Only in Tanzania will you find such an incredible diversity of landscapes from herds of antelope on the Serengeti plains to brilliant coral in turquoise seas. There are so many things you can do on a gap year in Tanzania including volunteering, interning or tours.
Not to missed before you return home: the magical spice island of Zanzibar, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Crater, Mt Kilimanjaro, Olduvai Gorge, Lake Manyara NP, Rift Valley Escarpment, tea estates in the south and Isimila Stone Age site.
For some of us, a gap year is the chance to complete a real challenge and you can’t get much bigger than climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This is one of the most famous walkable peaks in the world. Mount Kilimanjaro is so tall that you can even see the curvature of the earth from the summit! For Kili, you will get the opportunity to appreciate Tanzania’s beautiful wilderness landscapes – especially if you take one of the less-frequented routes (like Lemosho or Rongai) to reach the top of Kilimanjaro.
One of the most popular things to do on a gap year in Tanzania is to volunteer your time and skills helping communities in need. Lots of projects are available where you can play a small role in working to improve lives for local people.
The Practical Stuff
Climate:
Tanzania has two rainy seasons, (March to May and November to January) and a dry season (June and September) with pleasant temperatures around 28 ºC. There are advantages to visiting Tanzania at both times. If you are heading to Zanzibar’s beaches the dry season is for you, however when the rains come, so do the animals, making safaris much more exciting in the rainy seasons.
Currency:
Tanzanian Shilling
Religion:
45% Christian, 40% Muslim, 15% indigenous beliefs(TSh)
Language:
Swahili and English are the official languages as well as many local African tongues.
Health Conditions:
Yellow fever, malaria, schistosomiasis, cholera, hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, typhoid, HIV/AIDS.