NEW village
frequently asked questions
We use this page for sharing frequently asked questions and the answers!
Hope it's useful...
Is it really free?
We don't charge a fee for you to stay with us, but if you felt like you received more than you gave to the community, a donation would be gratefully accepted.
We will be using the fund for the improvements of the infrastructure which will enable us to accommodate more people in the future.
If you pay for your flight and the transportation from Dar Es Salaam to NEW VILLAGE, the rest will be on us!
Do I need insurance?
How safe is it?
The short answer is yes - the area is very safe, but buying travel insurance is always a good idea.
There is a luxury resort within walking distance which indicates how desirable the area is (they charge $300 a night!).
We have a 5 years old Japanese girl who lives here with her mum as permanent residents. She goes to the local school, and the language they use to teach is English.
We also have three local Tanzanian people living with us in the village, they know the area very well and they help us with general day to day managing of the village, such as fishing, building, and general repairs.
If we need anything, they'll be happy to help, and we do the same for them - we help each other!
Should I get vaccinations or medications?
Yellow Fever vaccination is NOT mandatory in Tanzania.
Malaria can be an issue.
You would need to start taking malaria medication before leaving your country.
However, as malaria is very common in Tanzania, malaria treatment is widely available throughout the country.
It costs less than $5.
There is a general practice 15 minutes drive from NEW VILLAGE, and we can always get treatment easily.
Some people decide not to take anti malaria medication but prefer to treat the symptoms if they catch malaria.
For Covid restriction, please check the government website;
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/tanzania/entry-requirements
Can I bring my own food?
We encourage people to live on what we can source locally.
It can sometimes be tough to get enough food for everyone in the village - the rainy/dry seasons, weather, sea conditions, and tide, all affect the catch and the crops.
We never starve as we always have access to Ugali - the maize flour porridge eaten by the locals for many centuries!
We believe that this would be one of the best ways of learning how to live minimally.
Some people experience cravings and mood swings due to a change in diet mainly caused by cutting out sugar and caffeine etc which we have in our modern world.
Many people will feel the benefits after a few days.
We cook twice a day at 11am and 7pm.
It's advisable to gradually reduce the amount of food and snacks you consume before you arrive here, it will definitely help you adjust.
Can I use mobile phones/laptops?
Yes you can, we have a 4G mobile internet!
Although we aim to live in a simple way, we can still use technology to help us.
A combination of basic living and modern technology we think, is the way forward!
You can run/start up a business while you stay with us - why not!
We have solar panels and a battery charging system which is large enough to supply electricity for everyone's gadgets, as well as Makita drills and other power tools, also a fridge, and a freezer!
Is it easy to get a visa?
You may have to look up your own country's passport status with Tanzania.
If your passport allows you to have an arrival visa at the airport, it's relatively straight forward - you wouldn't need an online application in advance.
The arrival visa will cost you $50, and this visa will allow you to stay in the country for up to 3 months.
You must carry your passport/ID with you at all the time in Tanzania.
We will provide more details when you book your flight.
What is the climate like?
We have two rainy seasons.
Mid November till mid January is the light rainy season.
Then mid March till mid June is the heavy rainy season.
The rest of the time is dry season.
The temperature is around 30c throughout the year so it's very warm, but not too hot.
Long sleeve shirts and trousers are essential in the early morning and evening to avoid mosquito bites which can cause malaria.
Also certain types of flies are known to lay eggs on human broken skin.
Protecting your body from the elements such as the sun, cuts, grazes, and insect bites is key to make your stay at NEW VILLAGE enjoyable.
The sea temperature is extremely warm and pleasant to swim throughout the day so bring your swimwear and flip-flops.
Although you could always swim without them if you prefer!
At NEW VILLAGE, we are currently growing maize, rice, tomato, okra, potato, pumpkin, garlic, red hot pepper, cabbage, sesame, orange, mango, banana, lemon, lime, cumin and coriander.
This is our very first year so we will soon find out which ones will grow best.
We also have chickens, and they lay eggs every day.
From the sea, we can catch fish, crabs, and octopus.
Neighbours often bring us some fresh milk in exchange for what we have cropped.
We buy salt and cooking oil at the moment, but everything else can be produced within our community.
There are also shops and a market in the nearby village where you can buy more food, though we'd like to minimise this as our concept is to learn how to live without using money.
What sort of foods are available?
How do I sleep?
We have only started.
Although we call it village, so far we have built just one large building with two bedrooms for people to stay - see the drone video on top of this page.
Other buildings are under construction.
Until they become available, the village would look more like a campsite.
You can sleep wherever you like - next to the sea, next to friends, or in the middle of a field!
So bring your own trekking tent (two man size tent with an inner mesh would be most adequate), and a camping mattress, and thin blanket.
You wouldn't need a sleeping bag as the night time temperature rarely drops below 25c.
We have a shower facility, and a flushable toilet.
What else should I bring to the village?
We would prefer not to unnecessarily expose the local Tanzanian and Maasai people to the modern Western way of living with gadgets and such.
Once it comes into their lives, they may not be able to go back - as we know!
Our happiness doesn't mean it's their happiness.
So let's think before you pack, and minimise the belongings.
Any other risks I should know?
Although you are safe from crime here, our village is situated right next to a National Park where wild animals live, and obviously there isn't a fence or such!
We wouldn't be able to guarantee that the animals wouldn't come this way.
According to the locals, they would not get close to the built up areas where humans live.
However, the African elephants knocked over all the palm trees in our land a few years ago - therefore we currently have no palm trees in our village.
It can happen so let's beware and be prepared, it's a part of life here.
We should remember wherever we live, there will always be risks.
