Kenya & Tanzania

Lighting Lives

$6895

*Airfare for group flight from New York and visa fees additional

21 days

Trip duration

9th – 12th

Grades

21 days

June 25 - July 15, 2024

New York, NY

Arrival & Departure

$6895

Tuition

21 days

Trip duration

June 25 - July 15, 2024

9th – 12th

Grades

*Airfare for group flight from New York and visa fees additional

Overview

Journey to the captivating, peaceful land of East Africa as you explore the beautiful countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Work hand in hand with a local community to build and install solar power panels. Encounter an extraordinary array of wildlife on safari and learn about wildlife conservation. Learn Swahili and take part in the indigenous way of life of the vibrant Maasai people through cultural engagement. Cook delicious Kenyan street food, and help make flip flops at a beach debris upcycling center. End your journey with a visit to the Spice Island of Zanzibar, where you explore the labyrinth city of Stone Town, swim in aquamarine water, and leave only your footprints behind on its pristine white sand beaches.

Highlights

  • Install Solar Energy Systems in Rural Maasai Homes
  • Visit the Spice Island of Zanzibar and Swim in its Tropical Turquoise Water
  • Experience a Multi-Day Safari, Searching for Africa’s “Big Five”: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino & Water Buffalo
  • Learn About Public Health Initiatives at a Local Community Clinic
  • Learn to Cook Local Kenya Street Food
  • Live Amongst and Learn From the Native Maasai People
  • 25 Hours of Community Service

Get the itinerary

Safari

Embark on a safari to search for Africa’s “Big Five”: rhino, lion, elephant, water buffalo, and leopard, and spot a multitude of other wildlife. Spend the day roaming between various animal sightings and observing life in the famed African savannah. Take in the quintessential and wild beauty of the East African landscape. At night, camp nestled around the open fire listening to the sounds of the animals in the distance.

Safari

Connect with Maasai Communities

Immerse yourself in the Maasai community and experience the unique culture of the Maasai people. Learn some key phrases in Swahili and about the mounting struggles they face in a rapidly urbanizing region of the world. Work alongside the local community members and learn to build and install solar panels in residential homes, providing families with a reliable, renewable, and clean energy source.

Culture

Zanzibar

Famous for its spice plantations and beautiful beaches. Relax on the island’s beautiful white sand beaches or swim and snorkel in the clear blue waters of the warm Indian Ocean. Explore the cobblestone streets and night markets of the historic city of Stone Town. Sample fresh foods and shop for souvenirs at the night market while watching the sunset over the ocean.

Snorkel

Common Questions

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Each program has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate and cultural differences.

ARCC has linked up with a company that has been running programs in Tanzania and Kenya for over a decade. Through them, we have made some incredible contacts that have led to valuable and meaningful service projects. We have designed the service projects to help their communities in the most sustainable way possible. Each year, groups build and install solar panels in Maasai homes, bringing electricity to homes that either had none, used kerosene (both a dangerous and unhealthy option), and/or could not afford to pay into the national electric company on a reliable basis. Our groups also have the opportunity to help young students with their English skills, through games, activities and collaborative teaching.

Throughout the program, the majority of the time we will be camping in private campsites. ARCC will provide the tents and camping gear, and we ask that students bring a sleeping bag. We will spend some nights in a small hotel on Zanzibar at the end of the program, and some nights in a guesthouse in Southern Kenya during the Solar Power Project.

Throughout the program, we will be traveling in a custom-built safari truck made for ‘Overlanding’. Each truck comes fully equipped with tents, mattresses, kitchen equipment, stereo, cooler box/fridge, coach seats, storage for valuables, luggage space, and a comprehensive medical kit.

Overland travel is the best way to see and experience Africa and our experienced outfitters have intimate knowledge of geography, people, politics, and locales We travel in custom-built safari vehicles that are used to ensure maximum comfort while experiencing the best Africa has to offer. We are self-sufficient and fully equipped with all our gear for the expedition.

We fly to Zanzibar from Arusha’s local airport. From Zanzibar, we take a ferry back to the Tanzania mainland for our flight home. The ferry is equipped with proper safety equipment and we only use vetted boat and ferry services we’ve worked with for years without any issues. You may want to bring motion sickness medicine in case you are sensitive to movement while traveling.

Kenya and Tanzania are clean and safe places to travel. However, ARCC does recommend that you take some health precautions before your trip to East Africa. When you enroll in the program, you will receive more complete information on pertinent travel vaccinations and immunizations. Please also refer to the Traveler’s Health section of the CDC website. Additionally, our leaders carry a full first aid kit, and are all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).

Required Medication: ARCC strongly suggests that all students on the Tanzania and Kenya program take a prescription antimalarial drug. Although chances of contracting malaria are relatively slim, we still recommend that students protect themselves against the possibility of contracting malaria. As there can be side effects to the malaria medication, we suggest you consult your physician regarding treatment.

Suggested Medications: The recommended prophylaxes in risk areas are Doxycycline or Atovaquone/Proguanil otherwise known as Malarone.

Please consult your physician to determine which antimalarial drug may be most appropriate for you.

In-Country Prevention: Malaria is mosquito-borne and therefore anti-mosquito measures such as covering as much skin as possible with loose-fitting clothing and using insect repellent with DEET are highly recommended and strongly encouraged during the program.

Yes, you will need a visa to enter Tanzania and a visa to enter Kenya, but you don’t need it before departure. We will purchase them upon arrival in each country. A visa for Tanzania costs $100 and a visa for Kenya costs $60. You will be applying for both your Kenya and Tanzania visas prior to the program. Step-by-step directions will be provided.

Tanzania and Kenya are on the East Africa Time Zone (EAT), 10 hours ahead of San Francisco and 7 hours ahead of New York City.

Although you will not be doing traditional backpacking on this program, it is important that you bring a backpack as your main piece of luggage. During the program, the group will be navigating through airports, on and off buses, up and down stairways, and taking short hikes on unpaved paths. The group will be able to move much more efficiently if everyone is carrying their belongings on their back.

Tanzania was once a German colony and Kenya was formerly part of the British Empire. While we are not promoting colonization, one effect colonization had was that many modern conveniences you would find in the western world, such as air conditioning, large grocery stores, ATMs, and modern hospitals, are present in mid-size to major cities in each country. However, during our time in the villages and other rural areas, you can expect a much simpler lifestyle. Villages often can support themselves by growing their own vegetables and selling them at local markets for income. Agriculture is a big part of Tanzanian life. Few people can afford cars, so most travel by foot, bicycle, and public bus. Western food, bottled water, and Coca-Cola (for better or for worse) can all be found throughout Tanzania.

We have the chance to live amongst some people who have the very basics for survival. With education being a tool to better their lives, basic school supplies are welcomed with open arms. Pens, pencils, notepads, and books are widely accepted. Soccer balls are also an incredible way to cross the cultural border and share smiles. Because of limited space on our vehicles, ARCC would ask that every person bring no more than a gym bag of goods to donate.

Have questions? Speak to one of our Program Directors, give them a call at (415) 332.5075 , they love talking about their trips!

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