I came across a little money and would like to use it to travel next summer (about four months) My plan is to Volunteer in Tanzania for a 6-8 weeks, then backpack in Europe, spend some time in New Zealand with an acquaintance, visit family in Colorado, then return to the Midwest. My budget is around 8000, but I would like to spend much less. The Tanzania portion will cost around 1-2k + airfare (includes all accommodations). What do I need to know? Where should I go? I like adventure, volunteering, and meeting new people. What do I bring? What is the best way to get cheap flights? Is using airbnb and couchsurfing safe for a single female? Any tips or links to helpful threads are appreciated.