Available dates
Available dates
Where
Stone Town, Zanzibar
When
Sunday to Saturday
Duration
2 Weeks
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in a volunteer residence with meals included
Language
English (beginner level recommended)
Ideal for
For those seeking an intercultural experience that combines volunteering, group living, and authentic discovery of Zanzibar.
Project details
Share a solidarity experience in Stone Town, contributing to an educational or community project while exploring with a group.
With HeyLocals, you'll collaborate with schools, community centers, and hospitals that operate every day with limited resources. Your contribution matters: time, attention, and skills make a real difference.
Projects include education (especially English), support at childcare centers, evening lessons for the community, and working alongside local hospital staff.
Leaving with a group, you'll have an authentic solidarity experience, alternating meaningful activities with the discovery of Stone Town — its historic alleyways, markets, Swahili culture, and ocean sunsets.
Experience Zanzibar with a group, combining volunteering, nature, and cultural discovery.
Share a solidarity experience in Stone Town, contributing to an educational or community project while exploring with a group.
With HeyLocals, you'll collaborate with schools, community centers, and hospitals that operate every day with limited resources. Your contribution matters: time, attention, and skills make a real difference.
Projects include education (especially English), support at childcare centers, evening lessons for the community, and working alongside local hospital staff.
Leaving with a group, you'll have an authentic solidarity experience, alternating meaningful activities with the discovery of Stone Town — its historic alleyways, markets, Swahili culture, and ocean sunsets.
Explore the projects in detail
The schedule is indicative and may vary based on the local organization's needs, participants' skills, and external factors such as season, weather, or public holidays.
Increase access to local education
4-6 Hours of Activities per Day
From 1 Week
Childcare Support in Zanzibar
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Take part in the daily life of Zanzibari schools, helping students aged 5 to 14 discover the joy of learning. A real experience of exchange, growth, and connection between cultures.
Surcharge of £155/week
Help promote healthy lives and well-being for the local community
4-6 Hours of Activities per Day
From 2 Weeks
Hospital Internship in Zanzibar
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Enjoy a practical and enriching experience in Zanzibar's hospitals. Whether you are a student or a healthcare professional, you can choose clinical and nursing activities that match your background, contribute to the everyday work of the facilities, and immerse yourself in the local culture.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
During the day, each participant will be taken to their chosen project — school, childcare, community center, or hospital — and will take part in activities from the morning through early afternoon.
The rest of the day is dedicated to preparing lessons or upcoming shifts, shared moments with other participants, activities organized by the local team, and free time to explore Stone Town, its beaches, and the island's everyday life.
07:00Breakfast at the center and time together with the group to start the day at a relaxed pace.
08:00Morning activities at the placements: lessons, educational support, or hospital shifts.
12:00Shared lunch at the center with participants and the local team.
14:30Afternoon activities or excursions around the island!
19:00Dinner at the center and an evening together with cultural activities, walks, or games.
22:00Relaxing and chatting at the center!
Weekend
Weekends are free from mandatory activities. You can explore the island, join short day trips, or relax with the other travelers. Before departure, the group can choose together any optional extras to do with our local team or independently.
Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Get lost in the narrow alleyways, carved doors, and spice markets of one of Africa's most fascinating cities.
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FAQs
🫂 Come funzionano le partenze di gruppo?
📌 Il gruppo si forma prima della partenza
✅ Conferma del gruppo
💬 Ci si conosce prima di partire
Le partenze di gruppo A Casa Loro sono pensate per creare un'esperienza condivisa, organizzata e sicura insieme a un piccolo gruppo di persone che partono con te.
📌 Il gruppo si forma prima della partenza
Ogni gruppo è composto da 4 a 15 partecipanti. Dopo la prenotazione e il versamento della caparra entri ufficialmente nel gruppo in formazione.
✅ Conferma del gruppo
Il gruppo viene confermato entro 30 giorni dalla partenza e nella grande maggioranza dei casi si forma senza problemi.
Se il gruppo non raggiunge il numero minimo, la tua esperienza è comunque garantita. In questo caso avrai tre opzioni tra cui scegliere, tutte senza costi aggiuntivi:
- Partire comunque nelle stesse date, svolgendo il progetto in modalità individuale, o con gli altri viaggiatori che hanno confermato (anche se sono meno di 4). Non sarai mai davvero solo: nella struttura troverai sempre viaggiatori internazionali che partecipano agli stessi programmi, in quanto il nostro centro collabora con organizzazioni analoghe alla nostra, ma che inviano viaggiatori da paesi esteri.
- Spostare la caparra su un altro gruppo o progetto, scegliendo liberamente una nuova data o destinazione.
- Richiedere il rimborso totale della caparra, senza penali e senza condizioni.
💬 Ci si conosce prima di partire
Una volta confermato il gruppo, entro due settimane dalla partenza apriamo un gruppo WhatsApp dedicato.
Qui ci si conosce, si condividono informazioni pratiche e ci si prepara insieme al viaggio.
During your stay in Zanzibar, you'll be accommodated at the volunteer house in Chukwani, a quiet area just a short distance from the vibrant Stone Town. The accommodation is a traditional and functional guesthouse, designed to offer essential comforts and foster connection among participants. Rooms are shared (2–8 people per room), divided by gender, with shared bathrooms and a living area to gather in after daily activities.
There is no Wi-Fi on the premises. We recommend purchasing an eSIM to stay connected throughout your stay. With Airalo, you can buy an international eSIM that you can activate before departure, so you're online from the moment you arrive.
Rooms are equipped with a fan, beds with provided bedding, and mosquito nets. There are no hot showers or air conditioning, but the space is well-ventilated and secure, and each room can be locked. Laundry service is available upon request for a small additional fee. Meals are served at the accommodation, featuring typical Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers take part in planning the meals for the coming days, fostering a spirit of participation and togetherness. The house is just steps away from shops, banks, and a local pharmacy, and the sea is reachable with a roughly 30-minute walk.
🛏️ Included Services
• Shared room accommodation (2–8 people)
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 on weekends
• Drinking water always available
• Fan in every room
• Constant support from the local team
• Laundry service available upon request (paid)
• Lockable rooms
• Safe, authentic setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is much more than just a place to sleep. It's a space for exchange, connection, and friendship, where you'll live side by side with people from all over the world, sharing meals, stories, and moments that will stay with you long after you leave.
There is no Wi-Fi on the premises. We recommend purchasing an eSIM to stay connected throughout your stay. With Airalo, you can buy an international eSIM that you can activate before departure, so you're online from the moment you arrive.
Rooms are equipped with a fan, beds with provided bedding, and mosquito nets. There are no hot showers or air conditioning, but the space is well-ventilated and secure, and each room can be locked. Laundry service is available upon request for a small additional fee. Meals are served at the accommodation, featuring typical Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers take part in planning the meals for the coming days, fostering a spirit of participation and togetherness. The house is just steps away from shops, banks, and a local pharmacy, and the sea is reachable with a roughly 30-minute walk.
🛏️ Included Services
• Shared room accommodation (2–8 people)
• 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 on weekends
• Drinking water always available
• Fan in every room
• Constant support from the local team
• Laundry service available upon request (paid)
• Lockable rooms
• Safe, authentic setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is much more than just a place to sleep. It's a space for exchange, connection, and friendship, where you'll live side by side with people from all over the world, sharing meals, stories, and moments that will stay with you long after you leave.
The safety of our volunteers is at the heart of every project. In Zanzibar, we work with reliable local partners who have years of experience hosting international volunteers. The Chukwani area, where the volunteer house is located, is quiet and away from the most crowded tourist zones, yet still well connected to Stone Town.
🔹 Participant Screening and Safe Environments
To protect local communities, especially children and young people, we require every participant to submit an up-to-date criminal record check. For our citizens, this certificate can be requested online without stamp duty when participating in a volunteer project. We'll provide full instructions on how to obtain it in just a few minutes.
🔹 On-the-Ground Safety Standards
The schools and centers where we operate are accustomed to working with international volunteers and offer supervised, welcoming, and collaborative environments. The local team is present every day to monitor activities, provide support, and step in whenever needed. All facilities are carefully selected and meet established standards of care.
🔹 Continuous Support
From your arrival at the airport to your departure, you can count on the constant support of our local staff, with emergency contact numbers always available. Our HQ team will also be reachable at any time via WhatsApp for any questions or needs.
🔹 Training and Arrival Orientation
On the first day, you'll take part in an orientation day to learn about the local context, program rules, and receive practical advice on how to stay safe. Before departure, you'll also receive a comprehensive guide with all the information you'll need.
🔹 Simple Tips for a Worry-Free Stay in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a welcoming island, but as with any destination, it's important to follow a few basic guidelines:
✔ Avoid going out alone at night, especially in isolated areas
✔ Move around with other volunteers whenever possible
✔ Always follow the local team's guidance on where to go and what to avoid
💡 Our goal is to offer you a safe, well-organized, and fully supported experience — so you can focus on what truly matters: your impact and your personal growth.
🔹 Participant Screening and Safe Environments
To protect local communities, especially children and young people, we require every participant to submit an up-to-date criminal record check. For our citizens, this certificate can be requested online without stamp duty when participating in a volunteer project. We'll provide full instructions on how to obtain it in just a few minutes.
🔹 On-the-Ground Safety Standards
The schools and centers where we operate are accustomed to working with international volunteers and offer supervised, welcoming, and collaborative environments. The local team is present every day to monitor activities, provide support, and step in whenever needed. All facilities are carefully selected and meet established standards of care.
🔹 Continuous Support
From your arrival at the airport to your departure, you can count on the constant support of our local staff, with emergency contact numbers always available. Our HQ team will also be reachable at any time via WhatsApp for any questions or needs.
🔹 Training and Arrival Orientation
On the first day, you'll take part in an orientation day to learn about the local context, program rules, and receive practical advice on how to stay safe. Before departure, you'll also receive a comprehensive guide with all the information you'll need.
🔹 Simple Tips for a Worry-Free Stay in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is a welcoming island, but as with any destination, it's important to follow a few basic guidelines:
✔ Avoid going out alone at night, especially in isolated areas
✔ Move around with other volunteers whenever possible
✔ Always follow the local team's guidance on where to go and what to avoid
💡 Our goal is to offer you a safe, well-organized, and fully supported experience — so you can focus on what truly matters: your impact and your personal growth.
🧭 Orientation Day
Your experience in Zanzibar begins with a day devoted entirely to orientation, designed to help you settle in, get familiar with the local culture, and start the educational project with the right practical and interpersonal foundation.
📅 The First Monday
The local team will guide you through a series of activities designed to make you feel welcome and prepared from the very first day:
✔ Welcome meeting, introduction to the childcare project and house rules
✔ Guidelines on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
✔ Introduction to Zanzibari culture and basic Swahili words useful for interacting with the children
✔ Tour of the Chukwani area, with practical information on shops, pharmacies, local SIMs, and transport
If you'd prefer to arrive with an active eSIM, without having to look for a SIM card on the ground, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 You can do so using this link: https://airalo.pxf.io/e15b2O
✔ Guided tour of Stone Town, exploring markets, historic alleyways, and local highlights
✨ Orientation is also the time when you'll meet your fellow participants, with whom you'll share your home, activities, and free time. It's a precious opportunity to start building group bonds, share stories, and break the ice right away.
📌 From the following day, Tuesday, you'll begin educational activities at schools and childcare centers, with constant support from the local coordinators. But from the very first day, you'll already feel part of something bigger.
Your experience in Zanzibar begins with a day devoted entirely to orientation, designed to help you settle in, get familiar with the local culture, and start the educational project with the right practical and interpersonal foundation.
📅 The First Monday
The local team will guide you through a series of activities designed to make you feel welcome and prepared from the very first day:
✔ Welcome meeting, introduction to the childcare project and house rules
✔ Guidelines on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
✔ Introduction to Zanzibari culture and basic Swahili words useful for interacting with the children
✔ Tour of the Chukwani area, with practical information on shops, pharmacies, local SIMs, and transport
If you'd prefer to arrive with an active eSIM, without having to look for a SIM card on the ground, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliate partner.
👉 You can do so using this link: https://airalo.pxf.io/e15b2O
✔ Guided tour of Stone Town, exploring markets, historic alleyways, and local highlights
✨ Orientation is also the time when you'll meet your fellow participants, with whom you'll share your home, activities, and free time. It's a precious opportunity to start building group bonds, share stories, and break the ice right away.
📌 From the following day, Tuesday, you'll begin educational activities at schools and childcare centers, with constant support from the local coordinators. But from the very first day, you'll already feel part of something bigger.
✈️ Arriving in Zanzibar
To start your experience on the best possible note, we recommend booking a flight arriving at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), ideally on a Saturday or Sunday, between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Our free welcome and transfer service to the volunteer house is active during these hours — approximately a 30-minute drive.
If you choose to arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our accommodation for an additional fee.
⏰ Arriving outside these hours? No problem. You can make your own way to us by taxi — we'll give you all the directions you need — or request a personalized transfer in advance for a small additional fee. In any case, please share your flight details with us as soon as you book, so we can arrange the best possible welcome and provide all the assistance you may need.
🛬 Upon arrival at the airport, a member of our local staff will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, clearly visible with a sign bearing your name or the name of our partner organization. If your flight is delayed or you don't immediately spot the staff at the meeting point, stay there and wait at least 20 minutes. You'll also have emergency contact numbers, which we'll send you before departure.
📱 A helpful tip: if you want internet access from the moment you arrive, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our affiliate partner.
Use this link: https://airalo.pxf.io/e15b2O
🚖 Departure and Return Flight Tips
At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 PM on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the program, as participants often depart at different times and the team needs to manage multiple schedules simultaneously.
In any case, our team will be happy to help you arrange a taxi or private transfer, which you can share with fellow travelers.
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the accommodation at a relaxed pace in the morning and reach the airport without any rush — about a 30-minute drive.
🗓️ If you plan to continue your journey elsewhere, let us know in advance so we can give you useful tips on how to best organize your onward travel.
💡 After confirming your participation, we'll send you a detailed document by email with all up-to-date practical information and emergency contact numbers.
To start your experience on the best possible note, we recommend booking a flight arriving at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), ideally on a Saturday or Sunday, between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Our free welcome and transfer service to the volunteer house is active during these hours — approximately a 30-minute drive.
If you choose to arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our accommodation for an additional fee.
⏰ Arriving outside these hours? No problem. You can make your own way to us by taxi — we'll give you all the directions you need — or request a personalized transfer in advance for a small additional fee. In any case, please share your flight details with us as soon as you book, so we can arrange the best possible welcome and provide all the assistance you may need.
🛬 Upon arrival at the airport, a member of our local staff will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, clearly visible with a sign bearing your name or the name of our partner organization. If your flight is delayed or you don't immediately spot the staff at the meeting point, stay there and wait at least 20 minutes. You'll also have emergency contact numbers, which we'll send you before departure.
📱 A helpful tip: if you want internet access from the moment you arrive, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our affiliate partner.
Use this link: https://airalo.pxf.io/e15b2O
🚖 Departure and Return Flight Tips
At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 PM on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the program, as participants often depart at different times and the team needs to manage multiple schedules simultaneously.
In any case, our team will be happy to help you arrange a taxi or private transfer, which you can share with fellow travelers.
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the accommodation at a relaxed pace in the morning and reach the airport without any rush — about a 30-minute drive.
🗓️ If you plan to continue your journey elsewhere, let us know in advance so we can give you useful tips on how to best organize your onward travel.
💡 After confirming your participation, we'll send you a detailed document by email with all up-to-date practical information and emergency contact numbers.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free!)
Choose the project that inspires you most and indicate the period you would like to travel. No commitment: the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we will put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They will explain everything in detail and answer all your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Set off on your adventure!
Pack your bags and go! On arrival you will find other volunteers like you, a welcoming local team and an experience you will hardly forget.
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