• Overview
  • Trip Dates
  • Trip Itinerary
  • Trip Cost Includes
  • Trip Cost Excludes
  • Travel Guidelines
  • FAQ

Tanzania, located in East Africa along the Indian Ocean, lies just south of Kenya. It's home to world-renowned landmarks like Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain, and Serengeti National Park, known for its expansive game reserves. With its diverse landscapes ranging from towering mountains and pristine beaches to vast deserts and historic ruins, Tanzania offers a rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking natural beauty.

The challenges you’ll face during your mission trip to Tanzania will be unlike anything you’ve encountered before, but they will stretch you in ways that will deepen your faith and broaden your perspective. Whether you’re working in rural villages, engaging in community development projects, or supporting local churches, you will be confronted by real-world issues that require creativity, patience, and a deep reliance on God’s strength. These challenges will push you to think critically and work collaboratively, developing skills that will serve you long after you return home.

In Tanzania, you’ll meet people whose resilience, hope, and faith will inspire you. From pastors and community leaders to children, families, and fellow missionaries, the connections you make will stay with you for many years to come. Tanzanians are known for their hospitality, and the relationships you build with them will become an integral part of your experience. As you work alongside them, you’ll witness their dedication to overcoming challenges, their commitment to bettering their communities, and their unwavering faith in God. These encounters will serve as a powerful reminder of the universal strength of the human spirit, regardless of the difficulties faced.

The impact you’ll have in Tanzania will resonate beyond your trip. Whether it’s through providing healthcare, helping to build infrastructure, teaching valuable skills, or working with children, your contributions will make a tangible difference in the lives of those you serve. However, the impact will be reciprocal—you will also be deeply transformed by the experience. You’ll gain a new appreciation for the simple joys in life, learn about the power of community, and experience firsthand the beauty of seeing people rise above their circumstances through faith and perseverance.

Tanzania will change your life in profound ways. It will challenge you to grow spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. The lessons you learn from the people you meet and the experiences you have will shape how you see the world and inspire you to continue making a difference wherever you go. You’ll leave Tanzania with more than just memories—you’ll carry with you a renewed sense of purpose, deeper compassion, and a greater understanding of how God is at work in every corner of the globe. Whether you're a college student, teacher, doctor, member of a sorority or fraternity, or simply looking to travel with friends and family, our team will work with you to ensure your unique gifts are put to use in meeting real needs while you're serving in Tanzania.

NOTE: Trip dates are listed under frequently asked questions (FAQ).

TANZANIA TRIP ITINERARY

Itineraries

Day 1

Departure

Departure to Arusha, Tanzania 

Day 2

Arrival at Nairobi Int'l Airport

Upon arrival at Arusha Int'l Airport, the mission team will be greeted and transported to our accommodations in Arusha.

Day 3

Sunday Morning Worship

Team members will attend and participate in Sunday morning worship services.

Day 4-8

Ministry Outreach Activities

The team will participate in a range of activities, including church ministry, village evangelism, teaching school children and helping with arts and crafts, sports ministry, providing healthcare services, working alongside local builders on various projects, and distributing food and supplies.

Day 9-11

Adventure Day Activities

Team members can choose to take part in "adventure day activities," featuring a range of fun and engaging excursions, all included in the trip’s cost. Alternatively, they have the option to go on a safari, which is not covered by the base trip price. If they opt for the safari, an additional fee will apply.

Day 12

Departure

In the afternoon, depart from Arusha International Airport for the flight back to the U.S.

INCLUDED IN TRIP COST 

  • Registration Fee

  • Round Trip Airfare

  • Lodging

  • Homemade, culturally immersive and American meals

  • In-country ground transportation

  • Adventure day activities

  • Ministry training

  • Health and accident insurance

  • Online fundraising page for individuals

  • Extensive trip information

  • Tour leader accompanying the group from the U.S.

EXPENDITURES NOT INCLUDED

  • Passport and Visa

  • Immunizations and Vaccinations

  • Spending Money

  • Ministry Materials

  • Extra recreation options outside of the normal recreation outing

Airfare and In-country Transportation

We are committed to taking care of as many logistical details as possible, so you, the short-term missionary, can focus on your ADVENTURE. We coordinate all the airline travel booking as it is included in the trip cost. We also are responsible for the organization of all in-country transportation. The cost of your flight is included in the total trip cost.

Passports & Visas

Both a valid passport and a Ghanaian visa are required for travel. If you do not have a valid passport, we will assist you in getting one. Once you have a passport, we will contact you regarding acquiring a Ghanaian visa. TEL International will facilitate all visa processing. 

Immunization Requirements

The Yellow Fever vaccination and Malarial medication is required. A recent tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, and Typhoid shots are all recommended. Please see your personal physician to prescribe your anti-malarial medicine.

Our staff can assist you with acquiring any necessary vaccination or medication information required for foreign travel. Vaccination and immunization costs are not included in your total trip cost as you will have to obtain these at a medical facility where you live. If you have any questions or concerns about your immunizations, please contact your family physician before they are administered.

Spaces can only be reserved for individuals who submit their application along with a trip deposit of $250. Each trip has a maximum number of spots available, and they are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on the completion of the registration process.

TANZANIA SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIP DATES:

June 13—24, 2025
June 27—July 8, 2025
July 11—22, 2025
July 25—August 5, 2025
August 8—19, 2025
August 22—Sept. 2, 2025
September 5—16, 2025
September 19—30, 2025
October 3—14, 2025
October 17—28, 2025
October 31—November 11, 2025
January 23—February 3, 2026
February 6—17, 2026
February 20—March 3, 2026
March 6—17, 2026
March 20—31, 2026
April 3—14, 2026
April 17—28, 2026
May 1—12, 2026
May 15—26, 2026
May 29—June 9, 2026
June 12—23, 2026
June 26—July 7, 2026
July 10—21, 2026
July 24—August 4, 2026
August 7—18, 2026
August 21—Sept. 1, 2026

Trip payments can be made by credit card or check. Please note that a 3.5% transaction fee will be applied for credit card payments.

Team size requirements range from 10 to 30 participants. If your group meets the minimum size, you can select any of the available trip dates. If your team is smaller than the minimum, you may still have the opportunity to join a week when a larger team has already met the requirement.

Yes! You can join a week where the minimum team size has already been met by a larger team.

Special permission from TEL International is required for children outside the specified age range for the trip (Junior High, High School, Adult, etc.). If a child does attend, they must be accompanied by a parent, who will assume full responsibility for the child at all times. Children under 10 may receive a price reduction on a case-by-case basis.

TEL International is an interdenominational Christian non-profit organization. We are not affiliated with any specific denomination, and participants from all Christian denominations are welcome to join our mission trips.

In each country, we collaborate with our partners where teams serve. Ministry partnership assignments are typically finalized 6-8 weeks before the mission trip dates. Throughout the planning process, your consultant will be assessing the best location(s) for the team and will inform you of your assigned ministry as soon as the details are confirmed. Typical assignments include the following ministry outreach activities:

1). Worship with a local church and get involved by offering music, delivering sermons or short exhortations, teaching.
2). Tutor students, observe classes, assist teachers with arts and crafts, games, storytelling, singing, or participate in recess activities.
3). Use sports and group games as a way to build relationships and share the gospel.
4). Offer medical services and support to the community and healthcare system and general counseling on health issues.
5). Work alongside a local builder on various projects, including painting, roofing, cement work, tiling, or landscaping.

Team members will be staying at the guesthouse or hotel depending on the size of the group. In most cases, you will share the room with at least one roommate of the same gender. No sleeping bags, pillows or sheets are necessary. Private rooms are also available depending on availability. However, married couples usually get priority for single rooms.

Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided, featuring a mix of local cuisine and some American-style dishes. During the consulting process, we will identify team members with allergies or dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate vegetarian diets, we are unable to accommodate other dietary restrictions. We recommend that team members with specific dietary needs bring additional food to supplement their meals. Bottled water will be readily available at the guesthouse, all worksites, and service locations. Food and drinks outside of mealtimes are the responsibility of the volunteers.

In many of the countries we serve, local communities are bilingual or trilingual, with English being one of the languages spoken. However, in some areas, English is not widely spoken, and a language barrier may exist. In these locations, local staff members serve as assistant trip leaders and are available to translate for the team.

Our staff is fully trained and prepared to ensure a safe and incident-free mission experience. TEL International staff members will accompany the team throughout the entire trip and will have access to transportation, cell phones, hospitals, and first aid kits at all times. In case of an emergency, a staff member will guide the team and assist with the necessary steps to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being.

Our staff includes a blend of full-time employees, local staff, and seasonal interns. We deeply value the contributions of our local staff, recognizing the positive impact they have on the ministry we carry out.

If the deposit has been received and processed, but no flight has been booked and no other trip-related expenses have been incurred, the participant will receive a full refund. If the deposit has been received and processed, and a flight has been booked and confirmed by the airline, or if other costs related to the participant’s involvement in the trip have been incurred, the participant will receive a refund of the deposit minus the cost of the non-refundable flight, incurred expenses and a $75 administrative fee.

If the deposit or full payment has been received and processed, and the cancellation occurs less than 45 days before the departure date, no refund will be issued. However, 50% of the non-flight portion of the deposit may be applied toward a future mission trip scheduled within the current or upcoming calendar year.

If a trip is canceled due to the minimum team size not being met, terrorism, civil unrest, natural disasters, widespread illness, a pandemic, or other extraordinary circumstances, all funds paid will be credited toward a future mission trip, to be used within 24 months from the date of issuance.

If a trip participant cancels or withdraws from the trip voluntarily less than 45 days before departure, the Missions Trip Coordinator must be notified in writing via mail or email. All funds paid are non-refundable; however, credits will be applied toward future trips within 24 months.

1). A $75 processing fee will be deducted before credits are issued, along with any expenses incurred by TEL International that cannot be refunded or transferred by the vendor/partner.

2). When TEL International can accommodate a new trip date, funds from the original trip date may be transferred to a future trip according to the following guidelines: a) If the transfer is made 3 months prior to the original trip date and the future trip date is within 12 months of the original date, the registration fee will not be forfeited; b) If the transfer occurs within 3 months of the original trip date or the future trip date is more than 12 months after the original trip date, the registration fee will be forfeited, and a new registration fee will be required.

When you join TEL International on a mission trip, our staff team invests real time and energy preparing for your mission trip and supporting the team. Non-refundable amounts not only allow us to cover all organizational costs associated with your trip, but also to cover upfront expenses already committed to the community and on-field partners prior to the team’s arrival. Below are a few ways we support you and the team to make mission trips a meaningful experience for all:

1). We take the time to plan all the logistics, including housing setup, meal planning, safety protocols, team training and debrief materials; and recruiting and training field staff to lead and run each trip.

2). Our staff and local Community Partners work well in advance of each team’s arrival, setting up work projects and areas of service within the local community. Last-minute withdrawals from a trip within 45 days of the trip start date have a direct impact on our ability to maintain commitments to Community Partners, community members, local churches, schools, service organizations, and ministries, while no leaving enough time to adequately fill spaces vacated by team members.