Gap Year Expeditions, Global Volunteering & Conservation Projects – Greenforce

Highlights

• Live with a local Maasai Tribe and learn about their history & culture
• Experience living in the real "African bush" staying in mud huts
• Learn how to track Wildlife and record migration paths to help the African Wildlife Foundation better understand where to place park boundaries
• Everyday witness the abundance of Wildlife in your new home, often referred to as the Mini-Serengeti
• Have a mini holiday half way through program and go on Safari (optional) where you'll be sure to witness the Big Five
• Help teach local Maasai children basic English & Maths to enable them communicate more effectively with tourists who visit the local area
• The end of the expedition is a real treat: you’ll venture to the beautiful shores of Zanzibar to relax and enjoy some snorkelling before departing.
• Also, consider adding on a 10 trek to climb Mt Kilimanjaro - surely a once in a lifetime expedition

What will I achieve?

Experience living in the Bush - our three days here involves setting up camp, observing the wildlife and watching amazing sunrises and sunsets. When we leave, only the embers of our campfire will remain as evidence of our presence.

Invaluable conservation work – you’ll survey wildlife and their movement patterns between two national parks in Tanzania. This will include going out in a Land Rover or walking a certain line and

documenting what you see, enabling us to understand the

migration routes of the animals and therefore ensure their protection.

Spend time with the Maasai in Esilalei - a typical day consists of an 8am wake up followed by breakfast with the Maasai before leaving for your day’s conservation survey, which is guaranteed to be full of memorable sights. You’ll then spend the evening teaching the Maasai basic English and maths to educate them to a level where they can contribute to the tourist trade on their land. You’ll also help around their village.

See the Big Five – there’s a huge array of wildlife species, from the smallest mouse to massive herds of elephants to the lion that fights for his territory. You’ll be bound to spot lion, elephant, buffalo, black rhinoceros and Leopard. You have the option to add on a four day safari too - an experience of a lifetime!

Snorkel and sail in Zanzibar - enjoy three days relaxing on the northern beaches of Kendwa where you can paddle in the crystal clear waters, sip cocktails, watch the dhows go by and sleep under the stars.

Where will I live?

During your time in the community of Esilalei, you’ll stay in your Boma, just like the locals. Although basic, they are comfortable and a great cultural experience. While staying with the Maasai, you’ll live in a camp much like theirs but with a few modern adjustments, for example a floor instead of ground. Be sure to bring something comfortable to sleep on such as a thick mat or blow-up mattress. Other accommodations you’ll stay in include our house in Arusha, beach huts and hostels.

The shower is a bucket shower where users scoop water and pour it over their heads. This experience is like no other as you shower under the moonlight or fresh morning sky. However, some volunteers decide the ‘bucket shower’ is not for them, so invest in a solar shower to bring with them. Toilets are known as a traditional long drop; basic but hygienic.

Food and drink

The food is a traditional basic food of the Maasai, with meals consisting of little meat but a lot of carbohydrates and protein. These meals will be cooked with the Maasai.

At other times in the expedition, the food varies from rice-based dishes to pasta or flat breads. As there are no refrigeration facilities, meat and fish are less frequent when in the Bush. On Zanzibar, there is plenty of fish and western food available when you visit big towns or a city. But, after having tried traditional African food, you won’t want to go back!

Essentials

Phone and Internet access is available but very limited – it’s best to wait for visits to main towns and cities. Once out in the field, there will be no Internet access and poor mobile phone access will be low. The staff there have phones but can only be used by volunteers in an emergency.

Access to electricity is very limited. Because of this, we recommend you buy a solar charger before you go for a more reliable source. These can be found on the Internet.

What's included?

• Volunteers are invited to a 'Meet Your Team' briefing day and BBQ in central London to meet other volunteers on the same project.
• Participants are always met at the airport by a Greenforce staff member then dropped off.
• Welcome and Safety briefing
• All meals and accommodation during the 3 - 10 weeks.
• 3-4 days in the Greenforce house in Arusha - including safety briefing and Maasai lessons
• Science and wildlife identification training on camp. Tracking skills. English Teaching. Wildlife surveys.
• Transport to Dar-Es-Salaam. Return ferry to Zanzibar. Hotel in Stone Town for one night. Three nights in Kendwa Rocks beach resort, meals included.
• Dhow snorkelling/sailing day to Mnemba atoll including beach barbeque. Hotel in Dar es Salaam and transport back to Arusha.

Points to note:
• On receipt of deposit, you’ll receive a welcome e-mail with access to your personal page.
• Flight providers will also call to discuss your flight options.
• A staff member is in Tanzania all year round.

Itinerary

Week 1 – Arusha and the beginnings of the Bush

Volunteers are collected from Kilimanjaro International Airport by Greenforce staff and taken to the Greenforce house in Arusha. Located in Kwaidd, a small and colourful suburb of Arusha, it is the perfect place to become acquainted with the town and the people. Here you will be introduced to all the Greenforce staff and well as given a full briefing and introduction to Tanzania and the project. During your first week in Tanzania you will be met by our Maasai member of staff and Moran Warrior Reuben. During the morning he will teach you some of the basics of Maasai language, especially the formal greetings, as well as a little about the Maasai culture. In the afternoons take the opportunity to explore the markets and backstreets of Arusha, thought by many to be the most lively and vibrant of African cities and during the evenings sample the local food and the famous Arushan nightlife. Towards the end of the week we will head out to our base camp ‘Emunyani’ in the Maasai lands of Esilalei. Emunyani, which translates in Maasai as ‘place of good luck’, is situated beneath the foothills of the Esilalei mountain range, a stunning area of Northern Tanzania enclosed by Acacia plains, dotted with Ebony trees and home to a wide range of animals. If you’re lucky, on your first night, you might fall asleep to the sound of Hyenas or awake to the distinctive call of the leopard which inhabits the area. The first day on camp will be spent introducing you, with your new found language skills, to the local elders and the Maasai Warriors who guard our camp. Staff will also give you a full briefing on Bush safety and etiquette. Here, the wildlife is quite literally on your doorstep! Maasai activities will make up some of your weekend.

Week 2 – Manyara Ranch and Science Training

Early into the next week you will begin your Scientific training in Animal and Bird identification and surveying techniques from our chief Scientist. This will better equip you to aid in our ongoing research in Manyara Ranch. This area is one of the last remaining protected wildlife corridors between the famous Tarangire and Lake Manyara National Parks. Our baseline biodiversity study involves the recording of all animals and bird life in the area during the different seasons thus allowing us to better understand animals migration, movement and land use patterns in the area. This data is collected on behalf of the African Wildlife Foundation and used to implement up-to-date management techniques to benefit both the wildlife and people of the Ranch and the surrounding area.

   Manyara ranch is one of the most beautiful places in northern Tanzania, devoid of tourism and its associated pressure and a true haven for wildlife and the local Maasai population. After completing scientific training head into the Ranch for the first time to experience the real Africa, meet the rangers and get acquainted to our research area.

   During this first week on camp you will also be introduced to the cultural aspect of our project. Greenforce provides free teaching of English and other requested subjects to our Maasai Guards but also to other members of the community, especially children, who would like to participate This teaching is made up of two sessions a week in which volunteers will teach any willing Maasai English. This is an extremely rewarding part of the project due to the enthusiasm of your prospective pupils.

  Greenforce also has links into the Swahili community, notably the Good Hope Orphanage in Mto wa mbu which volunteers will have the opportunity to visit, meet the children and provide additional teaching as and when it is required.

Week 3 – Satellite Camps and the research begins!

Monday morning, volunteers and staff prepare for a 3 day research expedition into Manyara Ranch. We will camp at one of our 3 camps in the area, each of which has its own distinctive character & beauty. We will complete up to 4 research transects a day depending on the terrain and weather whilst living in the African bush. Satellite camps are an activity eagerly anticipated by all volunteers and are embarked upon weekly for 3 to 4 days of the week. During your time in the Ranch you can expect to see on a day to day basis Zebra, Impala, Wildebeest, Buffalo, Giraffe, Elephant, Gazelle, Kudu, Eland, Warthog, Bushbuck, Jackals numerous bird species including Hornbills, Bee-eaters and the colorful Rollers and hopefully some of the lizards and snake species. More elusive animals include Lions (of which there are two resident prides), Leopards, Cheetahs and Hyenas along with Honey Badgers, Bat-eared foxes and Porcupines. The other days of the week will be spent teaching, working on building and cultural projects and enjoying the beautiful area in which we live through walks and interaction with the Maasai.

Week 4-5

Satellite Camps, data analysis, teaching, cultural and building projects and much more to keep you busy during your time in the bush. Once in a while head into Mto wa mbu, the local town, for some hot showers, beef kebabs and the infamous New Safari Park disco. Wander the craft market in this most lush of African towns, the perfect place to practice your bargaining skills, buy souvenirs and eat the freshest fruit on offer.

Mid-Phase break

Half way through your time in Tanzania you will have the option to go on safari (optional) for 3 nights, 4 days, full board, to see some of the sights the Tanzanian northern circuit has to offer. This may typically include a visit to the Ngorongoro crater, hunting with the Hadzabe bushmen and swimming in the pools of Magara waterfall and cascades on the edge of the great rift valley wall. Itinerary may depend on the season and where best to see the wildlife.

Weeks 6-9

Continue with research within Manyara ranch, cultural projects and teaching. During your free time we will walk throughout the stunning area of Eselalai and the surrounding mountain range, hunt for wild honey, climb Moon hill (the steepest peak in the area) and pit your endurance against the ‘Three Peaks’ walk as well as our two tenacious puppies.  In the evening watch the sun set over the world famous lake Manyara and the rift valley wall, all from the kitchen table.

Week 10 – Zanzibar

To mark the end of your time with Greenforce after saying goodbye to the Maasai friends you have made we head to Zanzibar for some rest and relaxation in this Indian Ocean Paradise. We spend a night in old sector of Stone Town. After centuries of Arabic occupation Stone Town has the feel more like a Middle Eastern city steeped in culture. Spend the night in the rustically beautiful Narrow Street hotel deep in the Arabic quarter. Sample local delicacies of spiced lobster and kebabs of tuna, shark, barracuda and prawns at the Forodhani street market before heading to one of the bars, most likely ‘Mercury’s’, owned originally by the parents of none other than Freddie Mercury! The next morning you will have the opportunity to explore the narrow streets and spice markets of Stone Town. Haggle for rare spices such as saffron and visit the fish market just a short walk from our hotel. After lunch head for the northern beaches of Kendwa where you will spend the next few days relaxing on the beach, paddling in the crystal clear waters, drinking cocktails and watching the dhows go by. One day will be spent visiting Mnemba atoll to snorkel on one of the many reefs surrounding this private island. Eat a lunch of freshly caught fish prepared on a secluded beach. After leaving Zanzibar you will spend a night in Dar es Salaam, a bustling coastal city. Awake to the morning call to prayer before catching the bus back to Arusha for your last night together before heading off home or onto further travels through this beautiful country and continent.

Maps

Gallery: Tanzania Photos

Feedback

See what they thought....read past volunteer's testimonials here!

Greenforce volunteers have undertaken many successful African conservation programs, including Warden Training Programs, re-establishment of National Parks and Game Protection Areas. Greenforce Volunteers have helped build two schools, undertake teaching programs in the schools they built all to bring a greater depth of eduction to our remote communities to prepare them for the future.

In 2008 Greenforce arranged for 6 Massai to come to run the Flora London Marathon. The publicity surrounding this dramatic run ensured fresh water for their village, plus the additional funding Greenforce raised provided an additional 50,000 litre reservoir for the next village. Greenforce volunteers are running some amazing conservation and eduction programs that provide real support to the Maasai and we need you to come out and ensure their on going sustainable future.