The Experience
Imagine a place where elephants, zebras and rhinos stampede across the plains in the shadow of a one of the Africa’s largest snow-capped mountain peaks – mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro. This is Tanzania, a land where the colorful Chagga people live in harmony with Africa’s most impressive array of wildlife.
We’ll balance our immersive 10-day journey lending a hand in a small village school with exciting cultural activities around the village and a 3-day excursion to three of the best safaris in East Africa. Take a nature walk to a stunning waterfall along the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Learn to make traditional batik art and visit a coffee cooperative that supports local women. Take the jeep ride of a lifetime in three of the world’s most famous safari parks: Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire National Park. See a pantheon of wildlife in their natural habitat, including zebras, lions, leopards, elephants, wildebeest, and rhinos.
Mama Simba is your Guide to this Incredible Country
Arguably the best part of your Tanzanian journey is your passionate guide, Mama Simba. She will take you in as part of her family introducing you to the amazing people that inhabit Rau Village. She will also show you a side of East Africa that very few gain access to.
Our Impact
In village schools of rural Tanzania, student-teacher ratios regularly reach 50-to-one, with overcrowded classrooms negatively affecting the quality of education. To achieve our purpose in aiding these teachers and students, volunteer a few mornings during the trip at a local primary school and tutor children in English and math, work alongside teachers to help create instructional aids, and help craft a curriculum that can be used for future success.
When not helping with teaching, you will lend a hand to improve the infrastructure of the school by planting gardens and building classrooms, all of which will help improve the lives of local children. Mama Simba, your guide on this trip, has been working in these primary schools for over fifteen years and has a strong connection to the teachers, community and staff who are eager to meet you!
Where You’ll Stay
Your home-away-from-home lies tucked into the narrow dirt roads that snake through the quaint Tanzanian village of Rau. Just outside Moshi, this large walled lodge boasts stunning views of Kilimanjaro in the distance, peaceful gardens and a lively common area that serves as the perfect backdrop to your East African experience. Rooms are double or single occupancy with attached private bathrooms. Most meals are eaten at the bed and breakfast cooked by our lovely local team. Please note: During the summer months, we will move to a different property around the same location and with the same level of comfort and accessibility.
Itinerary Overview
Arrive to Kilimanjaro Airport and settle into your bed & breakfast in Rau Village. We’ll spend the following day exploring the area, meeting local families and learning a bit of Swahili. The next few days will be split between exploring local coffee farms, hiking to waterfalls and learning to make traditional batik with our projects at the local school.
We’ll lend a hand with basic English lessons in the classroom and simply engaging in cross-cultural communication with the children. Venture out on a 3-day safari to Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park and Lake Manayara. Be on the lookout for the Big 5 as well as zebras, giraffes, gazelle and rhinos.
Your Expert Local Guide
Discover Corps’ expert family of guides around the world are by your side throughout the journey.
Esther “Mama” Simba
“Mama Simba”, as many people prefer to call her, is the heart and soul of our Tanzania trip. Her formal education is in languages leading her to work with U.S. Peace Corps Tanzania between 1989-2001. Mama Simba is truly a skillful and talented language trainer of both Swahili and English and as well as a professional cross-cultural facilitator. She is not only a director and a leader but also “a dear mother”- loving, caring, charismatic, approachable, supportive and open to accommodate new ideas. Mama Simba believes that the “sky is the limit” and has learned a lot from her travels in the throughout the U.S., Asia and Africa. As she always says upon meeting each of our groups “Karibu! And welcome to Tanzania!”.
Optional post-trip extensions
Discover Corps’ post-trip extensions allow you to extend your experience beyond the core itinerary and explore unique corners of the destination.
Traveler’s Journal
Karen K.
Morrison, CO
Read More Discover Corps Reviews
Rating: 5/5 stars
Dates and Prices
Our trips are inclusive of all activities, lodging, transport and most meals to make your experience hassle-free.
$4,695 Adult
$4,395 Child
- Double Occupancy Price. Children’s pricing applies to travelers 16 years old and younger sharing a room with an adult
- Single Room Supplement = $350
What’s Included:
- All meals included: 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners
- 7 nights private bed & breakfast lodging in Rau Village, outside Moshi
- 2 nights at a 3-star safari park lodge in Karatu
- Volunteer project: all supplies and materials
- All activities: guest speakers, hands-on workshops & performances
- Airport transfers and all ground transportation
- All excursions: nature hike at base of Kilimanjaro, coffee farm visit & three world-class safaris
- All gratuities for lodges, meals, and baggage
- $50,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance
- 24-hour Discover Corps emergency hotline & turnkey customer support
What’s Not Included:
- International Airfare
- Tips for Discover Corps guide and driver
- Alcoholic beverages
- Visas
Dates
Our intimate, small-group departures consist of like-minded travelers. Don’t see a date that works? Want to make it private? Schedule a personal travel consultation and we’ll make it happen.
STS = Solo Traveler Savings. Single room fees are waived on these dates.
2024 Dates
February 18-27, 2024
May 26-June 4, 2024
June 23-July 2, 2024
July 7-16, 2024
August 18-27, 2024 STS
October 6-15, 2024 STS
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Alumni & Family Discounts, Monthly Payment Plans, and More
Repeat travelers and groups are eligible for discounts. Looking for a payment plan to help manage your trip? Learn more here.
Customized Private Trips
Let us create a custom trip for your group. Learn more about custom group travel.