, with communal bathrooms, and a kitchen for you to prepare your own meals in (although all meals are included in the programme). There is also a sizable lounge –  perfect for socialising in, with your new found friends!

Food Arrangements

Zanzibar is known as the Spice Island, and, as you can imagine, the food here is incredibly aromatic, full of delicious spices and flavours! These are what make the Zanzibari food so unique. The food here is influenced by a combination of Swahili, Indian and Arabian foods. Breakfasts usually consist of chai (tea), toast, fruit, and fried dough, and lunch and dinner can include meat, vegetables, rice, Chapatis, and fruit.

Facilities

There are a few small local stores that sell snacks, drinks, and any basic supplies you might need during your stay. Nearby, there are also ATM’s, banks, shops, and a local pharmacy should you need it, during your culture week or volunteering project.

Transportation

From this location, we do not provide free transport to other locations. Our staff will support you with arranging transport if you are planning a weekend away outwith your planned cultural holiday events.

Trip Country Info

Tanzania

Population: 55 million
Capital: Dodoma
Language: Swahili, English
Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Time zone: EAT (UTC +3)

Parts of the country are in Southern Africa and it is bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south; and by the Indian Ocean to the east. It is home to Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, in its northeastern region and is considered the Safari capital of the world!

Tanzania is a presidential constitutional republic, and since 1996, its official capital city has been Dodoma, where the President’s Office, the National Assembly, and some government ministries are located. Dar es Salaam, the former capital and its largest city, retains most government offices and is the country’s principal port and leading commercial centre.

Volunteer holidays to Tanzania are enjoyed in a land of spectacular beauty, and one of the largest countries in Africa. It lies on the east coast of Africa and is bordered to the north by Kenya and Uganda, to the west is Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia and to the south are Malawi and Mozambique. Tanzania comprises of coastal lowland, volcanic highlands, the Great Rift Valley and the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. We have a selection of volunteering programs in Tanzania with placements at orphanages, teaching & medical placements.

Tanzania is the only country in the world which has allocated at least 25 per cent of its total area to wildlife national parks and protected areas, including the world famous Serengeti National Park. We provide exciting gap adventures to Tanzania, backpacking holidays and volunteering work experience programs.  If you are interested in volunteering in Tanzania or trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro have a look at our latest programs below or give us a call for more information.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

Travel Insurance
Under 18, Parental Consent

Additional Requirements

Recommended Vaccinations

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa