contact_support
Protect the Sea Turtles in South Tanzania
Protect the Sea Turtles in South Tanzania

Mtwara, Tanzania

Protect the Sea Turtles in South Tanzania

Trip Highlights

  • Protect the Sea Turtles
  • Educate the local communities about marine conservation 
  • Discover and fall in love with the underwater realm 
  • Enjoy some of the best coral reefs in the world
  • Expand your knowledge about oceans and marine life
  • Experience the authentic Tanzania away from the crowded and touristic areas
  • Explore the hidden gems of South Tanzania known only by a few
  • Admire the humpback whales’ migration from August to November
  •  

Overview

Overview

Sea Turtles are keystone species in the preservation of marine biodiversity and yet they should be extinct by 2050 due to human activities. Due to their involvement in many different ecosystems, their disappearance would create a domino effect on all marine life. 

The south of Tanzania is one of the poorest and least developed parts of the county. Due to the lack of income and education, people are fishing destructively (bomb fishing only stopped recently) and catch anything, even endangered and illegal species. The recent and high increase in population has raised the pressure on the local Sea Turtles (green, hawksbill, leatherback), which are already highly threatened.
Education and awareness are the only ways to change these behaviors.

Join us to reverse the trend!


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers from 17 years old or over are welcome. Parents/guardians’ signatures and approval are required for minors. English spoken and written is mandatory. Swimming capabilities too are required.The minimum stay for this program is 2 weeks. We recommend a 4+ weeks participation to start witnessing some impacts. The longer the stay, the more positive impacts you see. Now, let’s save the turtles!


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers are involved in all activities performed to protect the Sea Turtles. Sea Turtle conservation needs to adapt to the local conditions to be effective. Any new ideas on how to reach awareness or reach the local communities to improve the situation are welcome. Our volunteers help to create, develop and expand our actions, on land and in-water.

Our Sea Turtle welfare center provides a safe place for endangered Sea Turtles. Our volunteers participate in activities such as relocation of eggs to remove them from poachers’ threat, education of local population about marine conservation during community meetings or school classes, beach patrols to protect the Sea Turtles, snorkeling for underwater mapping and Sea Turtle identification, and much more. 

We expect our volunteers to show great respect to the Tanzanian communities welcoming us in their beautiful country.  In addition to the normal courtesy and tolerance, we require our gentlemen volunteers to avoid walking in the street shirtless; for our lady volunteers we require them to follow a simple rule: either shoulders or knees are visible, but never both at the same time. Mini-skirts / shorts and other revealing clothes are to be avoided. 


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

On your first day, we introduce you to your new environment: this is Orientation day. We show you the area and the points of interest as much as discuss your schedule and the on-going activities.

Our program takes place 5 days per week, from 8am to 2pm (rarely later depending on the objective of the day). The schedule is set at the beginning of each week according to the needs at the time.Our activities can take place on land or in water. 

On land, our objective is to raise awareness and lead the way to protect the Sea Turtles. Activities include egg relocation to our nursery, classes with local schools about marine conservation (waste management, Sea Turtles, etc), beach walks to track turtle nests and protect them, patrols to prevent poaching, beach clean-ups to remove all plastics and garbage, beach assessments to define areas to be protected, etc.  

In water, we aim at increasing our knowledge about the local Sea Turtles. Activities include snorkeling to track Sea Turtles, mapping the seagrass areas and coral reefs, identifying Sea Turtles and documenting their behaviors, etc. 

Once a week, we also run a “Marine conservation day”. These days are dedicated to expanding the knowledge of our volunteers about marine conservation in general: overfishing, sharks, ocean pollution, etc.

On top, we also try to involve our volunteers in the background process of such a project, like meetings with the authority, social media, relations with scientific experts, etc. 


Living

Living

We take great care of you throughout your stay in Tanzania and make sure you have a comfortable stay.

Reaching Mikindani Mtwara
Your international flight should land in Dar-Es-Salaam, the main town of Tanzania. To reach Mikindani Mtwara, you have the choice between air or land trips. We can assist you to book any of your tickets or organize your stay if necessary. 

By air, Air Tanzania (https://www.airtanzania.co.tz/) and Precision Air (https://www.precisionairtz.com/en/) are the two airlines flying from Dar-Es-Salaam to Mtwara. You can check their schedule and even book your tickets online… or we can assist you with it too! As soon as you are done, send us your flight details so we can get everything ready for your arrival. The flight last approximately an hour… and you will have your first Tanzanian cashew snack, the best in the world! 

By land, there are many local bus companies that are travelling down south. Our preference is “Buti La Zungu” which offers daily buses from 6am to 2pm. To book a ticket, you can try online but we would rather assist you with it. Your trip lasts between 8 and 10 hours. Yes, this is longer than a flight, but also more affordable (about USD 12 !) : it depends on your budget! Buses are safe, in good conditions and give you the opportunity to share a real local experience. Tanzanians are very welcoming and you will probably make a few friends during your trip. Also, you will discover many different street foods offered during your trip.By bus, you will get off the bus directly at Mikindani bus station. We will be there to welcome you and bring you back to our place 500 meters away. 

Mtwara Airport Transfer
Mtwara Mikindani is composed of Mtwara, the main town, and Mikindani, the original village located 7 Kms away. On your arrival at the Mtwara airport, a member of our team will be waiting for you outside with a sign that says your name. The airport is located roughly 20 minutes away from Mikindani, our village. Our team member will bring you directly to our place. 

Orientation 
Your first day with us is dedicated to make you familiar with your new environment and your program so you feel immediately comfortable. Over a few hours, we visit the area, Mikindani village and Mtwara town, showing you the different point of interests: museums, markets, beaches, restaurants, extra activities, etc. We discuss the organisation of your stay, go over the schedule and the activities, and answer any of your questions. Finally, we introduce you to our staff and our neighbours to create your first bond with our local community. 

Accommodation 
All our volunteers are accommodated in our lodge, either in self-contained rooms or in an old Swahili guesthouse with shared bathroom. 
Each volunteer has its own room. All our rooms are furnished with a double bed, a big mosquito net, a ceiling fan (inside the net), a bedside table, and a cupboard. Your accommodation includes one laundry per week and drinkable water available at our fountain: make sure you bring your reusable bottle. 

Meals

We provide our volunteers with half-board services i.e., breakfast and dinner. On request and extra costs, we can also provide lunch or lunch pack. Breakfast is available between 7am and 10am at our restaurant. However, be aware that activities start at 8am so 10am breakfasts should only happen on days off!  Dinner is served between 6pm and 8pm.Meals are mixed between local and international food. Mainly vegetarian, you are offered chicken dish twice a week. We are happy to fit particular diets (vegan, gluten free, etc) as long as you give us notice beforehand 

During your free time
Your free time is entirely yours. You can do anything you feel like. Mikindani is really safe and you can freely walk around, make way for the chicken, goats and cows crossing the streets, walk around the conservation area or discover the village and check out the mamas sewing mats. The local community is very welcoming and a smile is always the first step to a great cultural exchange. If you are more into sport activities, we can recommend areas/beaches to go for a swim, a walk, or even a run. You can rent some kayaks or bikes to reach further places, or go sailing on a local dhow, the traditional Tanzanian boat. Of course, we are here to help and recommend places and activities.


Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

07

14

21

28

February

04

11

18

25

March

03

10

17

24

31

April

07

14

21

28

May

05

12

19

26

June

02

09

16

23

30

July

07

14

21

28

August

04

11

18

25

September

01

08

15

22

29

October

06

13

20

27

November

03

10

17

24

December

01

08

15

22

29

January

05

12

19

26

February

02

09

16

23

March

02

09

16

23

30

April

06

13

20

27

May

04

11

18

25

June

01

08

15

22

29

July

06

13

20

27

August

03

10

17

24

31

September

07

14

21

28

October

05

12

19

26

November

02

09

16

23

30

December

07

14

21

28

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

Filling Fast


Costs

Costs

2 Weeks £552
Extra Week £255

Please Note: -An application fee of £179 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for?

  • 24hrs Assistance and Support
  • Comprehensive Pre-Departure Information 
  • Travel and Medical Insurance (available at extra costs) 
  • Whatsapp contact for information about your transit in Dar-es-salaam
  • Assistance to book flights / bus tickets from the capital Dar-es-Salaam to Mikindani Mtwara
  • Pick-up from Mtwara airport / Mikindani bus station
  • Orientation day
  • Accommodation in private room (guesthouse or terrace)
  • Half-board (breakfast and dinner) 
  • Drinkable water and laundry services
  • All transport required during program activities
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Airfare to reach Tanzania
  • Transit stays in Dar-es-salaam
  • Airfare / Bus tickets up to Mikindani Mtwara
  • Visa and vaccinations
  • Lunch meal 
  • Personal transportation (out of program activities)
  • Any drinks other than drinkable water from our fountain
  • Sim card, phone credits, wifi, etc
  • Any outside/extra activities

Reviews

Reviews

Apply Now Ask a Question

Frequently asked questions

FAQ's Application and Program Details

Flights and Visa

Health and Safety

Accommodation and Living

Still have Questions?

We're always here to help.

Get in touch whatever way works best for you.