Hospital Internship in 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.
Where
Stone Town, Zanzibar
When
Departures every week, all year round (except closure periods)
Duration
Minimum 2 weeks
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in a volunteer house with meals included
Language
English (beginner level recommended)
Ideal for
Medical, nursing, or healthcare students and graduates who want to combine hands-on training with cultural discovery.
Project details
A healthcare project between hospitals and local communities
In Stone Town, in the island's main hospitals, doctors and nurses work every day with limited resources but great dedication. Here, access to healthcare is often a challenge, and the support of people who bring fresh energy and skills becomes truly valuable.
The project was created to strengthen the hospitals' everyday work and to give students and young professionals the opportunity to grow through direct experience. By taking part, you can choose clinical or nursing activities based on your background, working alongside local staff in consultations, patient support, and prevention activities.
A practical and meaningful experience that combines professional growth with cultural discovery, allowing you to experience Zanzibar's healthcare and social reality up close.
The project was created to strengthen the hospitals' everyday work and to give students and young professionals the opportunity to grow through direct experience. By taking part, you can choose clinical or nursing activities based on your background, working alongside local staff in consultations, patient support, and prevention activities.
A practical and meaningful experience that combines professional growth with cultural discovery, allowing you to experience Zanzibar's healthcare and social reality up close.
Healthcare training in the heart of Zanzibar
A healthcare project between hospitals and local communities
In Stone Town, in the island's main hospitals, doctors and nurses work every day with limited resources but great dedication. Here, access to healthcare is often a challenge, and the support of people who bring fresh energy and skills becomes truly valuable.
The project was created to strengthen the hospitals' everyday work and to give students and young professionals the opportunity to grow through direct experience. By taking part, you can choose clinical or nursing activities based on your background, working alongside local staff in consultations, patient support, and prevention activities.
A practical and meaningful experience that combines professional growth with cultural discovery, allowing you to experience Zanzibar's healthcare and social reality up close.
The project was created to strengthen the hospitals' everyday work and to give students and young professionals the opportunity to grow through direct experience. By taking part, you can choose clinical or nursing activities based on your background, working alongside local staff in consultations, patient support, and prevention activities.
A practical and meaningful experience that combines professional growth with cultural discovery, allowing you to experience Zanzibar's healthcare and social reality up close.
Why participate
Experience hospital life up close
Work alongside doctors and nurses in Stone Town's main wards, observing and contributing to the daily life of a major hospital.
Why participate
Experience hospital life up close
Work alongside doctors and nurses in Stone Town's main wards, observing and contributing to the daily life of a major hospital.
Grow as a person and as a professional
Test your skills, develop new practical abilities, and strengthen your adaptability and teamwork.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days are divided between clinical activities in hospital wards, observing procedures, and moments of support for the local staff.
Each day you will work alongside doctors and nurses in different units, from patient visits to prevention activities, with time set aside for discussion with coordinators to prepare the activities for the following day.
07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:00Transfer to the hospital and start of clinical activities in the wards
11:00Observation of medical procedures or support for the nursing staff
13:00Lunch break and time to relax with the other participants
14:30Afternoon activities: patient visits, health education, or ward support
18:30Return, shower, and shared dinner with free time in the evening
Weekend
Weekends are free from mandatory activities. You can explore the island, join small trips, or relax with the other volunteers.
Explore Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lose yourself among the alleyways, carved doors, and spice markets of the most fascinating historic city on the island.
The next story is yours
heylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelheylocals.travelTag us in your stories to appear here! @heylocals.travel
FAQs
During your stay in Zanzibar, you will stay in the volunteer house in Chukwani, a peaceful area not far from lively Stone Town. The accommodation is a traditional, functional guesthouse designed to provide essential comfort and encourage connection among participants. Rooms are shared (2–8 people per room), separated by gender, with shared bathrooms and a living area where everyone can gather after activities.
There is no Wi-Fi at the property. We recommend purchasing an eSIM so you can have a stable connection throughout your stay. With Airalo, you can buy an international eSIM that can be activated before departure, so you are connected as soon as you arrive. You can easily get one via this link.
Rooms come with a fan, beds with bed linen provided, and mosquito nets. There are no hot showers or air conditioning, but the environment is airy and safe, and each room can be locked. Laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served at the house, with typical Zanzibari dishes prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan meals for the following days, creating a sense of participation and togetherness. The house is just a short walk from shops, banks, and a local pharmacy, and the sea can be reached with a walk of about 30 minutes.
🛏️ Included amenities:
- Accommodation in shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- Fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service available on request (for a fee)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, authentic setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is much more than just a place to stay: it is a space for exchange, reflection, and friendship, where you can live side by side with people from all over the world, sharing meals, stories, and unforgettable moments.
There is no Wi-Fi at the property. We recommend purchasing an eSIM so you can have a stable connection throughout your stay. With Airalo, you can buy an international eSIM that can be activated before departure, so you are connected as soon as you arrive. You can easily get one via this link.
Rooms come with a fan, beds with bed linen provided, and mosquito nets. There are no hot showers or air conditioning, but the environment is airy and safe, and each room can be locked. Laundry service is available on request for a small extra fee. Meals are served at the house, with typical Zanzibari dishes prepared by the local team.
🍽️ Once a week, volunteers help plan meals for the following days, creating a sense of participation and togetherness. The house is just a short walk from shops, banks, and a local pharmacy, and the sea can be reached with a walk of about 30 minutes.
🛏️ Included amenities:
- Accommodation in shared rooms (2–8 people)
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at weekends
- Drinking water always available
- Fan in every room
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Laundry service available on request (for a fee)
- Lockable rooms
- Safe, authentic setting close to Stone Town
The volunteer house is much more than just a place to stay: it is a space for exchange, reflection, and friendship, where you can live side by side with people from all over the world, sharing meals, stories, and unforgettable moments.
The safety of our volunteers is at the centre of every project. In Zanzibar, we work with reliable local partners with years of experience in welcoming international volunteers. Chukwani, where the volunteer house is located, is a calm area away from the busiest tourist zones, but 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 provide an up-to-date criminal record certificate. For our citizens, the certificate can be requested online without stamp duty when taking part in a volunteering project: we will provide the instructions so you can obtain it in just a few minutes.
🔹 On-site safety standards
The schools and centres where we work are used to collaborating with volunteers and offer supervised, welcoming, and cooperative settings. The local team is present every day to monitor activities, provide support, and step in if needed. All facilities are carefully selected and meet international hospitality standards.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival at the airport until your departure, you can rely on continuous support from our local staff, with contact numbers available in case of emergency. In addition, our HQ team will always be available via WhatsApp for any doubt or need.
🔹 Training and orientation on arrival
On your first day, you will take part in an orientation day to understand the local context, learn the programme rules, and receive practical advice on how to move around safely. You will also receive a guide with all the useful information before departure.
🔹 Simple precautions for enjoying Zanzibar with peace of mind
Zanzibar is a welcoming island, but it is important to follow a few good practices:
✔ Do not go out alone at night, especially in isolated areas.
✔ Move around preferably with other volunteers.
✔ Always follow the local team's guidance on where to go and what to avoid.
💡 Our goal is to offer you a safe, well-organised, and well-supported experience, so you can focus on what really 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 provide an up-to-date criminal record certificate. For our citizens, the certificate can be requested online without stamp duty when taking part in a volunteering project: we will provide the instructions so you can obtain it in just a few minutes.
🔹 On-site safety standards
The schools and centres where we work are used to collaborating with volunteers and offer supervised, welcoming, and cooperative settings. The local team is present every day to monitor activities, provide support, and step in if needed. All facilities are carefully selected and meet international hospitality standards.
🔹 24/7 support
From your arrival at the airport until your departure, you can rely on continuous support from our local staff, with contact numbers available in case of emergency. In addition, our HQ team will always be available via WhatsApp for any doubt or need.
🔹 Training and orientation on arrival
On your first day, you will take part in an orientation day to understand the local context, learn the programme rules, and receive practical advice on how to move around safely. You will also receive a guide with all the useful information before departure.
🔹 Simple precautions for enjoying Zanzibar with peace of mind
Zanzibar is a welcoming island, but it is important to follow a few good practices:
✔ Do not go out alone at night, especially in isolated areas.
✔ Move around preferably with other volunteers.
✔ Always follow the local team's guidance on where to go and what to avoid.
💡 Our goal is to offer you a safe, well-organised, and well-supported experience, so you can focus on what really matters: your impact and your personal growth.
🧭 Orientation day
Your experience in Zanzibar begins with a full day dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, understand the local context, and start the healthcare programme with confidence and awareness.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will guide you through a series of practical introductory activities:
- Welcome meeting, presentation of the programme, and house rules
- Guidance on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
- Introduction to Swahili culture and a short lesson in the local language
- Tour of the Chukwani area with information on shops, the pharmacy, SIM cards, and transport. If you would rather arrive with an active eSIM and avoid looking for a SIM locally, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliated partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
- Guided visit to Stone Town, through markets, historic alleyways, and local curiosities
- First meeting with hospital staff to better understand the project setting
✨ Orientation is also a chance to meet the other participants, break the ice, and start building the relationships that will accompany you throughout the experience.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you will get into the heart of the hospital activities, working alongside doctors and nurses in the wards and beginning your practical field experience.
Your experience in Zanzibar begins with a full day dedicated to orientation, designed to help you settle in, understand the local context, and start the healthcare programme with confidence and awareness.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will guide you through a series of practical introductory activities:
- Welcome meeting, presentation of the programme, and house rules
- Guidance on health, safety, and cultural norms to respect
- Introduction to Swahili culture and a short lesson in the local language
- Tour of the Chukwani area with information on shops, the pharmacy, SIM cards, and transport. If you would rather arrive with an active eSIM and avoid looking for a SIM locally, you can purchase one before departure through Airalo, our affiliated partner.
👉 You can do so using this link
- Guided visit to Stone Town, through markets, historic alleyways, and local curiosities
- First meeting with hospital staff to better understand the project setting
✨ Orientation is also a chance to meet the other participants, break the ice, and start building the relationships that will accompany you throughout the experience.
📌 From Tuesday onwards, you will get into the heart of the hospital activities, working alongside doctors and nurses in the wards and beginning your practical field experience.
To start your experience in the best possible way, we recommend booking a flight arriving at Zanzibar's Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ), ideally on Saturday or Sunday between 06:00 in the morning and 21:00 in the evening. During this time window, our free welcome and transfer service to the volunteer house is available (about 30 minutes by car).
If you choose to arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our accommodation (for an additional fee).
⏰ Arriving outside the recommended time? No problem! You can reach us independently by taxi (we will give you all the information you need) or request a personalised transfer service in advance for a small extra fee. In any case, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can provide all the support you need.
🛬 When you arrive at the airport, a member of our local staff will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, clearly visible with a sign showing your name or the name of the partner organisation. If your flight is delayed, or if you do not immediately spot our staff at the meeting point, stay there and wait at least 20 minutes. In any case, you will receive emergency contact numbers before departure.
📱 A useful tip: if you want internet access as soon as you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link
🚖 Recommendations for departure and your return flight
At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme, because participants usually leave at different times and there are only a few coordinators available.
In any case, our team will be happy to help you organise a taxi or a private transfer, sharing it with your travel companions if possible!
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the accommodation calmly in the morning and reach the airport without rushing (about 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ If you plan to continue your travels elsewhere, let us know in advance so we can give you useful advice to help organise your departure.
💡 After your participation is confirmed, we will send you a detailed document by email with all the latest practical information and the relevant emergency contacts.
If you choose to arrive on Saturday, you will need to book an extra night at our accommodation (for an additional fee).
⏰ Arriving outside the recommended time? No problem! You can reach us independently by taxi (we will give you all the information you need) or request a personalised transfer service in advance for a small extra fee. In any case, please send us your flight details as soon as you book so we can provide all the support you need.
🛬 When you arrive at the airport, a member of our local staff will be waiting for you outside the arrivals hall, clearly visible with a sign showing your name or the name of the partner organisation. If your flight is delayed, or if you do not immediately spot our staff at the meeting point, stay there and wait at least 20 minutes. In any case, you will receive emergency contact numbers before departure.
📱 A useful tip: if you want internet access as soon as you land, you can activate an eSIM before departure with Airalo, our partner. Use this link
🚖 Recommendations for departure and your return flight
At the end of the project, check-out from the volunteer house is by 12:00 on Saturday. The return transfer to the airport or other destinations is not included in the programme, because participants usually leave at different times and there are only a few coordinators available.
In any case, our team will be happy to help you organise a taxi or a private transfer, sharing it with your travel companions if possible!
We recommend booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you can leave the accommodation calmly in the morning and reach the airport without rushing (about 30 minutes by car).
🗓️ If you plan to continue your travels elsewhere, let us know in advance so we can give you useful advice to help organise your departure.
💡 After your participation is confirmed, we will send you a detailed document by email with all the latest practical information and the relevant emergency contacts.
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.
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