Description

Your Tanzania adventure begins with a thrilling journey high above the turquoise Indian Ocean, as you fly to Mafia Island - the most beautiful of Tanzania's Spice Islands, where tranquil white sand beaches, friendly villagers, and world-class snorkelling and scuba diving sites combine to make this a true tropical paradise.

Snorkel the island's dazzling coral reefs, swim among the clouds of tropical fish in every colour of the rainbow, wander along white sandy beaches, and sail out from the shore in a traditional wooden sailing boat. Let Mafia's vibrant culture and friendly communities warmly welcome you.

You will be joining an ongoing marine conservation and community development project, which means that you could be assessing the health of the reef while you snorkel, or helping local people to learn English. Plus there will be plenty of time to relax under a palm tree and gaze at the sun-drenched ocean or to swing in your hammock and soak up the breeze.

* What Will I Be Doing?

Our marine research and conservation programme on Mafia Island is run in association with the University of Dar es Salaam (with whom Frontier has been in partnership for over twenty years). The project aims to provide local stakeholders and government bodies with the information they need to design and implement management plans for the future protection of this perfect marine park. You will have the chance to help survey the reefs and the various wildlife communities that live on them and so to help gather the important data needed. You might also get the chance to explore and record the living organisms that inhabit the luxuriant mangrove forests, dense sea grass beds and productive inter-tidals in the area.

Whilst snorkelling, you'll see an extraordinary array of animals from turtles to manta rays, sea cucumbers to feathery starfish, and spiny urchins to octopus. When you sail out to sea on the Frontier sailing dhow you may even be accompanied by dolphins or encounter gigantic Whale Sharks.

You will also have the chance to get involved with our community work, perhaps by helping with environmental education days or helping to teach English to villagers.

Although the work is intense and challenging you'll get immense satisfaction from it and from having made a valuable contribution to the conservation of this untarnished marine wilderness. You will return home with the new friends you've made and a wealth of incredible memories.

You'll find your team to be a fun, dynamic mix of ages and experiences, with members who all share a passion about travelling in developing countries and saving endangered marine life. Your staff will be young, friendly individuals who are highly experienced in their field and many have also volunteered on a Frontier project earlier in their career.

For further information about Frontier marine conservation work please refer to the publications section of this website.

Highlights

* Help to monitor & conserve coral reefs and rare African marine wildlife.
* Immerse yourself in Swahili culture and sail out on the Frontier dhow and snorkel in the crystal clear ocean.
* Make lifelong friends.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,500

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad

Program Fees Include:

Before you go:
* Pre-departure support
* Travel & medical advice & documentation
* Equipment advice
* Discounted medical kit
* Free Frontier t-shirt

In-country:
* Airport pickup (provisional on arrival date)
* Accommodation
* Food
* Outward journey ground transfers (not air or ferry transfers) & in-transit accommodation (provisional on arrival date)
* Airport drop off, return journey in-transit accommodation & return journey ground transfers for 10 week+ volunteers
* Local orientation
* Project training
* 24-hour in-country & international HQ emergency support & back-up

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Education
• Environment
• Volunteering
• Water

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

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