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12 Fun Ways to Volunteer and Vacation in 2025

Last updated on January 23, 2025

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

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

4. Empower Women in India with Volunteering Journeys

two smiling adults with two children

Spend your time away from home volunteering to empower women and girls in India.

  • 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

6. Teach English in the Galapagos Islands with Intercultural Outreach Initiative

7. Engage in Holistic Community Outreach in Uganda with The Real Uganda

dark image of trees at sunset

When you’re not participating in empowering community-based activities, you’ll get to see wildlife and nature in Uganda.

8. Volunteer in a Community Center in the Philippines with Volunteer for the Visayans

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

group of smiling children

Enjoy working with kids? You’ll find a variety of volunteer and vacation opportunities that let you connect with youth abroad.

  • 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

Can’t pick? Sign up for MyGoAbroad and compare these programs side-by-side for FREE

Why not volunteer AND vacation?

person sitting on ground leaning forward to plant

From farming to teaching, conservation work to community outreach, there’s a vacation with a purpose for you.

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.

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Originally published on March 10, 2023

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