Best volunteer abroad programs in 2024

An archipelago located 1,000 km (620 miles) off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos is known for being a haven for wildlife. Its most famous visitor, Charles Darwin, helped to cement these remote islands in the imagination of animal enthusiasts worldwide.

If you’re hoping to do Conservation volunteering, then the Galapagos has to be on your bucket list. However, you can also visit if you’d rather volunteer with children. Whatever you do, there will be ample opportunities to explore and spot wildlife.

We recommend:

• Conservation: It’s hard to name a better place to volunteer with animals than the Galapagos. This is the place that inspired the Theory of Evolution and remains one of the most unique and biodiverse ecosystems. We have exclusive access to the Galapagos National Park, where you’ll monitor and help protect beautiful animals like sea lions and giant tortoises. You’ll learn from leading conservationists as you help maintain this incredible environment.
  
  
• Childcare: You’ll work on the stunning San Cristobal Island, part of the Galapagos. You’ll be based at kindergartens in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, where educational facilities will be more basic than you’re used to. You’ll help improve the reading skills and confidence of children, with the opportunity to give extra support to those with special needs.
  
  This port town is dedicated to protecting sea lions, meaning you’ll spot these charming and charismatic creatures everywhere you go.

With world-beating beaches, flavor-packed cuisine, and well-preserved history, Mexico is a top tourist destination. However, with its fair share of vulnerable animals and disadvantaged communities, it’s also an ideal place to volunteer abroad. Our volunteer projects in Mexico will immerse you in this wonderful culture while ensuring you leave a positive impact.

We recommend:

• Conservation: Travel to Cuyutlan, where you’ll work on its famous black sand beaches. Here, you’ll help protect sea turtles by collecting eggs and relocating them to a safe location. You’ll also care for turtles at an ecological center, learning from conservation experts as you help preserve important species like the olive ridley turtle.
  
  
• Childcare: Wander the winding cobblestone streets of Guadalajara as you become immersed in the home of many of Mexico’s world-renowned traditions. Your role will be to support local teachers and caregivers, providing fun and engaging lessons for children. You’ll teach through play, design posters and flashcards, and attend workshops to learn about the Mexican educational system.

Stretching from the Andes Mountains to the vast Pampas, Argentina is one of South America’s most diverse countries. Whether you want modern city life or access to untamed wilderness, Argentina has it all. This also makes it a great place to do voluntary work. There is so much good you can do, whether caring for young children or protecting the world’s largest mammals.

We recommend:

• Conservation: You’ll be based in the incredible “La Esperanza” wildlife refuge on the stunning Patagonian coast. Here, you’ll work to monitor and protect some of Argentina’s most amazing animals, including whales and pumas. You’ll also survey other unique wildlife, such as guanacos (related to llamas) and sea lions.
  
  
• Childcare: Based in Cordoba, volunteering with children is a great way to explore Argentina while helping those in need. From numeracy to sport, you’ll help ease the pressure on teachers working in overcrowded schools. You can also choose to take care of children with disabilities. You’ll help them with daily activities like meal times and exercise.

Situated in East Africa, Kenya beckons adventurers with its sweeping savannas, lush forests, and the majestic Rift Valley.

Beyond its natural wonders, visitors to Kenya can discover its wide variety of tribes, such as the Maasai. It’s a popular safari destination but also attracts volunteers looking to work abroad.

We’re based in Nanyuki, which is around 200 km (125 miles) north of the capital, Nairobi. It offers a more relaxed, rural way of life. Located on the equator, this is a unique opportunity to support communities and wildlife in Kenya.

We recommend:

• Conservation: Help protect some of the world’s greatest mammals, including giraffes and lions. These majestic creatures are vulnerable to poaching, climate change, and the encroachment of human civilization. By maintaining waterholes, setting camera traps, and removing invasive species, you can help protect this biodiversity.
  
  
• Childcare: Schools in Kenya are often understaffed, meaning children aren’t developing at the rate they might elsewhere. By volunteering with children in Kenya, you can help ease the pressure on local teachers. You can also work with children who have special needs, helping give them a fair chance in life.
  
  And you won’t miss out on seeing wildlife – spend your weekend on an unforgettable safari adventure!

When you think of Africa’s stunning scenery and wonderful wildlife, you’re probably thinking of Tanzania. Located on the east coast of Africa, Tanzania boasts the iconic Serengeti plains, the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, and the pristine beaches of Zanzibar. 

Although it’s a warm and hospitable country, it’s also a place where access to education is limited. Schools are often overcrowded, which is why it’s a hotspot for volunteer in Africa programs.

We recommend:

• Childcare: You’ll work with a small group of children, ensuring every child gets the attention they need. Your job is to make the children of Tanzania excited to build skills that will set them up for a successful future.
  
  You’ll be based in Arusha, giving you a taste of city life in Tanzania. At the same time, Arusha sits on the borders of Mount Meru, the Serengeti National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. On the weekend, explore some of Africa’s most spectacular scenery and spot its iconic wildlife.

Botswana is a vast and unspoiled landscape, boasting the breathtaking Okavango Delta and the alluring Kalahari Desert. It’s a haven for anyone interested in volunteering with animals. You’ll enjoy a rustic and stripped-back existence, connecting with Mother Earth as well as the people of Botswana.

We recommend:

• Conservation: Travel deep into the wilderness to help protect Africa’s Big 5: elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and buffalo. Staying in an authentic lodge, you’ll mostly work with elephants. You’ll help provide these gentle and intelligent animals with a safe place to roam. Through anti-poaching patrols, wildlife surveys, and building waterholes, your volunteer work with animals in Africa will make a lasting difference.

Nepal is no doubt one of the world’s most unique and awe-inspiring countries. From the Himalayan peaks to Chitwan National Park, it has long attracted the world’s most intrepid explorers. You can choose between protecting wildlife among Nepal’s spectacular scenery or caring for children in its colorful cities.

We recommend:

• Conservation: Living in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, you’ll observe and help protect rhinos in Nepal’s flourishing forests. Your days will be spent on wildlife safaris, conducting bird surveys, and setting camera traps to spot Bengal tigers.
  
  
• Childcare: You can choose to work in either Kathmandu or Chitwan, two of Nepal’s most endearing cities. Wherever you do volunteer work, you’ll be immersed in the Nepali way of life. You’ll leave a lasting impact on children, whether you work in a school, a center for malnourished children, or a center for children with special needs.
  
  In your free time, you can pay your respects at temples or hike in the Himalayas.

An archipelago of over 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is an idyllic tourist hotspot. It’s also a country where volunteer work is vital due to enduring poverty in disadvantaged communities. This is your chance to embrace a life-changing island adventure while leaving a positive impact on the people you meet.

We recommend:

• Childcare: Get ready for some serious island hopping as you do volunteer work in Bogo City. The city is located in Cebu Province, which consists of one main island and 167 surrounding islets. You’ll teach literacy and counting skills to young children. Your main focus will be on creative learning as you find innovative ways to engage the children. You can also provide personalized support to children with special needs, a service that is hard to come by in the Philippines.
  
  On weekends, you can explore and relax in these tranquil surroundings. Consider scuba diving to experience the colorful wonders that exist below the water.

The archetypal backpacking destination for everyone from gap year teens to retirees, Thailand is one of Asia’s most beautiful countries. Known for its islands, it’s home to one of the world’s most diverse marine environments. If you’re someone who deeply cares about the health of our oceans, then volunteering with animals in Thailand may be for you.

We recommend:

• Conservation: This unique Marine Conservation experience is a chance to help protect Thailand’s crucial coral reefs. At the same time, you’ll gain a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) diving certification, which could open up new careers.
  
  This project involves staying in a hotel on Koh Tao Island, from which you’ll do volunteer work in this serene and picturesque setting.

A land of raw and expansive rugged beauty, Mongolia is one of Earth’s most untouched landscapes. Here, you can live and work with nomads on the vast Mongolian steppe. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a dying nomadic lifestyle. Or stay in the thriving city of Ulaanbaatar to help improve the life chances of local children.

We recommend:

• Childcare: Mongolia is a forward-thinking and ambitious country, but many children enter the world of work lacking the skills needed to succeed. You’ll be based at either a kindergarten, a daycare center, or a school for children with special needs. Your job will be to improve the learning environment and help children become confident at reading and counting.
  
  It’s not far from the city to the remote wilderness, where you can roam the steppe on horseback. Don’t forget to visit the famous statue of Genghis Khan, the world’s tallest equestrian statue.

Europe may not be the first place you think of when looking for volunteer abroad opportunities. However, many regions remain underdeveloped and are welcoming to hardworking volunteers.

Located in Eastern Europe, Romania is one of Europe’s most vast and beautiful landscapes. Working from a city like Brasov, you’ll have the chance to explore vampire folklore, fairytale castles, endless Transylvanian mountains, and incredible wildlife like brown bears.

We recommend:

• Childcare: You’ll stay in the exquisitely-preserved medieval city of Brasov, traveling to a small nearby village to provide support where it is most needed. This may be in a school or kindergarten but could also be in a centre for people with mental and physical disabilities. You’ll create games to make learning fun, improve English skills, and give children a chance to thrive in the emerging Romanian economy.
  
  In your free time, you could hike in the mountains, observe bears at the Libearty Sanctuary, or pay a visit to Dracula’s castle in Bran.