Travel for Environmental Volunteers: See the World and Make a Difference

Want to travel with purpose this summer? Further Travel's range of volunteer programs offers full itineraries that focus on sustainability, travelling with care, and giving back to the places you visit. We connect students and young travellers to places that need environmental volunteers through our life-changing programs.

In this article, we’ll cover:

1. How To Get Started as an Environmental Volunteer
2. How To Find the Right Travel Program for Eco Volunteers
3. How to Work With Further Travel to Become an Environmental Volunteer

Working as an environmental volunteer with Further Travel is a rewarding way to see the world and participate in meaningful action. Create an impact as you immerse yourself in new cultures and build life-long friendships along the way. Let’s look at how you can get started on your eco-volunteer journey.

How to Get Started as an Environmental Travel Volunteer

Becoming an environmental volunteer allows you to travel with purpose to beautiful places where you can make a difference. It’s an enriching experience that builds your confidence and an impressive environmentalist resume. So, how do you get started?

With so many different ways to assist conservation efforts, it can be hard to decide which program suits your needs best. Many environmental volunteers feel daunted by the number of options they have available. Understanding what motivates you the most as an eco-volunteer can help give you direction. 

Some questions to ask yourself include:

• What kind of difference do I want to make?
• What are my goals as an environmental volunteer?
• Who (or what) do I want to help?

What Kind of Difference Do You Want To Make as an Environmental Travel Volunteer?

You can make the most of your Further Travel volunteer experience by taking into account your personal values and the work you see as the most impactful. When it comes to eco-volunteering, it’s important to understand the impact you want to make. Further Travel’s diverse volunteer programs offer a variety of options for environmental volunteers. 

Your interest in environmental volunteering may be influenced by your personal passions. For nature lovers, an environmental conservation program like Camp Maldives will allow you to make a difference by cleaning up polluted beaches. If you love animals, our South African Animal Conservation Camp is a rewarding opportunity for you to work in animal rehabilitation centres. In order to help you decide which program is right for you, consider asking yourself these questions:

1. What kind of environmental issues matter to me?
2. What skills do I bring to a volunteer program?
3. What kind of work makes me feel most useful?

Identifying your skills is another great way to decide how you’d like to make an impact. If you enjoy working with people and love to teach, signing up for one of our many teaching and community focused programs is a great way to use your people skills. 

The program you sign up for should make you feel as though you’re making a difference. Your commitment to volunteering involves teamwork and action. Get the most out of your experience by ensuring you choose a program that has activities that give you a sense of purpose. When you are clear on the kind of impact you want to make, Further Travel can help you find places that need passionate eco-volunteers.

Where Will You Make an Impact?

Deciding where you want to visit also helps you find the best travel abroad programs that suit your needs. Further Travel's exciting options allow you to explore new places across South Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Our trips provide a variety of activities that make the most of your travel time, ensuring you have an exciting adventure and impactful volunteering experience. Let’s explore the different places our volunteers visit and the exciting opportunities we offer. 

Bali

Our 10 to 20-day programs in Bali offer travellers exciting opportunities to explore Legian, Ubud, Lombok, Gili T Island, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to volunteer in local communities, teach in local schools, and visit turtle conservation centres. Our longer Bali trips offer free 30-hour teaching young learners qualifications to help you get the most out of your volunteering experience. 

Some bucket list activities from our Bali itineraries include: 

• Visiting Lempuyang Temple
• Touring Lombok Waterfall
• Surfing Kuta Beach 

The Maldives

Spend 16 days in the Maldives, where you’ll engage in beach conservation efforts, explore several islands, and get to know true Maldivian culture. You’ll experience more than just sandy white beaches. Experience an in-depth itinerary that gets you working with the locals. Assist in preserving the natural beauty of the islands and explore the thriving cities the Maldives has to offer.

Some bucket list activities from our Maldives itinerary include: 

• Paddle boarding and kayaking
• Cooking classes
• Island hopping

Thailand

As the number of tourists in Thailand has increased, so has the need for impactful volunteers. Spend anywhere from 12 to 21 days in Thailand as you visit elephant sanctuaries, volunteer in local communities, teach in local schools, and visit national parks. Our range of Thailand trips offers immersive opportunities for eco volunteers and informative activities that support sustainability efforts. Visit Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Phuket, and more. Similar to Bali, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a 30-hour teaching young learners qualification so you can teach in Thai schools.

Some bucket list activities from our Thailand itineraries include: 

• Visiting Emerald Pool
• Temple tours
• Visiting Erawan Waterfall

South Africa

Spend up to 5 weeks in South Africa where you’ll be teaching local kids English, working in an animal rehabilitation centre, and coaching sports in local communities. Immerse yourself in South African culture, and get up close and personal with the local wildlife. Explore Port Elizabeth, Jeffrey’s Bay and more. Our South Africa trips are a fulfilling way to give back to the community and get to know the locals.

Some bucket list activities from our South Africa itineraries include: 

• Visiting Elephant Addo National Park
• Safari Rides
• Seeing Africa's Big 5 at a Private Game Reserve

No matter which location you choose, Further Travel’s commitment to our 4 Pillars will ensure you’ll have fun and create a positive impact during your trip. We’re dedicated to providing travel experiences that make a difference, offer immersive cultural experiences, and help you grow as an eco-volunteer!

What Are the Benefits of Becoming an Eco-Volunteer?

Becoming an eco-volunteer has innumerable benefits. In addition to travelling with a purpose, you’re exposed to a range of rich and diverse cultures through community-based activities. It’s more than just taking environmental action: your eco-volunteer journey encourages you to deepen your knowledge of different cultures. Get to outside of your comfort zone and be confident in your ability to make a difference.

Youth volunteer travel programs are more than just a holiday. You have the opportunity to build lasting connections with locals and fellow volunteers. You’ll create lifelong memories and strong friendships in the process. Connecting with like-minded people as you explore new places is an enriching way to create bonds with other environmental volunteers, building yourself a network of people who share your passion for conservation, sustainability, and community projects. 

Find the Right Travel Program for Eco-Volunteers

Now that you have a clear idea of the kind of impact you want to make and where you’d like to go, it’s time to figure out which travel program suits you best. Each program has its own unique benefits, so it’s important to understand which offers you the most value. 

Further Travel offers volunteer programs that assist with:

1. Environmental Conservation
2. Animal Conservation
3. Community Programs

Let’s break down the different types of programs Further Travel has to offer and figure out which one is the right travel program for you.

Environmental Conservation Programs

Programs that focus on environmental conservation offer hands-on activities that get volunteers' hands dirty—in a good way! While Further Travel always encourages travellers to be environmentally friendly, our volunteer programs that focus on environmental conservation truly make a difference to the areas you visit. Environmental conservation programs provide activities that focus on action. Day-to-day activities revolve around eco-conscious tasks. 

Further Travel's Environmental Program volunteers participate in:

• Beach cleans
• Tree planting
• Reef conservation efforts

Further Travel's Vietnam & Cambodia Camp prioritizes a beach clean and an eco-green trip from Cam Thanh village as part of the 20-day itinerary. Volunteers pick up trash along the beaches of Hoi An to help mitigate ocean pollution. 

Camp Maldives focuses on many ways to assist environmental conservation. During this 16-day trip, volunteers work with nonprofit organisations and local community groups across the Maldives to provide manual assistance in environmental conservation efforts. 

Further Travel’s eco-volunteers work with Save the Beach on the island of Vilimalé to:

• Conduct reef surveys
• Clean coral frames
• Plant coral
• Assess coral health and keep updates via online database

In addition to working with Save the Beach, volunteers plant coconut palms and assist with more beach cleaning projects as you explore other islands of the Maldives. 

Environmental conservation offers you an opportunity to invest your energy in creating a positive impact that is good for the planet. For volunteers who deeply value restoring natural spaces and preserving the earth’s resources, an environmental conservation program is the best way to make a difference while travelling to beautiful destinations.

Animal Conservation Programs

If you’re someone who has a passion for animal welfare and rehabilitation, an animal conservation program is perfect for you. With so many animals under the threat of extinction, animal conservation work is crucial, and Further Travel has plenty of options for volunteers who are passionate about conserving wildlife. 

Spend time working with organizations across Asia and Africa,assisting with conservation efforts and animal care. From working with turtles in Thailand to rehabilitating big cats in South Africa, there’s no shortage of work for environmental volunteers who love animals!

Further Travel’s Animal Conservation Programs include: 

• Volunteering at turtle conservation centres
• Visiting elephant conservation centres
• Working at Animal Rehabilitation centres
• Volunteering with Rescue P.A.W.S

Southeast Asia accounts for 70% of illegal turtle seizures. During your time in Bali, you’ll make a powerful impact by working with Serangan Turtle Conservation.

Further Travel’s Bali Explorer program and Camp Bali Island Hopper program both offer volunteering days that focus on turtle conservation. You’ll assist by feeding the turtles, cleaning enclosures, and completing beach cleans. During our Camp Bali 10-Day Adventure, you’ll also get involved in environmental education programs and repairing animal education displays. It’s a great way to learn more about turtle conservation and make a difference in the health and well-being of Bali’s turtle population.

If you’re more of a gentle giant fan, Camp Elephants & Beaches in Thailand is the perfect opportunity for you. Eco-volunteers get to visit elephant sanctuaries on multiple occasions throughout this itinerary. You’ll get to meet, feed and care for the elephants at Elephant Sanctuary Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary. 

For those seeking a more immersive animal conservation experience look no further than Further Travel’s Camp South Africa: Animal Conservation program. Over 2 weeks, you’ll work across different animal conservation and wildlife reserve maintenance projects at a private game reserve, Big Cat Rescue, and an education and animal rehabilitation centre. Environmental volunteers work 9-5 days that offer a mixture of physical work and interactive lecture-based activities, giving you plenty of ways to make an impact.

Work with Camp Thailand to assist in Rescue P.A.W.S in their stray dog care program. Volunteers will assist with:

• Beach Dog Walks⁠
• Sterilizations⁠
• Vaccinations⁠
• Love and Cuddles⁠
• Preparations for dogs to be adopted ⁠

Eco-volunteers who love animals can put their passion into action with Further Travel's many animal conservation programs. We love connecting eco-volunteers to enriching wildlife programs and resources!

Community Programs

Community programs are a fantastic way to expose yourself to diverse cultures and create a positive social impact. For environmental volunteers, utilising your communication and language skills in  community programs allows projects to thrive thanks to outgoing participants who enjoy working with people. 

Further Travel's volunteer programs all offer at least one community-based project to give eco-volunteers a balance of environmentally and socially-conscious activities. 

Community programs in Further Travel itineraries include:

• Teaching English in local schools
• Volunteering at local temples
• Coaching sports in local communities

A great example of teaching in local schools is Camp Thailand: Island Explorer. Volunteers spend a few days visiting Thai schools where you’ll help students with their classwork, learn Thai phrases, and connect with the kids. It’s an enriching opportunity for volunteers and students alike! Our Camp Elephants & Beaches offers you the opportunity to teach English at a local temple in Chiang Mai, in between your animal conservation work. 

For a long teaching experience, our Camp South Africa: Sports Coaching and Teaching program offers volunteers a 5-week itinerary that focuses on English teaching and sports coaching. Work with two schools in your local South African township educating children in grades 4-7. Cover maths and English in the classroom, then get outside and coach students in football, netball, hockey and more! 

While this program is best suited to volunteers who enjoy working with children and prioritize getting classroom experience, a seasoned eco-volunteer is sure to find Camp South Africa: Sports Coaching and Teaching an energizing and rewarding experience!

Work With Further Travel To Become an Environmental Travel Volunteer

Let Further Travel be your guide as you begin your journey of becoming an environmental volunteer. Our commitment to sustainability and passion for creating rewarding volunteer programs makes your trip a smooth and empowering experience. 

At Further Travel, we focus on sustainable travel programs, impactful itineraries, and connecting amazing people through our programs. Connect with like-minded volunteers as you work together to create powerful change in communities across areas of Africa and Asia.

Travel Sustainably

When it comes to sustainable travel, we’ve got you covered. Further Travel's commitment to sustainability allows us to make a difference with every trip booked. We proudly work with Sustainably Run to plant a tree for every trip booked with us. So far, we’ve planted over 2,000 trees! 

Further Travel is also a proud sponsor of Travelers Against Plastic. We work with our volunteers to help reduce plastic usage throughout our trips and spread awareness of the effects of plastic use during travel. 

Further Travel also offers:

• Carbon offsetting for your flights to help reduce your carbon footprint
• Ethically sourced camp merchandise
• A comprehensive guide full of tips on travelling sustainably before your trip

In addition to all the work you’ll be doing in local communities to support sustainability, Further Travel offers itineraries that give you plenty of opportunities to explore and get to know the locals. Allowing you to make the most of your travel time and create amazing memories with your peers.

You Make an Impact, We’ll Handle the Itinerary

For travellers looking to make an impact, half the battle is creating an itinerary. It can be a challenge to figure out where to start! Thankfully, Further Travel has taken the hassle out of figuring out your itinerary. We offer trips that have been planned for you, connecting you with a range of locations and services that are ready to take on environmental volunteers. 

All our trips provide eco-volunteers with accommodation, airport pickup, and inbound travel as needed. During your trip, we’ll connect you with local guides, local communities, and fun activities. Certain trips will prepare you to teach in local schools with our 30-Hour Teaching Young Learners Qualification for free. Further Travel organizes trips to Conservation Centres, beaches, temples, and more! We also provide up to 80% of your meals, giving you the option to try local cuisine in your free time in the different cities you’ll visit during your trip. 

Environmental volunteers with Further Travel will arrive with a set itinerary that allows you to get to work, make a difference, and get to know a new place. You’ll have an equal opportunity to explore and make an impact during your trip with Further Travel. Visit our FAQs to learn more about how our itineraries work for volunteers.

Build Lifelong Friendships

Environmental volunteers are provided with many opportunities to build friendships during their Further Travel trip. Work together with fellow volunteers as you bond over your love for animals during your animal conservation program, or your passion for preserving the environment as you plant trees in the Maldives.

Your itinerary also provides social events to connect with your peers. Further Travel offers plenty of options for volunteers to connect through parties, island hopping adventures, paddleboarding, and more. Team up with fellow volunteers to explore new cities in your free time. 

Working together to create positive change and explore a new place is a great way to connect and build life-long friendships. Experience shared personal growth that you wouldn’t ordinarily encounter in your day-to-day life! You’ll be in the company of like-minded young people who care about giving back and are keen adventurers, like yourself.

Start Your Eco Volunteer Application Today with Further Travel

Ready to start your eco volunteer adventure? Contact us today at info@camp.co.uk, or give us a call! We’d love to help you get the ball rolling on your environmental volunteer journey. Start your application here, or visit our website for more details on the perfect program for you!