Join a marine turtle conservation project in Tanzania on the island of Zanzibar, specifically in the town of Makunduchi. Your role helps provide turtles with a safe environment, allowing them to reach adulthood before being released into the ocean each year. Your contribution to this project can take various forms, such as monitoring water quality, maintaining nets for juveniles, and much more!
The marine turtle conservation program in Makunduchi, Zanzibar, aims to protect these endangered species. This program is dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured turtles so they can be released back into their natural habitat, contributing to the global turtle population.
Participants will work closely with local conservation teams to clean turtle habitats, monitor hatchings, and raise awareness within the community about marine preservation.
You will also have the opportunity to explore Zanzibar’s stunning beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and rich, diverse culture.
You will work with the local team on-site to support the smooth operation of the facility and the well-being of the turtles.
The center’s main objective is to rescue injured turtles from local fishermen, provide them with care and treatment, and release them back into the wild once they have recovered. During the nesting season, the center also collects eggs, ensures they hatch, and releases baby turtles into the sea.
The rehabilitation center also has a mission to plant and cultivate seaweed around the site to improve the turtles’ natural habitat.
On your first day, you will have an orientation session with the local team to introduce you to the facilities, other volunteers, and explain the schedule for the upcoming days. You will also tour Makunduchi to locate shops, ATMs, and other key points of interest near your accommodation.
For the rest of the week, the program continues, and you will carry out various tasks related to turtle conservation, habitat protection, and the smooth running of the center.
A local team is always on-site to ensure the program runs efficiently and to assist volunteers when needed.
This program is available all year-round. Arrival every Sunday at the Abeid Amani Karume International Airport ZNZ).
Duration in weeks | Total mission budget |
|---|---|
2 weeks | 1525 € |
3 weeks | 2130 € |
4 weeks | 2740 € |
5 weeks | 3350 € |
6 weeks | 3960 € |
8 weeks | 5280 € |
10 weeks | 6600 € |
12 weeks | 7920 € |
Upon your arrival at the airport, we recommend purchasing a SIM card from a local shop to stay connected, as the volunteer house does not have Wi-Fi.
A local coordinator will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign displaying your name and will take you to your accommodation.
You will stay in a shared accommodation with other volunteers in Makunduchi, a peaceful town located in southeastern Zanzibar. The accommodation is close to the coast. A short 5-minute bike ride will take you to the village of Makunduchi, where you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Rooms are shared between 2 to 4 volunteers (same gender). There are 2 bathrooms with hot water. A quick reminder: tap water is not drinkable!
All essential amenities are located near the accommodation.
All meals are included (3 per day). Traditional meals will be served at this accommodation, including local dishes such as wali (rice), ugali (corn porridge), nyama choma (grilled meat), mshikaki (marinated beef skewers), samaki (fish), pilau (spiced rice), biryani, and ndizi-nyama (plantains with meat). Once a week, all participants collaborate to plan the weekly menu together.
For any international project, Freepackers requires travel insurance covering accidents, illness and repatriation, including civil liability for professional activities abroad.
For full protection while studying or interning abroad, you can take out Cap Student insurance online via this link Student insurance abroad | Chapka Assurances, which gives you a 5% discount.
If you choose another insurance provider, we will ask you to send us a copy of your insurance certificate in English.
Reach the language level your international project requires with tailored support. The Clic-campus method Free Packers X Clic Campus foreign language courses combines live video lessons with an innovative e-learning platform, fully flexible from home.
Zanzibar is considered to be a safe destination for travellers and volunteers. Freepackers has verified all of our partner organisations and we have visited the sites as well! As with any volunteer program, you should familiarise yourself with local customs, traditions, and cultural norms. Respecting the local culture will contribute to a positive and safe experience and will help you to make the most of your program by fully immersing yourself in the community.
Of course! Whatever your academic track, you can take part.
Our 10th-grade internships abroad cover a wide range of areas that positively impact local communities. You can choose to take part in:
Our projects are selected to ensure safety. Families benefit from a reassuring environment and supervised activities. The days are designed to include both children and adults, with a flexible pace and shared moments of discovery.
Yes! For families who want to travel together, we offer programs specifically designed to welcome children from 4, 10, or 15 years old, depending on the project. Our program pages indicate whether they are family-friendly, or you can contact our team to learn more.
You’ll stay together in accommodation with private rooms, in shared houses, or in comfortable local hostels.
