HEART & SOUL OF KILIMANJARO

Welcome to the continent of Africa! You’ll arrive on the first day of the program at Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania. GLA staff will be there to welcome you upon your arrival. From the airport, we’ll travel together to Home Base, which is about an hour away. Begin settling into your new home-away-from-home in Africa!

Wake up to breakfast prepared by your Home Base staff, who you’ll grow close with over the coming weeks. After orientation, enjoy a community tour of the neighborhood and a crash course in Swahili to prepare for meeting local community members.

Today you’ll spend an afternoon with a “host family” in the neighborhood, immersing yourself in Tanzanian culture as you get to know the individuals who make up the family. We’ll also visit a Tanzanian marketplace, where you can purchase fabric that will be made by hand into custom clothing and bags.

The group’s service work kicks off! Our group will divide into teams to start contributing at a local school. The students are full of energy and eager to learn, making your role both exciting and challenging! GLA teams will take turns tackling various tasks, from teaching basic English to working on hands-on projects like renovating classrooms and improving school walkways.

In the afternoons, we’ll meet inspiring local leaders behind grassroots projects and learn about their impact. Evenings include leadership sessions, global discussions, and time to relax or plan lessons. Today’s highlight is batik cloth dyeing and learning about traditional Tanzanian fabrics.

After a meaningful morning bonding with local children, we’ll explore the region’s cuisine with a vibrant market visit to discover fresh ingredients, followed by sampling a variety of traditional dishes.

Today after service work we will get the chance to tour a local family owned coffee farm and see how coffee is grown, harvested, brewed, and get to taste it ourselves!

On our final morning at the school, we’ll reflect on our achievements, from the school refurbishments to the lasting bonds we’ve formed with the children we’ve worked with each morning.

Safari has arrived! We’ll rise early, grab snacks, and head out for a full-day safari in the world-famous Tarangire National Park—an adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, we’ll learn about Tanzania’s diverse peoples, including the renowned Maasai Tribe.

We’ll continue to visit fascinating cultural spots such as Ngorongoro Crater (a World Heritage Site) where you can spot lions, elephants, zebras, and buffalo! In the afternoon, we’ll head back to Home Base for dinner.

After two days of wildlife adventures, we’ll return to Moshi Home Base, our minds and camera rolls full of unforgettable sights! We’ll continue engaging with community guest speakers and then settle back in to rest up for the final days of our time in Tanzania.

Today, get ready for an epic adventure as we hike the legendary slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro! You’ll explore vibrant communities nestled in the mountains, soaking in breathtaking views of this iconic landscape. Along the way, we’ll stop to picnic at a stunning local waterfall, making memories in one of the world’s most famous hiking destinations!

It’s our final full day together! Today, we’ll wrap up our community service projects and say farewell to our new Tanzanian friends. Celebrate the meaningful impact you’ve made, the lessons you’ve learned, and the friendships you’ve built with a special farewell dinner at Home Base. Students who purchased fabric earlier in the program will receive their custom-tailored clothing from the seamstress and have the chance to get their hair traditionally braided before departure.

Sadly, the time has come to say goodbye. GLA staff will escort you to the airport, help you check in for your flights, and see you off as you begin your journey home. It will have been an unforgettable experience, and we will be so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. We’ll miss you, but we know you’ll carry the memories, lessons and friendships from this journey with you forever. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again soon!