from 768€

Excellent 4.8rating (150)

Maasai Tribe Community Support

location
1 - 20 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+

rating  Excellent 4.8  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Truly unique experience living as one of the Maasai tribes people
  • Interact and share your stories and ideas with the local community
  • Gain valuable insight into local culture & traditions in a beautiful landscape
  • Help the locals milk the cows and walk to the river with donkeys to fetch the water.
  • Gain an insight into a real African tribe during your traditional homestay and participate in the many daily activities.

Especially suitable

Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Enjoy this unforgettable and authentic volunteering experience with an African Maasai tribe, immersing yourself in their daily routines and customs.

Instead of just learning about Maasai culture on a tour group- why not be part of it?! This is an incredible opportunity to learn, hands on in a real Maasai village. You can view the Maasai way of life up close, participating in the many daily activities that are typical of the tribe.

During your ...

About the program

Instead of just learning about Maasai culture on a tour group- why not be part of it?! This is an incredible opportunity to learn, hands on in a real Maasai village. You can view the Maasai way of life up close, participating in the many daily activities that are typical of the tribe.

During your Maasai Village Homestay, you will be welcomed to stay within their village, gain an understanding of their culture, and participate in the usual daily tasks. Tasks are divided between men and women. The men taking care of and/or selling the tribe’s cattle, while women will be milking the animals, cooking, searching for firewood and looking after the babies. Sometimes they will even construct the houses in the boma (traditional hut).

By living with the Maasai tribe there will be plenty of opportunities to explore Maasai culture in-depth, by interacting and communicating exchanges of ideas and experiences. You will get the chance to try making beadwork with the women in the village or learn how to make Maasai sandals from the men. You could even teach the children in the village some basic English and teach them sports.

The Maasai are proud people, who are trying to preserve their unique culture. African tribes have very distinct characteristics and customs, the Maasai tribe being one of the most symbolic. They live in the Northern and Southern regions in Tanzania and Kenya. The Maasai are known for their nomadic lifestyle (nowadays they settle in a single place after government legislations took over in the 1990’s). Their colourful dress code remains the same though, as does their colourful beaded jewellery, and ancient traditions.

The Maasai people are very traditional in their way of living, with all generations living in under the same roof, which is traditionally known as a boma. They traditionally used to move with their cattle from one grazing ground to another. They still make their income from the animals today, through sales of their cattle and cattle products. The NGO, Oxfam, states that the lifestyle of the Maasai should be considered as a response to climate change because of their ability to farm in deserts and scrublands.

Maasai culture can seem quite different to Westerners. Men can be married to several women depending on how wealthy he is- and this is usually judged by how many cattle he owns! Financially, it makes sense for a Maasai family to have many wives, as a large family means more people to take care of their cattle, cows, goats, sheep, and donkeys.

Due to this project’s remote location and limited local transportation, volunteers may need to stay the first night in Monduli and travel to the village the following morning. Volunteer placements are available in a Maasai village in Arusha, but to increase immersion you may volunteer across various villages.

Location
You will stay in a very simple, traditional, family home in a Maasai Village in Arusha (or surrounding villages). Moita is quite a bit off the beaten path. Located several kilometres away from the main roads near Arusha, there are many smaller towns along the way to this small village. The terrain is rough with patches of grass, bushes, and trees. In the dry season the community of Moita village must walk several kilometres to gather water for cooking, drinking and sometimes for bathing.


Typical day

Volunteering is generally 4-6 hours each day.


Monday
You will receive an introduction to the village, as well as Maasai culture. Get taught useful phrases in Maasai language, that you can practice throughout the week. Moreover, you’ll learn about the lifestyle and customs of the Maasai people with ...

Typical day

Volunteering is generally 4-6 hours each day.


Monday
You will receive an introduction to the village, as well as Maasai culture. Get taught useful phrases in Maasai language, that you can practice throughout the week. Moreover, you’ll learn about the lifestyle and customs of the Maasai people with an introduction to their cultural rules and the do’s and don’ts, etc.

After lunch, we will go on a trek through the nearby wilderness that surrounds the village. During this trek, you will be able to see Tanzania’s stunning natural scenery. Visit a local caldera (volcanic crater) and enjoy the lovely views.

Tuesday
The Maasai tribe are well known for their traditional herding so today, it will be all about grazing the livestock! Join a Maasai warrior on his herding activities through the bush (this will involve several hours of walking).

During the dry season (June to October), grazing involves even more work: the closest river to the village gets completely dried up, so the villagers are forced to walk further or dig holes to enable them to get to water that is underground, so their animals can drink – You might be invited to participate in this!

Wednesday
During the morning we will join the local women in the boma and take part in their traditional activities. You can expect get involved in milking cows and walking to the river with donkeys to fetch water.

After lunch, we join a unique workshop where you will be taught how to make your own beaded Maasai jewellery – this is the traditional jewellery the Maasai are symbolic of.

We will end the day with a traditional Tanzanian cooking class lead by one of our hosts. Then enjoy your home cooked dinner afterwards.

Thursday
Today is another day of grazing the animals! Walking through the African bush during grazing can be a real adventure- really get off the beaten path and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

Friday
We will take another beautiful hike through the African wilderness and after a few hours of adventure, we will enjoy a picnic with a view over the valley.

In the evening, we will enjoy a bonfire with the villagers, where you will get the chance to hear stories and ancient legends about the Maasai and other local villages.


Free-time activities

Serengeti National Park
Another one for your bucket list and a perfect way to spend your weekend off. The Serengeti is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the big 5 (lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo & elephant). You will also find zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, baboons, hyenas, ostriches ...

Free-time activities

Serengeti National Park
Another one for your bucket list and a perfect way to spend your weekend off. The Serengeti is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the big 5 (lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo & elephant). You will also find zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, hippos, baboons, hyenas, ostriches and many more incredible animals. The best way to explore is by camping out in the open or in one of the many lodges. The area is huge, and we recommend at least 2 days here.

Moshi and Mount Kilimanjaro
Moshi is about a two and half hour drive from Monduli and can be easily reached using a “dala dala” or taxi to Arusha and then changing again onto Moshi from there. Moshi is a quiet town with several Western cafes and coffee shops. It is also the closest town to the starting point of the Mount Kilimanjaro trek. On a clear day, you can get excellent views of Kilimanjaro right from the roadside (Tip: Moshi Train Station, which is no longer is use, has fantastic views of Africa’s highest mountain, with locals selling drinks and snacks up the top).

Arusha National Park and Mount Meru
Mount Meru is located in Arusha National Park and is the second largest mountain in Tanzania. If you’re looking to Climb Kilimanjaro ,then Mt Meru can be a great acclimatisation trek, taking you through various types of vegetation. There are also scenic trails around the mountain at ground level. Other attractions include Meru Crater, the Jekukumia River, Ngurdoto Crater and the Momelia Lakes which are known to change colour! You might even find wildlife here including giraffes, warthogs, cape buffaloes, lions, elephants, flamingos and more.

Lake Manyara National Park
If you love bird watching, then head to Lake Manyara during the dry season where pink flamingos flock to the vast lake. During wet season see if you can spot the lions, leopards, hippos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, blue monkeys, gazelles and cheetahs roaming the park.

Kikuletwa Hot Springs
A somewhat ‘secret’ pool of clear blue water, situated in between Arusha and Moshi is the Kikuletwa Hot Springs. The water isn’t actually hot but totally refreshing after the dusty drive getting there. Enjoyed by tourists and locals, this is a beautiful spot for relaxing and swimming in the crystal clear water, surrounded by jungle. There’s even a rope swing into the water for more fun and games. If this wasn’t on your list before, it should be now.

Arusha
Just over an hour’s drive from Monduli, Arusha is a large city in Tanzania which has many Western style eateries, a cinema, Maasai markets, shopping malls, supermarkets and a cultural centre. There are a lot of things to do here and a great way to spend your weekend. Close to the Serengeti, Arusha is a popular starting destination for wildlife safari tours.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Involvement Volunteers IVI

Accommodation
3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
1 day orientation
Daily transportation to project
In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
Fundraising support
University course credits (where applicable)
Certificate of Completion

Airport Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport, between 6am to 6pm on Saturday or Sunday. If arriving on Saturday, an extra night is charged. 

If arriving outside of the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another fee for a private transfer.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From Kilimanjaro airport to the Monduli accommodation, it takes 2-2.5 hours by car. From Arusha airport to the Monduli accommodation, it takes 40-50 mins by car. From Monduli to Moita is takes 1-1.5 hours by car. 

For Maasai projects: Due to the remote location of this program and limited local transportation, volunteers will stay the first night in Monduli and travel the next day to the village. 

Accommodation

During your stay in the Maasai Village in Moita, Arusha, you'll be accommodated in a very basic, simple, and traditional setting, which adds to the authenticity of your experience. For instance, you may find traditional squat-style flush toilets in use, and at times, showers may require heating the water manually using bucket-style arrangements. There will be 4-6 people sharing a room. 

It's important to note that the village operates without access to electricity. However, the resourceful Maasai people have adopted solar power to some extent, though with limited capacity and availability. As a result, you may not have the convenience of charging your mobile phones or electronic gadgets directly. To address this, it's recommended that you bring power banks, and the local staff will assist you by periodically charging your power banks in the city.

Additionally, it's essential to be aware that mobile signal reception is scarce in the village. The best mobile connection you may find is with "Halotel," which provides good 2G (EDGE) reception and a faint 4G/3G signal for internet-based communication apps. This limited connectivity presents an opportunity to disconnect from the digital world and fully immerse yourself in the genuine Maasai culture and surroundings.

Food & Beverages

You will be provided 3 meals per day on the weekdays, and 2 meals per day on weekends.

Meals are usually in the local cuisine and consist of a lot of corn, rice, potatoes, and bananas. Beef, goat meat, beans, and a few green leafy vegetables make up your daily nutritional meals. There are no shops within walking distance, so if you are a picky eater or have certain food requirements then we advise you to pick up supplies from Monduli or Arusha. Just be aware that there is no refrigeration available.

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Internet Access

Sorry, no access at the project site

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) in Kilimanjaro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Tanzania. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Tanzania provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Tanzania you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Tanzania. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Program starts every Monday. Arrivals on Sat/ Sun. If arriving on Sat, an extra night is charged.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 768€
2 weeks 866€
3 weeks 1,116€
4 weeks 1,386€
8 weeks 2,464€
12 weeks 3,566€
20 weeks (max. stay) 5,698€
Average fees 526€/week

Program fees

526€ per week 1 - 20 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

1 - 20 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Involvement Volunteers IVI during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers IVI

Excellent 4.8 rating (150 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 1989

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Lauren

Spoken languages: English

About the project

IVI are a non profit org with 28 years experience providing responsible volunteer placements in 15 countries worldwide. We help you connect with inspiring opportunities

Meet your organization

Involvement Volunteers International delivers positive social change to developing communities and vulnerable populations through local, national & international volunteering.  Our projects empower the skilled & un-skilled to catalyse the efforts of local partners in creating a better world.


WHO WE ARE

Founded in 1989, IVI is a pioneer of overseas volunteering.  Back when there was no internet and phones were a luxury in many parts of the world, we traveled to developing countries in search of credible NGO's in need of manpower and global volunteer resources.  Some of the many relationships we forged are utilized to this day. 

We are passionate about volunteering and giving back to society and in particular developing communities which are less fortunate than us.  In this way, we combine travelling with volunteering to help people make a positive impact overseas.

SOCIAL EXPERIENCES
All of IVI’s projects have a strong social element at the core.  With more manpower (& womanpower!) we can truly catalyse the efforts of our local partners.  This means you're sure to meet loads of like-minded people from all parts of the world.   This type of experience truly broadens your understanding of the world and yourself, opening your heart to new enlightened ways of thinking .   With your new found travel companions, you'll have plenty of opportunity to explore and have fun!  

Our projects create a unique platform to experience the true heart and soul of a destination rather than simply the tourist areas.   We'll involve you in meaningful & responsible volunteer work that really benefits the local communities.

AFFORDABLE VOLUNTEER TRAVEL
As a non profit org, we are not motivated by shareholder profits.  Our fee structure is fully transparent to ensure volunteers hard earned money is going directly to the areas where it is most needed.  It is vitally important to us that the presence of volunteers has a positive and sustainable impact on the local communities we work with.   

We charge a one off US$275 application fee per volunteer to cover the running of IVI including administration overheads, project inspection costs, marketing, and salaries.

The program fee starts at $150 p/week and goes straight to the in country management to cover arrival airport transfers, on the ground coordination, orientation, accommodation, meals, in country 24/7 project support, project development, donations and related administration costs.   

In comparison to many of our competitors, our programs are incredible value.

SAFETY & RESPONSIBLE PROGRAMS
With approx 80-90% of our volunteers being single young female travelers, volunteer safety is of the utmost importance.  All of our projects include a dedicated 24/7 in-country management support contact as well as a dedicated placement manager pre/post journey.  This ensures you will be cared for every step of the way.    The local teams are highly experienced and qualified to manage emergency situations.

All IVI projects have been personally inspected to ensure the standards meet necessary guidelines for quality and safety.  In addition, we monitor and maintain communication with local embassies to oversee potential issues in order to notify volunteers and their families accordingly.   

Our Australian team are available 24/7 and only a phone call away.

Our responsibility also extends to the local people which is why volunteers working in childcare related fields must provide a criminal background check before they travel.   Our ultimate goal is the long term development of the communities we work with, hence we work closely with our local partners to ensure that projects are needs driven and sustainable. 

SUPPORT

From your very first inquiry, right through to your welcome home, you'll have the same dedicated volunteer manager at every stage.  We are experts in the field and will provide you in depth insights about what to expect and how to prepare to ensure you have an amazing experience overseas.  Every project includes a detailed welcome pack which provides all aspects needed such as in country contacts, what to pack, cultural values, basic language guides and much much more.   

On arrival at your destination, you'll be greeted by one of our in-country team and in many cases 1 week orientation is provided to help ease you into the way of life and ensure you're equipped with the right customs to ensure a successful volunteer abroad experience.  

FUN!
Volunteering abroad is quite possibly the most rewarding experience you will have in your life!   We know this not only through our own experiences, but through the testimonies from thousands of volunteers we have successfully placed worldwide over 27+ years in operation.  Volunteering overseas is not only rewarding.   It's fun!   You're meeting new people, you're seeing new sights, and you're expanding your understanding of yourself and the world.  You're experiencing something real and life changing in many ways...  

GET INVOLVED WITH IVI TODAY!

150 reviews · rating4.8

The team were very supportive! We went to get firewood, went to get water, painted houses with cow shit and beaded with the women. There were no sockets to charge anything but there was lights in the volunteer accommodation The food was amazing The local team were extremely helpful The ...
Errol S rating5

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It was an amazing week working with a diverse group of volunteers from around the world. We got to experience working with turtles from nearly hatched to around 8 months old. They were extremely cute and you could really see the impact of the volunteering when we released them into the wild. It ...
I can’t express enough how much Meki, Tima and Paulina took care of me. They would even fan me when I was eating and if I was lying on the front deck (anywhere I was actually if they thought it was needed😆) I’ve never been fanned before😆 Sitting up the head of the table being fanned and ...
Gabriele Heumann rating4.8

2024 at Nutrition & Public Health Outreach Assistant

Vielen Dank für die tolle Erfahrung. Ein besonderes Lob für Carrun, ich würde es gerne immer wieder machen. Dankeschön auch am Marie und Masi tolle Gastfamilie. Ich kann sie nur weiterempfehlen ...
Jennifer Steinborm rating4.4

2024 at Support Woman & Children Commune

From the first day in Fiji I felt incredibly welcome there! Mere and Masi were very helpful from the start and showed me everything. I enjoyed working with the women at the Lovu HART Village at the office and when kindergarten started I loved seeing the kids every day and helping them where I could. ..
ANNA RATTERO rating4.2

2024 at Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

È stata una bellissima esperienza, stare con i bambini è stato magnifico! Loro non parlano bene inglese quindi ho comunicato con loro usando soprattutto sguardi e gesti. Si ha la possibilità di conoscere persone del posto, conoscere una nuova cultura e offrire il proprio contributo nel fare ...

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