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 No poverty End poverty in all its forms everywhere Quality education Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Gender equality Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Decent work and economic growth Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Reduce inequalities Reduce inequality within and among countries
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 Climate action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 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
How long has Camps International been running expeditions to Tanzania? Camps International was founded in 2002 and opened Camp Tanzania in 2007, making Tanzania one of our longest-established destinations. For nearly two decades we have built a permanent presence in the region, with experienced teams and long-standing community partnerships that give schools genuine confidence in our depth of knowledge and commitment to East Africa.
How is the Tanzania Scuba Expedition different from the Karibu Tanzania Expedition? Both expeditions include meaningful community project work and cultural immersion in rural Tanzania. The Tanzania Scuba Expedition adds a structured scuba diving programme, where students have the opportunity to complete their PADI Open Water Scuba Diving qualification in the crystal-clear waters off the Tanzanian coast among tropical marine life. It is the ideal choice for students who want to combine impactful expedition work with an internationally recognised diving certification.
Do students need prior scuba diving experience to join the Tanzania Scuba Expedition? No prior diving experience is required. Students must be able to swim at least 100 metres confidently. Dive theory for the PADI Open Water qualification is completed online before departure. Once in Tanzania, all in-water training is delivered by PADI-certified instructors at our dedicated dive camp on the coast, with full safety briefings, small group ratios and professional supervision throughout every session.
What kind of project work will students do on the Tanzania Scuba Expedition? Students spend part of the expedition working on community development projects in rural Tanzanian villages, which may include building classrooms, constructing and refurbishing community buildings and installing water storage systems. All projects are co-designed with local community leaders and our long-term Tanzanian partner communities to ensure the work addresses genuine needs and creates sustainable lasting change.
Is the Tanzania Scuba Expedition safe for school students? Yes. Camps International has operated in Tanzania since 2007 with experienced in-country teams. We own and operate our own camps and dive facilities in Tanzania, giving us direct oversight of safety, welfare and standards at all times. All diving is delivered by PADI-qualified instructors to strict safety standards and 24/7 in-country emergency support is maintained throughout. We follow UK FCDO travel advice and hold comprehensive risk management procedures.
What’s included in the Tanzania Scuba Expedition cost? The cost covers international flights, accommodation at our permanent banda camps and coastal dive camp, all meals, in-country transport, project materials, leadership and staff costs, travel insurance, orientation and language lessons, 24-hour emergency support and PADI Open Water scuba instruction including certification fees. Personal spending money, visas, vaccinations, kit and travel to a UK airport are not included.
How fit do students need to be for the Tanzania Scuba Expedition? A good general level of fitness is important. Community project work involves physical activity in warm conditions and students should be prepared for active days throughout the expedition. For the scuba element, students must be able to swim at least 100 metres confidently. All activities are supervised by experienced staff who support students to work at a pace appropriate for them.
Where do students stay during the Tanzania Scuba Expedition? Students stay at Camps International’s own permanent banda or tented camps in rural Tanzania during the project phase, and transfer to our coastal dive camp for the scuba diving section of the expedition. Because we own and manage facilities at both locations, we maintain consistent welfare standards, security and a genuine community immersion experience throughout the expedition.
