Immersion for the Socially Conscious and Culturally Curious

If you can afford the plane ticket, your trip to Africa can be a great opportunity to participate in a mutually beneficial experience with local people, whether it’s just during a weekend away from safari or the central pillar of your trip. It can be a great feeling knowing that you’re exchanging ideas with people from an entirely different background or helping to bring medical relief, education, or a variety of other services to people that may otherwise not have access to them. The memories that you’ll have and the lessons you’ll learn from interacting with other people during your travels will be some that stick with you the most and will have a lasting impact on your life after you return home. Below, we’ll take a look at three separate opportunities throughout East and South Africa that will allow you to enjoy safaris and other tourist attractions while still giving back to and interacting with the local community in some way.

Eat with a Muslim family in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Tanzania has many natural and cultural attractions that are stereotypically “Africa,” and many travelers to Tanzania want to take full advantage of all that it has to offer, from reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro to safaris in Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Tanzania is unique in that is has an island archipelago that is, in many ways, the polar opposite of mainland Tanzania. The Zanzibar archipelago is nearly 100% Muslim, with various Middle Eastern, African, and even some Indian influences and it is renowned for its beautiful white sand beaches. Zanzibar is a popular weekend destination for travelers that can’t spend more time there, and a great way to get a taste of the local culture is to eat with a Zanzibari family in their home. If you’re interested in great Swahili food in a welcoming atmosphere, check out Nyumbani in Stone Town (Mji Mkongwe in Kiswahili) on the main island of Unguja. The residents, Amir and Khadija, do all the cooking with the help of other family members. The price is right – approximately 6700 Tanzanian shillings (about $5 USD) will get you a full meal with soup and snacks as starters, an amazing main course with a variety of dishes, and even dessert. You’ll experience the flavors of the Spice Islands while engaging in great conversation. Check it out between Soko Muhugo Street and Vuga Road opposite the Haven Hotel. You need to make reservations in person by the morning of the day that you want to eat dinner, either in person or by calling (024 2238170).

Try a Volunteer Vacation in Kenya

A great way to give back during your trip is to volunteer in some capacity in the country you’re visiting. While a lot of volunteer programs don’t offer a lot of flexibility in terms or dates and duration, there are some US-based organizations that allow you to wrap up your trip with some volunteer work or to give back to a local community before you move on to experience more of what a country has to offer. Global Vision International (GVI) is one such organization that offers a variety of ways to get involved in a number of different countries. One opportunity allows travelers to volunteer in Kenya on an educational project. Volunteers get to participate in local community development efforts, including teaching English and working on sustainable tourism initiatives. GVI offers a variety of program durations, from two weeks to ten weeks, and volunteers are trained by GVI staff prior to getting started. This particular program is unique in that it’s located in the Shimoni Archipelago, which means you’ll get to experience the rich coastal biodiversity and scenery of East Africa, and given it’s location near the boarder of Tanzania, it’s just a short trip inland or over the boarder for all your safari needs. Teaching English is exceptionally rewarding, and you’ll get to learn some Kiswahili in the process. You will help open doors for individuals and communities and support long-term development in the place that you work. To learn more, check out: http://www.gviusa.com/expeditions/Africa/Kenya/volunteer-teaching-kenya/home

Community Service in Capetown, South Africa

Based out of Chicago, Greenheart Travel, a division of the Center for Cultural Interchange, offers opportunities around the world to volunteer in environmentally and socially conscious ways. Their Township Project in Capetown is an ongoing community development project that provides services for an entire community, from school-aged children to adults. Volunteers participate in rebuilding, tutoring, community gardening, sustainable development, soup kitchens, and other cultural programs in a community that was ravaged by fire at the end of 2008. The conditions in the village are described as “rustic,” and this venture is recommended for travelers with some prior experience, especially in poverty-stricken areas. As with the other opportunities, you can use the Township Project as a springboard for your South African travels, or as a rewarding way to round out your trip. Full orientation is provided, as well as other services like 24-hour emergency care to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. To learn more about this unique, ongoing opportunity, check out: http://www.cci-exchange.com/travelabroad/program.aspx?id=1264

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