Overview
Volunteering offers you the opportunity to travel off the beaten track, learn new skills, meet new people, and make a difference in a disadvantaged community.
Your teamwork and leadership experience will enhance your resume and make you eminently more employable.
Combine your Africa travel or gap year plans with volunteering in Tanzania. Experience a country voted Africa’s top safari destination.
Enjoy the beaches of Zanzibar, the bustling town of Arusha, or the hills and mountains surrounding your project. Tanzania’s diversity is unmissable.
About Us
“SIMA SAFARI LIMITED” www.simasafari.com was founded in 2014 by Tanzanian entrepreneur Kokusima Mutabingwa Hovev (Sima) and her husband Alon Hovev, an Israeli businessman. Together they created the IMAGINE community volunteer programme to support the development of young people in areas where Sima Safari operates.
Our Vision is to do good with modesty and love and achieve continuous and positive development of young people in rural communities.
Our Mission is to establish a youth movement and community centres, support learning, impart life skills through sports and extra-curricular activities and provide opportunities for the youth of rural communities to realise their full potential.
IMAGINE aims to give life to each project and engage and train the communities to continue delivering and developing youth activities when our volunteers leave.
Our goal is to assist communities in renovating schools to create a welcoming environment that encourages attendance by offering terrific, during and after school learning opportunities. Our primary focus is to support local communities and provide young people easy access to informal education that promotes a better understanding and broader view of the world around them. English, geography, sport, health, first aid, folk art, horticulture, and the environment are just some of the topics covered, and volunteers are encouraged to share their knowledge on any related subject.
Central to the programme is enhancing school infrastructure and establishing community centres. School facilities will be the base where sports, life skills and activities such as martial arts, fitness training, handicrafts, cooking, art, music, and dance will be offered. Through after-school activities, coaching football, netball, or softball, assisting in school facilities improvement or enhancing reading skills, volunteers can make a real difference to the education and futures of deserving young people.
About Tanzania
When you imagine Africa, it’s TANZANIA, land of Simba “The Lion King”, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Serengeti. Located in East Africa, 4 – 6 degrees South of the Equator on the Indian Ocean, this vast middle-income country has a population of 62 million. At 945,000 SqKm, it’s almost as big as Spain and France combined. 25% of the country is comprised of national parks (236,000 SqKm), and the most well known throughout the world are:
Kilimanjaro– The highest mountain in Africa and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain
The Serengeti – Renowned for its abundant wildlife and the great annual migration
Jozani Chwaka Bay Zanzibar – on the Indian ocean
Ngorongoro crater -Home of the Worlds’ densest wildlife population
Selous (Julius Nyerere) is the World’s largest national park
How Do I Join
Joining the IMAGINE movement is simple. Just submit your profile to us. We will set up a one-to-one online meeting with an IMAGINE advisor who will discuss your preferences and goals and answer any questions you might have. We use your profile to put together groups of international volunteers with complementary skills and shared interests so that you can be sure of joining a group of interesting and like-minded volunteers.
With over two decades of local knowledge, Sima Safari has the expertise needed to create an unforgettable, safe, and secure volunteering experience.
Project One – Mashati Village School
At the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, in the Rombo district bordering Kenyaa, the Mashati village is 2.5 hours’ drive from Kilimanjaro international airport.
Project Two – Rongai Area School
Located in the Rongai area, close to Mount Kilimanjaro trek entrance and west Kilimanjaro National Park.
Project Three – Garamtony School
Located just out of Arusha City at the foot of Mount Meru, bordering Arusha National Park, and a 1-hour drive from Kilimanjaro international airport
Three Projects on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru
What is involved
You will work in a group headed by a team leader who has gained experience on a previous project. After you arrive, there will be a group discussion when assigned tasks and responsibilities are agreed. When possible, you will meet with outgoing volunteers and can learn from their experiences. IMAGINE advisors will be in constant communication to provide support and advice.
Under the team leader’s guidance, you will help refurbish school facilities undertaking minor construction projects, repair work and redecoration. You will have the opportunity to assist teachers and lead sports and other extra-curricular activities. The Children are eager to learn and respectful of teachers and mentors. Volunteers are role models, so you need to be considerate and approachable during your stay.
In Tanzania, free and accessible education is a human right, and by 2007 nearly universal access to primary education was achieved. Since then, while there has been progress, the country has faced significant educational quality challenges. Today, almost 2 million children between the ages of 7 and 13 years are out-of-school.
You should expect scarce school resources, overcrowded classrooms and facilities that are often in a poor state of repair. Electricity is limited, and internet connections are rare. We aim to improve school infrastructure so that children can get the most out of their education.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring basic school supplies such as used books, pens, coloured pencils, and markers (baggage allowance permitting). These are very much appreciated but can also be found locally. Most of all, we want your enthusiasm.
Accomodation and Meals
You will have a shared, fully serviced room in a comfortable and secure lodge or villa near the project. Breakfast and dinner will be available at the lodge, and lunch will be available at the project location. Unlimited mineral water will be provided throughout your stay. Each volunteers group will have a 24/7 minibus and driver at their disposal
Rongai Rombo
Ngaramtoni Lodge
Mashati Villas
Prices
Cost £815 per person for 14 days (13 nights)
Included
- 13 nights’ meals and accommodation,
- Airport meet and greet and transfers to a from the project
- PCR test before the flight back to home country
- Visa
- All tools, materials and equipment and safety gear
- Medical evacuation insurance
- 24-hour support from local staff
Each group will include a fully equipped and qualified first aider who will have access to a 24/7 medical doctor
Excluded
- Predeparture PCR test in country of origin
- On arrival Covid test booked before departure from the country of origin $25
- International flights approx. £400– £500 depending on the point of origin and season
- Safety boots
- Travel insurance.
FAQS
A beer and snack costs less than $5
Yes, local shops are close by
Our volunteer projects attract gap year students, career breakers, and university groups.
Volunteers donate their time, energy, and funds to cover accommodation, meals, support staff, transportation, fuel, materials, first aiders and insurance. In return, volunteers are rewarded through travel opportunities and gaining practical skills and leadership experience.
Whether you are great at DIY or can just use a paintbrush, your contribution will make a difference. If you have computer skills, like storytelling, music, art, dance, or sports, sharing your talents and abilities will help children change their lives for the better.
Schedules are designed to make the most of your time and typically start early and end at sundown with ample breaks and time to participate in fun activities.
Most projects will have a 6-day working week, with day/s off to relax. There’s a day trip to a local attraction and the chance for a cultural visit during your stay.
You will be on the doorstep of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the world’s best wildlife parks. With its bustling markets and nightlife, the town of Arusha is just a couple of hours away. The beaches of Zanzibar and hectic Dar es Salaam are a short flight or a day’s bus ride away.
Absolutely! We want your time in Tanzania to be enjoyable. Busy as you will be, in your free time, you can see the big 5, climb Kilimanjaro or visit local villages to immerse yourself in Maasai culture. We will help arrange a local phone Sim card, tour bookings, hikes or water sports and brief you on local customs.
We are based on the ground and have built up a network of local contacts and off-the-beaten-track destinations. Please check out Simasafari.com for ideas and let us know if you have some other destinations in mind!
You are unlikely to encounter any security or safety issues if you exercise a little caution. Keep your passport and valuables safe and check with your team leader if you intend to go to a remote location or to enjoy some nightlife.
While you are at the project, you will be given an orientation about the local area, wildlife, and local customs. Each team will have a first aider and volunteers are covered by Flying Doctors evacuation services. Please contact us before you travel, and we will answer any questions you might have.
June – September is usually the most popular time when groups may be up to 20- 30 volunteers.
June – September are the busiest months, so we recommend booking at least 3 months in advance. We accept booking at any time, but availability may be limited.
Absolutely! If you would like some more information to set up a crowdfunding page, please visit sites like www: crowdfunder.co.uk or search the web for great ways other volunteers have found to raise the fees.
Decide on the right date for you – let us and then contact us
You have the option to pay in full or pay a 50% deposit which is refundable (less bank charges) up to 30 days before your project starts, or you can pay a non-refundable deposit of $300. However, you will need to pay in full if you book within 30 days of departure.
Pau by bank transfer, credit/ debit card which attract an additional 3% bank charge. Once we receive your deposit, we will email you a detailed pack containing all the information you need.
Check our terms and conditions for refunds for cancellations made up to 30 days before your departure. If less than 30 days and depending on when and why you cancel your travel insurance will usually arrange a refund.
A suggested backpack list will be emailed to you that varies according to the dry or wet season.
You are encouraged to bring basic school supplies, pens, notepads, coloured pencils etc.
Projects have dedicated volunteer houses. All accommodation is in safe locations, and project staff will be on-site or very close by. Volunteers will usually sleep in a shared twin or double room. Each lodge has a cook and housekeeping staff to service your room and launder clothes and bed linen
Most lodges and villas have twin rooms and couples, and friends can share.
You can request a private room, but the priority will be couples and groups.
Breakfast and dinner will be a mix of continental and local dishes. A packed lunch will be provided at the site.
Vegetarian and vegans’ meals can be provided if you let us know when you book. However, if you need gluten-free items its best to bring a supply with you.
Most volunteers buy a local SIM card and bundles are inexpensive. Coverage is usually good, but internet is usually much slower than normal.
If you intend to stay longer than two weeks, it is best to obtain a volunteer visa before you travel. Tourist visas for short stays can be purchased at the airport on arrival. It is recommended that you check the visa requirements online well in advance of your departure.
Please visit the UK government website Fit for Travel / Tanzania.
Our projects are located in low-risk malaria areas, where anti-malarial prophylaxis is optional. If you intend to travel outside of your project, be aware you may travel into a malaria area, so you may need to consider taking medication for that part of your trip (e.g., Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam)
Check online or with your local doctor for the most up to date information on vaccinations
It would be best if you arrived at Kilimanjaro International Airport
We will meet you on arrival at the airport and then drive you to the accommodation. You will be given clear instructions before travelling about meeting project staff and other volunteers at your arrival airport. There will often be other volunteers arriving simultaneously, so you can start making friends straight away.
Yes, travel insurance is compulsory and must cover all medical treatment and international air evacuation and repatriation. Choose insurance that covers baggage and work and other activities you’re planning while in Tanzania (e.g., Climbing/scuba diving) Ideally your insurance should cover your fees if you have to leave the project early for medical reasons.
Yes! We welcome group. Just let us know the size of group and we will plan accordingly.
