Tanzania School expedition

Our Kenya school programme has been so successful that it has grown and developed into Tanzania since 2013. The location is Marangu village on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, an area which has seen many changes as the climate change on the mountain has changed the geography of the land. We started with a plan to renovate and rebuild schools in the villages because the local people were having to send their children every day to Moshi, a bus journey of forty minutes which was costing too much.

This area is also where we employ many people with our climbs on Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, so it is appropriate that this school expedition includes a climb of Mount Meru, a great ascent in wild country but not at all technical. Read what students from the Round Square Big Build expedition in 2017 had to say about their experience working on the school development projects at Ng'aroni Primary School

Just like the trip in Kenya, this expedition has the hallmarks of travel and culture and adventure, combined with service to the community and interaction with the local people. We are particularly proud that this entire trip has been put together and organised by the staff in Kenya, who have had years of experience running similar trips in their own country.

Here is a great video made by a young student from Writhlington school near Bath about his trip to Tanzania, and it captures the essence of the trip really well:

The project which is determined by Moving Mountains is at Ng'aroni Primary School in Tanzania, and our aim over the coming years is to create an excellent educational facility for up to 350 children, with an Early Child Development centre as well. This is a priority for the education authorities.

Climb of Mount Meru

This is a great adventure for everyone, not technical but with one short section near the summit that needs a bit of care and sometimes a handrail of rope if the rock is slippery. Lots of wildlife and camping all the way, standing on top of a Mount Meru is a real achievement, as this video shows very well!

Wildlife Safari

Every trip to Africa has to have a safari and Tanzania has some of the finest parks on offer. We use our overland safari vehicles to enjoy the best that the land has to offer, an unforgettable holiday out on the plains of the southern Serengeti.

For more information, see our Tanzania School Trip Prep Page.

Why us for this school trip?

We have more than two decades of running successful youth expeditions in east Africa, and they have been successful and life changing for both the visitors and the hosts. Many of the original 'Africampers' have gone on to study international development and pursue diverse careers in the third sector.

Our projects are properly researched and identified by our partner charity Moving Mountains Trust as part of ongoing long-term strategy for support. They are not one-off projects created just to tick a box on an itinerary. There is an emphasis on the developmental perspective of every trip like this, over and above any commercial concern.

We have the qualification and experience to run development projects in a developing country and our projects are justified by local stakeholders and local education authorities in the Marangu area.

We run an imaginative and relevant training programme for all people going on these trips which means people come out more prepared and ready to tackle the challenges. We make a point of discussing stereotypes and morals surrounding international development and we ensure people are informed about their trip.

How fit do you need to be?

You do not need to be super-fit for this trip, however the expedition element is moderately demanding with some long days of sustained walking with a backpack. The effects of altitude will also further tax your body on the mountain, but just go slowly and rest and drink more than usual.

On the project phase you will usually camp close to the main Marangu medical centre and walk up to the project each day. This is a beautiful walk through semi-tropical forests and past coffee and banana fields. It is a small path and can be a bit muddy after recent rain. It is a beautiful way to start the day and to get warmed up for the project work.

The terrain on Mt Meru varies throughout which leads to an interesting and ever changing environment. During the climb you will go from lowlands through equatorial forest and alpine heath, then across a lunar-like rocky landscape up to a rocky volcanic summit. Mt Meru's position just below the equator offers an opportunity to experience extremely varied terrain and conditions all in one expedition.

Mount Meru is essentially a walk all the way. There is no need to climb rock faces nor get close to precipitous drops along the way, no rock climbing or specialist equipment is needed. There is a short section close to the summit which involves a slightly exposed traverse over bare rock. There are steel rings in place and we will set a handrail rope if necessary. In exceptional circumstances where there is a lot of rain or snow it may not be safe to cross this part ad we may have to stop just short of the main summit and watch the sunrise from Cobra Point instead. The paths are in good condition and fairly well trodden with rangers stationed at each of the huts as well as on the trail generally.

During the safari part of your adventure, you will be entering reserves/parks usually consisting of dirt roads and sand tracks and not tarmac. If conditions are wet this can lead to adventurous driving but be assured that our drivers are well versed in safe and professional driving skills. If the weather is very dry then the terrain can be dusty so it's worth bringing a shawl or light scarf to cover your mouth and nose. The vehicles are well maintained and professional safari vehicles. It is important to remember that you are in the animals environments and you are not top of the food chain!

School trip packing list

The basic idea of your kit is to keep you warm, dry, protected from the sun/rain and comfortable in the various environments that we will find ourselves in.

• BAGS - A duffel type bag for general use, a rucksack for carrying kit on the mountain and a small pack for carrying a few items on day trips
• GENERAL CLOTHING - Clothing for day to day travel, time on the camp & safari
• SHELL - Waterproof layer to keep off wind/rain
• INSULATION - Layered system to keep you warm on the mountain- body hands & head
• FEET - Day to day shoes, sturdy trekking boots, flip flops/sandals
• SLEEPING - Warm sleeping bag and camping mat to get a good nights sleep
• EATING/DRINKING - Water bottles and personal plate, bowl, mug & cutlery
• WASHING & MEDICAL - Suncream, anti-Malarials and a small 1st aid kit

More information about packing for this school trip

• You will have to dress conservatively in the villages and in public in general. You will draw unnecessary attention to yourself and probably cause offence if revealing clothing is worn. Remember we are guests in a country and culture that is very different to ours, we need to be respectful guests.
  
  
• Make sure hiking boots fit well and that you have used them at least a few times before the trip to break them (and your feet) in.
  
  
• Clothing for the mountain needs to be synthetic and quick drying in case it rains. Make sure that you have a change of trekking trousers and base-layer top and something like a fleece top as well as a warm coat. It can be well below freezing at night and on at least the first half of summit day.
  
  
• Take a good warm sleeping bag of at least three seasons, and a good sleeping mat for insulation. A sleeping bag liner made out of cotton (or silk) is useful too and helps to keep the bag clean or can be slept in if it gets too hot. Make your own sleeping bag liner if you want from an old sheet sewn into a mummy shape. Don't make it too tight around you though.
  
  
• You will be able to wash clothes - handwash in washing powder, that is, and local women will also offer to wash your clothes on the camp for a small charge. The problem can be trying to dry things, heavy cotton garments can take ages to dry where-as light synthetic ones dry very quickly. On the mountain there is no opportunity (or need) to wash clothes at all.
  
  
• Take old clothes to wear for the project and camp, they may get dirty or covered in cement or paint. You will want travel clothes which are clean for the travelling home bit, and maybe for the safari, but on the camp and project it may be pretty dirty. Choose your clothing based on usefulness and durability, not for fashion statements. Some clothes you may want to give away or swap at the end for souvenirs.
  
  
• If you wear contact lenses take plenty of saline and comfort drops- it can get dusty. And obviously have your glasses on hand as back up.
  
  
• Bringing your own mosquito nets are optional. The tents have inbuilt nets and people in the past have generally not had a big problem with insects.
  
  
• Do not bring porcelain plates - bring plastic and a few spare spoons - they always go missing. Make sure that plates and bowls are of a generous size so that you can fit the food in; you will be hungry!
  
  
• Keep your money somewhere safe, bum bags or body wallets can be useful. Do not bring large wads of notes with you. If you take sterling cash with you make sure they are good condition Bank of England notes, not regional notes, eg Northern Irish notes or Scottish notes.
  
  
• For the mountain, work on a layering system which gives you versatility - Synthetic base-layer tops or thermals, shirt or warm top, fleece, waterproofs. Gloves and hats are vital too.