Description

Enjoy a whirlwind adventure taking in the best of this seductive East African destination, that with its vast, dynamic animal populations and complex cultural expressions combines ancient and modern Africa in a spectacular fusion!

Begin this magical journey with a stay at the Frontier marine conservation camp by the beach, located in the Mafia Island Marine Park just south of Zanzibar. Here you will find a picturesque idyll, with communal bandas surrounded by coconut palms and moments from a stunning beach overlooking the pristine tropical reef.

You will enjoy learning to dive in the crystalline waters, eventually completing your PADI Open Water. Dive with your fellow volunteers in the heavenly waters of the Indian Ocean that fringes the coastline, spotting a dazzling array of spectacular and fascinating creatures including minute tropical reef fish, turtles and rays which glide silently through the sunlit waters.

Sample Itinerary:

* Day 1-2: Arrival & Orientation
Arrive in the bustling port city of Dar es Salaam, where you will be met by our local staff. Spend a day getting oriented, try out some basic Swahili, and explore the city's museums, markets, and nightspots!

Travel by internal flight down to Mafia Island, we will arrange the booking for you: the return flight will cost an additional GBP 100 and takes about 40 minutes. Enjoy this breathtaking flight soaring above the stunning sight of the tropical atolls that thrive in the sparkling waters of the Indian Ocean. Once you have arrived, you will be met at Mafia's small airport and escorted to the Frontier marine conservation camp.

* Day 3-16: Diving at Marine Camp
Complete your dive training at one of the world's most enticing dive sites in Tanzania's first marine park. As you explore the emerald depths of the crystal waters here, you will see a host of marine wildlife, including amazing coral reefs, colourful reef fish, endangered turtles, rays, dolphins and possibly even the enigmatic whale sharks! Read our past volunteers' accounts of their whale shark encounters in our volunteer diaries! You will reach PADI Open Water scuba diving qualification by the end of your stay.

* Day 16-28: Help teach in a local school
Remaining on the marine camp, you will be introduced to your teaching project where you begin your programme helping the teachers in the under resourced local school. You will help teach English and organise a range of activities for the students, under the guidance of the staff there. The teaching is based on Mafia Island - the most beautiful of Tanzania's Spice Islands, where tranquil white-sand beaches, friendly villages, and world class scuba diving sites combine to make this a true tropical paradise.

* Day 28-29: Dar es Salaam
Spend a one day stop over in the bustling coastal city of Dar es Salaam prior to travelling inland to the Kilombero Valley, giving you the opportunity to rest and recuperate and pick up supplies. The taxi fare from the airport in Dar and your overnight accommodation is at your own cost, project staff can help you with advice and bookings before you get there.

* Day 29-41: African Wildlife Conservation Camp
Travel by bus to the Frontier African Wildlife Conservation camp where you begin the final stage of your project, assisting on the programme of wildlife research that is taking place there, and exploring the natural beauty and plethora of biodiversity that inhabits this African wilderness. Camping on Igota village land you will be living amongst true African savannah, surrounded by the diverse and bountiful wildlife populations that thrive on the wooded flat lands of the Kilombero valley.

* Day 41-42: Travel
Return to Dar es Salaam for any last minute souvenir shopping and sightseeing before you fly home.

This is a specimen itinerary and the order and duration of the projects is subject to change. Please note that this project requires considerable in-country travel in order to experience this variety of stunning environments. Volunteers should be prepared to travel between project sites independently, and cover minimal in transit costs.

Highlights

* Help to monitor & conserve rare African wildlife.
* Earn your PADI Advanced Open Water certificate.
* Make lifelong friends.

Travel Types

• BackPacking Abroad
• Camping
• Scuba
• Tours
• Volunteering

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

3,035

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Living stipend
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

Before you go:

* Pre-departure support & documentation
* Travel & medical advice & documentation
* Advice on visas & equipment
* Discounted medical kit
* Free Frontier t-shirt

In-country:

* Airport pickup (long haul flight and outbound Mafia Island flight only)
* Project orientation
* Camp site accommodation
* 2 or 3 meals a day
* Ground transfer to wildlife conservation camp (this project requires considerable in-country travel)
* Project equipment & camp diving equipment
* 24-hour in-country & international HQ emergency support & back-up

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Phone/Video Interview

Frontier's Mission Statement

To conserve the world's most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for marginalized and under resourced communities in the world's poorest countries. To create solutions that are apolitical, forward-thinking, community-driven, and innovative and which take into consideration the long-term needs of low income communities.

Year Founded

1989