Make the most of your annual leave on a volunteer holiday with a difference of one week or more. Get stuck into animal welfare and conservation volunteering, all whilst enjoying the area, meeting new people and taking a break from the norm.
“Not only is it a fantastic experience but it’s great value for money. You take a holiday where you come away feeling a sense of achievement as you have made a huge difference” Holly, South Africa
“You should only do it if you are prepared to work hard and have a real interest in undertaking a very important project. If this is you then you won’t have a better experience.” Sara, South Africa
Get hands-on with hundreds of monkeys and baboons in the world’s largest primate rehabilitation centre – prepare for plenty of monkey hugs! Become a surrogate parent to these mistreated and orphaned animals, helping them on their journey to a new life back in the wild.
Get off the beaten track to live on a beautiful Costa Rican beach, protecting the turtles that nest and hatch on the golden sands. Become part of the local rhythm, immersing yourself in community life and beach life alike as you make a genuine contribution to marine conservation. Pura vida!
Volunteer at Eastern Europe’s largest bear sanctuary, helping to care for the world’s most beloved animal. Watch the bears enjoying their newfound freedom as you look after their basic needs in this beautiful woodland haven. Romania is described by many of our volunteers as “Europe’s hidden gem”, and with its vast number of outdoor, historical, cultural and city pursuits, you won’t want to leave!
Experience parts of Australia that many will never get to see by taking part in outback, rural and urban community projects with other enthusiastic volunteers. Chose from 11 gateway cities stretching across this vast land, and why not combine more than one?
Bears, birds, orangutans, monkeys, gibbons, deer, otters – and much more! – are being cared for by volunteers like you at this inspiring sanctuary on the outskirts of Thailand’s largest national park. Help to look after over 400 neglected animals, rescued from the cruel tourist trade, and brought to this sanctuary to recover. If that isn’t enough of a draw, there is even an on-site elephant sanctuary that you may be able to help at too.
Live life on the wild side and get stuck in to the life of an assistant game ranger on a stunning game reserve, home to Africa’s Big 5. Enjoy the thrills of taking a safari, all whilst helping to promote the survival of African flora and fauna. Experience the lions roaring, elephants trumpeting and antelope running as you work out and about on the reserve each day.
Become a research diver on an important marine conservation project in Thailand. Get involved in daily dives to explore the health of the marine environment just off the stunning island of Koh Phangan. Suitable for new and experienced divers alike, this project allows participants to play in active role in tackling marine decline, all whilst enjoying the wonders of life under the sea.
Work with orangutans in two stunning settings, assisting with orangutan welfare and habitat restoration. Actively be part of the orangutan care programme in a primate centre in mainland Malaysia, before heading out into Borneo’s rain forest to help protect and monitor these graceful creatures in the wild. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to volunteer with orangutans in one of the most stunning settings on the planet – don’t miss it!
Become part of an elephant research team, monitoring these gentle giants in their daily lives together. The project is located in a beautiful park, where you will be working closely with orphaned elephants as they recover from previous trauma and stress. In your free time, explore the stunning Garden Route and immerse yourself fully in this wonderful corner of Africa.
Giant tortoises that date back to the dinosaurs, sea lions that sunbathe next to you on the beach, glittering blue waters with amazing marine life – the Galapagos is undeniably one of the most biodiverse places in the world. Join a conservation mission that is working hard to preserve the fauna and flora on the Galapagos Islands, promoting its survival for generations to come.
Step far off the trodden tourist trails and deep into stunning Sri Lanka, where elephants are still clinging on to life in the wild. Work closely with the local community to help promote the survival of these endangered elephants, all whilst enjoying seeing these creatures roam in their natural habitat – a rare wonder.
Volunteer with over 200 exotic Amazonian animals in a beautiful rain forest sanctuary. From monkeys to forest cats, from caimans to birds, from tortoises to rodents, this wildlife haven is home to amazing animals aplenty. Contribute to their rehabilitation and care during the week, and explore this stunning corner of Ecuador on your weekends.
Explore one of the most beautiful and untouched destinations on earth – New Zealand! Help local conservationists with their efforts to preserve some of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations. Chose from two gateway cities on the North Island and one on the South Island.
Head to Borneo, an island that has gone down in legend as one of the best places in the world for wildlife lovers, to help preserve the world’s smallest species of bear. Volunteer with Bornean sun bears at a moving rescue and rehabilitation centre, watching them become accustomed to life in the wild, and helping them on this incredible journey to freedom.
Live with elephants in a beautiful lakeside rescue centre, surrounded by sprawling jungle and jagged mountains, and help to protect these endangered creatures. Work with elephants that have been rescued from the demanding logging industry, and witness baby elephants being cared for in the on-site elephant nursery. The elephant population in Laos, once known as the “Land of a Million Elephants”, is plummeting, and you can be part of the solution to this tragic problem.
If you only have a few weeks off work this year, make it count by volunteering for a worthwhile cause with animals or in wildlife conservation. Push yourself outside your comfort zone and experience living in a totally foreign environment. You’ll be able to work with unique animals, meet friendly locals and experience local culture whilst making a difference to the lives of endangered animals and bring recognition to the environmental impact of humans. A volunteer trip also gives you the opportunity to enhance your C.V, learn a range of new skills and could create valuable work experience for a future career. Make new friends and make great memories to share with your friends and family when you go back to work or university!
