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Volunteer in Madagascar: Forest & Reef Conservation Research

$1,750Program Costs
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Program Overview

Madagascar conservation program sits on an island off the northwest coast, with the forest at the door. Your host has run biodiversity research here since 2021, partnered with the national parks authority. Your findings on lemurs, birds, reptiles, and reef life feed open databases any scientist can use. The work is hands-on and real, matched to what the station needs that week.

This program is built for anyone aged 17 and up. No research or teaching background required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. You won't be a tourist here. You'll live at a solar-powered station and work where conservation is practiced, not just studied. The longer you stay, the more you gain from the surveys and classrooms. Start with a short screening call to match your focus and claim your spot.

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Program Highlights

Choose your focus from wildlife conservation, children's education, or women's empowerment, then get matched during your screening call
Survey lemurs, birds, reptiles, and reef life, feeding open scientific databases any researcher can use
Teach English to schoolchildren, adults, and park rangers, and support a member-led women's group
Settle into a solar-powered research station with rainwater harvesting, a vegetable garden, and the forest at the door
Stay from two weeks to twelve months, with weekly rates that drop the longer you commit

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Some Accommodation
Travel Insurance
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
In-Country Orientation
Language Lessons
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Exclusions

International Airfare
Medical / Accident Insurance
Visa Fees
Souvenirs
Weekend Activities and Tours

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Madagascar

Types & Subjects

  • Adventure Types
  • Rainforest Tours
  • Scuba
  • Snorkeling
  • Causes
  • Animal Welfare
  • Biological Research
  • Community Development
  • Conservation
  • Education
  • English Teaching
  • Environment
  • Gender Issues
  • Marine Conservation
  • Reforestation
  • Teaching
  • Tree Planting
  • Wildlife
  • Women
  • Types
  • Adventure Travel
  • Animals
  • Scuba Diving
  • Volunteering
  • Wilderness

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Couples, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Home-stays
  • Other

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
  • Other

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 7-12 Months
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career
  • During College
  • Post High School

Starts At

  • 2 weeks: $1,750
  • 4 weeks: $3,000

Refund Policy

Refund with conditions

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Step 1 of 4Timing

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about VolunteerAbroad.com.

Who volunteers with you?

Mostly students, gap-year travelers, and career-breakers aged 17 and up. Individuals join an existing cohort, and groups of 6+ come from universities, faith groups, and CSR teams. They all have one thing in common: they came to work, not to tour.

How long can I stay?

From 2 weeks to 12 months or longer. Most volunteers come for 4–12 weeks; we actively encourage 3 months or more, and price it accordingly. The longer you stay, the lower your weekly rate.

Where will I live?

Most volunteers live at the partner's solar-powered research station at the edge of the national park, with the forest at the door. Some community placements are homestays with vetted local families. Daily meals are included either way. This isn't about saving money. It's how you actually live the work.

What does a typical day look like?

4–6 hours of work aligned to your focus area, plus language lessons and cultural activities during the week.

Why does it cost money to volunteer?

Your fee funds the coordination that keeps you safe and useful: partner vetting, safeguarding, orientation, and 24/7 support. It's also how your host organization benefits financially from hosting you. Without it, volunteers go unsupported and organizations go under-resourced.

What exactly will I pay?

A one-time $1,200 registration fee at acceptance, plus a weekly rate: $230/week for weeks 1–4, $200 for weeks 5–12, $175 from week 13. A 2-week program totals $1,660 all-in.

What's not included?

Flights, visas, and personal spending. Everything else is standard, never an add-on: homestay, meals, insurance, orientation, and in-country support.

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