Marine Conservation
Zanzibar
→ Prices start from US$3,200 for 2 weeks
Marine Conservation Volunteering
It’s your turn to go M.A.D. (make a difference) on marine conservation, in one of Africa’s most incredible gems, the tropical paradise of Zanzibar. You will be at the forefront of promoting responsible dolphin tourism, through vital research and ethical practices.
The dolphin tourism industry generates essential income for an otherwise very poor island, with a huge array of marine life, wildlife and more on offer.
Become part of our mission to strike the right balance between allowing for tourism to grow, benefiting the local community and people of Zanzibar while conserving dolphins and marine life for many more generations to come.
Why we do this project
Established in 2013, this project was developed to investigate the damaging impacts of marine tourism on the dwindling dolphin population.
Alongside our partnership with Es Salaam University, volunteers are fully involved with providing credible and meaningful data, to support the implementation of ethical, tourism policies.
Zanzibar is one of the last remaining natural areas in the world, with a dolphin population, which is not governed by guidelines that limit the impact of tourism on their natural behaviours.
This is where volunteers come in, to ensure that this unique and precious dolphin population does not suffer the consequences of unregulated tourism.
With the dolphin tourism industry continuing to boom, it’s about being ethical. We must strike a balance between promoting a buzzing tourist destination, which directly supports and benefits the local communities; while also protecting and preserving these incredible mammals. Stress to dolphins can push them away from natural feeding areas, into quieter waters.
Let’s make a difference and create an environment where locals can flourish, as a result of increased tourism, while sea-life can live in harmony.
Why volunteer in Zanzibar?
Despite its blissful beaches, unique architecture & exquisite flora & fauna, life for many locals is tough and the majority of people are living below the poverty line.
Zanzibar offers a truly authentic volunteering experience and will provide you with a fresh perspective.
You will be working towards increasing tourism in Zanzibar, one of the most important ways to generate the country’s income and provide locals with a better quality of life.
If your passion is to make a positive difference in the lives of local people and marine conservation, this is the project for you.
The time is now to make your mark, with one of Africa’s most stunning islands as your backdrop.
Monitor & Research human-dolphin Interaction
Become part of formulating ethical dolphin tourism policies for the welfare of wild dolphins, to minimise the impact of tourism and distress, causing them to relocate to quieter waters and depriving tourist sightings.
All the research conducted by volunteers, is vital for governmental policies, to encourage tourism in ethical practices. You will be part of making guidelines to protect and sustain the dolphin population.
Get involved with monitoring dolphin’s natural behaviours, feedings and human-dolphin interactions. You will be collecting and providing important data to our partner, the institute of Marine Science and local government; in support of their mission to protect these species.
What’s better?! You can take part in ethical dolphin swims to test key methods for implementing tourist guidelines.
Eco-Development
Work and educate local kids about how to utilise marine resources to their full potential. It’s all about spreading the word, far and near when it comes to expanding our mission.
Create exciting information boards, about marine ecosystems and conservation, to encourage the local community to become passionate for protecting and preserving marine wildlife.
A big part of the project is training local boat drivers, who operate dolphin tours, to adopt ethical practices.
Be part of educating and encouraging local drivers to protect the dolphin population, whilst providing an exceptional experience for tourists, generating vital income.
Marine Conservation
Discover some of the finest coral gardens on the planet, as you are immersed in the ocean.
Carry out vital data collection on coral reefs, to monitor the volume of coral bleaching, as a result of global warming.
What’s more? You can only carry out this research while snorkelling or during boat trips!
Community
Get ready to become a member of the community. You will be fully immersed into village daily life.
From building work, improving communal facilitates and beach clean-ups, to making eco-bricks, for building our very own conservation centre.
Not only will you be making a difference to conservation, but you will also leave a positive lasting impact on those you inspire to do the same.
Take our work further at our conservation club; tackling the key conservation issues we face and putting initiatives forward, making a difference on the ground.
Educate and Empower the local community, by raising awareness of the importance of dolphins, whales, sharks and other kinds of marine life.
Put guidelines into place and provide important information for tourists, operators, hotels and guides about ethical practices surrounding wildlife.
2 weeks – US$3,200
4 weeks – US$4,000
6 weeks – US$4,800
8 weeks – US$5,600
10 weeks – US$6,400
12 weeks – US$7,200
Please note VISA fees are included in the cost.
Our Start Dates for 2023 are:
- 1, 15 & 29 May 2023
- 12 & 26 June 2023
- 3, 10 ,17 & 24 July 2023
- 7, 14, 21, 28 August 2023
- 4 & 18 September 2023
- 2 ,16 & 30 October 2023
- 13 & 27 November 2022
(Keep in mind this project closes over the Christmas period between 16th December and 6th January)
During school holidays and Ramadan there will be no Conservation Club
