Environmental Volunteer Programs Abroad

From working with kids in a nursery, to seeing beautiful tours, and spending 2 weeks in the Amazon jungle!.. i've learned so much about my self, and the people of Peru. By far my favorite project was the Panthera sanctuary. Aldo and Cristobal are amazing people who made me embrace ALL... Of the jungle, but i've never felt more energetic and driven. the location is beautiful and rustic, with a scenic view of the river. We were able to help reforest, monitor and document animals, as well as do other activities like play volley ball, go fishing, and night animal monitoring. Oh and dont get me started on how delicous the food was, we got breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Amazing. Im reminicing as i type this. 100% recommend doing this project as well as looking into the other incredible projects Maximo has to offer. You wont regret it!!!

I did the Archaeology and Jungle Conservation programs around Cusco. They were all very well organized and Maximo made it very easy to learn how to get from place to place. I think similar programs would require much longer stays or affiliations with university programs. My feedback to future volunteers is to take whatever amount of bug spray and sunblock you think you need and triple it. If it is the rainy season, bring water proof clothes and boots.

The cultural information shared by host families was amazing. We came to celebrate our 25th anniversary and the archaeology dig was great with a wonderful host family. We will be strongly recommending this program to all our family and friends. We cannot wait to come again. Muy bueno!

I have had great experiences working with IVHQ for four straight years. The representatives are always friendly, professional and easy to work with. They have helped me to not just enjoy my time in other countries, but feel like I've made a valuable contribution. The variety of experiences that they offer and contribute to makes it easy for me to continue working with them year after to eat, and if it wasn't for IVHQ I might not be volunteering year after year like I have been. Looking forward to many more years of working with them.

I had a really good time teaching English to the Ticos here. While I was teaching them English, they were also teaching me Spanish which I loved. I’d love to do it again one day if possible. I think many people should consider this if they want to be immersed in culture, give back, and learn.

Hi, my name is Valery, I'm from Russia. In September 2026, I participated as a volunteer in a turtle conservation program on Cape Verde's Sal Island. I am very glad that I became a member of this program. We spent 3 weeks on night duty on the beaches of the island. During this time, I studied and practiced tracking and registering turtle nesting sites and learned a lot to preserve their population. I also had the opportunity to observe the process of small turtles hatching from eggs and releasing them into the ocean. It was a pleasure to meet the guys from all over the world who are united and interested in preserving turtle populations. Thanks to the organization “Project Biodiversity" for significant work.

I wasn’t sure I can really visit this place when I started. But now I’m really glad I’ve done it. It’s so important part of nature which we can see very rarely and more rarely we can help it or to do something for it. But here you doing incredible things, sleeping in incredible places and see incredible animals with their babies. I have just good memories and feelings after this volunteering program. It was really interesting and now I added some great new items to my resume. Thank to all team of this project for nice time! I want to back again:)

My time volunteering in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, was an incredible experience. I spent my time teaching English in a community project. The program is well organised and provides meaningful opportunities to contribute to the local community. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rewarding and impactful experience. The staff at Maximo are also lovely - Anika made me feel welcome from the moment i stepped in. I would recomend to many!

This was the experience of a lifetime. IvHQ made it so easy to plan a volunteer vacation to a foreign location. Staff was always very supportive which made the entire process so easy and also made me feel very safe.

I had a really good time! It was very interesting to learn about the culture in Costa Rica. The mariposario was beautiful. The institute is great, it has a pool!! Maximo Nivel is #Awesome I would absolutely recommend any of their projects.

Program was very organized and well coordinated. Felt very prepared prior to leaving for Thailand. Felt very safe and comfortable once we arrived. Always felt that we had a contact to reach out to with any concerns.

My week at the animal sanctuary was unbelievable. I had the chance to spend time with animals I've never seen before, Capybaras or howler monkeys. The mission of the sanctuary tough is not being zoo, but recovering those animals for letting them go to the wild again after their treatment. The biggest impact is probably for the birds and especially parrots. As they are kept in many households in Colombia as pets, cutting their wings, the sanctuary is saving and recovering them, helping them to learn how to fly again. It really stole my heart. Once the parrots are ready to be released to the wild again, they still occasionally come by to the sanctuary, so there are always dozens of beautiful parrots around. More than that, I was able to give treatment to young baby ocelots and different species of monkeys. I worked closely with biologist, all the work is really impressive and meaningful. Not to forget the other week at the dog sanctuary in Bucaramanga, which is also impressive. They host around 100 rescued street dogs, caring them and giving them treatment. They live on a big farm in the nature, the project is led by a vet. Very professional and heartwarming. 100% recommended.

First of all, I am definitely coming back:) I really really enjoyed everything. Honestly, at the beginning my legs and body needed to get used to walking all night, in the dark with no lights (especially that i arrived at new moon) and in sandy or rocky circumstances. But it made me realised how adaptable my body is. I get used to the walks in 2-3days. Then it became so much fun. As a freelancer and a traveler of 7years, the last time I had a routine I was in highschool.. and even though we had different shifts, I really enjoyed having some type of routine. So I will apply it to my day to day life from now on. I loved working with the turtles. They are definitely teachers of patience. I am definitely coming back.

First of all, I am definitely coming back:) I really really enjoyed everything. Honestly, at the beginning my legs and body needed to get used to walking all night, in the dark with no lights (especially that i arrived at new moon) and in sandy or rocky circumstances. But it made me realised how adaptable my body is. I get used to the walks in 2-3days. Then it became so much fun. As a freelancer and a traveler of 7years, the last time I had a routine I was in highschool.. and even though we had different shifts, I really enjoyed having some type of routine. So I will apply it to my day to day life from now on. I loved working with the turtles. They are definitely teachers of patience. I am definitely coming back.

First of all, I am definitely coming back:) I really really enjoyed everything. Honestly, at the beginning my legs and body needed to get used to walking all night, in the dark with no lights (especially that i arrived at new moon) and in sandy or rocky circumstances. But it made me realised how adaptable my body is. I get used to the walks in 2-3days. Then it became so much fun. As a freelancer and a traveler of 7years, the last time I had a routine I was in highschool.. and even though we had different shifts, I really enjoyed having some type of routine. So I will apply it to my day to day life from now on. I loved working with the turtles. They are definitely teachers of patience. I am definitely coming back.

First of all, I am definitely coming back:) I really really enjoyed everything. Honestly, at the beginning my legs and body needed to get used to walking all night, in the dark with no lights (especially that i arrived at new moon) and in sandy or rocky circumstances. But it made me realised how adaptable my body is. I get used to the walks in 2-3days. Then it became so much fun. As a freelancer and a traveler of 7years, the last time I had a routine I was in highschool.. and even though we had different shifts, I really enjoyed having some type of routine. So I will apply it to my day to day life from now on. I loved working with the turtles. They are definitely teachers of patience. I am definitely coming back.

First of all, I am definitely coming back:) I really really enjoyed everything. Honestly, at the beginning my legs and body needed to get used to walking all night, in the dark with no lights (especially that i arrived at new moon) and in sandy or rocky circumstances. But it made me realised how adaptable my body is. I get used to the walks in 2-3days. Then it became so much fun. As a freelancer and a traveler of 7years, the last time I had a routine I was in highschool.. and even though we had different shifts, I really enjoyed having some type of routine. So I will apply it to my day to day life from now on. I loved working with the turtles. They are definitely teachers of patience. I am definitely coming back.

My experience at DAKTARI Bush School & Wildlife Orphanage in South Africa was truly unforgettable. During my stay, I had the opportunity to take care of animals, discover the local wildlife and help educate children about the importance of protecting the environment. One of the most rewarding parts of this experience was interacting with the children, helping them learn English and sharing meaningful moments with them. I also loved participating in animal care and learning more about South African wildlife. DAKTARI is much more than a volunteering program: it is a place where people, animals and nature come together. This experience helped me become more independent, adaptable and open-minded. I met wonderful people, discovered a different way of life and created memories that I will cherish for a long time. I would highly recommend DAKTARI to anyone who wants to make a positive impact while discovering South Africa and its incredible wildlife.

I spent my time in San Jose teaching English in a High School and Daycare centre. Both of these placements were extremely rewarding and a great way to experience the local culture. The project staff and staff at Maximo Nuvel have been excellent. I have found the programme extremely rewarding and will definitely do this again! A great way to see the world and give something back to local communities.

I participated in IVHQ's South Korea program in October 2026, including Culture Week and the Teaching volunteer project. While I genuinely enjoyed several things, I was disappointed with the overall organization, communication, and lack of guidance throughout the program. Before sharing my experience in South Korea, I want to mention that my interactions with IVHQ have been very positive. I originally planned to volunteer in Costa Rica in April 2026, but unfortunately had to cancel following the unexpected death of a coworker a week prior to my travel date. I work as a 911 dispatcher, and the circumstances surrounding her death were particularly difficult for me. Although I initially tried to continue with my travel plans, I ultimately couldn't go. IVHQ was incredibly kind and understanding throughout the process and credited me with most of what I had paid toward a future program. I genuinely appreciated how they handled the situation. South Korea was already somewhere I had been interested in visiting, so having that credit available was a big part of what motivated me to book this program. Unfortunately, while my interactions with IVHQ directly have been very positive, the organization and support provided during the South Korea program didn't meet my expectations. My biggest disappointment was Culture Week, which cost $660. Several activities advertised as included on IVHQ's website, such as Korean stamp carving, a calligraphy lesson, a War Memorial tour, a Blue House hike, and a visit to HiKR Ground, either didn't take place or weren't provided as advertised. For example, the calligraphy lesson was a brief children's activity in a museum hallway where we spent about five minutes writing our names with a brush and ink, with no real instruction. I understood before booking that the schedule could vary, and I had no issue with activities being moved to different days or times. However, I didn't expect the actual activities to differ so much, especially those explicitly listed as “included” on IVHQ's website. To make things more confusing, the itinerary advertised on IVHQ's website, the separate itinerary the local team sent on their Zoom in Seoul website before I arrived in Korea, and the activities we actually participated in were all different. Given the cost and the fact that Culture Week was advertised as an opportunity to experience and learn about Korean culture, I expected something more structured and educational for adult participants. Instead, much of the week felt like sightseeing, with limited explanations about the places we visited and some activities that seemed more appropriate for children. For reference, here's what we actually did during Culture Week: - Monday, October 5: A one-hour guided tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace, approximately 20 minutes at the National Folk Museum, and about an hour of free time in Myeongdong. We were given meal vouchers to use at three restaurants within a few minutes' walk of the accommodation for lunch that day. - Tuesday, October 6: A Korean language lesson, lunch at a hot pot restaurant, a visit to Jingwansa Temple, and about 20 minutes at Eunpyeong Hanok Village to walk around and take pictures. - Wednesday, October 7: A stop at Jogyesa Temple, a walk through Bukchon Hanok Village, lunch at a traditional Korean buffet-style restaurant, and walks through Insadong and Ikseondong with little time to stop or explore. We also briefly stopped at a craft museum for a stamp scavenger hunt, which seemed to influence most of our walking route. We also participated in a kimchi cooking class, which was my favorite part of the day. - Thursday, October 8: Approximately an hour-long guided tour at the National Museum of Korea. There were so many people on the tour that we often couldn't see the exhibits the guide was discussing before the museum guide moved on. We then took a short walk around Hangang River Park, had a buffet lunch at Ashley on the river, and spent about an hour at the Hyundai Department Store. - Friday, October 9: Visit to Namsan Tower, lunch at Namdaemun Market, and a brief stop at the King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-Sin Museum specifically to complete what seemed to be children's craft activities, including writing our names with a brush and ink (which I think was supposed to be the “calligraphy lesson”), coloring a lucky bag, and making a keychain. We were seated alongside young children completing these activities, and the three adults in my tour group were the only participants without children. We weren’t given the option to explore the museum further. We finished with approximately five minutes on the rooftop of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. We visited some interesting places, but our guides often provided little historical or cultural information, and sometimes couldn't answer questions about the locations. Some historical sites and museums were limited to very short visits, while we spent considerably longer in shopping areas. We also had to pay for our own transportation each day, which I hadn't expected given the $660 cost. Unlike the volunteer program page, which specifically states that volunteers are responsible for their own transportation, the Culture Week description made no mention of this additional expense. Since many attractions were free or inexpensive, I struggled to see how the experience justified the cost, even with accommodation included. That being said, I really enjoyed the Korean language lesson, the guided tour at Gyeongbokgung Palace, visiting several temples and markets, and participating in a kimchi cooking class. The week definitely had some worthwhile experiences. I experienced similar organizational issues during the volunteering portion of my trip. I had signed up for the Teaching project, hoping to gain practical experience working with children. However, I received no placement-specific orientation or meaningful guidance about what I would be teaching, the English proficiency of the particular students I'd be working with, or what was expected of me. On my first day, I was given materials to make vocabulary flashcards and then taken to a location where I was essentially left to figure out how to work with the children. Thankfully, another volunteer who had already been there showed me what she had been doing. I have a TEFL certification but limited practical teaching experience, so I had hoped to learn from a local teacher or coordinator while contributing to the project. I wasn't expecting someone to do everything for me, but I would have appreciated some basic direction about the students and their learning goals. What made the lack of guidance particularly disappointing was that IVHQ's website specifically stated that volunteers would work closely with teaching staff and receive support from local teachers. The program guide also described preparing classes with a local coordinator. IVHQ even advertises the program as suitable for people without teaching experience. I understand that volunteering requires flexibility and initiative, but I think there's a difference between expecting volunteers to take initiative and leaving them to figure out how a teaching placement operates without basic direction. Based on how the program was advertised, I expected at least some opportunity to collaborate with or learn from experienced staff. I also spent a day volunteering at a dog shelter, which I enjoyed. It was a nice surprise to learn that we could try other programs while we were there, although there was similarly little direction about what volunteers should be doing. Unfortunately, I became ill during the week and later had to return home early due to a family emergency, so my volunteering experience was shorter than originally planned. Because of that, I can't speak to what the remainder of the teaching experience would have been like. I do want to emphasize that everyone I interacted with on the local team was polite and friendly. I never felt unwelcome or uncomfortable, and my criticisms are about how the program was organized and the level of communication and guidance provided, rather than how I was treated personally. If you're looking for a highly informative, well-organized cultural experience with knowledgeable guides and opportunities to really learn about the places you're visiting, I honestly think you could put together a more personalized and cost-effective itinerary on your own. Many of the places we visited were free or inexpensive, and I would have preferred spending more time at the locations that interested me rather than rushing through some of them to go shopping. Similarly, if you're looking for a structured volunteer placement with clear expectations, guidance, and opportunities to learn from experienced staff, this particular program might not be the best fit. Based on my experience in South Korea, I wouldn't personally choose to volunteer with IVHQ again. However, I recognize that different countries, local teams, and volunteer projects may operate very differently, and I wouldn't necessarily discourage someone from considering IVHQ altogether. For anyone interested in volunteering with IVHQ, I'd strongly recommend asking detailed questions about the specific placement, the activities actually included, daily schedules, additional expenses, accommodation arrangements, and the level of support provided before booking. One other thing I'd mention for LGBTQIA+ travelers to South Korea, particularly those who are trans or nonbinary, is the accommodation situation. I'm nonbinary and have a male gender marker on my identification, but I appear more feminine. I stayed in a private room at the temple, but the bathrooms were shared and separated by gender. Although the individual toilet and shower stalls were private, I sometimes felt uncomfortable using the men's facilities. I knew before traveling that attitudes toward LGBTQIA+ identities might be different from what I'm used to, so I wasn't necessarily expecting the accommodations to account for my particular situation. I also want to emphasize that nobody at the temple ever made me feel unwelcome or uncomfortable. However, looking back, I wish I'd booked a private hotel room with my own bathroom, especially since I believe the cost would have been similar. It's just something I'd encourage other trans and nonbinary travelers to consider when choosing their accommodation.