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 vacation 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 Vacations
Volunteering with bears in Romania
Volunteer at an inspiring bear sanctuary in Transylvania
From
£1045
7 days
ex flights
Wildlife conservation in Borneo
Conserve orangutans and elephants in Borneo's rainforests
From
£1285
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
Borneo Wildlife Volunteer Project
Encounter orangutans and elephants in the Bornean jungle.
From
£1295
12 days
ex flights
Mountain gorilla project in Uganda
Work towards conservation of the majestic gorilla in Uganda
From
£2995
14 days
ex flights
Endangered wildlife conservation in South Africa
Award-winning, Fair Trade certified wildlife conservation!
From
US $1463
14 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 vacation. 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. Traveling 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 Vacation
Thailand wildlife sanctuary volunteering vacation
Volunteering break at a wildlife sanctuary in Thailand
From
£850
7 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This project can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This project can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Wildlife conservation or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Vacation reviews from our travelers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travelers are often... other travelers. 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 vacation - 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 vacation - 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 vacation - 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 vacation 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 vacation 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 vacation 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.
From tracking leopards in South Africa to caring for rescued bears in Romania, the places a wildlife conservation vacation 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 vacation with the responsible wildlife conservation tours that we advertise on this website.
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