Volunteering Abroad for Wildlife Conservation: What Should You Expect?

Are you thinking about volunteering abroad and interested in wildlife conservation?

Whether you want to help monitor whales, survey coral reefs, or support wildlife researchers in remote national parks, these volunteer projects offer the chance to contribute to real conservation work while experiencing a destination in a much deeper way.

But, volunteering abroad is very different from a typical holiday.

In this article I’ll walk you through what wildlife volunteering actually involves, what daily life looks like, and how to know if it’s the right fit for you.

1. Why Wildlife Conservation Volunteering Is Becoming So Popular

More and more travellers are craving meaningful, purpose-driven experiences.

Instead of lying on a beach for a week, many people now want to learn something, help somewhere, or be part of a positive impact story.

That’s how I ended up falling in love with wildlife conservation volunteering. I have by now volunteered in nine different countries, eight times on wildlife conservation projects, and three of those were with Biosphere Expeditions.

These volunteer projects showed me there’s a real way to combine travel and purpose.

With environmental pressures mounting worldwide, organisations such as Biosphere Expeditions make it possible for “ordinary people” to become citizen scientists — joining professionals in hands-on conservation efforts.

But, while volunteering abroad can be incredibly rewarding, it’s not a “holiday with animals.” It’s real work, eye-opening and sometimes challenging.

2. What Wildlife Conservation Volunteering Really Involves

A proper conservation project isn’t a photo safari or an “animal encounter” trip.

You join as a citizen scientist, supporting ongoing research and conservation work.

Depending on the project, volunteers help with things such as:

• Monitoring wildlife populations
• Recording species sightings
• Collecting data about habitats
• Surveying coral reefs, forests, grasslands, rivers or coastlines
• Supporting long-term research led by scientists or local NGOs

You don’t need to be a biologist or have any specific background. If you’re curious, observant and willing to learn, the team will train you on everything you need to know.

3. Daily Tasks: What a Typical Day Looks Like

Daily life on a conservation project depends heavily on the environment (desert, rainforest, savannah, mountains, reefs) but there are patterns you’ll find almost everywhere.

Wildlife Monitoring & Data Collection

This is the core of most ethical projects. It may involve:

• Surveying animals on land or at sea
• Identifying species or individuals (tracks, markings, behaviors)
• Setting up or checking camera traps
• Documenting coral and reef health
• Recording GPS coordinates and environmental data
• Collecting animal signs such as tracks and scats

Sometimes it’s exciting (a sudden whale sighting, or unexpected tracks on a trail).
Sometimes it’s slow and repetitive, but this is how real science works.

Days typically start early, with a break for lunch and a shared dinner in the evening. Mealtimes are generally when everyone comes together, volunteers and staff, to reconnect, swap stories from the day, go through the data collected and build friendships that often last long after the project ends.

Assisting Field Scientists

Volunteers often support researchers with:

• Preparing equipment
• Recording observations
• Helping with transects or surveys
• Basic data entry
• Logistical tasks around the camp or the research base

This teamwork is one of the best learning experiences.

The Un-glamorous Reality

Not everything is National Geographic-worthy.

Expect early mornings, long hours outdoors, muddy boots, sweat, salty hair or moments where nothing happens at all.

But these quieter moments can become just as meaningful; learning patience, understanding ecosystems and tuning into nature in a way few travellers ever do.

What You Learn

Most projects include introductory training: species ID, survey methods, ecological basics and safety protocols.

Whichever volunteer project you choose, you’ll definitely leave with new skills and a much deeper understanding of the wildlife you’re helping protect.

4. Who Wildlife Conservation Volunteering Is (and Isn’t) For

You’ll enjoy conservation volunteering if you:

• Care about nature
• Enjoy physical activity and being outdoors
• Don’t mind simple living conditions
• Are open-minded and flexible
• Want to contribute to something meaningful

It’s not ideal for travelers who expect:

• Luxury
• Predictable schedules
• Guaranteed wildlife sightings
• Constant entertainment or photo ops

If your dream is to cuddle baby animals or take selfies with wildlife, this isn’t the right type of trip and it’s not what ethical conservation looks like.

5. Accommodation, Food & What Living Conditions Are Like

Living conditions vary hugely from project to project.

Common setups include:

• Shared research bases
• Simple guesthouses or eco-lodges
• Tents in protected areas
• Boats for marine research
• Community-run facilities

Food is usually simple, but filling and you share chores with the group.

Some projects feel quite comfortable, like Biosphere Expeditions’ marine conservation project in the Maldives, where you spend a week on a very nice liveaboard.

But others are more rustic. In most cases you’ll share accommodation and the more remote the research location is, the more basic the facilities tend to be (think no hot water, limited internet, etc).

If comfort levels matter to you, make sure to check what the specific project provides. But in general, expect simplicity. The reward is waking up surrounded by nature, not luxury.

6. The Real Impact Volunteers Can Make

Good conservation organisations rely on volunteers to gather data that would otherwise be impossible to collect with a small staff and big ecosystems.

Volunteer-collected data often help with:

• Identifying wildlife population trends
• Monitoring endangered species
• Shaping habitat-protection plans
• Supporting marine protected areas
• Tracking changes caused by climate or human activity
• Publishing scientific papers or reports

It’s satisfying to know the data you helped collect contributes to long-term protection and not just for one animal, but for entire ecosystems.

I’ve seen this myself: coral reef data being used to understand bleaching patterns, whale sightings feeding into migration research, elephant survey data helping rangers focus protection efforts.

It really does matter.

7. How to Choose an Ethical Wildlife Conservation Programme

If you want to volunteer, make sure it’s done right. Here are what I think are good signs of a trustworthy project, and what to watch out for:

Good Signs Include:

• Clear scientific goals
• Trained research staff
• Transparent partnerships with NGOs or universities
• No unnecessary animal contact
• Published reports or data summaries
• Realistic descriptions of tasks (not “swimming with dolphins every day!”)
• Transparency on funding and where money goes
• Non-profit setups

Red Flags Include:

• Hands-on activities with wild animals
• Vague project goals
• No information about the impact
• Promises of guaranteed sightings
• Programmes more focused on entertainment than conservation
• Lack of information on finances
• Commercial entities such as limited companies

I actually wrote a review of all the volunteer programmes I joined abroad, and explained why I do recommend some and don’t recommend others. Biosphere Expeditions also has excellent tips on how to beat the Volunteer Charlatans.

8. Why Volunteering Costs Money

People are often surprised that they have to pay to volunteer.

But conservation isn’t cheap, and wildlife conservation is severely limited by funding.

Participation fees usually help cover:

• Field equipment
• Transportation in remote areas
• Research permits
• Staff salaries
• Food and accommodation
• Long-term conservation work long after you leave

You’re not paying to work, you’re paying to help fund real conservation science and be part of it.

Without the volunteers, but also without their contributions, many conservation projects wouldn’t be able to run.

So no, it’s not free to volunteer, but with transparency (as many projects from ethical organisations provide), you’ll know where your money goes.

9. What I’ve Learned From Volunteering Abroad

Across my different volunteer projects in different countries I’ve gained:

• A deeper respect for how complex conservation really is
• An appreciation for patience (wildlife doesn’t follow schedules!)
• A broader perspective on ecosystems around the world
• New friends from all corners of the globe
• Skills I would never have learned otherwise

I absolutely recommend joining a volunteer project abroad at least once; it’s just such a unique experience!

10. Final Thoughts: Should You Volunteer Abroad for Wildlife Conservation?

If you love nature, want hands-on involvement and can do without luxury, wildlife conservation volunteering can be one of the most meaningful travel experiences of your life.

You learn, you help, you grow and you return home seeing the world a little differently.

If you feel that pull, explore upcoming conservation projects, read reviews, compare options and choose the one that aligns with your values.

Your contribution may feel small, but in conservation, small, consistent efforts add up to something much bigger.

Check out Biosphere Expedition’s upcoming wildlife conservation volunteer projects.

Or first read my reviews of the three Biosphere Expeditions volunteer projects I joined:

• Marine Conservation Volunteering in the Maldives
• Volunteering With Elephants in Malawi
• Volunteering With Whales in the Azores

Author: Sanne Wesselman