Maasai Community Village Project in Tanzania

The rich culture and deep routed traditions of the Maasai tribe are well-known in Tanzania. As a volunteer on the Maasai Community Village Project you will experience a unique and rare insight into their way of life. If you want to be surrounded by beautiful scenery, be exposed to a completely different way of life and work alongside members of this distinct tribe then this is the project for you.

As a volunteer you will be based in the Maasai lands, located in the world famous Ngorongoro National Park in Northern Tanzania. Even though this National Park is a major tourist attraction, you will be working and living in a community that is far removed from the safari route. This remote location might be far from civilisation, but with breath-taking views and giraffes and zebras roaming freely nearby it will be an experience you will not forget.

Volunteering on the Maasai Community Village Project in Tanzania

We work closely with two neighbouring Maasai communities in the heart of the Ngorongogo National Park. With tough living conditions and limited resources, these communities are keen to have as much help as possible. In recent years the Maasai tribes have realised the importance of education and are encouraging their children to attend school. However, educational facilities and resources are scarce and many children and teachers have to travel miles every day to get to school. Volunteers in this community will play a vital role when it comes to teaching English, providing additional resources and also constructing homes and buildings for the Maasai people.

The Maasai tribe has been able to maintain their traditions and unique culture regardless of the encroaching modern world. As a volunteer you will get involved in some of their day-to-day activities, including looking after the livestock, milking the cows and goats, cooking and learning about how the women make their iconic jeweler. These tribes have limited resources and often battle with the natural elements in order to survive, however, you will find that they are some of the warmest and friendliest people you will meet in Tanzania and will share what little they have with you.

Given the vibrant history of the Maasai tribes - their different traditions and rituals - you will have regular cultural workshops and Maasai language lessons in order to help you integrate and understand these unique people. For this project it is recommended that you have an open mind and respect the Maasai culture.

We also work closely with a Maasai community hospital, where volunteers can work alongside the local doctors and nurses. You can read more about this on the Medicine in Tanzania page.

Volunteers will need to fly into the town of Arusha where you will be met by one of our local staff and taken to the Maasai community where you will be based for the duration of your placement. The community you are working with is a five hours’ drive away from Arusha.

Given the private nature and often poor living conditions of the Maasai tribe, you will be living with other volunteers on the Maasai Community Village Project in a communal house that has basic facilities.

Your working hours will usually be decided on a weekly basis, however most volunteers work from Monday to Friday and have the weekends free.

This placement is fully researched, safety audited and risk assessed in accordance with the British Standard BS8848 for the Adventure Travel Sector.

PLACEMENT LOCATION: Ngorongoro National Park

ROLE:Teaching English, providing additional resources and constructing homes and buildings for the Maasai people

ACCOMMODATION:Communal house

PRICE:From $500usd

WHAT’S INCLUDED: Food, accommodation, transfers to and from our specified airport, insurance, personal webpage, induction and orientation, 24/7 support

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED: Flights, visa costs, spending money

LENGTH OF PLACEMENT:From 4 weeks

START DATES:Flexible

The project  is under  the coordination of The Global Adventure Safaris Limited