Where
Makunduchi, Zanzibar
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 1 week
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone who loves the sea, the outdoors, and wants to support a hands-on environmental project
Project details
A pilot project in Makunduchi protecting marine life with the local community
Makunduchi is a fishing village where the sea is part of daily life and where the local sea turtles are at risk of disappearing. A group of local coordinators decided to set up one of the island's first conservation projects, drawing on ideas that worked in Bali and adapting them to the Zanzibari setting.
The project comes from a wish to protect a fragile and precious natural heritage, combining direct work with the animals and community awareness. As a volunteer, you'll help look after injured turtles, monitor nests on the beaches, collect seaweed for feed and join educational and beach clean-up activities. Each small step gives these remarkable creatures one more chance.
The project comes from a wish to protect a fragile and precious natural heritage, combining direct work with the animals and community awareness. As a volunteer, you'll help look after injured turtles, monitor nests on the beaches, collect seaweed for feed and join educational and beach clean-up activities. Each small step gives these remarkable creatures one more chance.
Help protect sea turtles in the heart of Zanzibar
A pilot project in Makunduchi protecting marine life with the local community
Makunduchi is a fishing village where the sea is part of daily life and where the local sea turtles are at risk of disappearing. A group of local coordinators decided to set up one of the island's first conservation projects, drawing on ideas that worked in Bali and adapting them to the Zanzibari setting.
The project comes from a wish to protect a fragile and precious natural heritage, combining direct work with the animals and community awareness. As a volunteer, you'll help look after injured turtles, monitor nests on the beaches, collect seaweed for feed and join educational and beach clean-up activities. Each small step gives these remarkable creatures one more chance.
The project comes from a wish to protect a fragile and precious natural heritage, combining direct work with the animals and community awareness. As a volunteer, you'll help look after injured turtles, monitor nests on the beaches, collect seaweed for feed and join educational and beach clean-up activities. Each small step gives these remarkable creatures one more chance.
Why participate
Help protect marine life
Take part in protecting sea turtles and helping give them a future in a fragile ecosystem.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, your days flow between turtle care, nest monitoring and awareness activities, alongside hands-on work like seaweed collection or beach clean-ups.
There's also time to learn a bit of the local culture with short Swahili lessons and shared activities with the community, always with the project coordinators on hand.
07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30Turtle care: feeding, tank cleaning and seaweed collection
11:00Nest monitoring and hatchling release (when in season)
13:00Lunch and free time to relax
14:30Beach clean-ups or activities in the mangroves
18:30Back to base, shared dinner and an easy 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.
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FAQs
During your stay in Makunduchi you'll be based at the volunteer house, close to the turtle conservation project. The place is simple, set up to provide the essentials in a quiet, real setting away from the busier tourist parts of Zanzibar.
Rooms are shared and the house has common areas where everyone meets up and spends time together. Bathrooms are shared. Drinking water is always available, and meals are served on site: three a day on weekdays and two at the weekend.
There's no Wi-Fi, but we'd recommend picking up a local SIM as soon as you arrive so you can stay in touch with the team and people back home.
The volunteer house is more than just a place to sleep: it's a space where you'll share moments, experiences and the everyday with people from all over the world.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at the weekend
- Drinking water always available
- Common areas to socialise
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Safe setting close to the project
Rooms are shared and the house has common areas where everyone meets up and spends time together. Bathrooms are shared. Drinking water is always available, and meals are served on site: three a day on weekdays and two at the weekend.
There's no Wi-Fi, but we'd recommend picking up a local SIM as soon as you arrive so you can stay in touch with the team and people back home.
The volunteer house is more than just a place to sleep: it's a space where you'll share moments, experiences and the everyday with people from all over the world.
🛏️ What's included:
- Shared rooms
- 3 meals a day on weekdays, 2 at the weekend
- Drinking water always available
- Common areas to socialise
- Ongoing support from the local team
- Safe setting close to the project
Your safety is something we take seriously.
Each programme is monitored carefully, from the project sites to the volunteer house, so you can settle in to a welcoming and well-supported environment.
🔹 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 project sites and community partners that regularly host volunteers from around the world, in well-organised settings. The volunteer accommodation is in a safe area, with lockable rooms and the local team always on hand.
🔹 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 Zanzibari 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.
- 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 project sites to the volunteer house, so you can settle in to a welcoming and well-supported environment.
🔹 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 project sites and community partners that regularly host volunteers from around the world, in well-organised settings. The volunteer accommodation is in a safe area, with lockable rooms and the local team always on hand.
🔹 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 Zanzibari 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.
- 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 in Makunduchi
Your time in Zanzibar starts with a full day of orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local culture and start the project safely and confidently.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through an introductory programme that includes:
- Welcome meeting, introduction to the project and house rules
- Practical tips on health, safety and local customs
- A short introduction to Swahili culture and a mini language lesson
- A walk around Makunduchi and the surrounding area, with useful info on shops, the pharmacy and SIM cards
- A visit to the Turtle Conservation Project, to start getting to know the daily work and the local staff
✨ Orientation is also a chance to meet the other volunteers and start building a sense of group from day one. Between hands-on activities, local insights and shared moments, you'll get straight into the spirit of the project.
📌 From Tuesday you'll be into the on-the-ground work at full pace, and by day one you'll already feel part of the Makunduchi community.
Your time in Zanzibar starts with a full day of orientation, designed to help you settle in, get to know the local culture and start the project safely and confidently.
📅 On your first Monday, the local team will walk you through an introductory programme that includes:
- Welcome meeting, introduction to the project and house rules
- Practical tips on health, safety and local customs
- A short introduction to Swahili culture and a mini language lesson
- A walk around Makunduchi and the surrounding area, with useful info on shops, the pharmacy and SIM cards
- A visit to the Turtle Conservation Project, to start getting to know the daily work and the local staff
✨ Orientation is also a chance to meet the other volunteers and start building a sense of group from day one. Between hands-on activities, local insights and shared moments, you'll get straight into the spirit of the project.
📌 From Tuesday you'll be into the on-the-ground work at full pace, and by day one you'll already feel part of the Makunduchi community.
For the project, we'd recommend booking a flight into Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ) in Zanzibar on a Saturday or Sunday, between 06:00 and 21:00.
That's when our pickup and transfer service is running.
Saturday arrivals: you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
Out-of-hours arrivals: you can either get a taxi yourself or pre-book a private transfer (paid).
Arriving by land/ferry: the meeting point is the Safari Café at ZNZ Airport, on Sunday at 10:00 or 16:00 (to be confirmed before you travel).
📍 Airport meeting point
When you arrive, our rep will be waiting outside the arrivals hall with a sign with your name on it. From there you'll be taken to your accommodation (around 30 minutes by car to Chukwani / 1 hour to Makunduchi).
⏱️ If you can't spot the team straight away
- Stay at the meeting point
- After 20 minutes, ring the transfer coordinator (number sent before you travel)
- If there's no answer, send an SMS and try again
- After 30 minutes, contact the operations manager
⚠️ Don't leave the meeting point on your own.
📱 Local SIM
We'd suggest picking up a local SIM at the airport: it's cheap and useful for staying in touch with the team, the other volunteers and your family.
🧳 What to send us before you travel
As soon as you book your flight, please send:
- Airline
- Flight number
- Arrival time
- Any stopovers
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
Check-out: by 12:00 on the Saturday.
The return transfer isn't included, but the team will help you arrange a taxi or a bus.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have time to leave the house in your own pace and get to the airport without rushing.
If you're carrying on with your trip elsewhere, let us know in advance: we'll happily share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
📩 Once your booking is confirmed
You'll get a document by email with:
- Emergency contacts (transfer coordinator and operations manager)
- Step-by-step procedures in case of any issues
- Up-to-date pickup info
That's when our pickup and transfer service is running.
Saturday arrivals: you'll need to book an extra night at the house (small supplement applies).
Out-of-hours arrivals: you can either get a taxi yourself or pre-book a private transfer (paid).
Arriving by land/ferry: the meeting point is the Safari Café at ZNZ Airport, on Sunday at 10:00 or 16:00 (to be confirmed before you travel).
📍 Airport meeting point
When you arrive, our rep will be waiting outside the arrivals hall with a sign with your name on it. From there you'll be taken to your accommodation (around 30 minutes by car to Chukwani / 1 hour to Makunduchi).
⏱️ If you can't spot the team straight away
- Stay at the meeting point
- After 20 minutes, ring the transfer coordinator (number sent before you travel)
- If there's no answer, send an SMS and try again
- After 30 minutes, contact the operations manager
⚠️ Don't leave the meeting point on your own.
📱 Local SIM
We'd suggest picking up a local SIM at the airport: it's cheap and useful for staying in touch with the team, the other volunteers and your family.
🧳 What to send us before you travel
As soon as you book your flight, please send:
- Airline
- Flight number
- Arrival time
- Any stopovers
🚖 Heading home: return flight tips
Check-out: by 12:00 on the Saturday.
The return transfer isn't included, but the team will help you arrange a taxi or a bus.
We'd suggest booking your return flight for Saturday afternoon or evening, so you have time to leave the house in your own pace and get to the airport without rushing.
If you're carrying on with your trip elsewhere, let us know in advance: we'll happily share useful tips so your departure goes smoothly.
📩 Once your booking is confirmed
You'll get a document by email with:
- Emergency contacts (transfer coordinator and operations manager)
- Step-by-step procedures in case of any issues
- Up-to-date pickup info
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.
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