Tanzania School Program

Overview

Rift Valley, Maasai Villages, Safari, Longido Mountain and Island Adventures in Zanzibar

At GOGI Abroad, we craft transformative school programs that immerse students in local cultures, offering hands-on experiences with traditional agriculture, building techniques, arts, music, and more.

Tailored to your needs:

We collaborate closely with you to customize each trip, ensuring it aligns with your curriculum and educational goals.

Comprehensive Trip Coordination:

From pre-trip planning to in-class discussions, we handle every detail, providing you with curriculum connections, packing lists, and pre-orientation materials for both students and parents.

Compassionate Leaders:

Our trips are led by native educators, allowing teachers to learn alongside their students in an authentic and supportive environment.

Teacher Participation and Support:

GOGI Abroad will handle all trip logistics, enabling teachers and administrators to actively engage and witness their students' excitement as they learn about the world, themselves and their place in it.

Smooth Travel Logistics:

We guide you on air travel options and handle all in-country details, including lodging, transportation, meals, and safe water.

All-Inclusive Pricing ($300 - $500) :

Except for airfare, all expenses are covered, ensuring peace of mind throughout the trip. Our price range is typically $300-$500 per student per day, depending on the trip’s activities and focus.

Let us help you create an enriching, educational, and memorable experience for your students!

Trip Description

This enriching 15-day adventure (which can be adjusted to be shorter or longer based on your school group’s needs) offers an immersive, hands-on experience where students will have the chance to connect with Tanzania’s vibrant Maasai culture, engage in meaningful volunteer work, and explore the country’s awe-inspiring landscapes. Starting with your departure from your home city, the trip unfolds into an unforgettable cultural journey that will not only broaden students' global perspectives but also deepen their connection to the world around them.

Throughout the trip, students will engage in reflection and debriefing sessions that allow them to process their experiences, share insights, and discuss how they can carry forward the lessons learned into their everyday lives. Designed with GOGI Abroad’s commitment to cultural immersion, experiential learning, and community building, this trip is more than a journey—it’s a transformative opportunity to cultivate compassion, curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to sustainable global citizenship. Whether you choose to shorten or lengthen your itinerary, this experience will leave a lasting impact, shaping students into thoughtful and engaged world citizens.

Living the Maasai Way: Cultural Immersion in Longido

Upon arrival in Kilimanjaro, students will head to Longido, where they will be welcomed into the heart of Maasai life. Staying at the Longido Guesthouse, students will experience rural Tanzanian village life and engage with the local Maasai community, learning about their traditions, agriculture, and the critical role cattle play in Maasai culture. This is a place where students will feel the pulse of Maasai customs, while also gaining insight into the community's sustainability practices.

Walking with the Maasai: Land, Life, and Legacy

A hike up Mount Longido, a cherished Maasai landmark, offers students not only breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape but a deeper understanding of how the Maasai have navigated and lived in this region for centuries. The group will then continue to the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area, where students will camp under the stars, experience Maasai coexistence with wildlife, and learn firsthand about the sustainable practices that are preserving this crucial ecosystem.

Stories, Skills, and Service: A Deeper Connection

Throughout the trip, students will take part in enriching volunteer experiences at Meloc Academy, a local initiative supporting children’s education. Whether assisting teachers in classrooms or working on infrastructure projects, students will contribute to something meaningful. The cultural exchange is deepened by Maasai-led activities—from storytelling and beadwork to learning traditional skills—designed to give students hands-on knowledge of local art and customs.

Ngorongoro: Where Wildlife Meets Tradition

The adventure continues with a safari in the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most renowned wildlife sanctuaries. Here, students will witness an extraordinary variety of wildlife while gaining insight into the balance between Maasai pastoralism and wildlife conservation. Students will also visit a nearby Maasai village to explore the dynamic challenges faced by Maasai communities as they adapt to modern realities while preserving their traditions.

Island Stories and Ocean Life

Next, the group will journey to Zanzibar, where students will explore the rich history of the island, from its role in global trade to its contemporary conservation efforts. In Zanzibar’s waters, students will snorkel in the crystal-clear reefs of Chumbe Island, learning about marine conservation and the critical work being done to protect endangered species, like green turtles and coral ecosystems.

Our Homebase: Longido

A Unique Cultural Experience

The families we work with in Tanzania are excited to welcome visitors into their community. Our homebase is located in Longido, where students will live and work with both a modern Maasai family and a traditional Maasai family. Immersing in village life is the best way to experience the Maasai culture and daily activities. Here, you will witness firsthand the traditions and lifestyle that most travelers miss when staying in a hotel. Longido is about 2.5 hours from Kilimanjaro and 45 minutes from Arusha, a fertile area known for its agricultural production.

From our homebase, there are opportunities for excursions to nearby wildlife parks, including the Serengeti Plains, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, and Tarangire. We will also visit waterfalls and explore banana and coffee plantations, all while experiencing the natural beauty of Tanzania.

From Longido to Zanzibar: A Tribute in Action

GOGI Abroad honors the life and legacy of Leyeyo Saitoti Kipamba, who passed unexpectedly in April 2022. Born in the rural Maasai village of Longido, Tanzania, Leyeyo moved to the United States with his American parents at the age of eight. He spent four years as a student and athlete in Vermont, but his connection to his Maasai roots remained strong. Leyeyo returned to his village with friends from Vermont Academy to help build a new home for his mother and worked as a guide with GOGI Abroad, introducing American students to the Maasai culture.

In honor of Leyeyo’s life, GOGI Abroad students will travel to his village in Tanzania, where they will learn about the Maasai way of life and the social and environmental challenges the community faces. As part of a service-learning project, students will help build a boma (traditional home) for his community and volunteer at the MELOC Academy, which GOGI has supported for many years.

The journey will also include an unforgettable safari adventure in the Ngorongoro Crater, where students will observe Africa’s wildlife and learn about conservation efforts in the area. The Maasai are fighting to maintain their ancestral lands amidst changing environmental conditions, and students will see firsthand the challenges they face. After the safari, students will travel to Zanzibar, where they will explore the island’s marine ecosystem, learn about conservation efforts, and observe the impacts of climate change on local communities.

Beyond Our Homebase:

Safari Adventures and Maasai Boma

During a weekend excursion, students will explore the raw beauty of Tanzania through a safari adventure to the Ngorongoro Crater and an immersive experience with a Maasai tribe in their boma (traditional village). The safari adventure includes spotting giraffes, zebras, and lions, offering a thrilling wildlife experience.

Service-Learning & Discovering Indigenous Cultures

Safari Adventures

Working alongside people from a different culture and fully engaging in a service-learning project gives students an in-depth understanding of the Maasai people. By learning their language, traditions, and daily routines, students experience a new perspective and forge meaningful connections with the community. Cultural immersion is a central aspect of GOGI Abroad programs, and we believe this hands-on approach is the best way to deeply connect with a place and its people. Students will contribute to the construction of a boma and work at the MELOC Acadmey, supporting education for local Maasai children.

Adventures in Zanzibar

Tanzania’s safaris are an unparalleled opportunity to witness the raw beauty of nature. Students will visit the Ngorongoro Crater and learn how the Maasai live in harmony with the land and wildlife. The safari also includes visits to waterfalls near Mount Kilimanjaro, where students will observe sustainable farming practices that help protect the environment.

Following the safari, students will fly to Zanzibar, a cultural crossroads where Africa, Arabia, and the Indian Ocean meet. A stay in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers a deep dive into the island’s unique culinary and cultural history. Students will experience the bustling spice markets, taste the flavors of Zanzibar’s traditional dishes, and enjoy a range of activities such as sailing, snorkeling, and exploring the island’s marine conservation efforts.

By the end of the trip, students will have gained a deep understanding of the Maasai culture, experienced the wonders of African wildlife, and contributed to conservation efforts on land and sea.

 Sample Itinerary

    • We will fly as a group from Boston or NYC to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. The group will travel together, fostering a sense of community from the start. Onboard, we will have an introduction to the trip and discuss the cultural experiences we will encounter in Tanzania.

    • Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, we will travel to Longido. Depending on the arrival time, we may either head straight to Leyeyo’s village in Longido or stop in Arusha for a brief rest.

    • Lodging: Longido Guesthouse – This guesthouse is located in the heart of Longido village, where students will stay in comfortable accommodations. The modern bathroom and shared bedrooms offer a safe and restful environment. This location is a unique opportunity for students to interact with the local Maasai community and experience life in a rural Tanzanian village.

    • AM: We will begin with a walking tour of Longido village, introducing the students to local Maasai culture, traditions, and daily life. Students will have the chance to meet local residents, learn about their agricultural practices, and understand the significance of cattle herding within the Maasai culture.

    • PM: Students will engage in their first volunteer session at Meloc Academy, an initiative that supports local children’s education. Later, a Maasai Warrior will share stories from his life, offering students a chance to learn about Maasai customs, the role of warriors in their society, and the challenges facing Maasai communities today. We will also engage in creating tribal art, which will help students connect with the symbolism in Maasai crafts.

This sample itinerary showcases an immersive educational experience focused on sustainability, regenerative farming, and indigenous knowledge. Students participate in hands-on agricultural activities, collaborate with indigenous communities, and engage in meaningful service-learning projects that highlight the connection between cultural traditions and environmental responsibility. These experiences deepen students’ understanding of global sustainability while fostering leadership, critical thinking, and cross-cultural awareness. The program can be fully customized to align with your school’s curriculum, learning objectives, and educational values.

Testimonials

  • “Iva’s Gogi Abroad experience was just the sort of eye-opening, life changing and magical trip we had hoped it would be. She had an amazing time while learning first-hand how communities in Tanzania are grappling with conservation, education, gender equality and much more. She loved working with the kids in Longido, and has already decided she will be going back. Thank you Gogi team for leading such a fantastic trip!” - Sarah, Parent

  • “My favorite memory from the Gogi Abroad trip to Tanzania this summer was getting the opportunity to reconnect with so many people I had met last summer. Because this was my second time to Tanzania, most of the culture shock didn’t affect me as much, but the connections I made never faded. One woman, who I had made traditional Maasai jewelry with last year, she recognized me when we were walking through Longido. She told me that her daughters, who I had also met the year before, wanted to say hello to me and give me a gift. I was surprised because this family didn’t even know if I was going to return this year but they still remembered the connection we had made almost a year ago. All of the Gogi Abroad trips that I have been on have taught me that genuine connections don’t fade with time and distance.” - Abby, Student 2018

  • “What a soul nourishing trip you have provided for my daughter. Cici is unfolding layer upon layer of extraordinary depth and new understanding. She had a transformative trip and is dying to go back to Tanzania and travel the world with Gogi Abroad. It is so glorious to hear about her experience and as a mom to see how much meaning Gogi Abroad was able to stir up inside her. We are going to spend a lot of time processing this incredible trip. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” - Celina, Parent

About the Curriculum

  • At GOGI Abroad, we design customized curricula to meet the unique needs of your students. Our Tanzania programs are specifically designed to immerse students in the rich cultural and natural heritage of the region. For example, students can stay with a Maasai village, working closely with the tribe to learn about their traditional lifestyles, values, and community-based approaches to sustainability.

    Through service learning projects, students can engage in meaningful activities that support local development, from building infrastructure to supporting education.

    Additionally, students will experience a safari in the Serengeti, studying the region’s biodiversity and conservation challenges, followed by exploring the history and culture of Zanzibar.

    We collaborate with educators to create hands-on, impactful learning experiences that inspire critical thinking, cultural understanding, and environmental stewardship. Whether your focus is on Indigenous cultures, community service, wildlife conservation, or global tourism, we ensure each program is tailored to fit your educational goals, making it a truly transformative journey for your students.