Written by Zoë Howie on 24 / 04 / 2019
Gap Year Advice
If you’ve been inspired by the likes of Blue Planet Live and Earth Day on Monday then we’d love to tell you more about the conservation programs we run across the globe to help you make a difference. There are many NGO's all over the world who are determined to protect and conserve - from the land, to the wildlife to everything marine. The good news is we have built relationships with them over the years providing the manpower and finances to bring about change.
Whether it’s protecting baby turtles in Costa Rica or helping create a new national park in Namibia to make a sustainable habitat for the black rhino, we’ve got you sorted. All creatures great and small get a look in with our conservation programs, now all you need to do is find out where takes your fancy and we look after everything else.
Now I know I shouldn’t have a favourite program but I do. This program in Namibia is wild, dramatic and nowhere compares. Venture out to the desert to help rebuild Oana's ecosystem, so it can once again home endangered rhino and desert species whilst helping with sustainable projects for the reserves community. Working with leading conservationists you are privileged enough to come into the wilderness and explore the vast landscape while camping under the stars.
During this dynamic 4-week program you will get stuck into an interwoven itinerary of conservation involving leopards, black rhino and gemsbok, along with community projects focusing on education and sustainability. Of course it’s not all work and no play – you also get adrenaline adventures such as river rafting, mountain biking and trekking.
I’m in, tell me more about Namibia
Pack your backpack, Madagascar needs you. Jet out to the islands of north-west Madagascar to take part in marine, forest and animal conservation with an injection of community teaching - all with a view to protecting this unique ecosystem.
This wonderful program is up to 10 weeks long and is an island paradise. Arrive by boat to the stunning island of Nosy Komba where your conservation adventure begins. Take part in forestry conservation, teaching and if you’re interested in marine biology then this has your name on it. You will get a real education into the marine life and biodiversity of the ocean while learning how to scuba dive. A real highlight of this trip is the sailing trip – island hopping and camping on the beach anyone?
Dates don’t suit? Don’t worry we’re flexible
Yes please tell me more about Madagascar
Head off to Costa Rica to experience a unique mix of community projects involving turtle and forest conservation combined with surfing, Spanish and a cloudforest adventure week.
It may be small, but this peaceful, sun-drenched corner of Central America holds over 5% of the world’s biodiversity, boasting more national parks per square metre than any other country in the world. It is also home to some of the most important nesting sites for endangered turtles. Embrace living a hippie life style and island life, your work is so valuable, from teaching the locals about plastic pollution, to beach clean ups to protecting baby turtles. Any one fancy learning to surf? Yep we’ve got that covered.
We’ve also launched a turtle program in Madagascar if Costa Rica isn’t top of your list. A great adventure around the islands off NW Madagascar where you can explore, protect and conserve the endangered Hawksbill and Green Sea turtles.
Discover Cambodia with us and help protect elephants at the Elephant Valley Park. Here you will help the mahouts wash the elephants in the river or at the washing station and bring in supplementary food, their favourite being banana trees. You will also help with a variety of maintenance projects, which in the past have included digging trenches, building water towers, constructing guesthouses and weeding.
Be more than just a tourist and help protect these majestic creatures. This program offers teaching, community development and elephant conservation. It is a perfect all round trip to experience aspects of different types of volunteering.
Tell me more about Cambodia please
So there you have it, our comprehensive list of how you can get involved and make a difference in conservation. Get involved and prepare to be amazed.
We’re here to help you find your perfect program that helps you achieve your bucket list dreams. Dates don’t suit? No worries, we’re flexible and work around you. Drop me an email and let’s get this show on the road….
