FAQ 

.Questions about TVL and volunteering


I would like to volunteer in Tanzania but dont have anyone to come with me. Is it possible to come alone?

Many of our volunteers and interns come alone. You will surely find many friends at the house so it is surely possible to come alone!

How long is the normal work day for a volunteer/ intern? What time does the day start/ end?

Volunteers and interns work five days a week. Interns work six hours a day, normally between 9­-15. Volunteers usually start around 9 and finish by lunch.

What if I get sick during my stay?

If you get sick TVL will make sure you get to the doctor. There are doctors in Moshi town that are capable of treating stomach problems, common infections etc. In case of more severe illnesses there is a good hospital in Arusha, about one hour away from Moshi. We do recommend you to take a travel insurance that covers illnesses as well as your flight home if suitable treatment is not available in Tanzania.

I am only volunteering for 2 weeks. Do I still need to pay for a business visa (250 USD)?

Yes. According to Tanzanian law, all volunteers and interns need to pay for a business visa.

I would like to combine a few weeks of volunteering with a Kilimanjaro climb/safari. Is this possible?

Yes. Many visitors combine volunteering/internships with a Kili climb, safari or a trip to Zanzibar. During your volunteering/internship period we allow shorter trips. Anylonger trips should be done either before or after the working period.

Should I bring presents to my placement?

You are not required to bring presents, but if you want to help the placement somehow you may do so. We would however recommend you to contact us to discuss the needs and hopes of the different placements.

General questions



Is there any Wifi at the volunteer house?

Yes there is free Wifi at the house.

What currency should I bring with me and how much money do I need for X weeks?

You should bring 250 USD for a business visa at the airport to get into the country. The currency used in Tanzania is shilling, which can be either exchanged in Moshi or withdraw in the various ATMs in Moshi town. VISA and VISA Electron are widely accepted in the ATMs in Tanzania. We do not recommend you to carry large sums of money with you so a good idea would be to take some dollars with you as well as withdraw shillings in the ATMs with your Credit card.

How much money you need is up to you. Meals and water are provided in the TVL house but if you want to buy snacks, souvenirs, attend trips, safaris etc. you will need money to do so.

I am worried about the safety in Tanzania. How safe is Moshi?

Moshi is relatively safe according to Tanzanian standards and during daytime it is safe to explore the town by foot. You should however not walk the streets of Moshi when it is dark and instead take a taxi. We also do not recommend you to carry valuables and large amounts of money with you even during daytime.

Do European SIM cards function in Tanzania?

Most European SIM cards function in Tanzania, however, we do provide you a free prepaid­ SIM card to use while in Tanzania.

Is there a risk for malaria in Moshi? How should I prepare?

Malaria is a common problem in Tanzania and precautions should be taken to avoid getting ill. Visit your local doctor to get prophylaxis as well as all the vaccinations needed.

Can I get mosquito net from the house?

Yes, bed sheets, towels and mosquito net are included to the price.

How old are interns and volunteers usually in the house?

Most of them are between 20 to 25 years old, but we don´t have limitations on age limit and sometimes we have also older people living in the house

Questions about applying



I could not find a suitable placement on your webpages. Can I still apply?

Yes. Just let us know what kind of work you might be interested in and we will try to find you a suitable placement.

On the webpage there are prices for 4, 7 and 12 weeks. Can I choose to stay for a shorter or longer time?

Yes. You can stay how many weeks you want. The prices and times on the webpages are simply examples. You may also choose your starting and ending dates as you prefer.