Where
Stone Town, Zanzibar
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 2 weeks
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Medical, nursing or healthcare students and graduates looking to combine practical training with cultural discovery
Project details
A healthcare project across hospitals and local communities
In Stone Town, in the island's main hospitals, doctors and nurses work hard every day with limited resources. Access to healthcare here is often a challenge, and an extra pair of hands really makes a difference.
This project supports the day-to-day work of the hospitals and gives students and young professionals a chance to learn on the ground. You can choose between clinical or nursing activities depending on your background, working alongside the local team on patient visits, ward support and prevention work.
A practical, hands-on experience that brings together professional growth and cultural discovery, letting you see the social and healthcare side of Zanzibar up close.
This project supports the day-to-day work of the hospitals and gives students and young professionals a chance to learn on the ground. You can choose between clinical or nursing activities depending on your background, working alongside the local team on patient visits, ward support and prevention work.
A practical, hands-on experience that brings together professional growth and cultural discovery, letting you see the social and healthcare side of Zanzibar up close.
Healthcare training in the heart of Zanzibar
A healthcare project across hospitals and local communities
In Stone Town, in the island's main hospitals, doctors and nurses work hard every day with limited resources. Access to healthcare here is often a challenge, and an extra pair of hands really makes a difference.
This project supports the day-to-day work of the hospitals and gives students and young professionals a chance to learn on the ground. You can choose between clinical or nursing activities depending on your background, working alongside the local team on patient visits, ward support and prevention work.
A practical, hands-on experience that brings together professional growth and cultural discovery, letting you see the social and healthcare side of Zanzibar up close.
This project supports the day-to-day work of the hospitals and gives students and young professionals a chance to learn on the ground. You can choose between clinical or nursing activities depending on your background, working alongside the local team on patient visits, ward support and prevention work.
A practical, hands-on experience that brings together professional growth and cultural discovery, letting you see the social and healthcare side of Zanzibar up close.
Why participate
See hospital life up close
Work alongside doctors and nurses in the main wards of Stone Town, observing and supporting the day-to-day work of a busy hospital.
Why participate
See hospital life up close
Work alongside doctors and nurses in the main wards of Stone Town, observing and supporting the day-to-day work of a busy hospital.
Grow personally and professionally
Put your skills into practice, build new hands-on abilities and develop adaptability and teamwork.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days are split between clinical activities on the hospital wards, observing procedures and supporting the local staff.
Each day you'll work alongside doctors and nurses across different units, from patient visits to prevention work, with regular catch-ups with the coordinators to plan the next day's activities.
07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:00Transfer to the hospital and start of clinical activities on the wards
11:00Observing medical procedures or supporting the nursing staff
13:00Lunch break and downtime with the other participants
14:30Afternoon activities: patient visits, health education or ward support
18:30Back to the house, shower, shared dinner and a free evening
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Wander through Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Get lost in narrow lanes, carved doorways and spice markets in one of Africa's most striking towns.
The next story is yours
heylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelheylocalstravelTag us in your stories to feature here! @heylocalstravel
FAQs
During your stay in Zanzibar you'll be based at the volunteer house in Chukwani, a quiet area a short distance from lively Stone Town. The accommodation is a traditional, no-frills guesthouse, comfortable enough and set up to make sharing the experience with other volunteers easy. Rooms are shared (2–8 people per room), separated by gender, with shared bathrooms and a common living area to unwind after the day.
There's no Wi-Fi at the house, but you can pick up a local SIM easily to stay in touch. Rooms have fans, beds with linen provided and mosquito nets. There's no hot water or air conditioning, but the place is well ventilated and secure, and each room locks. A laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served on site, with traditional Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan the menu for the days ahead, a small thing that makes the place feel more like a shared home. The house is a short walk from shops, banks and a local pharmacy, and the sea is about 30 minutes away on foot.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- A fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service on request (small fee)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, welcoming setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is more than just a place to sleep. It's where you'll share meals, swap stories and live alongside people from all over the world. That part is what makes the trip what it is.
There's no Wi-Fi at the house, but you can pick up a local SIM easily to stay in touch. Rooms have fans, beds with linen provided and mosquito nets. There's no hot water or air conditioning, but the place is well ventilated and secure, and each room locks. A laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served on site, with traditional Zanzibari menus prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan the menu for the days ahead, a small thing that makes the place feel more like a shared home. The house is a short walk from shops, banks and a local pharmacy, and the sea is about 30 minutes away on foot.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- A fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service on request (small fee)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, welcoming setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is more than just a place to sleep. It's where you'll share meals, swap stories and live alongside people from all over the world. That part is what makes the trip what it is.
Your safety is something we take seriously.
Each programme is monitored carefully, from the hospitals where you'll be working to the volunteer house, so you can settle in to a welcoming and well-supported environment. Chukwani, where the volunteer house sits, is quiet and away from the busier tourist zones, but still well connected to Stone Town.
🔹 Background checks and safe spaces
To keep children and local communities safe, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions on how to request it.
🔹 Trusted local partners
We only work with hospitals and community partners that regularly host volunteers from around the world, in well-organised settings. The local team is on site every day to keep an eye on activities, support you and step in if anything is needed.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival at the airport through to the end of the programme, you can count on the local staff being available, evenings and weekends included. Our UK team is also reachable on WhatsApp whenever you need us.
🔹 Briefing and orientation
On your first day you'll join an orientation session covering Swahili culture, the practical basics, and a guided walk around the area. It's the best way to get the lay of the land and start the experience confidently.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Zanzibar is welcoming and friendly, but a few simple habits go a long way:
- Avoid going out on your own at night, especially in quieter areas.
- Travel with other volunteers when you can.
- Always follow your local coordinator's advice on areas and transport.
💡 Our aim is to give you a safe, well-supported environment, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, sharing skills and learning alongside the local community.
Each programme is monitored carefully, from the hospitals where you'll be working to the volunteer house, so you can settle in to a welcoming and well-supported environment. Chukwani, where the volunteer house sits, is quiet and away from the busier tourist zones, but still well connected to Stone Town.
🔹 Background checks and safe spaces
To keep children and local communities safe, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions on how to request it.
🔹 Trusted local partners
We only work with hospitals and community partners that regularly host volunteers from around the world, in well-organised settings. The local team is on site every day to keep an eye on activities, support you and step in if anything is needed.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival at the airport through to the end of the programme, you can count on the local staff being available, evenings and weekends included. Our UK team is also reachable on WhatsApp whenever you need us.
🔹 Briefing and orientation
On your first day you'll join an orientation session covering Swahili culture, the practical basics, and a guided walk around the area. It's the best way to get the lay of the land and start the experience confidently.
🔹 A few sensible habits
Zanzibar is welcoming and friendly, but a few simple habits go a long way:
- Avoid going out on your own at night, especially in quieter areas.
- Travel with other volunteers when you can.
- Always follow your local coordinator's advice on areas and transport.
💡 Our aim is to give you a safe, well-supported environment, so you can focus on what really matters: spending time, sharing skills and learning alongside the local community.
🧭 Orientation day
Your time in Zanzibar starts with a full day of orientation, a chance to settle in, get to know the local context and start the healthcare programme confidently.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through a series of practical sessions:
- Welcome meeting, programme introduction and house rules
- Health, safety and cultural guidelines
- A short introduction to Swahili culture and a few first words in Swahili
- A walk around Chukwani, with useful spots like shops, the pharmacy, where to get a SIM and how to get around
- A guided walk through Stone Town's markets, alleys and local stories
- A first chat with the hospital staff to get a feel for the project setting
✨ Orientation is also when you'll meet the other participants, break the ice and start finding your rhythm together.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you'll be into the activities at the hospitals, working alongside doctors and nurses on the wards and starting your hands-on training.
Your time in Zanzibar starts with a full day of orientation, a chance to settle in, get to know the local context and start the healthcare programme confidently.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through a series of practical sessions:
- Welcome meeting, programme introduction and house rules
- Health, safety and cultural guidelines
- A short introduction to Swahili culture and a few first words in Swahili
- A walk around Chukwani, with useful spots like shops, the pharmacy, where to get a SIM and how to get around
- A guided walk through Stone Town's markets, alleys and local stories
- A first chat with the hospital staff to get a feel for the project setting
✨ Orientation is also when you'll meet the other participants, break the ice and start finding your rhythm together.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you'll be into the activities at the hospitals, working alongside doctors and nurses on the wards and starting your hands-on training.
For an easy start, we'd recommend booking your flight into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar, ideally on a Saturday or Sunday, between 06:00 and 21:00. That's when our free airport pickup runs, taking you straight to the volunteer house (around 30 minutes by car).
If you arrive on a Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
⏰ Arriving outside those hours? Not a problem. You can either get a taxi yourself (we'll send the directions) or pre-arrange a private transfer with us for a small extra fee. Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can sort out the right support.
🛬 When you land, a member of our local team will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name or the partner organisation's name. If your flight is delayed or you can't spot the team straight away, stay where you are and wait at least 20 minutes. You'll also have emergency numbers to ring; we'll send these before you travel.
📱 A quick tip: pick up a local SIM at the airport (it's very cheap), so you can stay in touch with the local team, the other volunteers and people back home.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport (or anywhere else) isn't included, since there are usually lots of people leaving at different times and only a small coordination team.
That said, our team will happily help you book a taxi or share a private transfer with the others heading back at the same time.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing (about 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip elsewhere? Let us know in advance and we'll share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info and emergency contacts.
If you arrive on a Saturday, you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
⏰ Arriving outside those hours? Not a problem. You can either get a taxi yourself (we'll send the directions) or pre-arrange a private transfer with us for a small extra fee. Either way, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can sort out the right support.
🛬 When you land, a member of our local team will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name or the partner organisation's name. If your flight is delayed or you can't spot the team straight away, stay where you are and wait at least 20 minutes. You'll also have emergency numbers to ring; we'll send these before you travel.
📱 A quick tip: pick up a local SIM at the airport (it's very cheap), so you can stay in touch with the local team, the other volunteers and people back home.
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
When the project finishes, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on the Saturday. The return transfer to the airport (or anywhere else) isn't included, since there are usually lots of people leaving at different times and only a small coordination team.
That said, our team will happily help you book a taxi or share a private transfer with the others heading back at the same time.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the house in your own time and get to the airport without rushing (about 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ Carrying on with your trip elsewhere? Let us know in advance and we'll share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
💡 Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a detailed pre-departure pack with all the practical info and emergency contacts.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer 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
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now
Book now