If you are passionate about wildlife, working as a volunteer with animals is an excellent option for a gap year or career break. When you volunteer with animals you will gain ‘hands on' experience of caring for some of the world's most beautiful creatures on a daily basis. More importantly, of course, by working as a volunteer with animals you will also be doing your bit in the ongoing fight to save some of the planet's most unique species from maltreatment - or even extinction.
If you would like to volunteer with animals on a gap year or career break we have a diverse range of extremely rewarding wildlife conservation projects throughout the world. Which ‘Volunteer with animals' programme you choose will obviously depend on what type of animals most interest you and where you would most like to be based. The best source of information for exploring all of the options for working as a volunteer with animals is the website - which contains detailed information on all of our programmes. Alternatively, if you would prefer to discuss opportunities to volunteer with animals with someone in person, you can also call one of GYFGU's expert travel advisers. However, in order to provide some initial inspiration and get you thinking, our ‘Volunteer with animals' page provides examples of just a fraction of the incredible volunteer projects with animals you could get involved with.
Volunteer with animals - Africa
Perhaps not surprisingly the most popular career break travel destination for working as a volunteer with animal conservation is Africa. Africa is home to some of the most amazing wildlife on the planet - and we have a wide choice of programmes throughout the continent which enable you to volunteer with animals. For example you could volunteer with animals in Africa by working on a WWF endorsed black rhino project in Zimbabwe, a desert elephant project in Namibia or a lion project in Kenya's world renowned Maasai Mara game reserve.
Volunteer with animals - Latin America
Another superb destination in which to volunteer with animals on a gap year or career break is Latin America. Latin America has an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna and this is reflected in the number of exciting opportunities there are to volunteer with animals in the region. For example you could volunteer with animals in Latin America by working on a river turtle project in the jungles of the Peruvian Amazon, a caiman project in Guatemala or a giant tortoise project on the Galapagos Islands.
Volunteer with animals - Asia
If you are planning to visit Asia there is also plenty of opportunity to volunteer with animals. For example one of Gap Year for Grown Ups most rewarding and exciting programmes is our orang-utan conservation project on the remote island of Borneo.
A never-to-be forgotten cruise on a tall ship around the Great Barrier Reef, with the chance to snorkel, swim and discover the area. Learn the basics of sailing or just relax and soak up the sun.
Family Friendly! Train to be a real life Australian cowboy (or cowgirl) and experience life on a ranch in the Australian outback. You’ll be taught the fine art of Australian farming and traditional ranch skills.
Family Friendly! Live the life of a cowboy or cowgirl, riding the lush lands of rural New Zealand. Explore Auckland before improving your riding skills, getting to know the sheep and trying your hand at lassoing. Great fun!
Learn to sail, in paradise. Start from scratch or build on what you know to gain one of three certificates. Hands-on experience, expert theory tuition and onboard accommodation make for a comprehensive programme.
Family Friendly!
The Nullarbor Desert Experience is a once in a lifetime trip; it expertly combines the outback, the desert, whale-watching, ranges, wildlife, art, wineries, national parks, and the saltbush together with experiencing the true Aussie way of life.
This Martial Arts Academy offers one of the best environments around the globe to be trained in this historic martial art. Situated at the foot of the Mountains of the Fujian Province, South East China, you will study directly from some of the best Masters to be found in China.
The Olympics was a fantastic showcase for China. Now people from all over the world are heading East to discover the delights of this incredibly diverse country. Our four-week programme gives you the perfect opportunity to experience real life China in amongst the amazing peaked scenery of Guilin county. You will spend time learning the language and getting to know the Chinese culture as well as spending time helping to develop the community.
Live the outdoor life and pick up the skills needed to work on a ranch. Learn to muster, horse ride and more. Take a paid job and work on a ranch afterwards or just learn for fun!
This programme deals with the rehabilitation and care of abused horses in the Wild Coast area of South Africa, and is a must for anyone who really loves horses. You will ride on trails through the dramatic scenery of the Wild Coast, passing through beach lagoons and lush green game reserves.
Located in the Borneo jungle, volunteers live and work alongside native communities, playing an integral part in aiding the development of the area whilst retaining traditional ways of life. Time will be spent working in village schools both teaching, and helping with refurbishments.
The project is situated at the foot of the Drakensberg Mountains to the west of the renowned Kruger National Park. The emphasis is in offering the students a unique bush experience on horseback, walking and driving, where attention is paid not only to the animals, but also to all aspects of local ecology. Volunteers complete an informal course to learn all about conservation in Africa.
Watch the wonderful effects of this invaluable therapy as you work with disabled children, helping them to build up their confidence and to get fitter and healthier. This project is ideal for lovers of horses and children and is especially valuable in a country like Venezuela due to the limited resources that disabled children have access to.
Master the basics of rock climbing above a truly spectacular city. Learn the ropes(!), and in your free time, relax on the beach or explore Rio de Janeiro’s many other attractions.
A chance to try some new sports. Learn to surf and kite surf, go white water rafting and take a forest canopy tour. A sunset cruise and Spanish lessons make for the perfect short adventure!
Take a behind-the-scenes look at Thailand with one of three tours. Learn about the country’s language and culture, work with elephants and train as a mahout or help out in an orphanage or school.
Discover why so many people love Bolivia. Take Spanish lessons and learn to salsa, do some valuable volunteer work with children or animals, visit the highest city in the world, meet the indigenous Tacana people and lots more.
See a stunning country from all angles. Trek through national parks, take a Spanish language course, go white water rafting, meet local craftspeople, climb a (safe!) volcano, help with a community project – and relax on the beach!
Grand Canyon exploration has never been so easy! Ride the Colorado River on specialised motorised rafts (making this 8-day trip suitable for all fitness levels) through one of the greatest natural sites in the USA.
Whet your appetite for Indochina with glimpses of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Take in temples, monuments, markets and bays with trips Angor Wat, Phnom Penh, Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi and more.
The Ultimate South African adventure! Tour South Africa’s world famous Kruger NP, work on projects with underprivileged communities in Swaziland and flop on an Indian Ocean beach and relax in Mozambique.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live the life of a real-life cowboy? Then you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic western experience.
Walk with lions and work with rhinos on a programme that gives you an unforgettable taste of Africa. You’ll get an incredible insight into their lives, and you’ll take part in vital conservation work to save them from extinction. Learning bush survival skills, paddling down the mighty Zambezi River and seeing the even mightier Victoria Falls make for some wonderful memories, not to mention glorious photos! This is a rewarding programme that benefits an amazing country.
Embark on an unforgettable winter adventure to Canada, as you learn the skills to look after your own team of traditional huskies and explore survival, rescue and wilderness first aid.
Feel a huge sense of achievement after trekking to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain - the effort is most definitely worth it! Top it off with a jungle safari and a volunteer placement in a Nepalese village.
The Trans-Siberian Railway is the original and classic great railway adventure from St Petersburg to Beijing, crossing 10 time zones and covering more than 7800km. It is the world’s longest train route and is a unique way to see Russia, Mongolia and China on a career break.
Discover why so many travellers love this part of the world! Volunteer in India, spend eight weeks in Thailand and work with the wildlife in Malaysia. You’ll get to see things many people miss.
Spend 5 months or more on an amazing gap year in Latin America. This programme provides all the structure you need, with lots of activities including Spanish lessons, volunteering with wildlife or disadvantaged street children.
On this popular round the world trip, we combine travelling with a number of rewarding volunteer placements in 4 continents. Starting in South Africa you will experience the diverse cultures and landscapes of South Africa - India – Thailand – Australia – New Zealand – USA.
In this well structured complete round the world trip, spend up to an entire year travelling, volunteering, learning and exploring 4 continents. An amazing trip taking you to South Africa – India – Thailand – Malaysia – Australia - New Zealand – Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands.
After redundancy, Sally decided to see the world. She enjoyed our South Africa Wildlife Course so much that within 48 hours of arriving back in the UK she booked onto the Malaysia Orangutan Experience and the Thai Adventure! Read more..
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