Coral Restoration & Sea Turtle Conservation by Scuba Diving in South Tanzania

Overview

Coral reefs are the most important ecosystems underwater. They cover less than 1% of our oceans, and yet, they are home to 25% of the marine biodiversity. Currently, 70% of the world’s coral reefs are highly threatened and could disappear by 2050. We need to act now to regenerate and strengthen them.

Sea Turtles are keystone species in the preservation of marine biodiversity. Their involvement in many different ecosystems make it essential to preserve these species. Unfortunately, many threats are endangering them, from climate change to fishing and pollution. Following the current trend, they should be extinct by 2050 due to human activities.

Join us today and help us save the coral reefs and Sea Turtles in the South of Tanzania!

Volunteer work schedule

On your first day, we introduce you to your new environment: this is Orientation day. We show you the area and the points of interest as much as discuss your schedule and the on-going activities.

Our program adapts to all our volunteers. If you are not a diver yet, we start by teaching you the Open Water Course (first level of scuba diving). It provides you with all the necessary skills and experience required to participate in the coral restoration project. The course is spread over 5 days. Once completed, you join the program.

If you are a certified diver, we are teaching any scuba diving course of your choice (Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Specialties, etc). Better divers positively impact marine conservation through their knowledge and behaviour in and out of the water.
Our program takes place 5 days per week, from 8am to 2pm (rarely later depending on the objective of the day). The schedule is set at the beginning of each week according to the needs at the moment.

Over these 5 days, 3 days are dedicated to scuba diving activities such as collecting and planting corals, identifying Sea Turtles, cleaning and documenting our nurseries, mapping underwater habitats, maintaining our local reefs, surveying our reefs, etc.
Activities on the remaining 2 days per week depend on the needs of the project at that moment. They can take place on land to relocate Sea Turtle eggs, run marine conservation classes in schools, perform beach clean-ups, patrol the beaches, or in water to scuba dive, teach swimming lessons, snorkel, or kayak.

Once a week, we also run a “Marine conservation day”. These days are dedicated to expanding the knowledge of our volunteers about marine conservation in general: overfishing, sharks, ocean pollution, etc.

On top of the skills you acquire by participating to our restoration program, our volunteers are offered to dive deeper in Coral Restoration theory and science. This extra course by Coral Restoration experts “Reef Guru” creates Coral Restoration Specialist with extended knowledge on marine conservation. These classes are free for volunteers staying 5 weeks or more. Other volunteers can be certified at an additional cost.

Volunteer roles and responsibilities

Volunteers are involved in all activities performed to restore the coral reefs and protect the Sea Turtles.
Coral restoration is very specific to each area and all brains on deck are necessary to ensure the best methods are applied according to the local conditions. Our volunteers help to create new restoration techniques, build new structures, and expand the project in the ocean and on land in addition to their participation in our routine tasks. Each volunteer leaves its mark.

Our Sea Turtle welfare center provides a safe place for endangered Sea Turtles. Our volunteers participate in activities such as relocation of eggs to remove them from poachers’ threat, education of local population about marine conservation during community meetings or school classes, beach patrols to protect the Sea Turtles, snorkeling for underwater mapping and Sea Turtle identification, and much more.

We expect our volunteers to show great respect to the Tanzanian communities welcoming us in their beautiful country. In addition to the normal courtesy and tolerance, we require our gentlemen volunteers to avoid walking in the street shirtless; for our lady volunteers we require them to follow a simple rule: either shoulders or knees are visible, but never both at the same time. Mini-skirts / shorts and other unveiling clothes are to be avoided.

Project Requirement

Volunteers from 17 years old or over are welcome. Parents/guardians’ signatures and approval are required for minors. English spoken and written is mandatory. Swimming capabilities too are required.The minimum stay for this program is 2 weeks. We recommend a 4+ weeks participation to start witnessing some impacts. The longer the stay, the more the evolution you see.
Finally, a medical questionnaire to check volunteers are fit to dive is to be filled in. Now, let’s dive in!

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Living

We take great care of you throughout your stay in Tanzania and make sure you have a comfortable stay.

Reaching Mikindani Mtwara
Your international flight should land in Dar-Es-Salaam, the main town of Tanzania. To reach Mikindani Mtwara, you have the choice between air or land trips. We can assist you to book any of your tickets or organize your stay if necessary.

By air, Air Tanzania (https://www.airtanzania.co.tz/) and Precision Air (https://www.precisionairtz.com/en/) are the two airlines flying from Dar-Es-Salaam to Mtwara. You can check their schedule and even book your tickets online… or we can assist you with it too! As soon as you are done, send us your flight details so we can get everything ready for your arrival. The flight last approximately an hour… and you will have your first Tanzanian cashew snack, the best in the world!

By land, there are many local bus companies that are travelling down south. Our preference is “Buti La Zungu” which offers daily buses from 6am to 2pm. To book a ticket, you can try online but we would rather assist you with it. Your trip lasts between 8 and 10 hours. Yes, this is longer than a flight, but also more affordable (about USD 12 !) : it depends on your budget! Buses are safe, in good conditions and give you the opportunity to share a real local experience. Tanzanians are very welcoming and you will probably make a few friends during your trip. Also, you will discover many different street foods offered during your trip.By bus, you will get off the bus directly at Mikindani bus station. We will be there to welcome you and bring you back to our place 500 meters away.

Mtwara Airport Transfer
Mtwara Mikindani is composed of Mtwara, the main town, and Mikindani, the original village located 7 Kms away. On your arrival at the Mtwara airport, a member of our team will be waiting for you outside with a sign that says your name. The airport is located roughly 20 minutes away from Mikindani, our village. Our team member will bring you directly to our place.

Orientation
Your first day with us is dedicated to make you familiar with your new environment and your program so you feel immediately comfortable. Over a few hours, we visit the area, Mikindani village and Mtwara town, showing you the different point of interests: museums, markets, beaches, restaurants, extra activities, etc. We discuss the organisation of your stay, go over the schedule and the activities, and answer any of your questions. Finally, we introduce you to our staff and our neighbours to create your first bond with our local community.

Accommodation
All our volunteers are accommodated in our lodge, either in self-contained rooms or in an old Swahili guesthouse with shared bathroom.
Each volunteer has its own room. All our rooms are furnished with a double bed, a big mosquito net, a ceiling fan (inside the net), a bedside table, and a cupboard. Your accommodation includes one laundry per week and drinkable water available at our fountain: make sure you bring your reusable bottle.

Meals

We provide our volunteers with half-board services i.e., breakfast and dinner. On request and extra costs, we can also provide lunch or lunch pack. Breakfast is available between 7am and 10am at our restaurant. However, be aware that activities start at 8am so 10am breakfasts should only happen on days off! Dinner is served between 6pm and 8pm.Meals are mixed between local and international food. Mainly vegetarian, you are offered chicken dish twice a week. We are happy to fit particular diets (vegan, gluten free, etc) as long as you give us notice beforehand

During your free time
Your free time is entirely yours. You can do anything you feel like. Mikindani is really safe and you can freely walk around, make way for the chicken, goats and cows crossing the streets, walk around the conservation area or discover the village and check out the mamas sewing mats. The local community is very welcoming and a smile is always the first step to a great cultural exchange. If you are more into sport activities, we can recommend areas/beaches to go for a swim, a walk, or even a run. You can rent some kayaks or bikes to reach further places, or go sailing on a local dhow, the traditional Tanzanian boat. Of course, we are here to help and recommend places and activities.

Dates

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Available

Filling Fast

Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
2 Weeks	$1225
3 Weeks	$1724
4 Weeks	$2223
5 Weeks	$2722
6 Weeks	$3221
7 Weeks	$3720
8 Weeks	$4219
Extra Week	$595

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for ?

24hrs Assistance and Support
Comprehensive Pre-Departure Information
Travel and Medical Insurance (available at extra costs)
Whatsapp contact for information about your transit in Dar-es-salaam
Assistance to book flights / bus tickets from the capital Dar-es-Salaam to Mikindani Mtwara
Pick-up from Mtwara airport / Mikindani bus station
Orientation day
Accommodation in private room (guesthouse or terrace)
Half-board (breakfast and dinner)
One full course of scuba diving (any level)
Drinkable water and laundry services
All transport required during program activities
First level of scuba diving for non-divers
For volunteers 5+ weeks – Free Reef Guru Restoration diver certification

What is not Included ?

Airfare to reach Tanzania
Transit stays in Dar-es-salaam
Airfare / Bus tickets up to Mikindani Mtwara
Visa and vaccinations
Lunch meal
Personal transportation (out of program activities)
Any drinks other than drinkable water from our fountain
Sim card, phone credits, wifi, etc
Any outside/extra activities

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Mikindani, Mtwara?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee .You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments, however, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior the start of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
Does VolSol provides discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of application). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.
How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
When do I need to arrive in Mtwara? What will happen once I arrive here?: Please refer to the detailed information provided about reaching Mikindani Mtwara on the program page. You can arrive by flight or bus and pickup shall be provided with transfer to the accommodation.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Mtwara volunteer programs?: Volunteers from 17 years old or over are welcome. Parents/guardians’ signatures and approval are required for minors. English spoken and written is mandatory. Swimming capabilities too.The minimum stay for this program is 2 weeks. We recommend a 4+ weeks participation to start witnessing some impacts. The longer the stay, the more the evolution of the reef you see.

Finally, a medical questionnaire to check volunteers are fit to dive is to be filled in. Now, let’s dive in!
Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.

Health and Safety

How safe is Mikindani, Mtwara in general ?: Mikindani is really safe and you can freely walk around, make way for the chicken, goats and cows crossing the streets, walk around the conservation area or discover the village and check out the mamas sewing mats. The local community is very welcoming and a smile is always the first step to a great cultural exchange. If you are more into sport activities, we can recommend areas/beaches to go for a swim, a walk, or even a run. You can rent some kayaks or bikes to reach further places, or go sailing on a local dhow, the traditional Tanzanian boat. Of course, we are here to help and recommend places and activities.
What immunizations/medicines/vaccinations will I need?: Volunteers should carry general medicines along with them on their travel. Medicines like antacid, aspirin and basic painkillers should be carried. You are recommended to take advice from your general physician before you embark on your journey.

We recommend these basic vaccinations for your safety:

Hepatitis A and B

Typhoid

Yellow Fever vaccination is required if coming from a YFV risk country.

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: Visa in Tanzania can be attained upon arrival at Dar es Salaam airport for citizens of most countries.Visa can also be applied online before arrival through the official Tanzanian Government electronic visa website.
What are the recommended airline options to reach Mtwara?: By air, Air Tanzania (https://www.airtanzania.co.tz/) and Precision Air (https://www.precisionairtz.com/en/) are the two airlines flying from Dar-Es-Salaam to Mtwara. You can check their schedule and even book your tickets online… or we can assist you with it too! As soon as you are done, send us your flight details so we can get everything ready for your arrival. The flight last approximately an hour… and you will have your first Tanzanian cashew snack: the best in the world!

Accommodation and Living

Can vegetarians be accommodated?: Yes - please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help ensure you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program?: The weekends are considered OFF. Volunteers are free to enjoy the activities available in the

area: kayaks, bikes, hikes, snorkeling, fun dives, boat excursions, beach trips, etc.