Tanzania Scuba Expedition

Explore the hidden gems beyond the tourist trail and contribute to vital project work on this immersive expedition in rural Tanzania. The crystal-clear waters are the perfect place to take the plunge and learn to scuba dive amongst tropical marine life.

  • Location Tanzania, Africa
  • Duration 4 weeks
  • Expedition Type Scuba

Work alongside local communities on important environmental and community project work, developed in partnership with locals to create sustainable change. You’ll become part of the local community in no time, staying in our unique African banda camps in the heart of rural Tanzanian villages. You’ll also get the chance to master the fundamentals of scuba diving as you undertake your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving qualification in crystal-clear tropical water surrounded by tropical fish. This is a truly action-packed trip in one of East Africa’s most amazing destinations.

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A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Ongoing pre-expedition support
  • Flights and in-country transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • Food and accommodation
  • Adventure challenge
  • Project costs
  • Leader and staff costs
  • Camps t-shirt
  • Orientation and language lessons
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Reserve location

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day Activities More details
Day 1 Leave for Tanzania This morning you will make your way to your designated meeting point ready to embark on your journey to Tanzania.
Day 2 Arrive in Tanzania On arrival in Tanzania, you will be met by a member of our awesome Camp Tanzania crew who will transfer you to your first camp of the expedition. Here you will have some time to settle in before having an arrival briefing and camp orientation from our Camp Manager. In the evening, you’ll be treated to a traditional home-cooked dinner and time to relax around the campfire learning some Swahili phrases.
Day 3 – 9 Community project work Over the next few days you will get stuck into project work that will benefit the local community. This could include helping to build classrooms, constructing and refurbishing community buildings and installing water storage systems. You’ll work alongside local people and skilled tradespeople to create sustainable solutions to real problems.
Day 10 Head to the dive camp Today, we’ll head to the coast and arrive at our dive camp where you will meet the PADI dive team. You will be given a full briefing as to what to expect over the coming days before taking part in your PADI scuba diving adventure.
Day 11 – 14 PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Course Over the next few days, you will take on the challenge of mastering the fundamentals of scuba diving. Learn about your equipment and different diving techniques in a confined environment before undertaking a series of open water dives. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles, dolphins and fish of all shapes and colours. In the evenings, you will be able to relax, play games on the beach or catch up on your PADI theory.
Day 15 – 18 Environmental project work After transferring to our environmental camp, you will be getting involved in environmental projects such as tree planting, digging waterholes or making elephant dung paper.
Day 19 Embark on a safari adventure After an early breakfast at camp, you will embark on your Big Game Safari where you may be able to spot the Big 5. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, elephants, birds, zebra and giraffe to name just a few. This is sure to be a day to remember!
Day 20 Onto the next camp After a good night’s sleep, we will head off early in the morning and travel to the third camp of your expedition. On arrival you will be given an arrival briefing and an orientation of the camp and local area by our Camp Manager.
Day 21 – 26 Help support community development Over the next few days, you will be getting stuck into some more community project work at the local village, helping to improve living standards for locals. You’ll be getting your hands dirty with cement mixing, brick laying or digging – working with your team to construct or renovate community facilities. When you’re not working hard on projects, there will be plenty of time for you to rest, update your travel journal, play a game of football with the locals and take part in some planned cultural activities.
Day 27 Time to relax Today you will have some time to partake in last minute sight-seeing and souvenir shopping. Enjoy reflecting on the amazing memories you have made over the last few weeks and soak up your final few hours in Tanzania.
Day 28 Kwaheri from Tanzania It’s time to say your final farewells (or Kwaheri in Swahili) to the Camp Tanzania crew before we head back to the airport in time for your flight home.

How you’ll make a difference

You’ll work on a range of projects throughout your expedition, each aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and designed to make a significant and lasting impact on the region’s most critical issues.

Housing improvement

Tanzania – School and housing improvement

The traditional fishing community near camp suffers from high levels of unemployment and a lack of funding for local schools, forcing children to walk many miles each day just to get an education. You will help by building or renovating school buildings to create inspirational and stimulating learning environments, as well as building sustainable housing for needy families.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
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No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

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Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

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Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

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Reduce inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

Conservation work

Tanzania – Conservation work

Human-wildlife conflict is an ongoing and significant issue here, threatening the future for many important species such as elephants. You’ll get involved in initiatives to promote a peaceful co-existence between the community and the local wildlife, such as improving natural waterholes and constructing elephant deterrent fences to safeguard the future for these incredible animals.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
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Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

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Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Experience the local way of life in our authentic camps

Our camps are the heart of our expeditions. Built and staffed by locals in the traditional style, and located within the heart of communities, they are the perfect place to relax after a day of project work. You’ll get to stay in a number of camps during your expedition, which could include those featured below.

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Camp Tanga

Camp Tanga is located in the coastal village of Boma Subutuni and is less than 5 metres from the beach, offering you a peaceful, beautiful location to chill out and lap up the warm ocean breeze and breathtaking views of the tropical Indian Ocean. One word. Bliss!

  • Location: 500 km (9-10 hours drive) from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Accommodation style: Tents
  • Bed Type: Comfy mattresses & bedding
  • Toilets: Modern toilets
  • Showers: Sinks & bucket showers
  • Power: Generator (between 18:00 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
  • Social area: Beach games, Camp fire, gift shops & drink area
  • Signature dish: Chapati & Chicken stew. Even learn how to make your own chapatis!
Camp Ndarakwai

Camp Ndarakwai

This tented camp is one of our most unique and exciting locations. Based in the heart of Ndarakwai Ranch within the Kilimanjaro Conservancy, this forms one of the most beautiful and important wildlife areas in Africa. Nestled amongst towering fig trees and acacias, the camp offers you a slice of real African adventure with plenty of wildlife watching available and some impressive views of both Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru.

  • Location: 75 km (1.5 hours drive) from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Accommodation style: Tents
  • Bed Type: Comfy mattresses & bedding
  • Toilets: Long drop toilets
  • Showers: Wash basins & bucket showers
  • Power: Generator (between 18:00 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
  • Social area: Camp fire, Masai dancing in the village
  • Signature dish: Chapati & Stew
Camp Usambara

Camp Usambara

This beautiful camp is situated on the northern edge of Usambara Mountain – a stunning mountain range famous for its biodiversity, bright clear sky with amazing panoramic views. Staying in traditional bandas and eating traditional food, you will end up feeling like a local in no time!

  • Location: 285 km (6 hours drive) from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Accommodation style: Traditional bandas
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding.
  • Toilets: Modern toilets & sinks
  • Showers: Bucket showers
  • Power: Mains electricity backed up by generator (between 18:00 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
  • Social area: Camp fire
  • Signature dish: Pilau & Chapati
Camp Manyara

Camp Manyara

Camp Manyara is located next to Lake Manyara, between several National Parks, making it an ideal location to spot some of the wildlife that Africa is famed for. Located near a small community, you will get to know the local people in no time and have the chance to interact with some of the students from the local school nearby.

  • Location: 166 km (2 hours drive) from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Accommodation style: Traditional bandas
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding
  • Toilets: Modern toilets & sinks
  • Showers: bucket showers
  • Power: Mains electricity backed up by generator (between 18:00 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
  • Social area: Camp fire, local football pitch
  • Signature dish: Pilau & Chapati

BEST experience I have ever had. From the moment we left till the moment we got back…it was a trip that just kept getting better and better (even when you thought it couldn’t).

Julie, Camp Tanzania 2019

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Hassan

Tanzania is such a great country with a mixed culture of Swahili and Bantu people you will experience a community like no other. You will get to experience first-hand the amazing work we do within the community and you’ll get to enjoy a safari in one of East Africa’s most famous National Parks!

Interested in this expedition?

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