Volunteer and conservation travel guide, including info on voluntourism, how to give back on your travels, how to get started with travel volunteering and more
A growing number of travellers are looking to contribute to the communities and areas they visit by doing some volunteering.
Volunteering comes in many guises: it could be developmental volunteering, where you work with local communities – maybe teaching, building schools, running clinics or generally using your time and skills to benefit the people of a particular region.
For instance, you could use your nursing qualifications to work at a hospital in Malawi, transport your admin experience to an aid office in Indonesia, or lend your muscle to rebuild homes after a catastrophic earthquake.
Conservation volunteering is another option, involving you helping to protect a species or environment. This could range from studying meerkats in the Kalahari to recording the coral growth on a Thai reef or counting tiger pugmarks in the forests of India. You may need biology or research skills, or you could just offer your enthusiasm to help with data collection or trail maintenance.
The main thing to remember when considering a volunteer placement is: do your research. Whether you chose to go on a pre-arranged trip with a volunteer agency or whether you find a placement independently, ask lots of questions so that you are satisfied the project you will be working on is legitimate and actually helpful to the local place and people.
Placements vary massively in time scale – you might tag three days of litter collection onto a trek in Morocco or devote two years to running a school in Peru.
They also vary in cost – some will be expensive ventures, others may pay you a small fee. But such variety in duration, theme, location and remuneration means that there’s a perfect volunteering experience out there for everyone.
Here are a few ideas – including specific projects as well as bigger themes – to help inspire your volunteering 'career'
We chatted to Dr Jane Goodall about her new documentary that draws on hours of unseen footage, and her legendary chimp research in Tanzania that revolutionised our understanding of the natural world More
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From ultra-luxurious safaris to volunteering on world-renowned conservation projects, the ways to encounter South Africa's wildlife are as varied as the species themselves. Get there now! More
The wild wonders (and famous red crabs) of Christmas Island have never been easier to reach. Whether you've been naughty or nice, it's time you took a trip to this Indian Ocean isle More
The Great Barrier Reef is in trouble, but travellers can play their part in offering a lifeline to Queensland's coral kingdom. Find out the ongoing conservation efforts to save this underwater world... More
Wildlife photographers, including Art Wolfe and Mark Carwardine, captured intimate photos of rhinos around the world to raise awareness and funds to protect them More
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There's far more to Sri Lanka than beautiful beaches. Save turtles, learn to cook a curry and perhaps come face-to-face with a leopard in Asia’s diverse and beguiling nation More
From volunteer projects in Africa and Asia to eco-aware tours of the Galapagos and the Amazon, these fantastic trips give back as much as they give you More
The United Nations has declared 2017 the Year of Sustainable Tourism. Celebrate with these tourism projects that are amongst the most eco-friendly and socially responsible in the world. More
Costa Rica is a country that packs a lot of wildlife, scenery and outdoor activity into its compact borders. Here’s how you can experience it all, and maybe give a little back as well More
Not nearly as famous as the Serengeti or Maasai Mara, these lesser known National Parks across Africa offer spectacular wildlife, from lions and chimps to elephants, but without the crowds More
Unforgettable animal encounters in some of the planet’s most remarkable settings that will make 2017 a year you will never forget, including holidays in Tanzania, Canada, Sweden and Brazil... More
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Christmas abroad often means missing friends and family. But it also means sunshine, adventure, parties, beaches and weird local customs. Here's the ultimate guide to surviving and thriving on your overseas Christmas... More
From the Big Five to smaller wonders, Will Gray reveals why a family adventure to Kenya just adds up More
Volunteering abroad can be one of the most rewarding travel experiences with immeasurable benefits for local communities and the volunteers themselves. Here are 7 reasons why everyone should volunteer. More
OK, visiting Machu Picchu is a given. But there's a lot more to Peru than this magnificent Inca citadel. Here are some activities to get you started... More
From Rastafari villages to hidden waterfalls featured in Hollywood movies, here are five things that will keep your teenagers entertained when they get bored of the beach More
From Rastafari villages to hidden waterfalls featured in Hollywood movies, here are five things that will keep your teenagers entertained when they get bored of the beach More
Matt Wright, star of TV's Outback Wrangler, is Australia's crocodile-catching, helicopter-flying, snake-collecting action man. Prepare for severe career envy... More
50 years ago, Rodney Fox almost died in a great white shark attack – but since then, he's dedicated his life to shark conservation. We caught up with him to chat about cage diving, his role on the Jaws movie, and his favourite shark – named Santa More
As David Attenborough's new natural history series hits BBC1, we give you a little preview – and get the inside scoop from the legendary presenter himself More
The world is reeling from the untimely accidental death of Doug Tompkins – here, Graeme Green shares one of his final interviews More
The best places to find polar bears, elephant seals, and lots more on your travels this month More
From tending lions and leopards in Namibia to rescuing fruit bats in Australia – introducing some of the best wildlife volunteering experiences More
Most people who go to see gorillas see them in Uganda or Rwanda; only a few hundred make it elsewhere. Fancy bucking the trend? Here are ten places to see them for yourself More
Millions of people flock to Thailand's beaches every year, but this puts a strain on its beautiful coast. Organisations across the country are working to preserve its pristine white sands – here's how you can get involved too More
Thailand isn't just about beautiful beaches and mouth-watering food: there are some vital community projects and charities at work in this slice of paradise. Here's how you can get involved... More
Until trophy hunters and the companies that take their money are properly penalised, this dreadful hunting charade will continue, warns safari guide and conservation expert Paul Goldstein More
Go that extra mile on your next trip to Thailand by choosing a hotel that’s not only beautiful but also helps local organisations, the environment, and people in need More
From city treehouses to island homestays and hope for gibbons, Thailand is awash with eco-initiatives that help local communities and provide extra insight into the Land of Smiles More
The way to the heart of rural Russia? With a shot (or five) of vodka, of course... More
Want a trip that's guaranteed to be brilliant? Try one of these operators – they came out trumps in our annual reader survey More
How to put something back into the places you visit by volunteering or conservation work More
Transform yourself from jaded tourist to responsible traveller with this guide to travelling sustainably More
Are 40,000 Maasai about to be kicked off their land to make room for a Dubai-based safari company? Paul Goldstein airs his anger – and reveals how you can help More
Kate Humble has been on British television for 20 years, presenting everything from Countryfile to Volcano Live. We caught up with her to chat beach cleaning, camping, and living with nomads... More
At the launch screening of Sir David Attenborough's new series Life Stories, the legendary presenter shared his own fascinating tales of over 50 years in front of the camera More
The latest WWF report gets a C-minus from wildlife guide, photographer and safari camp owner Paul Goldstein More
A peek inside new book The Irresponsible Traveller – celebrating the worst of travel's “d'oh” moments More
Our featured blogger, Brendan Lee, comes across a circus set up to help street kids in Siem Reap – and discovers it is really rather good More
Thinking of doing an internship? Then why not do one abroad? Gemma Fottles did, and had the time of her life - here are her tips for making it happen More
Home of the sloth but not for the slothful, Costa Rica is paradise for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies alike. Here’s everything you need to know... More
Benjamin Kyalo has dedicated his life to the rescue of Kenya's orphaned elephants. Here, he shares tales from the front line of conservation... More
Thinking of signing up for a conservation trip? Before you give your time (and possibly money), make sure you've followed these insider tips More
Thanks to pioneering community conservation schemes and inspirational individuals, Namibia is that rarest of things: a wildlife success story. as Wanderlust founder Lyn Hughes found More
Our featured blogger, Thidara Udomritkul, reveals the quickest way to get under the skin of a country. More
Helen Moat ponders the hospitality and generosity shown by her hosts on a recent trip to Sri Lanka – and wonders how she'll ever repay it More
These tips will make sure you not only get through customs with your shopping intact, but also avoid harming wildlife and other animals with your purchases More
Following the death of a young, healthy male desert lion last week, award-winning wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein lets rip at trophy hunters More
Looking for something different on your next trip? Whether you're a UK resident or on a fleeting visit, volunteer and help out in the glorious British countryside More
Meet Elvis Munis: the first black African to cycle around the world. And he needs your help More
Our blogger of the week weighs up the pros and cons of starting a family rather than continuing to travel More
With ten years of organising The Mongol Rally under their belts, The Adventurists reveal the money-raising tactics that really work More
Is participating in work exchanges a viable way of travelling cheaply? Our Blogger of the Week, Jess, shares her experiences More
Diane Priestley reveals the secrets to a successful volunteer assignment in developing countries More
Liz Cotton explains how getting involved with Habitat for Humanity's ‘Global Village’ programme changed her life... as well as those of the people she has helped More
Our Blogger of the Week, Adam Pervez, meets a remarkable woman changing the lives of children caught up in the Indian capital's sex industry More
Our blogger of the week, Steven Neish, goes to Syktyvkar in Russia to teach English and discovers they do things a little differently More
Our featured blogger, Lakshmi, volunteers at the Sri Narayani Vidyalaya School in India and discovers that art brings down all language barriers More
Our featured blogger, Edward Selfe, on a project in Zambia that introduces local kids to the wildlife on their doorstep More
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Katherine Price looks at the ten most endangered species in the world, and where to see them in their natural habitat – while you still can More
A visit to the Moon Bear Rescue Centre in Chengdu moves artist Suzie Marsh to tears More
Rosie Ponting wanted to give something back to Africa. So she got a job organising the Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi More
Laid up in hospital with sleeping sickness Duncan Yearley starts seeing giant pink ants. Then finally, his first Painted Dog... More
Laura Hartstone from Peaks Foundation explains how climbing mountains helps others climb out of poverty More
Duncan Yearley’s first tentative steps at putting together his African conservation project are met with great success… Until disaster strikes More
How an overland trip through Africa led to the establishment of Malawi's premier carnivore conservation project More
Wanderlust gathers up the experts to find out if the practice of elephant trekking is ethical and fair to the animals More
Mark Sowden recounts the joys - and muscle aches - that come from joining an ActionAid project in Nepal More
"It was very emotional when I finally had to leave" Cicely Brown, Business Development Director, 44 More
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"You have conversations and interactions you simply couldn’t have as a traveller". Des Gould, Business Consultant, 55 More
"For once we English speakers were making a leap of faith". Ed Stocker, Journalist, 29 More
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Volunteering needn’t be a lone effort: couples can do it too More
Nigel Marven, Chengdu’s Panda Ambassador, is fighting the good fight for wildlife in China. Here he talks about his recent series, Panda Week More
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The actress and wildlife campaigner explains how travel and conservation have shaped her world More
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In the lush and little-visited interior of The Gambia, a remarkable woman created a safe haven for maltreated chimpanzees More
A guided tour of Mumbai's teeming Dharavi slum raises moral questions for visitors More
Welcome to the jungle – the Amazon rainforest isn't just confined to Brazil and Peru, and the jaguars wander where they please... More
A trip to this scenic backwater reveals how a multi-million dollar dam project was halted to preserve this now-UNESCO World Heritage site More
Buccaneers above the waves, coral and kaleidoscopic sealife below – Utila and the other Bay Islands offer laid-back culture and fabulous snorkelling More
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"I don't have wanderlust," says Jane Goodall, the legendary primate researcher and humanitarian tells us. "I'm more wander… driven" More
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Undisturbed by mass tourism, the Croatian island of Cres is a scenic refuge for the spectacular griffon vulture, as Lyn Hughes discovers More
Lyn Hughes takes a trip through River Gambia National Park in search of rehabilitated chimpanzees More
Travel writer, tour leader and founder of Bradt travel guides Hilary Bradt on why she stuffed her rucksack with marker pens for her trip to Namibia More
Mark Carwardine finds the Galápagos Islands as rewarding as ever, but now far busier than is good for them More
Deciding where – and how – funding for wildlife preservation is placed is fraught with pitfalls, as a trip to Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park shows More
The 'Different Travel' organisations explains how it is unlike other ethical tour operators, and how it has facilitated over £50,000 of investment into community regeneration projects in the past two years More
With the help of Dr Kate Simpson, Wanderlust takes a first look at how to be an ethical volunteer More
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Taking a trip of a lifetime doesn’t have to mean blowing all your savings, Wanderlust explores the options open to the traveller wishing to give something back... More
Wanderlust's Dan Linstead travels to the gulf of Thailand to count coral and fish in the name of conservation More
The decision to resume commercial whaling needs to be fought with real vigour, says Mark Carwardine More
Wildlife expert Mark Carwardine makes a new friend in South Africa More
Go deep into the bush with Zambia's anti-poaching scouts and you'll find a country eager to save its animals More
Wanderlust subscribers now receive a free £50 voucher valid on trips from a great selection of top tour operators
And the best bit is, this isn't a one-off offer, you get one every time you renew as well!
The £50 discount can be redeemed against one trip booking with one of our tour operator partners, by the expiry date printed on the voucher. The £50 can even be redeemed on top of any discounts our partners are already offering, ensuring Wanderlust subscribers get the best deal possible.
Simply quote your unique voucher code when booking to claim the discount. This offer is only available to Wanderlust subscribers.
UK subscribers automatically receive the voucher each year. Overseas subscribers receive it upon request.
Undiscovered Destinations
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Experience this enigmatic island continent on our small group tour. Explore the little visited west and the rock formations of Tsingy de Bemaraha before encountering Madagascar’s unique wildlife.
Rainbow Tours
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This East African holiday combines a safari in two contrasting ecosystems in Kenya, exploration of Stone Town and some down time on the beach on Chumbe Island lying just off the exotic island of Za...
The Great Projects
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Play a vital role in the education of underprivileged children and the rehabilitation of wildlife in South Africa.
TravelLocal
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This tour takes in the highlights of India while maintaining a focus on community projects and interacting with the locals.
Peru Trip Advisors
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This is Real Peru! Visit Machu Picchu, then travel to Puno and immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy the peace and tranquility on the shores of the Lake at the Luquina Chico community.
TravelLocal
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This tour is a unique trip orientated to people wishing to travel in a sustainable way for a reasonable price.
Rainbow Tours
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This broad East Africa holiday itinerary introduces you to the very best that Malawi has to offer, combining stunning scenery with abundant wildlife. Begin your trip in the first reserve that Afric...
The Great Projects
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Encounter the beautiful Asiatic elephant deep within the heart of the Sri Lankan jungle.
The Great Projects
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Volunteer at one of Europe's most respected bear sanctuaries in the stunning destination of Romania.
Rainbow Tours
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Due to popular demand Bradt Guide author and tour-leader Daniel Austin ( Madagascar: the Bradt Guide; Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitors Guide ) will be leading a second small group departure for us i...
The Great Projects
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Assist the team as a Big Cat Conservation Volunteer with data collection to help with research on carnivore species in the stunning Kanaan Region of Namibia.
The Great Projects
From: £703.00
Follow in the footsteps of explorer David Livingstone in the beautiful Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe and help with vital conservation work.
The Great Projects
From: £745.00
Volunteer with the 'Big Five' and the Born Free Foundation in one of South Africa’s finest game reserves
The Great Projects
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Search for and see the desert elephants in the beautiful Namibian Desert and help out with vital community work.
The Great Projects
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Have a lasting impact on the conservation efforts in the Manu UNESCO Biosphere – one of the most diverse environments on earth.
The Great Projects
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Have a hand in the conservation of Sri Lanka's beautiful sea turtles.
The Great Projects
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Experience the majesty of elephant herds in the rolling expanses of the Namibian Desert on this incredible family experience.
The Great Projects
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Take part in this vital marine conservation internship project on the stunning island of Mafia in Tanzania.
The Great Projects
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Volunteer at an award-winning Orangutan Volunteer Centre in the beautiful destination of Borneo
The Great Projects
From: £995.00
Dive unexplored reefs and partake in vital marine conservation amongst the islands of the beautiful Raja Ampat archipelago
The Great Projects
From: £780.00
Come face to face with one of the world’s most infamous predators on this fantastic conservation project.
The Great Projects
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Assist the team with data collection to help with research on cheetah and leopard releases in the stunning Namib Desert.
The Great Projects
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Take a 4 Day Adventure of Spectacular Wildlife, Walvis Bay and the incredible Sossusvlei Sand Dunes!
The Great Projects
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Work with beautiful wildlife and indigenous communities in the warm heart of Africa!
The Great Projects
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Discover a 4 day tour to experience beautiful beaches, Batu Cermin cave and witness incredible wildlife!
The Great Projects
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Become immersed in local tribal life whilst working towards the conservation of magnificent orangutans.
The Great Projects
From: £595.00
Take a 3 Day Tour to have a once in a lifetime chance to experience being a part of the Iban Tribe!
The Great Projects
From: £1095.00
Explore Borneo's lush rainforest in search of wild orangutan and the rare pygmy elephant.
The Great Projects
From: £1570.00
Help with vital research of the world's largest fish - the magnificent whale shark!
The Great Projects
From: £1645.00
Work towards integral marine conservation in one of the most marine-rich destinations on Earth.
The Great Projects
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Dive and help with integral marine conservation in the incredible waters of the Perhentian Islands.
The Great Projects
From: £995.00
Join critical endangered wilderness conservation work in Africa
The Great Projects
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Work with International Animal Rescue on the rehabilitation of Indonesia’s beautiful orangutans.
The Great Projects
From: £595.00
Take a 6 Day Discovery of Spectacular Wildlife, Action Adventure and the ever changing Dunes!
The Great Projects
From: £376.00
Take a 4 Day Discovery of Spectacular Wildlife, Action Adventure and Unique Native Culture
The Great Projects
From: £595.00
Help look after an extensive range of wildlife rescued from illegal traffickers in Bolivia.
The Great Projects
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Help to assist a team of marine biologists in integral whale and dolphin conservation in The Azores.
The Great Projects
From: £795.00
Experience hands-on volunteering with cheetahs, baboons and much much more.