Key dates

• Arrival date - Thursday 22nd January 2026
• Mandatory briefing - Friday 23rd January 2026
• Vaccinating - 24th - 28th January, then 31st January - 4th February 2026
• Rest days - 29th and 30th January 2026
• Farewell meal - evening of 3rd February 2026
• Departure - Thursday 5th February 2026

Upon arrival in Tanzania, you will be picked up from Kilimanjaro Airport by a Mission Rabies representative and brought to your accommodation. Here you will be welcomed by our staff and meet the rest of the volunteers - spend the evening recuperating and getting to know your fellow members of team Tanzania 2026!

The following day you will get a full briefing on what to expect from the next 2 weeks, alongside training on how to use our data collection app. Using the App, you will help to collect data on every dog vaccinated to ensure we reach our target coverage, and to obtain further data about the dog population that will help Mission Rabies have a sustainable impact in the area.

Throughout our time in Tanzania, we will be working hard to ensure we reach 70% of the local dog population - the working days are therefore long and the climate can make them tiring. However, though the work can be physically demanding it is very rewarding, you will end each day knowing you contributed to eliminating this deadly disease!

You will be working in teams with local Tanzanian staff, Mission Rabies staff, and international volunteers, meeting early each morning to collect equipment and head off to your vaccination areas in the team vehicles.

We will spend the whole day in the field, so lunch will be prepared, packed, and collected in the morning before you depart . You will start to head back from the field at about 4-5pm, before it gets dark. Once back at base, you will restock the kits ready for the next day. After this, you will be free to relax and have dinner with the other volunteers - the perfect time to catch up with the rest of the group and exchange stories about the people and dogs you have met that day!

By coordinating ahead of time and building contingency plans, we strive to make the potentially challenging job of vaccinating hundreds of dogs a day, go as smoothly as possible. However, the nature of field work means that each day can be difficult to predict, and being able to ‘go with the flow’ is therefore essential!

Have a read through the Volunteer Resources section of the website and our blog to get an idea about what it is like come on one of our projects - please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions at all about getting involved!

You will have a two-day break in the middle of the vaccination campaign, giving you some time to relax and explore the area. An optional safari excursion will be offered at an additional cost nearer the time - more information to follow! 

Transport and Accommodation

The standard of the roads, vehicles and driving in Tanzania may be less than you are used to. We conduct vehicle safety and driver checks for all the vehicles we use but this is something you should be aware of. The accommodation, although not luxurious, is clean, comfortable and safe, and our previous volunteers have been very happy there.

Sharing Rooms

To ensure we can get as many volunteers in the field as possible and keep the in-country costs low for you, you will be sharing a room with another volunteer of the same sex. If you specifically request to have a single room this may be possible to arrange, however this will be at an extra cost, and subject to availability. In addition, if you are volunteering with a friend and would like to share we can accommodate this, so please mention this upon application.

Food

All meals are provided during the project. Tanzanian food is based on rice, ugali (maize porridge), chapati, vegetables and meat. As an animal welfare project, we do not provide meat but safe, clean, vegetarian food will be available for every meal. Specific allergies can be discussed with our team - please do mention them within your application. Water and a number of soft drinks per day will be provided during the project. Alcoholic drinks are not covered by Mission Rabies, but can be purchased locally to the accommodation at your own cost.

Physical work and early starts

In order to reach 70% coverage of a dog population, we have to work very hard! A typical day starts at 6 am to get into the field to start work at 7am. Overall, the days are long but rewarding. Each dog vaccinated is one more protected against rabies - which in turn saves the lives of local people. You must be comfortable walking at least 15km a day over rough hilly terrain and in hot sunny weather - sturdy walking shoes are highly recommended. The actual process of vaccinating, handling, marking and data collection is also physical work. Make sure you look after yourself, wear high factor sun screen, a sun hat and drink plenty of water.

Vaccine Requirements

In order to participate with Mission Rabies, we require proof of rabies vaccination within the past two years, or proof of adequate titre within the last three months. Proof of current tetanus vaccination is also required. Regarding other vaccines, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have contacted a medical professional or travel clinic at least 6-8 weeks before the date of the project. You must ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations and that you get any boosters in sufficient time.

Vaccine Requirements

In order to participate with Mission Rabies, we require proof of rabies vaccination within the past two years, or proof of adequate titre within the three months before the trip. Proof of current tetanus vaccination is also required. Regarding other vaccines, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have contacted a medical professional or travel clinic at least 8 weeks before the date of the project. You must ensure you have all the necessary vaccinations and that you get any boosters in sufficient time.

Please also inform us of any medical conditions you have, or in case you have any questions about your ability to participate, so that we are aware and can discuss these with you and can then make any necessary provisions. The NHS has a helpful website for travelling, that can provide you with advice but this should only be used in conjunction with, and not instead of seeking medical advice from your medical practitioner/local travel clinic.

You will need proof of yellow fever vaccination if you have visited or transited for more than 12 hours in a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Malaria

Malaria is endemic in Tanzania. We strongly recommend that you consult your physician and/or travel clinic to discuss options and indications for an adequate anti-malarial while you are in Tanzania. We also advise you to take measures to avoid getting bitten, such as wearing repellent, sleeping under a mosquito net and wearing long sleeves and trousers.

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever which is also transmitted by mosquitos is a risk, therefore taking precautions is essential since there is no treatment available. Using insect repellent is advised  as a preventative measure - please ask your physician/ travel clinic about appropriate repellents.

Zika Virus

Tanzania is listed as being an area at risk of Zika virus on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website. Please follow the advice on their website and discuss this with your doctor when considering participating in this project. 

Food and Water Safety

There is always the risk of 'travellers' diarrhoea' when you travel, due to different food and water. As a rule we recommend you only drink bottled or purified water and eat from reputable restaurants. With regard to food, we will provide clean, safe vegetarian food for each of your meals. Many people have said that steering clear of meat will go a long way in preventing illness; anecdotally this does appear to have been true for many of our previous volunteers. We recommend consulting your physician to discuss treatments that you can bring along and signs and symptoms to look out for when travelling.

Dog Bite Protocols

Mission Rabies takes dog bites and potential rabies exposure very seriously. We follow strict protocol in line with the latest WHO recommendations in the case of dog bites. Post-exposure prophylaxis is readily available in Tanzania so injections can be obtained if they are needed. You will be briefed before you travel and in-country on our procedures for your own protection and there will always be a member of Mission Rabies staff to help.

Emotional stress

There is a chance that you will witness suffering, be it human or animal, while on this project. You cannot know how you will react to seeing a dog suffering from a terrible case of mange or with a fractured leg, seeing people in need or finding a personal bond had been shattered by illness. It may simply be alarming to see dogs who lived chained outside, or are handled roughly. It is perfectly normal to feel a range of emotions in response to this. We can help support you and ensure that all the hard work you put into this project makes a long and lasting change to the lives of people and animals you meet.

Mission Rabies is very aware of the fact that travelling internationally can be an overwhelming experience, even for seasoned travellers, and we want your volunteer experience to be as rewarding and comfortable as possible. Our staff are more than happy to answer any questions that you have before you travel and there will always be members from the Mission Rabies Leadership Team on the project to be your point of communication in-country. They will be on the ground working with your team, helping you get to grips with the tasks and activities of the project and will always be available if you have any questions, concerns, or particular needs throughout your time in Tanzania.

Do bring:

• Practical/comfortable clothes to work in (long, light trousers and walking shoes/sturdy trainers). You will be provided with two Mission Rabies shirts to be worn when out vaccinating.
• Light raincoat/light jumper
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Toiletries
• Prescriptions & over-the-counter medication (eg. Imodium, Paracetemol etc)
• Electrolytes
• Travel wash
• Power bank for phone

Please note:

It is the dry season in Meru in January and so temperatures will likely be in the high 20C/low 30Cs during the day. However, it can get cool at night so make sure you bring both high factor sun screen and a jumper. A sun hat is also a must as there will not always be much shade. As it can get very hot make sure you drink plenty of water. Consider bringing a filter water bottle, which gives you access to safe, clean water on the go and saves a huge amount of plastic waste.  

Volunteers are required to cover their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

In-country transfers are included on the aforementioned scheduled day of arrival and departure of the project only. If you are taking some extra holiday days around the campiagn to enjoy Tanzania, you will need to arrange your own transport to/from the aiport, as well as your own accommodation for the additional nights.

We require all documentation, as listed on the Portal, at least 8 weeks before departure.