Tanzania

Tanzania: Environmental Conservation in East Africa — Custom School Trips

Q: Is Tanzania: Environmental Conservation in East Africa Right for This School Group?

Which students thrive on this program? Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required. What will students do each day? Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Q: How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

How Do Flights Work? School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there. What Meals Are Included? All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.

Q: What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included: All lodging All meals In-country transport All activities and excursions 24/7 staff support Not Included: International airfare Travel insurance Personal spending money

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 12 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

1 / 10

Join the efforts of young environmentalists all over the world as part of Rustic’s Critical Issues environmental conservation program. Aid in habitat restoration efforts, while you work alongside community members on projects that support development and conservation. Hop into safari cars and explore famous national parks of Tanzania, immersing yourself in the iconic Tanzanian tribal cultures and wildlife.

Custom School Trip

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 9-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

Welcome to Tanzania!

Arrive into Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha (ARK) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the guesthouse and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Enter the Jane Goodall Institute

Join the conservation community with a welcome from the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), a global nonprofit founded by the pioneering primatologist Jane Goodall. Meet students from JGI’s youth-led community action program, Roots & Shoots, who will be your service partners. Sit down with the founders and staff as they provide a broad introduction to wildlife conservation in Africa and its many components and challenges. Spend the afternoon trekking through a local coffee plantation alongside your new friends, and sit in on a lecture at Mweka College, the pioneer institution of wildlife studies and ecotourism.

3-4

Begin Your Service Project

Join your Roots and Shoots partners on the slopes of the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, where you will learn about the culture of the local community and partner with them on a development initiative. Learn more about local conservation issues such as deforestation, the impact of climate change on the local ecosystems, and human-wildlife conflicts as you participate in one of JGI’s ongoing projects. Learn from the mamas of the local village and try your hand in traditional cooking and harvesting, and end your days playing soccer games in the evening. Join your group for a post-service debrief, discussing what you experienced and learned through hands-on work in the community.

Learn About Conservation Projects in Arusha

Sit down with another conservation organization and learn about the critical issues they tackle and their ongoing, creative projects that help combat them, giving you a wider perspective of the diversity of conservation efforts in this country.

Experience Tribal Culture

Immerse yourself in the historically powerful Maasai tribal culture as you head to Monduli. You’ll be greeted by the legendary Maasai tribesmen, your guides for the day as you learn about their relationship with wildlife and the environment around them. Weave through the bush on an extended educational walk, where they will teach you how they track animals, identify medicinal plants, and use the environment around them for shelter.

7-8

Safari in Ngorongoro Crater

Rise with the sun today and hop into your safari cars and explore Tarangire National Park, home of the densest elephant population left in the world. Spend the night at a cozy campground over the Rift Valley and return in the morning to descend into Ngorongoro Crater, where zebra roam and lions lounge. Enjoy a scenic game drive as your experienced guides teach you about these animals, their behavior, and their environment.

Kwaheri Na Safari Njema, Tanzania!

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home. Enjoy a delicious meal in town and do some last-minute souvenir shopping. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Tanzania

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies?

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Is Tanzania: Environmental Conservation in East Africa Right for This School Group?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.

What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

Why Does Rustic Pathways Go to Tanzania?

Tanzania offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.

How Do Flights, Meals, and Logistics Work?

How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.

What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.

What’s Included in This Rustic Pathways Program?

Included:

All lodging
All meals
In-country transport
All activities and excursions
24/7 staff support

Not Included:

International airfare
Travel insurance
Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Tanzania Africa Conservation

Request a Quote