Tanzania Trek Expedition: 3 Weeks

This expedition combines hands-on community service with adventure and cultural exchange. Along the way, you’ll develop teamwork, leadership, and resilience while making a lasting difference to the communities who welcome you.

  • Location Tanzania, Africa
  • Duration 3 weeks
  • Expedition Type Trek

Your journey will take you across Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, from coastal villages and coral-rich waters to the foothills of Kilimanjaro. Highlights include a cultural exchange with local families, exploring the waterfalls of Marangu, and a safari in Arusha National Park. The centerpiece of your adventure is a three-day trek to attempt the summit of Mount Meru, where you’ll watch the sunrise over the savannah — a challenge that rewards you with views you’ll never forget.

africa_tanzania_round-map-with-logos

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition fee covers not just the incredible activities you’ll experience, but also the extensive guidance and support you’ll receive every step of the way. From the moment you sign up through your safe return home, our team ensures everything is organized and supported.

You’ll also need to plan for essentials like vaccinations, visas, personal gear, and a bit of spending money. Don’t worry—we make it easy. Once enrolled, you’ll get access to your personalized Traveller Gateway, with clear guidance and resources to help you prepare with confidence.

  • Round-trip international flights
  • In-country transfers
  • Expedition Leader (qualified and experienced)
  • Comprehensive travel insurance
  • All meals
  • Unlimited, safe drinking water
  • All accommodations listed in the itinerary
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all included excursions
  • All in-country transfers by private, approved vehicles
  • Project materials, costs, and management
  • 24/7 support throughout the expedition

This sample itinerary will give you a preview of what your expedition could look like. Please note that specific projects, activities, and camp locations may vary depending on local needs and conditions at the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details

Day 1 Arrive in Tanzania and Transfer to Camp Mbokomu When you land, our friendly Camp Tanzania team will be there to greet you at the airport and travel with you to your first camp. Once you arrive, you’ll settle in with a camp orientation and village tour. You can spend the evening relaxing and getting ready for your expedition.
Day 2 Travel to Camp Tanga Today you’ll head to the coast and settle into Camp Tanga, where you’ll be greeted by the friendly Camps Crew and receive a briefing from our project leaders. You’ll visit project sites, learn about the challenges local communities face, and set goals for the work ahead.
Day 3 – 5 Community Service Learning Project For the next three days, you’ll work alongside our locally employed craftsmen, helping to renovate or even build a new home for a community member. Each project is led by the community’s needs, ensuring your efforts leave a positive and lasting impact on the community that has welcomed you.
Day 5 – 6 Marine Conservation Program Dive into our marine conservation program and learn about marine wildlife and habitats. You’ll gain hands-on experience in data collection and explore research methods, as well as take part in sessions on sustainability, waste management, and the importance of protecting our oceans.
Day 8 Travel to Camp Moshi Today is a travel day to your next camp. Take the time to reflect on your first week and recharge with some much-needed rest before the next stage of your expedition.
Day 9 – 11 School Service Learning Project Over the next few days, you’ll roll up your sleeves at the local school for meaningful, hands-on project work. Depending on the school’s needs, you may help build or renovate classrooms to create a safe and supportive learning environment for local children. You could also construct desks, tables, and chairs, giving students the resources they need to focus and thrive in class. In the evenings, you’ll enjoy dinner with your group and reflect on the progress you’ve made together.
Day 12 Cultural Exchange Today you’ll spend time with local families and community members, learning about their daily lives, traditions, and values. This is your chance to immerse yourself in the culture, practice some Swahili phrases, and appreciate the warm welcome you’ve received.
Day 13 Marangu Waterfall Trip “Marangu” translates to “a place with many streams,” and it’s one of Tanzania’s most popular destinations. Located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro in Kilimanjaro National Park, these waterfalls are surrounded by lush rainforest. After a short hike, you’ll arrive at the base of the falls, where the water flows directly from Kilimanjaro’s glacier. Keep your eyes open for monkeys, tropical birds, and other wildlife along the way.
Day 14 Trek Preperation Today you’ll prepare for your trek by gathering equipment, practicing how to hang your hammock, and packing your food and supplies. You’ll also receive a briefing and finalize your route up Mount Meru.
Day 15 – 17 Mount Meru Trek Your adventure challenge begins. For the next three days, you’ll trek through tropical rainforest before climbing higher across sand and rock toward the summit of Mount Meru. Along the way, you’ll take in dramatic views of the volcanic ash crater. On the final morning, you’ll wake early to attempt the summit and watch a breathtaking sunrise – an experience you’ll never forget.
Day 18 Return to Camp After your trek, you’ll head back to camp, unload your gear, and enjoy a well-deserved evening of rest and relaxation.
Day 19 Explore Moshi Town Spend the day exploring Moshi, a lively town at the base of Kilimanjaro. Take in the sights, sounds, and culture of Tanzania while reflecting on the incredible memories and accomplishments from your expedition.
Day 20 Big game safari in Arusha National Park Get ready for an unforgettable safari in Arusha National Park, one of Tanzania’s most stunning protected areas. With Mount Meru as a backdrop, the park is home to giraffes, zebras, elephants, warthogs, and more. You’ll have the chance to see amazing wildlife and experience Tanzania’s natural beauty up close.
Day 21 Departure Kwaheri means “goodbye” in Swahili. Today, we’ll say our final farewells before transferring you to the airport for your journey 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.

School improvements

Tanzania – School improvements and erosion control

In this rural area of Tanzania, there is little funding to refurbish school buildings which are subject to damage from seasonal flooding and erosion. You’ll help by working on school improvement projects such as classroom refurbishment and laying clay sacks to control soil erosion.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Icon

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

4 Quality Education

Quality education

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

5 Gender Equality

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

8 Decent work and economic growth

Decent work and economic growth

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

10 Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

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

No Poverty Icon

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

4 Quality Education

Quality education

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

5 Gender Equality

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

8 Decent work and economic growth

Decent work and economic growth

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

10 Reduced Inequalities

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

13 Climate Action

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

15 life on land

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 at the heart of every expedition. Built in traditional styles and staffed by local community members, they offer an authentic place to rest and recharge after a day of service learning project work.

Depending on your itinerary, you’ll stay in several of our camps. These could include those featured below.

mbokomu-accommodation_tanzania

Camp Mbokomu

Camp Mbokomu is an attractive rural camp located in the foothills of the mighty Kilimanjaro within a typical Chaga community. On a clear day you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular views of the mountain the minute you step outside your tent. This camp also benefits from being situated only 10 minutes drive away from Moshi town where there’s a wide range of facilities available.

  • Location: 45 km (around 1 hours drive) from Kilimanjaro Airport
  • Accommodation style: Tents
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding.
  • Toilets: Modern toilets
  • Showers: Modern showers & sinks
  • Power: Mains electricity backed up by generator (between 18:00 – 22:00). British 3 pin power sockets
  • Social area: Camp fire, town nearby
  • Signature dish: Machalari & Kiburu
camps_international_tanzania_camp_tanga_beach-2

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!

I went on the trek expedition to Tanzania with Camps International, and it was honestly the most amazing experience of my life and I felt so so happy whilst I was away – I didn’t want to come home! For somebody that had to fundraise every penny of the trip and kit, I can say that I feel that all the hard work my family and I put in was worth it!! The projects we worked on were an enjoyable challenge and we could see our hard work turn into progress.

Ruby, Camp Tanzania 2019

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by local community members who will quickly make you feel at home. These amazing team members bring each expedition to life and share the very best of their country with you.

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?

Step 1 of 3