Category: Conservation & Responsible Travel

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What Is Ethical Wildlife Tourism (and How to Do It Right)?

2 people looking at a large elephat surrounded by greenery

Wildlife tourism is everywhere. From whale watching and safaris to volunteering with animals abroad, experiences involving wildlife have become a major part of global travel.

At the same time, the term ethical wildlife tourism is used more loosely than ever, often without much clarity about what it actually means.

Most travellers genuinely want to do the right thing. They want to support conservation, avoid harm, and travel more responsibly.

But when every operator claims to be “eco”, “sustainable” or “ethical”, it can be hard to tell the difference between meaningful conservation work and well-marketed exploitation.

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Rest alone isn’t enough: How conservation volunteering can aid burnout recovery

A scuba diver swimming above a coral reef with a tape measure showing between the coral
Diving and contributing to protecting some of the most beautiful reefs in the world as a way to aid burnout recovery.

Some days, exhaustion feels deeper than the muscles or sleep you’ve lost. You can sleep, take a holiday, work out regularly, or binge-watch your favourite shows and still wake up feeling flat. 

Burnout is rarely solved by rest alone. It’s emotional depletion, loss of motivation, and a sense that what you do no longer matters.

After the holidays or during any major life transition many people feel this more acutely. Returning to work, routines and obligations, or questioning what comes next, can feel surprisingly flat, even after a “restful” break. That’s because burnout is often about disconnection from purpose, not just physical fatigue.

Conservation volunteering provides purpose

For many who join a Biosphere Expeditions project, the shift doesn’t start with rest. It begins with purpose.

Volunteering expeditions with a clear focus on wildlife conservation provide structure, shared goals and opportunities for all skill levels to contribute meaningfully. 

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Volunteering Abroad for Wildlife Conservation: What Should You Expect?

4 people looking at a herd of elephants at sunset
Elephants right outside our camp while volunteering in Malawi

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.

Continue reading “Volunteering Abroad for Wildlife Conservation: What Should You Expect?”