From the black-sand beaches of the Pacific Coast to the mist forests of the mountainous interior, you’ll be surrounded by exotic animals found nowhere else on Earth. And on this trip, you’ll contribute to the education of disadvantaged children calling this country home. 

Thailand – home to tropical jungles filled with exotic wildlife, tropical beaches lined with palm trees, and a steady flow of curious travellers looking for adventure. And on this trip, you’ll contribute to the rehabilitation of elephants rescued from illegal trade and poachers.  

Discover the top sights and hidden delights on the southern tip of Africa! Explore the centre of cosmopolitan life in Africa – Cape Town. All while giving disadvantaged kids hope for the future through early childhood education and community care. 

You’ll track herds of wild animals as they roam the African bush. You’re ticking the famous ‘Big 5’ off your list.

Costa Rica is full of unique animals found nowhere else on Earth!

From the jungle canopies with lazy sloths and colourful toucans to the incredible beaches which are vital nesting sites for a variety of sea turtles, Costa Rica puts nature first with almost 30% of the country being designated national park. 

Ever dreamed of living in a Studio Ghibli film – with cats? Then volunteering at a cat shelter in Kyoto is the perfect trip for you. 

Kyoto – the imperial capital of Japan for over 1000 years – is like stepping into a movie set. 

The ancient architecture is preserved. Geishas glide through quiet streets.

Dive training – Your first 6–10 days (depending on your diving level) is all about training. For newbies, you’ll get your SSI Open Water certificate so you’re qualified to dive around the world. Already qualified?

Your first week will be spent completing an additional level of certification, such as a Marine Ecology course to further your education. 

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities for seniors, retirees or mature volunteers? Whether you’re a well seasoned explorer or a first time traveller, volunteering abroad with International Volunteer HQ provides a meaningful and rewarding way to experience a new country and culture.

As an older volunteer, you can make a real difference.

Not only are they the smallest bear in the world, they’re also right up there for the cutest-bear-ever prize. But, unfortunately, they’re under threat. And you can help. 

This trip is all about contributing directly to the rehabilitation of sun bears, the conservation of their habitat, and educating people about how to help these vulnerable animals. 

Can you picture it? You’re staying in the foothills of the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Waking up each morning with a view of the famous landmark on your doorstep is one of the many unexpected bonuses of your trip. 

You’re spending your days making a difference in the community – planting trees, helping create sustainable and eco-friendly products, and educating the local community. 

India – where life is bursting at the seams. 

An entire universe in one country – where each region is so different from the next that they could be on another planet from one another! 

A history of ancient religions and mystical gurus have smashed up against the modern world in one of the fastest growing economies in the world. 

South Africa is known for big animals in wide open spaces. But it’s often the smaller critters that will steal your heart. On this trip you'll be helping injured and orphaned vervet monkeys as you nurse them back to their best selves. While living in one of the wilder corners of South Africa surrounded by national parks and dramatic landscapes. 

Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person. 

India has been a magnet for pilgrims, holy people, and adventurous travellers for centuries. The sub-continent is a kaleidoscope of different cultures and the beliefs, cuisines, and celebrations that come with them. The energy bubbling to the surface in India will sweep you off your feet and force you to fall in love with the country like many travellers before you.  

Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place.

How does living amongst wild animals in South Africa – in their territory – while becoming a qualified field guide sound to you? 

Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person. 

On this all-inclusive volunteer trip, not only do you get to live and volunteer in a 6000-hectare private game reserve while training to become a game ranger.

Thailand has been a mecca for adventurous travellers for decades. Home to infamous Full Moon Parties, tropical beaches and jungles, and an amazing climate all year round. And on this trip you’ll make a real difference to the adorable street dogs of Thailand. 

You spent the morning on a food run with your fellow volunteers feeding the countless canine hungry mouths in the community surrounded by wagging tails.

Tanzania – one of the safari capitals of the world. Home to vast herds of migrating African animals and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.

You’ve spent the day helping an organisation empower local women in the area. While you’re helping out, you’re learning unbelievable life lessons from the community. Tomorrow you’re going to help teach at a school for disadvantaged children. You can’t wait to be greeted by the smiling children and to learn the lessons they have to teach you about life. 

Nepal – home to the highest mountain on the planet, sacred traditions dating back centuries, and some of the most committed mountaineers you’ll ever meet. On this trip, you’ll be helping out with community projects in this remote corner of Earth. 

Choose between women’s empowerment, teaching, childcare, and orphanage care. 

You spend your days fully immersed in the Nepalese community as you help with community projects around child care, education, and women empowerment. 

If there’s one place in the world that’s truly unique, it’s the Galapagos Islands. Teeming with animals found nowhere else on Earth – like giant tortoises, Galapagos penguins, and marine iguanas. And on this trip, you’ll contribute to important causes including education, personal development, and conservation. 

You’ve spent the morning planting trees in a community reforestation project while other volunteers teach some English. You’re looking forward to the afternoon, where you’ll join some teenagers on a soccer pitch.

Zanzibar – an enchanting paradise that's often overlooked, but rivals the beauty of the world’s most famous destinations!

Step off the beaten path and discover this idyllic Indian Ocean island, where crystal-clear waters, swaying palm trees, and pristine white sands meet a rich blend of African, Indian, and Arab cultures.

You’ve become part of the community as you help out with your volunteer duties. You didn’t expect to be so welcomed by a group of strangers.

Mount Kilimanjaro: Africa's highest peak and the world's largest freestanding mountain, sets the stage for a diverse landscape in its foothills—a fusion of indigenous cultures, modern influences, and untamed wildlife roaming freely.

This trip combines two vital volunteer focuses: environmental conservation and community empowerment. Your efforts will support ongoing initiatives led by passionate locals who welcome the help of volunteers like you.

Your daily tasks could range from planting trees in the community to assisting local women in developing their handicraft businesses.

Nepal – home to the highest mountain on the planet and some of the most committed mountaineers you’ll ever meet. And what better way to explore this remote corner of the Earth than on a multi-day hike through the Himalayas, teaching locals in far-flung villages how to speak English along the way?  

You’ve spent the day hiking along one of the highest mountain ranges on Earth. The terrain is steep and challenging. But the vistas across this rugged landscape make everything worth it. Besides, once you get to the end of your trek, you’ll get to live amongst the locals while you help educate the children. 

Neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand have been on the tourist radar for decades – making them busy and developed with plenty of tourist infrastructure. 

Laos, on the other hand, is less developed and more wild – the perfect place for an adventurous traveller to get a taste of the real South East Asia. 

On this trip, you’ll have a huge impact on the wild animals of Laos as you live and volunteer in this tropical paradise.

our days will be spent helping rehabilitate wild animals rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. Many of these animals go on to be re-released into the wild.

From the jungle canopies with lazy sloths and colourful toucans to the incredible beaches which are vital nesting sites for a variety of sea turtles, Costa Rica puts nature first with almost 30% of the country being designated national park. 

Now you can get involved in both the jungle and the ocean in one epic trip:

Help rehabilitate injured forest animals

Aid in the impressive nesting phenomenon of turtles.

The reason: the people are unbelievably friendly, laid back, and ready to help. The official language is English. And the low crime rate is a result of a stable democracy which is turning Ghana into a travel hotspot in West Africa. 

Rich culture, delicious cuisine, endless natural landscapes, and fascinating historical sites hinting at the power of the Empire of Ashanti. 

You'll have the option to assist with either teaching or football coaching, contributing to valuable projects in the heart of Ghana’s capital, Accra. 

Immersing yourself in a cause you care about and making a real difference is truly rewarding—that’s what this trip is all about! 

You’ll be placed at either an assisted living facility for the elderly or a special school for children with disabilities. 

You’ll be helping to improve the quality of life for the elderly or providing love and care for children with disabilities – both selfless causes that help some of the most vulnerable people in our society. 

Sri Lanka – a lively island-nation dripping off the subcontinent of India – is rich in culture, bursting with flavour, and full of diverse natural landscapes. 

On this trip, you’ll have a positive impact on wild elephants and their animal buddies while you’re surrounded by vast natural landscapes in rural Sri Lanka. 

You’ll spend your days monitoring, recording, and helping where necessary in three main objectives: elephant research, bird & butterfly research, and a carnivore study. 

Discover the top sights and hidden delights on the southern tip of Africa! Explore the centre of cosmopolitan life in Africa – Cape Town – before hitting the road to unearth hidden treasures on an African road trip adventure for the books! 

Experience canoeing through Wilderness National Park, a small-group safari in a private game reserve, a bush walk in the reserve, and exploring the famous Cango Caves! All along the famous Garden Route of South Africa. 

Nicaragua, once considered a no-go zone for tourists, has emerged as a flourishing destination in the tourism industry after a period of instability.

As a hidden gem in Central America, you can explore its beauty without battling crowds of tourists!

And what a destination it is: the largest country in Central America, with coastlines on two oceans, home to the largest freshwater lake in Central America (complete with rustic islands to visit), and nearly a fifth of the land designated as nature reserves.

The coastal desert hugging the coastline is the oldest in the world, littered with shipwrecks, abandoned diamond mines, and rugged animals that have adapted to the harsh climate. The sand dunes here are the highest in the world, giving adrenaline junkies the chance to swap out your snowboard for a sandboard as you send it down the dunes in this novel extreme sport. 

On this trip, you’ll be helping wild, roaming herds of elephants and local farmers set up the necessary infrastructure so that farmers and elephants can live in peace together. 

Venture off into the rugged Eastern Cape wilderness as you volunteer at a premier game reserve in South Africa. Get involved in community and wildlife projects in one of the wildest locations imaginable. 

You’re living near and volunteering on a game reserve in rural South Africa. Being so close to roaming wild animals gives you a totally new appreciation for the natural world. 

You spend your days working closely with the community as you help them overcome their problems while rewilding a beautiful part of the world. 

Nepal – home to the highest mountain on the planet, sacred traditions dating back centuries, and some of the most committed mountaineers you’ll ever meet. On this trip, you’ll be contributing to a dog and farm animal rescue sanctuary just outside Kathmandu. 

You spend your days helping injured and traumatised animals in need just outside Kathmandu. 

Some animals will be in bad shape after suffering severe neglect or being rescued from a slaughterhouse. And YOU will be part of the team that gives these animals a second shot at life – this time with plenty of love and care. 

The Amazon Rainforest – biodiversity hotspot, keeper of ancient secrets, and lung of the Earth. This critical biome is under threat, and YOU can help. On this trip you’ll volunteer at an animal shelter for injured animals of the Amazon. You’ll also get to live and work in this incredible location while contributing to its conservation.  

Your days are spent up close and personal with a bunch of exotic animals from the Amazon. Not only are you keeping them comfortable and happy while they recover, you’re also contributing to the conservation of one of the most important wild spaces left on our planet. 

Cape Town is currently basking in the spotlight, earning multiple 'Best City in the World' awards.

There are plenty of small, personality-filled towns and villages surrounding the cosmopolitan capital of Africa, just waiting to be explored? 

On this trip you’ll become a local in Muizenberg – a charming little surf town 30 minutes from the Cape Town city centre. 

You’ll help local children gain confidence in the ocean. All while creating bonds and setting an example that creates hope for the future. And by the time you’re done, you’ll know how to surf, too, or be an even better surf pro than when you started!

Imagine yourself in the heart of South Africa, where vast landscapes teem with wildlife, and every moment brings a new adventure. The mighty rhinoceros is at risk of extinction, driven dangerously close by poachers seeking to profit from its valuable horns.

On this volunteer trip, you’ll have the chance to be at the forefront of animal rehabilitation and protection, working alongside experts dedicated to preserving Africa's incredible biodiversity and protecting these mighty yet vulnerable creatures. 

Guatemala, nestled in the lush jungles and active volcanoes of Central America, is an animal lover's paradise.

Birds like the Resplendent Quetzal and Ocellated Turkey share the jungles with big cats like jaguars and cougars, just as they have since the powerful Mayan civilisation ruled this part of the world.

On this done-for-you volunteer trip, you’ll get everything you need to help out in the lives of exotic animals while living in Antigua.

The Bornean Rainforest – one of those mysteriously magical places straight out of your favourite fantasy novel. 

Unfortunately, even the mighty jungle in wild places like Malaysian Borneo are under threat due to diminishing and fragmented habitats – threatening creatures like the orangutan and pygmy elephant in the process. 

This trip is all about contributing directly to the conservation of the diverse flora and fauna in the wild forests of Malaysia.