Tropical Marine Conservation & Dolphin Research

Quick Facts

Zanzibar

Abeid Amani Karume International Airport

Every second Monday

10 days - 12 weeks

Impact: Marine Conservation

$2495 – $6795

Overview
Destination
Project Impact Areas
FAQs
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Dates & Rates
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Participate in our dolphin and marine conservation initiatives while you discover the tropical paradise of Zanzibar! As a volunteer, you will contribute to the sustainability of dolphin tourism by monitoring human-dolphin interactions and promoting ethical dolphin tours to ensure these intelligent creatures are not stressed or harmed during encounters with people and boats.

Marine life has such an important economic value to the local communities of Zanzibar and by protecting it we can build for a more sustainable future for both wildlife and the people of Zanzibar. This is your chance to make a lasting impact on the survival of a fragile marine ecosystem while leaving footsteps from the warm Indian Ocean.

Project Highlights

Monitor dolphins in their natural habitat and study the impact of tourism on their behavior

Snorkel in beautiful coral reefs whilst collecting vital coral bleaching data

Teach enthusiastic conservation club students and inspire them to look after their environment

Swim with dolphins in an ethical way whilst promoting responsible dolphin tourism

Interact with the local community, learn Swahili, and live in one of the most beautiful places in the world

The Destination

Zanzibar is a tropical paradise, an island just off the coast of Tanzania that is rich in culture, history, and also home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in Eastern Africa. When you think of crystal, turquoise oceans and endless white sandy beaches, Zanzibar is it. The bustling city of Stone Town is where you will fly into and the area itself is a hub of activity, with traders selling spices, fruits and fish caught fresh that day on every street corner, while also boasting the impressive title of a World Heritage Site. Just over an hour from Stone Town is the beautiful coastal village of Kizimkazi – your home during your stay in Zanzibar. Whether you are exploring the area or life beneath the waves, Zanzibar is the perfect location to ‘get off the grid’, while making long-lasting and sustainable change.

Accommodation

You will stay in a private volunteer house surrounded by white sandy beaches that has everything you need for a comfortable stay. You’ll be sharing an ensuite dorm room with other volunteers and we provide daily housekeeping for your comfort.

Meals

You will receive three fresh and delicious meals a day cooked by chefs from the local community. Breakfast is typically fresh fruit, eggs and toast with a selection of toppings while lunch and dinner are a mixture of local and international cuisine. You can expect to eat anything from burgers, pizzas and pasta dishes to stews, fresh seafood and fragrant curries. Vegetarian options will always be available and we can cater to many other dietary requirements, please just let us know your requirements in advance. Once a week there is also the option to go to one of the preschool teachers’ or Kanga Ladies’ homes for dinner. It is a brilliant evening of eating a homemade meal together while sharing stories and laughs.

Communication

There is free WiFi available at the volunteer accommodation, but the connection is slow and volunteers often choose to use WiFi at nearby cafes or restaurants.

Climate

Kizimkazi, Zanzibar lies 9m above sea level and has a tropical climate. The summers are much rainier than the winters in Kizimkazi.

The best time to visit Zanzibar is from January to March and June to December, when the temperature is warm and there is limited rainfall.

The highest average temperature in Kizimkazi is 30°C in March and the lowest is 27°C in June. The water temperature is between 26°C and 31°C.

Project Impact Areas

DOLPHIN RESEARCH

Dolphins are intelligent and inquisitive marine mammals that are intrigued by their environment and enjoy human interaction. Too much interaction, or unwanted attention can cause them to become stressed and they may choose to seek out quieter waters if faced with too much activity, especially while feeding or nursing young. As a volunteer, you’ll go out to sea daily to search for pods of dolphins and collect valuable data. We work with the local government to monitor human-dolphin interactions, and research dolphin behaviour, abundance and distribution to help formulate ethical policies to regulate dolphin tourism for the benefit of both the dolphins and the communities that rely on them for income.

CORAL MONITORING

Warming waters are causing severe damage to coral reefs globally and Zanzibar is no exception. The phenomenon is known as coral bleaching. You’ll spend time snorkelling in the warm waters collecting vital data on coral reef health, including the progression or regression of coral bleaching on the surface area of the reef, as well as the identification of coral species, and monitoring of tourist activities.

CONSERVATION AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

Education is a vital part of conservation. You will help educate local school children the importance of their natural environment, how to look after it and how to sustainably utilize their marine resources in a fun and engaging manner at an after school club. Volunteers have also developed information boards about the local marine ecosystem and conservation, as well as holding workshops with local boat drivers to encourage eco-friendly dolphin tours.

Recent Reviews

“I really loved my time here. It was amazing to meet so many new volunteers and to experience so many new things. It was a great adventure to get to know a new culture and to get to interact with the community. Seeing the dolphins on a daily basis was incredible and I really felt very safe. It exceeded my best expectations for sure!”

“Dolphin Conservation Zanzibar is an amazing project in an unforgettable landscape. You will enjoy marine animals and coral reefs and you will feel you make a difference. After this experience, you won’t be a tourist anymore, you will be a person caring about your environment. And you will learn the importance of smiling every moment and make the best of the moment.”

“An amazing experience where we were immersed in the culture, felt as though we were making a real difference and made really good friends with other volunteers. The staff were very welcoming and friendly and made sure everything ran smoothly.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can you volunteer with dolphins?

Zanzibar, often considered one of the best places to experience marine life in Africa, is the ideal place to begin your volunteer journey in dolphin conservation.

Our Dolphin Research and Marine Conservation project is based in Jambiani, an idyllic coastal village rich in culture, history, and characteristically kind locals. Home to Kizimkazi beach, one of the finest white sand beaches in Zanzibar, this seaside community is the perfect backdrop for an impactful volunteer adventure in marine and dolphin conservation.

How does each volunteer help?

As a marine conservation volunteer, your days will be spent out on the stunning Indian Ocean conducting valuable research on local dolphin pods. Since marine life in Zanzibar regularly faces high volumes of tourism, your volunteer research will focus on understanding marine tourism’s impacts on local dolphins’ health, populations, and behaviour.

This research is essential for informing dolphin conservation decisions, supporting vulnerable marine life, and building ethical policies around marine ecotourism. The more volunteers we have, the more research we can conduct, so every volunteer truly makes a difference!

What does volunteering involve?

You’ll spend the majority of your days out in the heart of the stunning Indian Ocean, engaging in invaluable dolphin conservation research. However, the incredible experiences don’t end there. Embarking on exciting research dives in vibrant coral reefs and joining together with locals to support community conservation education workshops, volunteering with us is the ultimate marine conservation adventure.

Dolphin Conservation Volunteer Tasks

Conservation volunteer tasks on our dolphin conservation project are highly varied and always sure to be an adventure!

However, they often include the following:
– Expeditions on the Indian Ocean to monitor dolphin-human interactions
– Research dives to analyze and record the health of coral reefs
– Running community workshops on marine conservation
– Engaging with kids in conservation-related activities in after-school clubs

Other Activities

WATER SPORTS

Zanzibar is the perfect location for incredible snorkeling experiences, swimming with the sea-life, boat rides, scuba diving, kitesurfing and dhow and ngalawa sailing.

GO ON AN INLAND ADVENTURE

Should you be staying a little longer, inland Tanzania offers some of the most popular safari sites in the world. Seeing the wildlife – and the sunsets! – in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater will take your breath away. And speaking of being breathless – for the fit, well-prepared and brave at heart, there is always Mount Kilimanjaro to climb!

Apply Now

Once you have submitted your application, a Destination Specialist will be in-touch to discuss the project with you.

Step 1

Select your Start Date

6 Mar 2023 20 Mar 2023 3 Apr 2023 17 Apr 2023 1 May 2023 15 May 2023 29 May 2023 12 Jun 2023 26 Jun 2023 3 Jul 2023 10 Jul 2023 17 Jul 2023 24 Jul 2023 31 Jul 2023 7 Aug 2023 14 Aug 2023 21 Aug 2023 28 Aug 2023 4 Sep 2023 18 Sep 2023 2 Oct 2023 16 Oct 2023 30 Oct 2023 13 Nov 2023 27 Nov 2023

STEP 2

Select your Duration

10 days $2495

2 weeks $2795

3 weeks $3195

4 weeks $3595

5 weeks $3995

6 weeks $4395

7 weeks $4795

8 weeks $5195

9 weeks $5595

10 weeks $5995

11 weeks $6395

12 weeks $6795

Project Fee Includes

Accommodation throughout your entire stay at our African Impact home in Kizimkazi – a cozy, safe and lively house shared by our volunteers, interns and staff
3 fresh and delicious meals a day cooked by chefs from the local community
Airport pick-up and drop-off (within allocated times)
Daily transport to and from project
Experienced international and local staff members who live and work alongside you every day
A full induction, orientation and training session to ensure you can contribute sustainably
All necessary project equipment and resources you’ll need on the ground

Project Fee Excludes

Flights
Visa-related costs
Medical or travel insurance
Weekend trips or tours, or any other non-project activity
Snacks, soft drinks, gifts or souvenirs
Laundry
Optional PADI diving course upgrade
Mandatory contribution of US$25 that is donated to the African Impact Sustainability Fund