The closest international airport is Kilimanjaro International Airport that is about an hour’s drive from The School of St Jude.
St Jude’s Visitors team can create alternate number of days itineraries to suit your travel plans. You can email the Visitors team on info@schoolofstjude.co.tz
The Visitors Centre can be contacted on Tel: +255 758 305 776 or +255 787 719 500 at all times to further assist with any queries.
We recommend flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport via Qatar Airways. To make the most of your visit, plan your trip during school terms when students are on campus. Ideally, arrive over the weekend (preferably Sunday) so you can start your experience on a Monday when school is in session. For details on term dates, please refer to our school calendar.
We are in Arusha, Tanzania. Arusha is a city in northern Tanzania, at the foot of Mount Meru, and often the first stop for travellers heading to Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and other national parks.
St Jude’s has three campuses in Arusha, Tanzania. The original campus, Sisia Campus in Moshono is home to our primary school, girls’ secondary school, and one of our two on-site visitor accommodations. Nearby, Moivaro Campus provides boarding for our girls and is just a short walk from Sisia. About 40 kilometres away in Usa River, Smith Campus hosts our boys’ secondary school and co-ed high school, with boarding facilities and our second visitor accommodation.
We welcome visitors year-round, only closing for a short break over Christmas and New Year.
Generally, it is best to arrange a visit to the schools in months that students are not on holiday, so you get to see the school in action and have fun interactive activities with our students. Please see our current school calendar.
You can choose to attend one of our bespoke visitor trips advertised on our website or we can help you create your own itinerary at a time convenient to you. You can see some sample itineraries here. Our Visitors team can help plan a trip that’s right for you and your group.
Our experienced Visitors team can create itineraries to suit all ages, interests and time available. Ideally you will visit for at least three days to fit in some great activities at the school. We have a sample 3-day itinerary you can view here.
Most of our group visitor trips are a week long, however we invite you to stay for as little or as long as you can. If you are staying elsewhere, we also have half-day and full day visits.
We have a range of immersive activities you can do inside the school with students and staff, and unique experiences including a visit to a government school or a student’s family in their home.
You can travel on the school bus, buy a goat at the market to give during a visit a Maasai village and learn a Maasai dance! We can link you up with safari and tour companies as well. Make your visit memorable with optional activities like dance, cooking, and home visits! Join St Jude’s students for art, music, sports, typing, and reading. You can read more about the activities we offer here.
Your safety during your stay is our top priority. Since opening our doors, we have welcomed more than 10,000 visitors, from families with young children to school groups and even travellers in their 80s. We simply would not invite people to come if it were not safe.
Our campuses are enclosed communities with trained security officers on duty day and night, giving you peace of mind throughout your stay. Visitor accommodations are located at both Sisia and Smith Campuses, where our friendly team is always on hand to assist. The Visitors Centre at Sisia Campus is open daily from 6.30am to 9pm, and you can reach us at any time on +255 758 305 776 or +255 787 719 500.
Here at St Jude’s our Visitors team are solely dedicated to our visitors and they are available to assist you. We have more than 20+ years’ experience hosting international visitors and our friendly and professional team. We offer an immersive experience where you can interact with students, staff and alumni, and participate in school events.
From the first enquiry email until you arrive safely back home after your trip to St Jude’s, the Visitors team will tailor your visit and look after you during and after your stay.
Our Visitors Centre on Sisia Campus is open from 6.30am – 9pm daily, and the team can be reached on +255 758305 776 or +255 787 719 500.
We recommend flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) that is about an hour drive away from St Jude’s. There are many airlines that fly into Kilimanjaro via multiple destinations including Qatar Airways (which we recommend as the preferred airline as its most direct), Emirates, Qantas, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and KLM (also a good, more direct option for our US visitors).
Your travel agent or online travel website can advise the best flight options for you into Kilimanjaro International Airport.
You will be met by one of our Visitors team at the airport on arrival. They will be located in the arrival hall after you’ve collected your luggage holding a sign with your name. They will travel with you on a St Jude’s bus. The trip is between 45 minutes to an hour.
Transfers between the school from Kilimanjaro Airport are US$50. These are charged per vehicle rather than per person.
Your offer to help or volunteer during your stay is appreciated however with high local unemployment and a commitment to strengthening the community and supporting the economy, we do not generally offer short-term volunteering opportunities.
We do offer volunteer positions to run some of our programs such as our Health Check team and Spoken English Immersion Program and we advertise these positions on our website. If you are interested in working at St Jude’s on a more permanent basis, please see our current vacancies.
If you want to contribute to the school during your visit, please consider helping us stock our libraries with page-turners, adventures, and knowledge to last a lifetime. Check out our Book Suggestions 2025 for ideas, but feel free to pick any treasure from our Wish List. Every book and item you bring will be met with big smiles and even greater gratitude!
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We do not charge for day visits. Overnight visitors pay US$25 per night for accommodation and US$25 per day for breakfast and dinner at our visitor accommodation and a school lunch with our students during their stay.
Note: Sponsors, donors, and Rotarians are welcome to stay with us for up to 7 nights free of charge in our accommodations and only pay for meals.
Simply email us on info@schoolofstjude.co.tz and we will start planning your journey to St Jude’s. The Visitors Centre can be contacted on Tel: +255 758 305 776 or +255 787 719 500 at all times to further assist with any queries.
We have a Visitor booking form that you complete and submit to us. This form captures all the essential information we need from you to start planning your visit. Once it’s received, one of our Visitors team will contact you to create your ideal itinerary.
One month prior to your visit we will send you all the necessary information to prepare you for your visit, this includes our Child Protection Code of Conduct and Personal Communications Policy. You will be required to abide by these during your visit, and you will be asked to sign them on arrival at the school.
We are not able to transfer you from hotels or bus stations however there are a number of taxi services that you can use to travel to St Jude’s. We have a trusted taxi driver we can link you up with, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need further assistance. The Visitors Centre can be contacted on Tel: +255 758 305 776 or +255 787 719 500 to further assist you.
The trip from Arusha city to Sisia Campus in Moshono takes about 20 minutes and should cost about US$10.
The Tanzanian currency is Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). You do not need to arrange this before travelling, as there are several ways to access local currency once you arrive.
We recommend withdrawing or exchanging some money here before travelling on to St Jude’s.
At Kilimanjaro Airport:
In Arusha town:
At St Jude’s:
Having some Tanzanian Shillings is very useful for smaller purchases such as drinks, snacks and taxis during your trip. While many restaurants, lodges and souvenir shops accept Visa or Mastercard (sometimes with a surcharge) or US Dollars in cash, most daily purchases are easiest in local currency.
We offer motel-like accommodation rooms at St Jude’s, that can be configured as single, double, triple or family. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Linen, towels, mosquito nets, toilet paper, water and soap are provided, and we can safely store your luggage during safaris or Kilimanjaro climbs. We offer a daily housekeeping service at no extra charge, and there are no cancellation fees if your plans change.
Our accommodations are at Sisia Campus, the original campus, where our primary school and girls’ secondary school are located. The second accommodation is at Smith Campus, in nearby Usa River, where our boys secondary and co-ed high school with boarding accommodation is located.
Overnight visitors each pay US$25 per night for accommodation.
Meals cost US$25 per day for breakfast and dinner at our visitor accommodation and a school lunch with our students during their stay.
Note: Sponsors, donors, and Rotarians are welcome to stay with us for up to 7 nights free of charge in our accommodations and only pay for meals.
Yes, we provide three meals a day during your stay. Our catering team provide breakfast and dinner in visitor communal areas and our gardens when they can. You’ll join our students and staff for a school lunch in one of the school dining areas.
Visitors are charged US$25 per day for meals.
Yes, we are able to cater to dietary requirements. Please let our Visitors team know in advance so our chefs and cooks can safely prepare food for you.
Yes, there is free Wi-Fi for visitors at St Jude's. A password will be provided upon your arrival. Please note that it may be slow at times, however, we have an IT team who will be there to assist in case of any internet queries six days a week.
We have washing machines and soap at the school for visitors to use at no extra cost. Clothes can be dried on wire lines near the laundry areas, and hanging racks are also available in your room at both Sisia and Smith Campuses.
Most visitors to Tanzania will need a visa. You can apply for your three-month Tourist Visa at Tanzania Immigration Department e-Service. Prices for visas vary between countries. For example, a three-month tourist visa for Australians costs US$50 and is valid for three months. A three-month tourist visa for Americans is US$100. We recommend that you get your visa BEFORE you arrive into Tanzania as the visa application lines can be long and it can take up to three hours.
If you are visiting Zanzibar, you will also need to purchase mandatory Inbound Travel Insurance from Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC), via their website Visit Zanzibar. This insurance must be purchased at US$44 per person online BEFORE arriving into Zanzibar. You can read the 2024 government advisory notice about this compulsory travel insurance here as well as some FAQs on what the coverage includes
Apply for a Tanzanian visa here. A handy guide on completing your visa application for Tanzania is here.
Before visiting Tanzania, it is important to be aware of certain vaccination requirements.
You may need a Yellow Fever vaccination depending on your travel route.
If you are coming straight into Tanzania from outside Africa ie via Qatar or KLM airlines, and not through an endemic Yellow Fever country, then you do not need a vaccination.
If your doctor has told you for medical/age reasons, you cannot be vaccinated against Yellow Fever, you will need a document/proof from your doctor.
There are pharmacies near the school, however they don’t stock a wide range of medications so if you need prescription or specific medications, bring them with you.
Yes, we advise all visitors to the school to have travel insurance. Please check with your travel insurer to make sure your coverage is valid in Tanzania and includes all the activities you plan to undertake during your visit (eg safari tours or hiking).
The main St Jude Campus where visitors arrive into is based in Moshono Village on the outskirts of Arusha city in northern Tanzania. The address is as follows:
Address:
The School of St Jude,
40 St Jude’s Rd
Moshono Village, Arusha, Tanzania.
Telephone No:
+255 787 719 500 and +255 758 305 776
Our Visitors team are on WhatsApp so you can use these numbers to contact them from home and during your stay at St Jude’s.
Arusha enjoys a moderate climate year-round. The weather can vary from cool mornings and evenings to sunny daytime hours, so we recommend wearing layers. A t-shirt or short-sleeved shirt works well for the day, with a light jacket for early mornings and evenings.
When visiting our campuses, we ask that you dress smart-casual and modestly, in line with local Tanzanian customs. This shows respect for our community and helps you feel comfortable during your stay.
To help you pack appropriately here are some tips on dressing appropriately and what not to wear:
We welcome donations and are extremely grateful to visitors who purchase and transport items our students and staff can use at St Jude’s.
If you want to contribute to the school during your visit, please consider helping us stock our libraries with page-turners, adventures, and knowledge to last a lifetime. Check out our Book Suggestions 2025 for ideas, but feel free to pick any treasure from our Wish List. Every book and item you bring will be met with big smiles and even greater gratitude!
If you would like to donate large or expensive items, please do reach out to Gemma via email info@schoolofstjude.co.tz
We have a recommended packing list here.
Kiswahili is the primary language of Tanzania with a minority having a good knowledge of the English language.
Greetings are important, so here are some basic phrases to help you get ready for your trip!
Greeting Shikamoo (respectful greeting to anyone older than you)
Response Marahaba
Greeting Mambo (slang version, like "What's up?")
Response Poa (cool)
Some useful words
Asante Thank you
Asante sana Thank you very much
Karibu Welcome
Kwaheri Good bye
Ndio Yes
Badaae See you later
Hapana No
Hamna Shida No problem/no trouble
Hakuna matata No problem
Pole Sorry
Nzuri Good
Pole Pole Slowly, slowly
Maji Water
Hapa Here
Tipping our staff is not permitted. Our staff are well cared for and paid competitive salaries. Tips can also bring resentment amongst staff who don't work with visitors directly. St Jude's is a success because of the team effort made by every staff member from the gardeners, cooks and cleaners to the teachers, bus drivers, security and office staff.
Instead, if you want to make a contribution, we ask that you donate either online through the school’s website or directly to our cashier’s window near the Visitors Centre during your stay. That way all the staff and students are able to benefit from your generosity.
Yes, you can get a SIM card for your phone in Tanzania. If your phone supports eSIM, the easiest option is to buy one online before you travel. We recommend Airalo, which offers affordable Tanzania data packages you can activate as soon as you land.
If you prefer a physical SIM card, you can also purchase one after arrival. Local providers such as Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo and Halotel all sell SIMs at the airport and in major towns. Our Visitors team can arrange a representative from the Sim Card providers to come to the school to assist you. Please note, you’ll need to show your passport to register your SIM.
Most visitors find eSIMs more convenient because you can set them up instantly and keep your usual number active while using local data.
Our national parks are the best in the world and are at our doorstep! Visit the safari page on our website, where you will find a few suggested safari operators.
To help get the ball rolling, you can email our Visitors team through info@schoolofstjude.co.tz and they will assist you with your planning.
Each year, there are many items that the school needs but can be difficult or expensive to source in Tanzania. If you would like to make a gift in-kind and have room in your suitcase then please take a look at our Wishlist before you visit us.
The School of St Jude has a zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse. Whilst undertaking school-based activities at St Jude’s you will be accompanied by a staff member at all times.
Please read our Child Protection Policy and Personal Communications Policy. You will be asked to sign an acknowledgement that you have read and understood these upon arrival at the school.
