Day 1, Tuesday: Africa here we come!
All of Rustic Pathways scheduled group flights to Tanzania depart from New York. All scheduled group flights to Africa are escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. The flight departs New York in the evening and takes about 16 hours. During your flight take the time to get to know other students on your flight, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival into Africa.
Day 2, Wednesday: Meet and Greet
Jambo! Welcome to Tanzania. You will arrive into Arusha, Tanzania in the early evening and will transfer to the Rustic Pathways Base – your home for the duration of your program. Enjoy a traditional Tanzania meal while getting to know the staff and as part of your initial orientation, you will be taught many aspects of Tanzania protocols and expectations of behavior. The base accommodation is located 10mins outside of the main city of Arusha. The property has been set up for Rustic Pathways to have sole use of the Country Style Bungalow’s and grounds throughout the summer. Our student’s safety is our number one priority on all our programs.
Day 3, Thursday: Let the Work Begin
Today will be your first full day of service work. The students will be taking part in a number of different community service projects throughout the summer that will benefit the neighboring villages outside of Arusha. Project work during the course of your program may involve participation in a variety of initiatives. You can expect to spend time within the local schools, tutoring students in English, helping with classroom activities and getting involved with local sporting events. Other projects will involve repairs and maintenance to school buildings, construction of new amenities or upgrading of present facilities. You can also expect to spend time working on a program planting trees around Kilimanjaro to address the problems caused by over-harvesting valuable Blackwood trees. As well as teaching the locals about hygiene, dental care and general medical issues. Your time of this program of service will be varied, interesting, challenging and extremely rewarding and worthwhile. At the conclusion of each afternoon’s work you will return to the base house for the evening.
Days 4 to 7, Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday: Village Life in Tanzania During the next four days your focus will primarily be on the projects your group is undertaking for your time in Africa. Each morning and afternoon, you will be assigned a specific project, the team then works alongside and under the guidance of a Rustic Pathways staff member and various members of the local community that take an interest in the projects.
The description contained here should give you a good idea of what may happen during your stay. After your morning project you will typically continue your work for a few hours after lunch and then your group may head off to watch the local village children play a soccer match. Another afternoon your group might explore the surrounding area, perhaps taking an enjoyable hike to a neighboring waterfall or a stroll through the streets of Arusha with staff checking out the local curio markets that are filled with high quality crafts and see Maassi warriors in full regalia.
Day 8, Tuesday: Safari Time
Today we set out on a full day of wildlife spotting in Arusha National Park. This is one of the most spectacular events in Africa, and gives you a chance to fully immerse yourself into the wild. This is an incredible opportunity to get up close and personal with Africa’s native wildlife, and discover the true beauty of nature in this magnificent country.
Days 9 to 11, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: The Work Must Go On!
Each morning your group will continue with their community service projects after breakfast. Afternoon activities will depend on the group’s rate of progress and several afternoons may also be full of work. The days most always end with an incredible Tanzanian sunset.
Days 12 to 13, Saturday and Sunday: The Big Five
We head off for the next two days to one of Africa’s best-known wildlife viewing areas, Ngorongoro Crater. The park is inhabited by vast herds of wildebeest, huge populations of elephant and buffalo, as well as diverse herd animals and their predators – all spread out across the savanna. Here you’ll witness the incredible ecological diversity, and animals living as they have for millennia. All these animals interact and roam freely, and the vegetation and bird life is as fascinating as the big game.
Days 14 to 15, Monday and Tuesday: More Exciting Projects
For the next two days it is back to participating in community and environmental service projects. When not engaged in village service projects, you will have the opportunity to learn unique customs, traditions, and some basic Swahili language.
Days 16 to 17, Wednesday and Thursday: Goodbye Africa
This morning will be the conclusion of your service work within the local villages. A time for farewells and best wishes and a chance to reflect on the experiences and memories which have encapsulated themselves in the hearts of your group over such a seemingly short period of time. Incredible friendships are made that will be cherished for many years to come.
If you are departing to the USA tonight, your afternoon will be spent in Arusha shopping for any final gifts or souvenirs. After a final meal with your group, you travel to the airport and bid Tanzania farewell (until next year perhaps). You will arrive back into New York on Thursday morning. |
COMMUNITY SERVICE 
Diversity of Service Projects
Life in Tanzania
