Volunteer travel guide
Volunteering abroad used to be a long term commitment for a highly qualified few. Today, opportunities have opened up for people of all skill levels, in virtually every country in the world.
Wildlife conservation advice
Training advice
John Maree, from our supplier Wildlife ACT, shares his advice on prior skills and training:
“We expect our volunteers to have the skill set in place to take down data while they’re monitoring and be organised enough to feed that information into the data streams in our laptops. Learning about the project and exactly what it is doesn’t take anybody long and although there is an induction, it isn’t study-intensive – we feel the best way to learn is on the job and if you arrive on the Monday afternoon, you’ll be out monitoring on the Tuesday, which is where the training begins. All of our volunteers hit the ground running because ultimately, we need enough hands and eyes going out to each job on each day to capture the data and input it in the right places.”
“We expect our volunteers to have the skill set in place to take down data while they’re monitoring and be organised enough to feed that information into the data streams in our laptops. Learning about the project and exactly what it is doesn’t take anybody long and although there is an induction, it isn’t study-intensive – we feel the best way to learn is on the job and if you arrive on the Monday afternoon, you’ll be out monitoring on the Tuesday, which is where the training begins. All of our volunteers hit the ground running because ultimately, we need enough hands and eyes going out to each job on each day to capture the data and input it in the right places.”
Our Wildlife conservation Holidays
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1544
14 days
ex flights
Conservation volunteering in Belize
Join an award winning research team in Belize
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Borneo wildlife volunteer project
Encounter orangutans and elephants in the Bornean jungle.
From
£1295
12 days
ex flights
Volunteer with monkeys in South Africa
Help re-habilitate orphaned monkeys in beautiful rural South Africa
From
£769
10 days
ex flights
Thailand wildlife sanctuary volunteering holiday
Volunteering break at a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand
From
£739
7 days
ex flights
Volunteering with bears in Romania
Volunteer at an inspiring bear sanctuary in Transylvania
From
£925
7 days
ex flights
Namibia wildlife sanctuary volunteering holiday
Care for rescued animals in Namibia
From
£895
15 days
ex flights
Brown bear tracking in Northern Greece
Track wild bears & explore the wilderness with park rangers
From
€625
5 days
ex flights
Malawi volunteering holiday
Volunteer at Africa's top wildlife sanctuary
From
£1370 to £4350
14 days
ex flights
Orangutan conservation holiday in Borneo
Meet Iban tribes and encounter orangutans in Borneo
From
£1195
13 days
ex flights
Namibia carnivore conservation & research project
Assist the team as a Big Cat Conservation Volunteer!
From
£1135
17 days
ex flights
Family volunteering with turtles in Costa Rica
Family turtle conservation volunteering in Costa Rica
From
£899
7 days
ex flights
Family volunteering with bears in Romania
Unique family volunteering holiday at a bear sanctuary
From
£925
7 days
ex flights
Animal rehabilitation project in South Africa
Animal Welfare in Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre & Hospital
From
£1395
4 weeks
ex flights
Lemur conservation project in Madagascar
Work alongside an award-winning NGO in Madagascar
From
£795 to £2495
14 days
ex flights
Game Reserve conservation in South Africa
Conserve Wildlife in 4 Game Reserves: Exciting and varied!
From
£1895
14 days
ex flights
Shark conservation in South Africa
Conserve sharks, whales and penguins in South Africa
From
£829
7 days
ex flights
Volunteer with turtles in Costa Rica
Protect nesting turtles on Costa Rica's beautiful beaches
From
£889
7 days
ex flights
Turtle conservation in Costa Rica
Join a conservation team protecting sea turtle populations
From
£895
7 days
ex flights
Volunteering with monkeys in Ecuador
Care for over 60 monkeys in a rainforest sanctuary
From
£659
7 days
ex flights
Rhino conservation volunteering in Uganda
Conserve endangered rhinos in Uganda before a 3-day safari
From
£1695
15 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation in Borneo
Conserve orangutans and elephants in Borneo's rainforests
From
£1285
12 days
ex flights
Orangutan conservation in East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Work with orangutans & sun bears in stunning East Kalimantan
From
£1295 to £1995
13 days
ex flights
Carnivore conservation & research in Namibia
Rehabilitate and release cheetah in the wilds of Namibia
From
£1135
17 days
ex flights
Elephant conservation volunteering in Laos
Help to conserve elephants on an inspiring volunteer project
From
£769
7 days
ex flights
Scuba diving & elephant conservation in Cambodia
Learn to scuba-dive, build houses & help rescued elephants!
From
£2099
4 weeks
ex flights
Wildlife orphanage volunteering in South Africa
Care for orphaned animals in stunning South Africa!
From
£490 to £3390
7 days
ex flights
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Assist with protecting endangered species in South Africa
From
£1195
14 days
ex flights
Northern Greece bear conservation tour
Brown bear conservation in Pindos & birds of Prespa Lake
From
€850
8 days
ex flights
Family volunteering in Borneo
Family wildlife conservation volunteering project in Borneo
From
£699 to £899
7 days
ex flights
Accommodation advice
Erin Sparks, from our supplier, PoD Volunteer, shares her wildlife conservation advice:“When we describe accommodation, we tend to undersell and over deliver, so if anything we describe it as little bit more basic than it is; it’s very difficult because everyone has different expectations, but all accommodation is of a very livable standard, just remember you are working with animals, often in earthy and wet environments, so it is impossible to keep living spaces pristine on a wildlife conservation holiday. Some are dorms, others you share with between two and four people – it varies and volunteers are responsible for keeping their area clean and tidy. You’re there to slot in and help out as opposed to be waited on hand and foot.”
Advice on seeing the bigger picture
Anne Smellie, from our supplier, Oyster Worldwide, shares her wildlife conservation advice: “Wildlife conservation is about seeing a very different side to a country. Travelling to South Africa for example, you’ll see a different side of the wildlife ‘industry’ to if you go on safari there and look at the animals; an elephant care project there will open your eyes to the ivory trade, and the problems associated with the very survival of a species. Equally, if you go and work on a game reserve, you’ll begin to understand all of the problems for the wildlife there concerning poaching, erosion, alien species overgrowing all of the native species – you get an in-depth learning experience as well as working towards something which is really beneficial too.”
Advice on managing your expectations
Erin Sparks, from our supplier, PoD Volunteer, shares her advice on managing your expectations: “On every different trip, your role is support the work that the conservation project is doing, so although they may have said that something is due to happen the next day, if it’s for the benefit of the animals that you’re working with, or for the goal of the project overall that it has to happen in two days time instead, that’s the way it is. You have to go with the flow. If you’re supposed to be tracking a specific species that day, but then there’s issues with the parameter set and you can’t find them, it just makes it more special when you do, plus you’ll get to see lots of other nature driving to and from sites – you have to understand that when you’re working with animals in a natural environment, nothing is guaranteed.”Health & safety
HEALTH
Check the CDC website for up-to-date health advice for your destination.
SAFETY
Check the FCO website for the latest safety advice for your destination.
Our top Wildlife conservation Holiday
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1544
14 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 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
2019: 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
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Wildlife conservation or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Holiday reviews from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful wildlife conservation advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
We have selected some of the most useful wildlife conservation advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday - and the space inside your suitcase.
Be prepared to do any task, whether that be clearing water ditches, cleaning the main building or unwrapping 100s of cheese triangles - it may be smelly food at times but you've just got to remember that you're doing it for the wildlife.
- Estelle Barnes
In winter, take lots of warm clothing layers as you can peel off as the weather warms up and follow the list as you need everything on it. Don't form cliques. Be open to all. Both the animals and the people you are with are part of the whole experience. - Keith Costelloe
Take lots to drink for whilst you are at the Sanctuary...I was there during summer months and it was super hot...combined with lots of walking whilst at the sanctuary keeping hydrared is a must. Oh, and comfy shoes! - Sarah Burman
It does get messy – take old clothes, good boots and some quality gloves that still allow you dexterity, but are also washable. - Clanci Ferguson
Take lots to drink for whilst you are at the Sanctuary...I was there during summer months and it was super hot...combined with lots of walking whilst at the sanctuary keeping hydrared is a must. Oh, and comfy shoes! - Sarah Burman
It does get messy – take old clothes, good boots and some quality gloves that still allow you dexterity, but are also washable. - Clanci Ferguson
Get stuck in! And treat yourself to the safari towards the end of your holiday - as a relaxing reward for all the hard work volunteering.
- Philipe Toole
The ultimate priority is the animals. You are not on a game drive and you will not be looked after as a traditional tourist. However, you get to see and experience things you would never even get close to during a traditional safari. - Karin Van Volen
Don't expect luxury! It's very basic but it's such great fun, there's everything you need for a great experience. - Emma Clifford
Have a good camera and enough memory sticks. Every moment is worth a shot. - Louise Chen
Be prepared to get up very early. Be adaptable. Be prepared for basic amenities. Bring cookery skills a good sense of humor and lots of energy - Susan Kraus
Go with an open mind, embrace the cultural differences, be prepared to hike in the heat, play in the water, and live your life in the present moment - Sheila Tegart
Don't expect luxury! It's very basic but it's such great fun, there's everything you need for a great experience. - Emma Clifford
Have a good camera and enough memory sticks. Every moment is worth a shot. - Louise Chen
Be prepared to get up very early. Be adaptable. Be prepared for basic amenities. Bring cookery skills a good sense of humor and lots of energy - Susan Kraus
Go with an open mind, embrace the cultural differences, be prepared to hike in the heat, play in the water, and live your life in the present moment - Sheila Tegart
More about Wildlife conservation
Find out whether wildlife conservation is for you and what wildlife conservation entails as you pour over our wildlife conservation guide.
From the vibrant culture of Thailand to the tropical savannah of Belize, sometimes choosing a wildlife conservation holiday can be as exciting as the world you’ll find once in resort.
If you want to know where to go on a wildlife conservation holiday then read on to discover what Responsible Travel recommends and typical daily timetables to get a glimpse of a day in the life.
Wildlife conservation activities usually include a bit of free time for local engagement initiatives and getting out and about. Read tips from our expert Erin Sparks on the low down.
From preparing food for rescued brown bears in Romania to remote research expeditions searching out endangered lynx in the Montenegrin mountains and more!
Choose a wildlife conservation holiday that really matters using advice from our suppliers Johan Maree and Anne Smellie.
Here we reveal the best places to enjoy a responsible elephant conservation project, where you might be joining long-term researchers to monitor wild herds, or working in sanctuaries.
Turtle conservation projects from Costa Rica to the Seychelles offer opportunities for effective citizen science in idyllic beach settings, perfect for families.
From tracking leopards in South Africa to caring for rescued bears in Romania, the places a wildlife conservation holiday will take you are as varied as the work you will do.
There are no excuses for not being able to travel right on a conservation holiday with the responsible wildlife conservation tours that we advertise on this website.
More relevant guides
protection
Photo credits: [Page banner: Frontierofficial] [Training advice: USFWS Mountain-Prairie]
[Advice on seeing the bigger picture: USFWS Mountain-Prairie]
[Health & safety: Frontierofficial]
[Review 1 - Estelle Barnes: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ]
[Review 2 - Philipe Toole: Isabella Juskova]
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