Come and take part in this tropical island adventure in and around the white sand beaches of the matchless archipelago of Zanzibar, just off the Tanzanian coast in East Africa. Participants live in Jambiani and work primarily in Kizimkazi. With up to fourteen other volunteers, you will research and protect bottle-nose and humpback dolphins as well as fish, birds, whales (seasonal), and other marine life that live on and around the scattered islands.
The focal effort of the conservation project is to monitor the human-dolphin interactions which play a large role in the amount of stress put on the dolphins and could potentially lead to a smaller dolphin population. The studies that volunteers carry out can advise the government to create the most ideal policies on how to regulate such tourist activities. The data collected by participants is fed into various studies and surveys conducted by the research and academic institutions of Zanzibar. The work and contributions that you will make as a volunteer are extremely crucial and much needed by the marine conservation efforts of Zanzibar.
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Updated Jun 16, 2026
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Hear what past participants have to say about GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
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Review this ProgramShowing 1-7 of 7 reviews
I can’t. Any individual component of the trip would have fully exceeded my expectations. If I had to pick one it would be the team and Africanimpact and the care and real difference they make. It’s intoxicating.
I signed up for this program thinking that I would be swimming with dolphins every day. Out of 12 excursions to monitor the dolphins, we were able to swim after the tourist boats left only 4 times, but it was amazing!
The Zanzibar Dolphin & Marine Conservation Project exceeded my expectations. We interacted with the Community at the Fish Market, teaching at the Conservation Club, working at Zala Park Community Garden, going to the local Football Finals and having a weekly dinner in the Village.
For me it was several things that will forever be with me even after my participation with program. It was the guidance and teaching of kids from another school abroad while doing a survey underwater that really stuck with me. I am beyond confident and reliable on my skills in the water and guiding others too and even though I was the youngest volunteer in the marine program, I felt like I was truly recognised not only as an authority figure but also as someone who has good talent in their passion even though the kids I taught were only 1-2 yrs younger than me from the UK. Besides that experience, being able to be with the dolphins, swim with them, study them and see them for who they truly are in their natural habitat is something I will never forget. I have always been a huge admirer and lover for animals and being able to help and study the dolphins to their benefit while still being able to interact with them is something that was precious and amazing to me. Thank you so much for this experience.
Response from provider
Hey Ian / Allyson Thanks so much for sharing! It’s awesome to hear how much your confidence grew, especially guiding others underwater. Being recognized for your talents at such a young age is a huge accomplishment, and it sounds like you truly made an impact. And swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat? That’s the dream! We’re so happy you got to live out your passion for animals while doing something that matters. What an experience to remember! - GoEco Team
I wanted a chance to volunteer in a way that was totally different from my work. I got that, and I am thankful for the opportunity. Zanzibar is beautiful, the people I met were kind, and I had a wonderful time. The dolphin research was really wonderful to be a part of, and I also really enjoyed getting to know the local staff - really good people.
I wanted a chance to volunteer in a way that was totally different from my work. I got that, and I am thankful for the opportunity. Zanzibar is beautiful, the people I met were kind, and I had a wonderful time. The dolphin research was really wonderful to be a part of, and I also really enjoyed getting to know the local staff - really good people.
I really enjoyed my 2 weeks in Zanzibar with the dolphin project. I've loved dolphins since I was a child, so helping with research to protect their population in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean was wonderful. The project is well-organized, the place volunteers stay is beautiful, and all my experiences were positive.
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