Do your New Year’s resolutions include giving back and seeing the world? There’s a way to volunteer and vacation this year, you only need to find the right opportunity for your calendar, skillset, and budget. The best volunteer vacations are immersive, unique experiences that are short term (around one to two weeks) but impactful.
Traveling with an experienced program provider can help narrow your search to volunteer vacations that will positively impact the local community. Program providers often have pre-existing relationships with NGOs and other types of service organizations that utilize volunteer help for ongoing projects, taking the guesswork out of planning vacations with a purpose while ensuring you’ll have a positive effect when you go.
From construction to marketing, there are a variety of options for travelers hoping to volunteer while abroad. By doing your research and finding the best fit for you, you’ll be participating in voluntourism the right way.
12 best volunteer vacations abroad in 2025
Searching for meaningful vacations? Check out these opportunities to volunteer while traveling:
1. Work on Lion, Elephant and Wildlife Conservation in Zimbabwe with Kaya Responsible Travel
- Highlights: Join the wildlife protection team at a private game reserve in Zimbabwe with Kaya Responsible Travel. Participating in the lion, elephant, and wildlife conservation program will give you hands-on experience in wildlife research and conservation. You’ll help with administrative tasks and boundary patrols while contributing to raising awareness around conservation efforts in the area. If that isn’t cool enough, you’ll also visit Victoria Falls, have time to relax at the pool, and spend nights star-gazing around the campfire.
- Read Kaya Responsible Travel reviews
- Explore all conservation volunteer programs
2. Protect Turtles in Greece with GVI
- Highlights: The loggerhead turtle is the star of this program that gets you volunteering with turtles in Greece—you’ll be learning about and assisting with its nesting cycle in addition to building protective shelters and collecting data. You’ll support a long-term project contributing to multiple UN sustainable development goals. In your free time, take a dip in the Ionian sea and take in the art and culture of Greece!
- Read GVI reviews
- Explore all ecotourism volunteer programs
3. Participate in an Immersive Clinical Medical Experience in Kenya with International Medical Aid
- Highlights: A physician assistant/pre-PA internship abroad with IMA will provide real-world experience in a hospital setting. On the weekends, explore Kenya by participating in a broad array of activities, including a safari trip! You’ll be contributing in a meaningful way to the community hosting you. Thanks to 24/7 in-country and U.S.-based support, you can focus on having a memorable and fulfilling volunteer vacation.
- Read International Medical Aid reviews
- Explore all health volunteer programs
4. Empower Women in India with Volunteering Journeys
- Highlights: India is a dynamic and colorful place which also has considerable volunteering vacation opportunities dealing with issues like poverty, illiteracy, and sanitation, among others. By volunteering with the Women Empowerment in India program, you’ll be learning more about Indian life and culture and helping women and girls improve their lives. In your free time, sample delicious Indian food like Kathi rolls and curries, visit historic and culturally important sites in Kolkata and Kerala, and enjoy getting to know local families and fellow volunteers.
- Read Volunteering Journeys reviews
- Explore all human rights volunteer programs
5. Care for Rescued Animals in South Africa with DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage
- Highlights: When you volunteer with children and animals at DAKTARI, 100% of your program fee goes to running the charity. You’ll care for animals at the charity’s wildlife orphanage and participate in educational and outreach activities. If you enjoy learning and teaching this is the perfect program for you! This meaningful vacation includes visits to South African villages, an excursion to Kruger National Park, and an up close look at the third largest canyon in the world: Blyde River Canyon.
- Read DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage reviews
- Explore all animal welfare volunteer programs
6. Teach English in the Galapagos Islands with Intercultural Outreach Initiative
- Highlights: Travel to one of Ecuador’s most exquisite locations: the Galapagos Islands! You’ll need an intermediate level of Spanish to become a community English education volunteer as you’ll be assisting local English teachers with lesson plans, designing and in some cases implementing educational programs, and generally working to improve the language skills of naturalist guides and other community members. IOI encourages you to extend your volunteer vacation as long as possible to fully experience the beauty and rich diversity of Galapagos.
- Read Intercultural Outreach Initiative reviews
- Explore all English teaching volunteer programs
7. Engage in Holistic Community Outreach in Uganda with The Real Uganda
- Highlights: By participating in holistic community outreach in Uganda, you’ll gain a comprehensive view of how locally led development works. Every day will be different on this African adventure, and you’ll have time to participate in a variety of scrapbook worthy opportunities: ziplining through the rainforest, going on a wildlife safari, white water rafting the Nile River, and primate tracking! Plus, you’ll be contributing to sustainable, responsible tourism.
- Read The Real Uganda reviews
- Explore all gender issues volunteer programs
8. Volunteer in a Community Center in the Philippines with Volunteer for the Visayans
- Highlights: Skilled with media, photography, social media and/or marketing? Consider sharing your expertise by becoming a volunteer abroad at a community center in the Philippines! You’ll be living in Tacloban City, which is located in Leyte, a province in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. By living with a local host family, you’ll learn the ins and outs of Filipino everyday life. The beautiful backdrop that you’ll get to vacation in is an added bonus!
- Read Volunteer for the Visayans reviews
- Explore all media volunteer programs
9. Explore National Parks in Australia with Pacific Discovery
- Highlights: On this Australia gap summer program you’ll learn about environmental conservation movements in two coastal national parks directly from park rangers! This is one of the best volunteer vacations for lovers of the outdoors, given the incredible sights you’ll be seeing. You’ll also be participating in activities like surfing, hiking, and canyoning. Discover the beauty of world renowned locations like the Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef, all while learning about ways to cherish and protect them for future generations.
- Read Pacific Discovery reviews
- Explore all park volunteer programs
10. Volunteer on Construction Projects in Nepal with GVI
- Highlights: Make a difference while visiting some of the highest mountains in the world when you volunteer on construction projects in Nepal. Address critical issues in your host community, like unsafe drinking water and unhygienic sanitation practices, that lead to widespread health problems. You may also have a chance to work on school renovations and other community development projects! This is all while learning more about the Nepalese way of life by staying with a host family and participating in local community activities.
- Read GVI reviews
- Explore all water project volunteer programs
11. Volunteer with Children and Youth in Peru with United Planet
- Highlights: United Planet offers a variety of projects, including working with orphanages, after-school programs, and youth organizations. If you’d like to contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty, build a lifetime bond with the families and other volunteers you meet, and traverse beautiful landscapes and cultural sites, volunteer abroad in Peru! You’ll even have an opportunity to try traditional dishes like cuy (or guinea pig) and visit the Chocolate Museum in Cusco.
- Read United Planet reviews
- Explore all youth development volunteer programs
12. Work with Refugees in Germany with Excellence Center in Europe
- Highlights: If you’re interested in refugee relief programs this is the perfect opportunity for you! Volunteer with refugees in Germany on this meaningful vacation abroad. You’ll teach English and learn a bit of German in the meantime. Visit local sites and landmarks, participate in traditional festivals, and explore the historic city of Halle, located in central Germany. Bonus: You’ll receive a certification of participation and recommendation letter at the completion of your program!
- Read Excellence Center in Europe reviews
- Explore all refugee relief volunteer programs
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Why not volunteer AND vacation?
The best volunteer vacations abroad offer a chance to connect even further with the community that hosts you. You’ll meet local people and fellow travelers (who may have some stellar travel recommendations), gain a better understanding of global issues and what’s being done to solve them, and may even pick up a bit of the local language. With everything going on in the world today, there’s never been a better time to discover vacations with a purpose.