48 Gap year ideas holidays found
Volunteer with elephants in South Africa
Volunteer with elephants near South Africa's beautiful coast
From £1,415 21 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures can be arranged at anytime to suit you, all year round
Thailand wildlife sanctuary volunteering holiday
Volunteering break at a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand
From £974 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This project can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Animal project in South Africa
Care for and rehabilitate injured wildlife in South Africa
From £1,395 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be arranged at any time throughout the year for up to 12 weeks
Volunteering Thailand, wildlife rescue centre
Work with rescued tropical animals such as monkeys and bears
From £645 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
Placements last from 1-12 weeks and can start on any date throughout the year
Travel Team
If you would like some help or advice, or just want to discuss your ideas for your next trip, do give us a call.
Rainforest conservation in the Amazon, Peru
Conservation & Community Development in the Amazon. Awesome!
From £1,695 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures can be arranged at anytime throughout the year
Volunteering with bears in Cambodia
Care for rescued bears in tropical Cambodia
From £645 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
Departures every Sunday throughout the year
Still spaces available in Feb-May for volunteers to assist the team in providing a safe haven for bears in Cambodia
Social work experience in South Africa
Work with social workers who resolve family conflict
From £1,695 4 weeks ex flights
Tailor made:
All year round - you choose your start and finish dates!
Wildlife rescue volunteering in Costa Rica
Assist caring for rescued animals in Costa Rica
From £995 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Last minutes spaces available Feb - May to help care for animals (including monkeys, birds, sloths and anteaters!) at a tropical wildlife sanctuary for 2-4 weeks
Malawi volunteering vacation
Volunteer at Africa's top wildlife sanctuary
From £1,370 to £4,350 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures can be arranged at anytime to suit you
Teaching assistants in New Zealand
Teach children in Auckland, New Zealand
From £1,495 4 weeks ex flights
Tailor made:
Departures can be arranged to start at any time during the school term
Jungle conservation & research, Peru
Jungle conservation and research project in the Amazon
From £1,495 16 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Apr, 29 Apr, 27 May, 24 Jun, 22 Jul, 19 Aug, 16 Sep, 14 Oct, 11 Nov, 9 Dec
2020: 6 Jan, 3 Feb, 2 Mar, 30 Mar, 27 Apr, 25 May, 22 Jun, 20 Jul, 17 Aug, 14 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 7 Dec
2020: 6 Jan, 3 Feb, 2 Mar, 30 Mar, 27 Apr, 25 May, 22 Jun, 20 Jul, 17 Aug, 14 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 7 Dec
Teach children in Patagonia, Chile
Teach English in the magnificent scenery of Chile, Patagonia
From US $4,973 12 weeks ex flights
Tailor made:
Trips run anytime throughout the year
Community volunteering in Tanzania
Have fun helping people help themselves
From £600 14 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 19 Jul, 2 Aug, 19 Aug
Conservation internship in Malawi
.Combine sanctuary and field experience in Malawi
From £2,335 to £4,450 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 30 Apr, 7 May, 14 May, 21 May, 28 May, 4 Jun, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 25 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 27 Aug, 3 Sep, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct, 22 Oct, 29 Oct, 5 Nov, 12 Nov, 19 Nov, 26 Nov
Travel Team
If you would like some help or advice, or just want to discuss your ideas for your next trip, do give us a call.
Sports coaching volunteering in Brazil
Coach sport to children in Sao Paulo, Brazil
From £995 4 weeks ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Agriculture volunteering in Indonesia
Experience the making of local spices and artisan food.
From US $935 to US $2,365 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Apr, 1 May, 1 Jul, 1 Aug, 1 Sep
Youth development volunteering in Java
Join youth-driven community service program in East Java.
From US $660 to US $1,500 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Apr, 1 May, 1 Jul, 1 Aug, 1 Sep
Community volunteering in Bali
Volunteer in the biggest deaf community in Indonesia.
From US $795 to US $1,925 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Apr, 1 May, 1 Jul, 1 Aug, 1 Sep
Volunteer with young people in Indonesia
Discover local culture in idyllic East Java.
From US $660 to US $1,500 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Apr, 1 May, 1 Jul, 1 Aug, 1 Sep
Youth volunteering in Indonesia
Exciting youth development program in Bogor, West Java.
From US $1,420 11 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 1 Apr, 1 May, 1 Jul, 1 Aug, 1 Sep
Gap year volunteering in Kenya
Unrivalled conservation experience in remote destinations
From £9,475 8 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 16 Sep
Marine conservation expedition in East Timor
Award winning conservation in Timor-Leste
From £2,250 to £4,650 21 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 13 May, 1 Jul, 19 Aug, 9 Nov
Tanzania volunteering projects
Have fun by helping people help themselves
From £600 14 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 6 Apr, 20 Apr, 1 Jun, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 5 Oct, 5 Nov
Caribbean coral reef conservation in Carriacou
Diving and Reef conservation in beautiful Caribbean waters.
From US $2,094 to US $3,923.45 4 weeks ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 28 Apr, 26 May, 30 Jun, 28 Jul, 25 Aug
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
Ecuador wildlife sanctuary volunteering
Volunteer with amazing Amazonian wildlife in a jungle haven
From £895 14 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
Veterinary internship in Chintsa, South Africa
Hands-on veterinary experience in game reserves and farms
From £1,699 14 days ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Elephant conservation vacation, Cambodia
Volunteer with rescued Asian elephants
From £795 7 days ex flights
Small group travel:
2019: 24 Mar, 31 Mar, 7 Apr, 14 Apr, 21 Apr, 28 Apr, 5 May, 12 May, 19 May, 26 May, 2 Jun, 9 Jun, 16 Jun, 23 Jun, 30 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 21 Jul, 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 ...
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 ...
There are still spaces available from Feb-May to support the local team in rehabilitating rescued elephants in their natural forest habitat for 1 - 12 week placements
Gap year volunteering in India
Travel, adventure and volunteering
From US $2,235 6 weeks ex flights
Tailor made
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 vacation 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 center 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
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
£1,495
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Getting to spend time walking through the jungle and seeing so many great animals and birds. The best moments were the tree frogs, manu poison frog and the rainbow boa! I really enjoyed the construction of the bird hides and biogarden even though sometimes it was really hard work! Pancakes for breakfast were great!
Tips?
There was a lot of walking and physical activity so it’s really important to expect to do lots when you get there and probably need reasonable fitness!
Local... (more)Melanie Veal
From
£1,695
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Cutting a path through dense jungle to fin capybara
Tips?
Speak to the guys who have done it already for advice!
A camera, comfy inner soles, good Headtorch, organic mosquito repellent, waterproof bags were the items I was glad I had the most!
Local benefits?
yes, all of the above!
Overall rating?
it was such an incredible experience, expect it to be really hard work but you get out what you put in. (more)William Haward
From
£1,395
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Tips?
Local benefits?
Overall rating?
Poor. Not much meaningful work. It was not well organized in keeping volunteers busy. There were lots of occasions when we ran out of jobs and were told to wander around and look for things to do. Myself and my grandchildren were extremely disappointed. We had a family meeting and left early. Still a bad taste in our mouth. After staying there I felt that the fee charged was excessive.
John Brown. (more)John Brown
From
£739
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Spending time with my family and working for these magnificent animals was such a rewarding experience. Hand feeding these gentle giants is something I
will never forget. When you look into their eyes and connect with them it as if they can see who you are. You can tell these are intelligent and kind animals.
Tips?
If you can afford it, stay at the guest lodges. Going back to an air-conditioned room after a hard days work is wonderful. You also have hot water and... (more)Joe Stern
From
£895
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
£600
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Our experience volunteering with the operator was unique and fulfilling. We
had the opportunity to work with Tanzanians in schools and health centers, get to know the local staff and help a little with a building project, all of which were memorable.
Tips?
Be aware that the lodging is not luxurious (cold showers), roads are rough and dusty. Project sites are often far apart, so a good amount of time is spent in the Land Cruiser. The staff was very attentive to our... (more)William Unger
From
£974
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
£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
£1,370
excluding flights
Just do it, you won't regret it! (more)Chris Wade
Great from start to finish - the staff, the country, the project, the work - I was sad to leave and hope to go back. I went for the animal work which I really enjoyed but an unexpected highlight of the trip was getting out into the community to see one of their fuel briquette projects. (more)Kat Wendels
A great experience. I got to know some local people and volunteers from different countries and I learned about animal conservation and the social/ economic situation in Malawi. (more)Steve Boud
From
£1,415
excluding flights
Fantastic!.... The whole experience was very good (the organisation of the trip,
the traveling itself, the people...) but of course being able to spend time with
these amazing animals was the highlight of the vacation and possibly of my last
few years as well. (more)Darina Brejtrova
Most exciting vacation ever...Go for it (more)Ailish Scanlon
Amazing! It was my dream to work with elephants. It really was a trip of a lifetime. I learnt so much and made a few great friends out there which I still keep in contact with now. (more)Melisa Dora
From
€550
excluding flights
It was AMAZING! (more)tracy ciotti
My whole time at the reserve was so incredible with thrills everyday from hurtling along dirt tracks to see elephants, watching porcupines and honey badgers battle right next to camp to the first time you lead a class by yourself. (more)Deirdre McClean
Working with all of the animals and children, and meeting wonderful people were most memorable - the whole experience was memorable and exciting. The trip well and truly exceeded my expectations. I would happily recommend it to anyone.
(more)Thérèse Hutchins
From
£895
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
Working with experienced people who are always willing to help and teach you
Tips?
To bring many working pieces of clothes and leave at home fashion dresses
Local benefits?
Yes
Overall rating?
Great and fulfilling experience
(more)Giorgia Trevisan
From
£1,295
excluding flights
Memorable parts?
The diving on Sail Rock, probably one of the best dive sites in the Gulf of
Thailand
Tips?
This is a small village with basic amenities so be prepared to take it easy and
relax as there is a lot of down time where nothing is happening. If you get bored
easily then make sure you have brought things to occupy your time or better still
make an effort to get out and about the island.
Local benefits?
Not really to the extent that I would have liked, sure spending... (more)Stan Batchelor
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