The Rongai Route is positively the path least populated by those wishing to climb mighty Mount Kilimanjaro . Passing along the northeastern side of Africa's highest mountain, this route careens along the border between Tanzania and Kenya . Offering a unique glimpse into the untainted wilderness found upon the mountainside, this route grant access to Kilimanjaro from the north - an angle not witnessed by many.
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 4 steps of application
There are two options for applying to volunteer/travel in Tanzania through our program. You can apply online or you can download the application form, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 application fee. Without the fee, your application won’t be considered valid.
Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Tanzania for processing. Our country coordinator will go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food will also be made at this time. Your accommodation and meal depends on the location of the project. Vast majority of our volunteers will stay in full immersion home stays, though some orphanage projects are residential.
Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information that you can use to fill up contact information on your Visa application.
Preparation for trips should include reading about Tanzania, immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our country coordinator will always be available for assistance.
Once you have purchased your ticket, please send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Tanzania, where our country coordinator will arrange an airport pickup for you.
Visa :
Rustic strongly suggest that all volunteers apply for a tourist visa, in a timely manner before departing for Tanzania. Please call our office or contact the local Tanzania embassy to learn more about visa, visa fees, and visa extensions. Getting your tourist visa is your responsibility.
Health and safety :
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:
Rustic Volunteer Travel closely follows the Center for Disease Control's traveler's health recommendations ( www.cdc.gov ). Discuss your travel plans and personal health with your health-care provider to determine which vaccines are necessary.
Recommended
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Africa - including Tanzania
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
Hepatitis B especially if you might be exposed to blood or bodily fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. The Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years of age who did not receive the series of vaccines as infants.
Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to East Africa.
Rabies , pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
You might need $5-20 per day for your personal expenses like water or soft drinks, taxi, and shopping. The best way is to carry a Debit card as ATM machines are available in Dar Es Salam and Arusha (in airport and major hotels) where you can withdraw local currency. Another alternative is traveler's checks which are secure and can be cashed in local banks, during business hours.
In Tanzania, people from West are considered rich no matter your true circumstances. This will make you a target for pick pockets and scam artists ('fly catchers'). Volunteers are required to be smart about their money matters when traveling around Tanzania. Please be advised to pay attention to these suggestions.
Avoid external money pouches, dangling backpacks and camera bags, limit jewelry.
Don't flash money or your wallet.
Travel in pairs or groups to the ATM.
Remain aware of the exchange rate and cost of items
Take requests for 'donations' with a grain of salt
Store money in a secure, well-hidden place or safe
Carry money in different pockets and places
Budget
You can get by with $15 a day provided you don’t spend much. Accommodation and meal during your project comes with the program fee but if you want to explore Tanzania and shop, budget accordingly.
Field Support and supervision:
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?
Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff will stay in touch with volunteers. In Tanzania, our projects are approximately 10-25 km from our office (and usually located in rural settings).
Our coordinators stay in touch with volunteers via personal visits, telephone calls or emails. The director of each project will serve as the participants' immediate supervisor. Rustic Volunteer Travel's Tanzania coordinator has a mobile phone so volunteers are able to reach him with questions and concerns.
Communication :
How do I communicate with my family? Is there internet?
Internet Cafés are widely-available in most areas of Dar Es Salam and Arusha. These services and the costs associated are the responsibility of the volunteers. You won’t have to pay more than $1 or 2 per hour for the internet service.
You can bring your mobile phone with you and insert local sim-card in your phone. You’ll then be able to receive phone calls from anywhere in the world.
Climate of Tanzania:
Tanzania is hot almost year round due to its proximity to the equator. You will experience milder weather from July to September. Volunteers going to Dar Es Salam will experience this weather, while Arusha has sub-tropical climate and you’ll surprisingly experience cooler weather in Moshi.
Mobile phone (you can use mobile phones after changing sim cards)
Sleeping bag
Mosquito repellents
Insect repellents
Sunscreen
Some books of Tanzania
Map of Tanzania
Toiletries
First-aid kits
Flash light
Electricity adapter/converter
Sunglasses
Walking shoes (for work and travel)
Towel
Bring Gifts for Project
It will be a nice gesture if you bring items like books, pencils, color pens, toys and games, especially if you are volunteering in schools and orphanages.
You can also bring things like chocolates, CD, T-Shirts to the host family.
