Want to connect with nature and make a positive impact during your vacation in Zanzibar? Help preserve endangered turtles and protect our oceans on International Volunteer HQ’s Turtle Conservation program in Nungwi!
This is a unique opportunity to support the conservation of endangered sea turtles. By helping nurse and treat injured sea turtles, collecting food, feeding turtles and looking after their lagoon and pools, you’ll help boost populations of these beautiful at-risk creatures.
Nungwi is a stunning yet tranquil coastal village perched on the northern tip of Zanzibar. It is home to some of the island’s finest beaches and an incredible coral reef. You’ll have the chance to live like a local in a beachside bungalow, getting an authentic taste of Zanzibar's vibrant culture while you’re volunteering and making a difference.
IVHQ’s turtle volunteer placement is at a long-established conservation program where injured sea turtles are treated and looked after at a natural lagoon. The turtles are released several times per year and the project also breeds turtle eggs at a safe location until the baby turtles hatch. Young turtles are kept at various pools and at the lagoon and are released into the ocean once they reach a size that guarantees a higher chance of survival in the wild.
Volunteers will be involved in tasks such as:
You’ll be volunteering for up to 6 hours per day. With white coral sand that seems to glow day and night, there is plenty of fishing, snorkeling, diving, sightseeing and relaxing to be done in your free time.
IVHQ programs attract a wide-range of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds, including retirees, families, solo travelers and more. Volunteers need to be 16 years and over to participate in this program, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
This program is well suited to volunteers who are passionate about conservation and wildlife and enjoy spending time beside the ocean. You’ll be working with local staff at the turtle conservation sanctuary so you don’t need to have any prior experience.
The Turtle Conservation project costs $US610 for 1 week. Start dates begin every Wednesday and you can volunteer from 1 to 12 weeks.
This is a fully-hosted experience, meaning that everything is organized for you and includes pick-up from the airport or your Hyatt hotel, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support. Volunteers are served three meals per day of typical Zanzibar cuisine.
Apply for the Turtle Conservation program on the IVHQ website, so they can check availability for your chosen dates. It’s free, only takes five minutes and there’s no commitment needed at this stage.