South Africa is a developing country, and as such is generally not as safe as the West or other developed nations. There is a huge economic disparity in South African society, combined with a largely undertrained and understaffed police force. This results in high crime rates and social unrest.

Even though the fight against crime has improved over the last few years, you still need to be careful and aware at all times. Go With Khaya will help you to plan your journey to minimise your chances of becoming a victim of crime. So keep calm and come to South Africa! We will make sure you are picked up and guided upon your arrival, get a proper introduction and all the advice you might need for travel, accommodation and sightseeing.

You may have seen footage of rioting and looting in downtown Johannesburg or other large cities in the media. This is NOT representative of the whole of South Africa. Khaya works with volunteer projects in either rural settings or in city areas that are much safer than Johannesburg.

The FIFA World Cup 2010 showed the world that the picture the media shows is very different to reality. Most of the country is peaceful and friendly.

However, you should be aware of your surroundings and be cautious; like you would be in Barcelona or New York! Your ‘radar’ should be fully operational at all times. Here is some advice:

• Travel from A to B without detours and plan your route beforehand.
• Don’t travel at night.
• Don’t hitchhike.
• Don’t look like a tourist – so no cameras around your neck, silly hats and backpacks on your belly.
• You don’t need to stop and chat to anyone who demands your attention – whether they are store or restaurant owners, street vendors, beggars, or simply passers-by.
• Be aware of who is walking near you at all times. If you feel nervous, simply move aside and let people walk past you, or cross the street.
• Walk quickly but not in a ‘panicky’ fashion, behave confidently and know where you are going.

We will help you as much as we can and don’t forget you are not the first traveller to South Africa. Millions of people have travelled here without getting mugged and robbed. Be aware and you will stay safe and enjoy your time in this amazing country.

Mainstream South African society could be considered conservative, partially due to the many Dutch and English influences from centuries past. All children wear school uniforms to school, and people dress relatively formally for work or even when going out. So expect to dress as if you are at work in your own country. South Africa has a hot and/or humid climate in many areas, but dress modestly. Brief shorts or tank tops are acceptable on the beach but not really in other areas. For women – topless sunbathing is more-or-less acceptable on some beaches in the tourist areas (e.g. Cape Town), but is not really as common as in Europe! Take your guidelines from the local people around you.

As a volunteer at Khaya, you will represent the project you work for. Find out from your coordinators what the dress code is for your particular job and remember that it is better to overdress than to underdress.

South Africa has 11 official languages. The two most widely spoken languages by all people in South Africa are English and Afrikaans. These languages will give you the opportunity to converse with the locals. These are also the languages used by traffic signs and other communal services.

Afrikaans is a language that developed in the 16th and 17th century and derived from Dutch. With the influence of other languages such as Malay and English, Afrikaans became an official language on its own. The black population speaks English and/or Afrikaans beside their mother tongue such as Xhosa or Zulu.

If you are interested, we also offer language courses to volunteers to further develop the possibilities for you to communicate with the locals. It will make quite an impression if you are able to greet people in their own language.

At your volunteer project, there will always be people who speak at least English to translate or communicate for you while volunteering.

Medical assistance in South Africa can be compared to European standards if you can afford it –  and as an international visitor, the exchange rate is favourable for you. You will have compulsory medical insurance which will cover any medical needs you might have.

Our coordinators will of course assist you to have access to any information or services needed.

All projects have emergency plans available for volunteers’ medical needs, and you will be assisted to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Usually you have to pay in advance for medical assistance or settle the bill immediately afterwards. You can claim this back from insurance. Do not wait until you’re back home again, but send all documents to your family or friends who can submit the claim on your behalf straight away. Make sure you are aware of the procedures and conditions concerning your insurance, should you find yourself in a situation where medical assistance is needed.

South Africa is a very big country with a diversity of climates and circumstances. There are various diseases and illnesses present that are no longer common in Europe. Check with your doctor to make sure you have the right vaccinations for volunteering at a specific volunteer project and make sure you have received all necessary shots before you leave.

When you stay in South Africa for a period of less than 3 months you do NOT have to apply for a visa (depending on the country of origin). You will come to South Africa on a temporary visitor’s permit for 3 months, which you will receive upon arrival at customs. You will have to show the customs authorities a letter from your volunteer project and clearly state that you are here for volunteering. We will make sure you have such a letter from your project.

LONGER THAN 3 MONTHS

If you want to stay longer than 3 months in South Africa for a volunteering experience or a gap year, you will have to apply for your visa in your country of origin. In general, you will only be given such a visa if you can present a letter in which it clearly states you’ll be working as a volunteer and do not receive any compensation. Khaya will provide this letter for you to use for such an application.

Malawi is often referred to as the ‘warm heart of Africa’, because of the friendliness of its people. It’s nearly impossible not to want to engage with them, and fall in love with everyone! However, as in most developing African countries, poverty is rife and therefore the wary Westerner will want to be sensible and stick to the following rules of thumb for travellers / volunteers:

• Do not walk alone at night – use a taxi.
• During the day you can walk around safely, but after dark it is safer to go in a group and always tell the coordinator where you are going.
• Do not walk around with visible valuables.
• Do not carry a backpack on your stomach as it shows you are a tourist and possibly have valuables.
• Keep a phone with airtime on you in a non-visible place, so you can call somebody for help if you are lost or feel unsafe.
• Maintain an air of confidence and knowledge of where you are going, even if you are not too sure! Look at a map indoors and plan your route, not on the corner of the street.
• Only draw your wallet in shopping centres and other secured areas. Keep some small bills and coins in your pocket for paying public transport or in shops.
• Avoid sudden large crowds where possible. You won’t know why people are gathering, whether for social or other reasons, but either way it’s best not to get caught in the middle.
• Don’t eat in public unless you want to be mobbed by children who may assume you have enough to go around! It’s also considered rude by older people to eat in public.
• Don’t engage in public displays of affection, as it’s frowned upon in Malawian society. However, you will probably see same-sex platonic friends happily holding hands as they walk in the street.

Malawians are easy-going but also follow fairly strict patriarchal traditions. People at work or in the town streets dress smart-casually, with shoulders and knees covered at all times. Take your cues from those around you and you will blend in!

Volunteers should pack mainly loose but modest clothing and flip-flops. Short T-shirts, short dresses and revealing clothing is NOT allowed unless you’re on the beach. A good rule of thumb is to dress somewhat more conservatively than you might do at home. This will be of benefit to volunteers as you will already stand out in the crowd to a certain extent. You can help deflect attention with your choice of dress, and you will be able to focus on your project and getting to know the people around you.

Be observant and respectful when you arrive. Elder Malawians will appreciate a slight deferential bend at the knees when you shake hands. 

The official working language is English, while Chichewa is the national language. Other local languages are spoken, of which the main are Yao and Tumbuka. All local languages use the Roman script and English is taught at all schools and is widely spoken. Volunteers shouldn’t have any problem with communication if your English is fairly good.

Medical assistance in Malawi will be very different from home, but with the assistance of our local coordinator, volunteers will get the best care possible.

All projects have emergency plans available in case of medical needs for volunteers, and you will get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Expect to pay in advance and then to claim this back from your insurance. Make sure you are aware of specific procedures and conditions for your medical insurance.

Illnesses exist in some African countries that are no longer common in Europe. Check with your doctor to make sure you have the right vaccinations for volunteering at a specific volunteer project and make sure you have received all necessary shots before you leave.

THE ADVICE AT THE MOMENT IS TO GET VACCINATIONS FOR:

• DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine)
• Hepatitis A and B
• Tuberculosis
• Typhoid
• Rabies (if you will work with wildlife and/or in rural areas)

The costs of these vaccinations are, in many cases, covered by your medical insurance. Please check so you can claim back these expenses.

We are not physicians or doctors and therefore are not able to give any medical advice. The abovementioned comments are general recommendations. Visit your doctor or physician for professional personal advice.

You will need a Temporary Employment permit – for travellers wishing to engage in an occupation including volunteering at an NGO. Speak to us for more info pertaining to your specific volunteer project.

Tanzania is generally a safe and peaceful country, and is renowned for its friendly people. Unfortunately, the flip side is that it has huge challenges with poverty and subsequent social unrest, and it is important that volunteers stick to certain basic rules to avoid uncomfortable situations as much as possible. Please remember that you are not the first person to volunteer in Tanzania and certainly not the last! Your personal safety in Tanzania, as in any developing country, is very much dependent on your own behaviour and how you maintain vigilance over your person and possessions.

Stick to the following rules of thumb for travellers / volunteers and you should be fine.

• Do not walk alone at night – use a taxi.
• During the day you can walk around safely, but after dark it is safer to go in a group and always tell the coordinator where you are going.
• Do not walk around with visible valuables.
• Do not carry a backpack on your stomach as it shows you are a tourist and possibly have valuables.
• Keep a phone with airtime on you in a non-visible place, so you can call somebody for help if you are lost or feel unsafe.
• Maintain an air of confidence and knowledge of where you are going, even if you are not too sure! Look at a map indoors and plan your route, not on the corner of the street.
• Don’t draw attention to yourself with public displays of affection with the opposite sex, as these are highly frowned upon in Tanzania.
• Only draw your wallet in shopping centres and other secured areas. Keep some small bills and coins in your pocket for paying public transport or in shops.
• Avoid sudden large crowds where possible. You won’t know why people are gathering, whether for social or other reasons, but either way it’s best not to get caught in the middle.
• For peace of mind on the water, don’t forget to look at any boat or vessel before you embark, to make sure it’s seaworthy.

Tanzanians like to dress smartly and respectably to demonstrate high status. You won’t see many men in shorts, even though it is hot, because wearing long trousers makes you more respectable as a man. Women tend to wear dresses and skirts, as pants or jeans are considered slovenly. Take your cues from those around you and you will blend in!

Tanzania is in the tropics, and therefore hot and humid. Volunteers should pack mainly loose clothing which covers knees and shoulders, and flip-flops. Short T-shirts, short dresses and revealing clothing is NOT allowed. Bikinis are for the beach, not the streets. Dressing more conservatively than you might do at home will be of benefit to volunteers, as any unwanted attention will decrease due to your choice of dress, and you can focus on your project and getting to know the people around you without causing a stir.

Be observant and respectful when you arrive. How do the staff at your project dress and carry themselves? When in Tanzania, do as the Tanzanians do!

There are 129 languages spoken in Tanzania! The most common are Swahili and English, so you will be able to communicate relatively easily.

Medical assistance in Tanzania will be very different from home, but with the assistance of our local coordinator, volunteers will get the best care possible.

All projects have emergency plans available in case of medical needs for volunteers, and you will get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.

Expect to pay in advance and then to claim this back from your insurance. Make sure you are aware of specific procedures and conditions for your medical insurance.

Our projects in Arusha are all within easy reach of clinics and hospitals, so in case anything should happen we will make sure volunteers get the help needed.

Tanzania is smack-bang up against the Equator, and is a hothouse for various diseases and illnesses that are no longer common in Europe. Check with your doctor to make sure you have the right vaccinations for volunteering at a specific volunteer project and make sure you have received all necessary shots before you leave.

THE ADVICE AT THE MOMENT IS TO GET VACCINATIONS FOR:

• DTP (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine)
• Hepatitis A and B
• Tuberculosis
• Typhoid
• Rabies (if you will work with wildlife and/or in rural areas)

The costs of these vaccinations are, in many cases, covered by your medical insurance. Please check so you can claim back these expenses.

We are not physicians or doctors and therefore are not able to give any medical advice. The abovementioned comments are general recommendations. Visit your doctor or physician for professional personal advice.

In short; yes you do need a special permit to volunteer in Tanzania.

Most nationalities will be able to obtain a visitor’s permit for Tanzania for 3 months when arriving at one of the major international airports (Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro). The costs involved are 50 USD (cash only).

After arriving at your project the coordinator will need to convert your visitor’s permit to a permit allowing you to volunteer and ‘work’ in Tanzania. The costs for such a permit is 200 USD once-off and will allow you to volunteer up to 3 months or even longer.

If you are planning to stay longer than 6 months for volunteering or a gap year the easiest would be to apply for the correct volunteer permit in your country of origin.

Zanzibar is known to be safe for tourists and visitors alike. However, volunteers will need to be aware of certain risks.

At night, in certain streets of the old town, you must pay a bit more attention to yourself and to your belongings, but no more than in any city anywhere. We do not recommend that our volunteers walk alone at night, and please make use of taxis when going out.

Some added precautions: avoid walking alone (especially if you’re a woman) on the beaches around Stone Town, during day or night. Be careful with your bags or cameras, but do not be paranoid either as your own behaviour will minimalise possible risks.

Zanzibar’s population is 95% Muslim. With this in mind, volunteers must be prepared to dress conservatively and cover up. Shoulders and knees need to be covered at all times for women, and bring a scarf to cover your hair when you are in the community and out on the streets. This may feel odd to you at first, but you will earn respect when you conform to the local rules and expectations. You are a guest in Zanzibar, so you need to adapt to its customs, not the other way around!

Sunbathing in swimwear is allowed on the beaches, but please be aware that the tropical heat is not a reason to walk around in a bikini or bare-chested in town; it is considered very offensive if you do so.

Ask your volunteer coordinators what is acceptable, be adaptable and respect the local customs and culture.

he people of Zanzibar are of diverse ethnic origins.

Zanzibar is today mostly inhabited by ethnic Swahili, a Bantu population. There are also a number of Arabs, as well as some Indians.

Zanzibaris speak Swahili (Kiswahili), a Bantu language that is extensively spoken in the African Great Lakes region. Alongside English, Swahili is one of the two official languages of Tanzania. Many local residents also speak French and/or Italian. Volunteers should be able to communicate with the locals without too much trouble.

Accidents or illness can happen to anyone, regardless of planning and carefulness. Zanzibar has several clinics and hospitals that will be able to help you, but expect things to operate differently to your home town.

Volunteers will need to have patience like all the other patients and wait your turn. Time is a different concept in Africa, nothing is rushed!  We will ensure that you are helped but it could take a while.

Most medications are available on Zanzibar, but please be aware that your personal medication, e.g. chronic meds, should be brought with you into Tanzania, to ensure that you have sufficient supplies.

Our volunteers coordinators are there for you in case of an emergency and they will make sure you will get the service you need.

Most nationalities will be able to obtain a ‘visitors permit’ or ‘holiday visa’ upon arrival at Dar Es Salaam and Kilimanjaro International Airports. The costs for this visitor’s permit is 50 USD. This visa allows you to be in Tanzania as a visitor for a maximum of 3 months but will not allow you to do any work, even volunteer work. You will need to obtain a Class C Volunteering Permit to legally be allowed to take part in volunteering activities.

Our coordinator will be able to take you to the Home Affairs office after arriving in Arusha to obtain the legally required Class C Volunteering Permit. Unfortunately this permit costs 200 USD, but this will allow you to legally volunteer at our projects.

Obtaining this permit can cost 2-3 days on average. Luckily you will be able to volunteer after requesting for the permit. Without this permit you will not be allowed to work as a volunteer at any of our projects.