What we rate and what we don't
53 Over 50s volunteering holidays found
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Help re-habilitate orphaned monkeys in beautiful rural South Africa
From £769 10 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures can be arranged at anytime to suit you, all year round
Volunteering with bears in Romania
Volunteer at an inspiring bear sanctuary in Transylvania
From £925 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Flexible departures available throughout the year, minimum stay 1 week
Exclusive discount for Responsible Travel users: Save £100 on departure between now and 30th August 2019. Very limited spaces remaining!
Marine conservation in Belize
Help us protect coral reefs and marine ecosystems!
From US $1,330 5 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures on weekends but transfers can be made on other days at an extra cost
The secret to happiness? Experiences not things! $465 off a trip to Belize - a savings of 35% off our regular price of $1330! Applies only to trips booked for travel from now until Dec 31st 2019!
Volunteer with turtles in Costa Rica
Protect nesting turtles on Costa Rica's beautiful beaches
From £889 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Flexible departures July - December (nesting season)
Spaces available from July 1st 2019
Brown bear tracking in Northern Greece
Track wild bears & explore the wilderness with park rangers
From €625 5 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 21 Sep, 12 Oct
Last places available for September and October departures!
Wildlife rescue volunteering in Costa Rica
Assist caring for rescued animals in Costa Rica
From £745 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Our team in Costa Rica are looking for volunteers to help care for animals at a tropical wildlife sanctuary in the next few months!
Conservation volunteering in Belize
Join an award winning research team in Belize
From £895 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, 1 Sep, 8 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 29 Sep, 6 Oct, 13 Oct, 20 Oct, 27 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 1 Dec, 8 Dec, 15 Dec, 22 Dec, 29 Dec
2020: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 30 Aug, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep, 4 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 1 Nov ...
2020: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 30 Aug, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep, 4 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 1 Nov ...
We still have spaces available to join our conservation team in Belize in the next few months!
Namibia carnivore conservation & research project
Assist the team as a Big Cat Conservation Volunteer!
From £1,135 17 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 26 Jul, 2 Aug, 9 Aug, 16 Aug, 23 Aug, 30 Aug, 6 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 27 Sep, 4 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov, 22 Nov, 29 Nov, 6 Dec, 13 Dec, 20 Dec, 27 Dec
Reef conservation volunteering in Belize
Live on a private Caribbean island
From £995 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, 1 Sep, 8 Sep, 15 Sep, 22 Sep, 29 Sep, 6 Oct, 13 Oct, 20 Oct, 27 Oct, 3 Nov, 10 Nov, 17 Nov, 24 Nov, 1 Dec, 8 Dec, 15 Dec, 22 Dec, 29 Dec
2020: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 15 Mar, 22 Mar, 29 Mar, 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 19 Apr, 26 Apr, 3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug ...
2020: 5 Jan, 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 2 Feb, 9 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb, 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 15 Mar, 22 Mar, 29 Mar, 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 19 Apr, 26 Apr, 3 May, 10 May, 17 May, 24 May, 31 May, 7 Jun, 14 Jun, 21 Jun, 28 Jun, 5 Jul, 12 Jul, 19 Jul, 26 Jul, 2 Aug ...
Join our reef conservation team on a private island in the Caribbean - there are still spaces available!
Orangutan conservation holiday in Borneo
Meet Iban tribes and encounter orangutans in Borneo
From £1,195 13 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 3 Aug, 3 Sep, 3 Oct, 3 Nov, 3 Dec
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From US $1,425 14 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 29 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 23 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 18 Nov, 2 Dec
2020: 13 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 28 Dec
2020: 13 Jan, 27 Jan, 10 Feb, 24 Feb, 9 Mar, 23 Mar, 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 4 May, 18 May, 1 Jun, 15 Jun, 29 Jun, 13 Jul, 27 Jul, 10 Aug, 24 Aug, 7 Sep, 21 Sep, 5 Oct, 19 Oct, 2 Nov, 16 Nov, 30 Nov, 14 Dec, 28 Dec
Wildlife conservation holiday in South Africa
Assist with conservation & research in Greater Kruger Park
From £1,095 14 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Aug, 15 Aug
Borneo wildlife volunteer project
Encounter orangutans and elephants in the Bornean jungle.
From £1,295 12 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 21 Aug, 21 Sep, 21 Oct, 21 Nov
Conservation volunteering for over 40s in South Africa
Over-40s volunteer holiday on a Big 5 game reserve in Africa
From £709 8 days ex flights
Small group travel:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Women’s empowerment volunteering in Nepal
Join a women's empowerment project in Pokhara, Nepal.
From £1,295 to £3,145 14 days ex flights
Tailor made
Nepal teacher volunteering
Volunteer with children in Pokhara, Nepal.
From £1,695 to £3,145 4 weeks ex flights
Tailor made
Elephant refuge volunteering in Thailand
Volunteer with rescued elephants in an inspiring refuge
From £779 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Over 40s volunteer trip in Borneo
Join a group of over 40s volunteering in beautiful Borneo
From £1,245 12 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 21 Oct
Community volunteering in Tanzania
Have fun helping people help themselves
From £600 14 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2020: 15 Jul, 15 Aug
Costa Rica vacation
-Unique experiences & cultural immersion in Costa Rica
From US $1,995 8 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 4 Aug
Film and photography volunteering in Ghana
Volunteer in the heart of an African community
From £795 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 3 Aug, 17 Aug, 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 23 Nov
There is still time to volunteer with our film and photography team in rural Ghana in the next few months!
Women's empowerment in Sri Lanka volunteering
Experience Volunteering & Explore tropical southern SriLanka
From US $699 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 27 Jul, 3 Aug, 10 Aug, 17 Aug, 24 Aug, 31 Aug, 7 Sep, 14 Sep, 21 Sep, 28 Sep, 5 Oct, 12 Oct, 19 Oct, 26 Oct, 2 Nov, 9 Nov, 16 Nov, 23 Nov, 30 Nov, 7 Dec, 14 Dec, 21 Dec, 28 Dec
2020: 4 Jan, 11 Jan, 18 Jan, 25 Jan, 1 Feb, 8 Feb, 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 29 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug ...
2020: 4 Jan, 11 Jan, 18 Jan, 25 Jan, 1 Feb, 8 Feb, 15 Feb, 22 Feb, 29 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar, 4 Apr, 11 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 9 May, 16 May, 23 May, 30 May, 6 Jun, 13 Jun, 20 Jun, 27 Jun, 4 Jul, 11 Jul, 18 Jul, 25 Jul, 1 Aug ...
Over 50s volunteering in Sri Lanka & tour
Join a truly memorable responsible holiday in Sri Lanka
From US $1,249 14 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 27 Jul, 17 Aug, 14 Sep, 5 Oct, 2 Nov
Laos Wildlife sanctuary volunteering holiday
Care for animals rescued from illegal trafficking in Laos!
From £525 to £1,900 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov, 27 Nov, 4 Dec, 11 Dec, 18 Dec
Rhino conservation volunteering in Uganda
Conserve endangered rhinos in Uganda before a 3-day safari
From £1,695 15 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 14 Oct
New Zealand conservation volunteering
Enjoy helping with conservation in beautiful New Zealand
From £609 7 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Dolphin conservation holiday in Greece
Holiday on stunning Greek Island with daily dolphin tours
From €850 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 29 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 2 Sep
Last places available for 2nd September departure!
Ecuador wildlife sanctuary volunteering
Volunteer with amazing Amazonian wildlife in a jungle haven
From £715 7 days ex flights
Tailor made
Costa Rica turtle conservation experience
Help protect turtles by volunteering in Costa Rica!
From £540 to £3,795 8 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This project can be joined any day between August - December
Elephant conservation project with hill tribes in Thailand
Conservation project returning elephants to the forest
From £240 to £380 4 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
From
US $1,330
excluding flights
The most memorable part of the holiday was diving in a downpour. It wasn't scary, just interesting. (more)Brian Benner
All of it was pretty amazing. I didn't realize how small the island was and I loved it. Being able to dive 3 times a day and get to know the local marine life, while
learning about it was my favourite. (more)Irina Tyshkevich
Being on the tropical island, 28miles from the land, with only 25 people, immersed I nature and conservation project. Didn't miss civilization at all. (more)Sanya Ozic
From
£769
excluding flights
The contact with these very social baboons was the most memorable part of our holiday. Sometimes they play like crazy, sometimes they just like to be close and sleep so deeply when you hold them in your arms. (more)Karsten Georges
An amazing experience. Would recommend to anyone who loves animals and is willing to work hard. (more)Shannon Hiltabrand
The highlight was sitting on a stool in the babies enclosure and having the privilege of a baby baboon sitting on my boot working out how to undo my shoe laces, a 'cuddle' of baby monkeys holding... (more)Gill Stevenson
From
US $1,425
excluding flights
This was an amazing holiday and I really did not want it to end. (more)Anne Brown
There were many memorable moments - Finding the wild dogs after hours of scanning and watching them watching us :-) An elephant herd having their veggie dinner in the breath-taking sunset... Observing the pack of wild dogs hunting and sharing the prey like a family...
(more)Ilona Schultz
The feeling you get when you stay a month in the African bush is an amazing experience. (more)William Esbjug Gromstad
From
£1,295
excluding flights
All of it was memorable!! Seeing orang-utans in wild and incredible opportunity to see many other animals and birds so close with expert guide. Teamwork sense of achievement in conservation work. Fantastic opportunity. Beautiful location, adequate facilities. Emphasis always on our health and safety. (more)Cathy Dowdle
It was beautifully organised and structured and a great opportunity to be part of another culture and to see wonderful wildlife. An excellent project. (more)Tessa Milne-Day
From
€625
excluding flights
Most memorable: Exploring this little known (to us) part of Greece, meeting the friendly locals, and eating the fantastic food. The scenery is truly stunning and unspoilt, and the autumn colours were just superb. (more)Baxter Jeffs
The autumn colours and atmosphere of mountains and lakes and the great time with our group was the most memorable part...Excellent. (more)Anna Denise Bolks
The knowledge and professionalism of the local guide...was the most memorable part of the holiday.
(more)Quentin Macilray
From
£1,095
excluding flights
It was great to learn about reserve management at Kruger and I also met
some amazing people. (more)Arjun Dasgupta
Working with people who are dedicated, informed and enthusiastic about conservation in a practical and realistic way. And of course, seeing the wildlife as they are meant to be....This holiday was a life changing experience and will affect what I do next in my career and attitude to conservation.
(more)Louise Sexton
From
£795
excluding flights
Fantastic! One of the best conservation holidays I have been on - a very fun, interesting and rewarding experience. A lot of people who go to the project short
term end up staying permanently, and it's easy to see why! (more)Eve Nelson
It was an excellent experience, a chance to visit a beautiful location, meet interesting people, improve my diving and enjoy myself. (more)Stephen Orwin
From
£925
excluding flights
We saw a number of bears taking a dip in the water and I enjoyed seeing the pleasure on their faces as they enjoyed the therapeutic effects of the water (more)Suzanne Jones
Excellent. Exceeded my expectations, all very well organised, very good accommodation with lots of help from local rep. Brasov had plenty to offer and the bears were amazing! (more)Deborah Robson
The most memorable part of the holiday was...getting to spend time watching the bears play together, and seeing them all so happy. (more)Melinda Kerr
From
£645
excluding flights
I loved every second of my trip - the people, the country, the bears I worked with... (more)Louise Bednarz
Meeting the bears and being able to really make a difference to their day-to-day lives with enrichment, feeding and cleaning; some of the things we were doing (such as enrichment to keep the bears active and happy) wouldn't get done unless we were there to help out! (more)Heather Reynolds
We were so close to the bears and keepers that you feel part of the project rather than just a short stay helper. I think we were really lucky... to have the baby bear (Lola) arrive when we were there too. (more)Anon
From
£1,135
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
My most memorable activity was actually my first where I returned a greeting to a baboon as indicated by the guides, I later had to endure a grooming from one of the baboons. The most exciting part was heading to the Big Daddy sand dune in Sossusvlei. Kind of what I always imagined an adventure to be.
Tips?
Two weeks is not enough, to get the most out of your time at this project you'll need to be there at least a month and then there's the other sites to consider.... (more)Stephen King
From
£605
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Seeing a blue whale for the first time in my life
Tips?
Bring warm clothes for sea even in May it is quite chilly. Sea sickness pills: even if you are not sensitive some rough day at sea it may bring extra comfort. I did not bring but it is easy and cheap to buy at a pharmacy in Horta.
Local benefits?
I hope it will help for the conservation and understanding better local populations of whales
Overall rating?
This was a great experience, Tiago and... (more)Sylvain Masse
From
€850
excluding flights
I had a fantastic holiday. Kimon was a wonderful and knowledgeable guide and ensured that even on days when the weather meant we couldn't go on the boat
to look for dolphins other activities were arranged. The island has a lovely welcoming feel to it and the people both at MOm and on the island in general are
very friendly and keen to make sure you have a good time. (more)Sarah Bigby
The overall experience was unforgettable!! Joining the research team, learning and seeing dolphins in their natural environment were breathtaking
(more)Vanja Yates
An excellent experience !!! We didn't want to leave. (more)Susan Fitzpatrick
From
£240
excluding flights
I am so pleased I got to have this experience and I will remember the Karen villagers, the mahouts, the elephants and the foundation staff with the fondest of memories. Can’t praise highly enough.
(more)Kelvin Simnett
The Elephant Conservation Project with Hill Tribes trip and walking with elephants was the most memorable. Just amazing, the best experience ever! The team are wonderful, passionate about their individual roles, the location is beautiful and the elephants are enjoying life to the full. (more)Sally Hillyer
Every moment was worth it. Unforgettable experience, just following the elephants every day as they forage and bathe and drink and eat in their natural home, the forests. (more)Cindy Fung
From
£845
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
To experience the rare opportunity to work with the amongst the most amazing scenery that I have ever seen.
Tips?
The journey to the Field House is a long but beautiful one. The Field House is basic, rustic but very comfortable and surrounded by amazing scenery.
Local benefits?
Yes most definitely, the placement is amongst a local village, and the local villagers appreciated the efforts made by the volunteers.
Overall rating?
I would highly recommend... (more)Julie Marshman
From
£715
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Helping animals.
Tips?
It’s a lot of work, but it pays off! The animals and the people are phenomenal.
Local benefits?
Yes
Overall rating?
Great experience! (more)Maya Dite
From
£1,095
excluding flights
The most memorable was watching sunsets with a cold beer and my new friends. The island life. (more)Dewi Meekes
I loved the balance of activities: snorkeling alongside whale sharks, whale watching, data logging, community projects, working alongside serious scientists
and having a proper holiday all at the same time (more)Anna Bosatta
From
US $1,330
excluding flights
Feeling that you are contributing to the sea environment. Waking up to the beautiful sunrise and seeing the lovely sunset. Living on a tiny island for a short time.
(more)Lynda Hughes
The best diving holiday I did so far and it will be hard to beat. I learned so much about fish identification and substrates and this makes diving much more enjoyable. (more)Ulrike Kachel
The entire trip was a blast! Multiple dives per day without another diver in sight, unspoiled beauty of the amazing reef, incredible food, etc. etc. Everything about this trip was memorable and exciting! (more)Eric Strobel
From
£739
excluding flights
Even in the short time we were there (2 weeks), we saw animals arrive and leave, and got a glimpse of the process between rescue and return to the wild. (more)Camille Askins
The people with whom you're working with are terrific. From the other volunteers to the staff and those who stay for the long term there was a very good wibe within the WTTF community. (more)Stuart Moncrieff
It was a very rewarding 2 weeks and I would recommend it to anyone who has a keen interest in animal welfare. (more)Colin Harvey
From
£895
excluding flights
The highlight was walking with cheetahs. Unforgettable. (more)Chris Downing
I had an amazing time!!! I felt like I was really making a contribution to the functioning of the wildlife sanctuary with food prep, cleaning enclosures, feeding and caring for animals and being responsible for the environment and impact on the ecosystem with recycling and conservation efforts . (more)Naomi Soffa
Staff were extremely knowledgeable and helpful, the volunteers all worked well together and a range of activities were provided... All in all, one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I will be going back! (more)Frances Toomey
From
£889
excluding flights
It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had and I can’t wait for a chance to
go back and to share the trip with others who would enjoy it! (more)Jonah Cedar
I enjoyed the night patrols, walking by moonlight, seeing the constellations, milky way, shooting stars & some of the lightening storms were spectacular. (more)Julie Clark
This is a really sound conservation project with some clear tangible benefits and as a volunteer you really fee like you're making a difference.
Would highly recommend this project to anyone. (more)Katie Wilkinson
From
£609
excluding flights
The best part of the trip was meeting lots on new people from different countries and backgrounds. It was amazing to have an opportunity to visit and stay in more remote/ less popular (with tourists) parts of New Zealand. It added a real unique aspect to visiting New Zealand. (more)Amy Memin
My highlight was seeing places that tourists don't normally see or experience through lack of information or inability to access such as nurseries. (more)Helen Frazer
From
US $2,800
excluding flights
Every second, from getting on the boat to going to leaving, everyday was marked with memories... Thank you Responsible Travel for finding this project, its what dreams are made of. (more)Louise Banks
A unique experience from which you gain as much as you put in. I loved it. There is no age limit. Anyone can earn and enjoy the fulfilment. (more)LINDA VERNON
From
US $705
excluding flights
So many aspects of the trip were memorable, even life changing -- it is hard to choose just one... Working closely with the women and children in the projects was an incredible opportunity to connect with and learn about realities outside our own world. Truly life-changing. (more)Shirley Redpath
This was a volunteering holiday so that whole premise was fantastic. I'd never done that before and it felt fabulous to be really doing something even though on holidays.
(more)Kristin Walters
From
£645
excluding flights
I went to the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Thailand, this was a fantastic project helping animals who had been mostly kept as pets. It’s hard to say what was the most memorable part of this holiday as there was so much variety and different experiences, it’s difficult to decide what was the best part of it.
(more)Cathy Bisset
I had so many fantastic experiences, and the centre itself was in an idyllic area, on the grounds of a Buddhist temple. One highlight was spotting wild elephants in a nearby national park, after dark. (more)Olly Carney
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