On an ecotourism holiday with Projects Abroad, you’ll commit to a form of travel that benefits local people and the environment. Combine your passion for nature and travel, and do something to support our world!
With us, it’s not just a holiday; it’s a chance to take a responsible holiday. It's an opportunity to support long-term, positive change in endangered environments globally. You’ll holiday with us, but also work towards clearing beaches of litter and plastic pollution, for example. Or you’ll study the Big 5 in Botswana and monitor their activities. Much can be done!
A responsible holiday with Projects Abroad means that:
- You’ll work on a project that has real evidence of impact.
- You’re supported by local teams, and placed in safe, well-researched projects.
- When you leave your project, there is a plan in place to make sure the project continues sustainably. We use management plans as a way to focus on meaningful and long-term goals.
- Any skills or experience that you have will be matched to your project work.
On a personal level, you’ll discover what you’re capable of, and see the real positive impact that one person can make for our planet.
Choose a Project
1-3 of 9 Projects
Giant Tortoise & Sea Lion Conservation in the Galapagos Islands
See this project- Price: £1,745 for 1 week
- Extra Weeks: £305
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Duration: 1 week
- Age: 16 or over
Giraffe & Lion Conservation in Kenya
See this project- Price: £1,745 for 1 week
- Extra Weeks: £365
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Duration: 1 week
- Age: 16 or over
Shark Conservation Volunteering in Fiji
See this project- Price: £2,550 for 2 weeks
- Extra Weeks: £405
- Start Date: Anytime
- Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
- Age: 16 or over
Can't find what you're looking for?
We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom ecotourism holiday for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re well placed to answer your questions, big or small.
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Request InfoWhat is ecotourism, and why is it important?
Ecotourism is a way to travel around the world while caring for the environment.
A perfect example of this is travelling to Mexico and learning how to help save sea turtles from plastic pollution. Whichever project you choose, you’ll meet local people who work hard to save our environment and you’ll assist them with invaluable conservation efforts.
You’ll learn more about the natural environment in a way that’s only possible as a volunteer. For example, in the Galapagos Islands:
- You’ll travel and learn about the unique wildlife and plant species by working with them directly.
- You’ll become part of ongoing efforts to protect the Galapagos, before we lose the indigenous species forever.
We’re the only organisation permitted to work within the Galapagos National Park. It’s impossible to do this as a tourist!
Ecotourism is also a source of sustainable economic growth for many countries. In countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico, tourism is a major boost for the economy and provides jobs for local people. Eco holidays aren’t just about protecting and preserving wildlife and environments. It’s also about sustaining communities. It helps:
- Promote and preserve traditions
- Support locally produced food and goods
- Give insight, as people learn more about each other and the dangers of stereotyping
Our responsible holiday projects are appropriate for anyone aged 16 years and older, with certain projects even specifically designed for the various age groups. We have projects for:
- High school students
- University students
- Career breakers and retirees
- Customised trips for groups
- Families who are looking to volunteer abroad together
There’s something for everyone to get involved in.
What can I do?
You’ll be actively involved in protecting the environment on an ecotourism holiday. This might be to save sea turtles from being wiped out in Mexico or replanting trees destroyed by loggers in the Amazon Rainforest. You can expect to:
- Experience nature and all it has to offer, without harming it
- Learn how our precious eco-systems work
- Work on a programme focused on solving a particular problem in a specific place. An example of this is by helping collect data on sharks in Fiji and contribute to scientific research that makes sure they stay off of the critically endangered species list.
We’ve selected a few of our favourite eco holidays:
- Do scientific research and shark conservation when you go diving in Fiji
- Protect endangered sea turtles on black-sand beaches in Mexico
- Assist with wildlife research and animal rehabilitation on an ecotourism holiday in the Amazon rainforest
- Help conserve elephants, study biodiversity, and maintain our reserve in Botswana
- Protect the Rothschild Giraffe in the Kenyan savannah
- Live with a Mongolian nomad family
- Learn about the Khmer culture in Cambodia
Minimising the human impact on local ecosystems is possible by taking a responsible holiday. And in the process, you’ll get to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world and leave behind a positive footprint!
When can I get involved with an ecotourism holiday?
The choice is up to you. Our projects run year-round, no matter how many volunteers we have. That means you can choose your own start and end dates.
Even if you're only able to join us for a short time, we've planned our projects so that you'll still be part of something that's making long-term, meaningful change. It’s not a quick fix.
Most of our projects have a minimum duration of two weeks, but you can volunteer for as long as you like. Our volunteers usually take the weather in their chosen country into consideration when choosing what time of year to participate.
Another consideration is school holidays and leave from work. Summer is our busiest and most popular time of year to get involved, but people also sign up for the Christmas holidays too.
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