How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation on a Volunteer Trip

If you love animals and care about protecting the environment, you may be wondering how to get into wildlife conservation. Working to safeguard Earth’s biodiversity is an incredible career path–one that everyone should consider, in our opinion. 

Wanting a career in wildlife conservation is one thing, but figuring out how to make it happen is another entirely. To turn your passion for conservation into a viable future, it’s a good idea to get some volunteer experience on your resume, first. That’s why volunteering abroad is a great option for people figuring out how to get into wildlife conservation. 

In this article, we’ll discuss: 

1. Why it’s a good idea to get into wildlife conservation 
2. How to get into wildlife conservation while traveling
3. How to get into wildlife conservation as a responsible voluntourist
4. How to get into wildlife conservation in Thailand
5. How to get into wildlife conservation in Bali
6. How to get into wildlife conservation in South Africa
7. How to get into wildlife conservation as a career through volunteering
8. How to get into wildlife conservation with Further Travel 

Further Travel (formerly known as Intravelr) is a travel company on a mission to create life-changing cultural exchange opportunities. We don’t just take you to another part of the globe. We take you to another part of the globe and connect you with enriching cultural experiences guaranteed to stay with you for years to come. 

Better yet, we’re a travel company that cares. We give back to the places we visit, and we give you the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution, too. 

If you’re wondering how to get into wildlife conservation, Further Travel has a trip for you. Explore beautiful destinations and create lifelong memories while making a positive difference in the communities you visit. Keep reading to learn more! 

Wondering How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation? Here’s Why It’s a Good Idea

Volunteering in wildlife conservation provides a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the well-being of ecosystems and species. From developing practical skills through hands-on experience to fostering a connection with nature, conservation work is a fulfilling endeavor with many positive returns. 

Figuring out how to get into wildlife conservation is a great idea for many reasons. In this section, we’ll focus on these three benefits: 

1. Travel with a purpose
2. Meet like-minded people 
3. Help preserve biodiversity

Preserving biodiversity for future generations is a crucial mission. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why! 

Travel with a Purpose 

If you’re searching for a purpose, don’t sleep on the chance to travel and volunteer for the environment. Sure, lounging on beaches and seeing the sites are great ways to explore the world, but did you know that travel can also bring you closer to diverse communities while contributing to a valuable cause? 

Learning how to get into wildlife conservation during your travels is a great way to find purpose, develop your skills, and immerse yourself in local cultures while supporting the health of our planet’s biodiversity. 

Meet Like-Minded People

Meeting like-minded people who share your values is another benefit to getting involved with wildlife conservation efforts while traveling. During a voluntourism trip, you’ll join a supportive community of individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact.

The shared commitment to volunteering creates a bond that can lead to lasting friendships. You’ll also gain a valuable network for future collaborations and advocacy work. 

Help Preserve Biodiversity

Participating in a wildlife conservation trip is a great way to contribute to global efforts to preserve biodiversity. Through hands-on activities like habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and anti-poaching initiatives, you’ll help protect endangered species and their habitats.

Thanks to active involvement in biodiversity conservation, you’ll positively impact the health of our planet during your travels. 

How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation While Traveling

If you’re looking to travel and volunteer abroad, there are several ways to get into wildlife conservation. In this section, we’ll cover the following three: 

1. Seek out conservation projects
2. Apply to an internship or research program
3. Join a wildlife conservation tour

Regardless of how you get into wildlife conservation, you should always ensure that your involvement aligns with ethical and sustainable practices. We’ll discuss this more in the next section. 

Now, let’s take a closer look at some ways to get involved with wildlife conservation while traveling. 

Seek Out Conservation Projects

If you’re a DIY enthusiast wondering how to get into wildlife conservation, you can seek out conservation projects to visit during your travels. 

There are several ways to identify projects that take volunteers, including: 

• Internet research
• Social media groups and forums
• Contact local conservation offices

Once you’ve identified a few conservation projects of interest, you can send an email or make a phone call to inquire about volunteer opportunities. 

Apply to an Internship or Research Program

Often, NGOs and government organizations offer opportunities to volunteer in wildlife conservation. This is a good option to consider if you’re looking for a more long-term commitment. 

When applying to an internship or research program, you’ll need a tailored resume and cover letter that emphasizes your passion for wildlife conservation. You may also need to provide letters of recommendation. And be prepared for an interview to prove that you’re a good fit for the organization! 

Lastly, it’s important to be proactive in reaching out, expressing your interest, and showcasing your dedication to the field of wildlife conservation. 

Join a Wildlife Conservation Tour

If you don’t have 2-3 months to dedicate to an internship or research program, and you aren’t up for cold-calling local conservation groups, then joining a wildlife conservation tour is a great way to get involved in wildlife conservation. 

Here at Further Travel, we have strong relationships with environmental volunteer organizations in countries like Thailand, Bali, and South Africa. As an ethical tourism company, we offer several voluntourism trips that allow participants to participate in animal welfare and biodiversity conservation initiatives while also enjoying the sites and cultures each destination has to offer. 

Joining a wildlife conservation tour with Further Travel is a great way to make a positive impact and gain valuable experience without jumping through the hoops involved in a long-term volunteer commitment. 

How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation as a Responsible Voluntourist 

Voluntourism’s growth in popularity has undoubtedly helped connect organizations with enthusiastic travelers looking to lend a hand. Unfortunately, however, some voluntourists do more harm than good. 

To avoid the pitfalls of irresponsible voluntourism, it’s a good idea to check in with yourself and make sure you understand the basics of sustainable, ethical travel abroad. 

Here are four tips for getting into wildlife conservation as a responsible voluntourist: 

1. Be respectful 
2. Educate yourself
3. Embrace sustainability 
4. Consider long-term impacts

By keeping these best practices in mind, you’re more likely to make a positive contribution while volunteering with wildlife conservation organizations during your trip. 

How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation in Thailand

When people think of Thailand, golden beaches and late-night parties are usually the first things that come to mind. Thanks to legendary full moon parties and nightlife, places like Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi have been dubbed the ‘Thailand Party Islands’ with good reason!

But these locations offer so much more than neon lights and beach bars–especially for travelers looking to get into wildlife conservation. Thailand is home to several animal volunteer organizations doing important work to protect animal welfare and promote the conservation of endangered species.

In this section, we’ll introduce you to three of our fantastic partner organizations in Thailand: 

1. Camp Elephant
2. Rescue P.A.W.S.
3. Soi Dog Foundation 

Here at Further Travel, our commitment to ethical travel means we closely examine each organization’s mission, track record, and transparent use of resources. When you travel with us, you can rest easy knowing your work will support worthwhile organizations.     

Volunteer with Elephants

Elephants in Thailand face significant challenges like habitat loss, exploitation in tourism, and illegal trade. That’s why our award-winning Camp Elephant takes great care in promoting sustainable tourism practices.

During your visit to ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, you’ll have the opportunity to closely interact with elephants through feeding, bathing, and other experiences designed to help you understand their behaviors and routines. You’ll also learn about ongoing conservation efforts to protect these iconic creatures. 

Volunteer with Stray Animals

If you’re a dog lover, our Camp Thailand trips offer unique opportunities for working closely with stray animals in need of essential rescue and care services. 

During our two-week Rescue P.A.W.S. trip, you’ll help combat Thailand’s stray dog epidemic by providing hands-on assistance with daily care. Some of the volunteer activities you’ll carry out include: 

• Beach walks
• Feeding
• Playtime
• Health checks
• …and more! 

We also offer travelers the chance to get involved in animal welfare work during our 20-Day Island Explorer trip, which includes a day of volunteering at the Soi Dog Foundation. Since 2003, this Phuket-based foundation has been working tirelessly to rescue dogs from the dog meat trade. As a Further Travel volunteer, you’ll contribute to their mission of ending animal cruelty.    

How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation in Bali

Bali is a popular traveler destination renowned for its picturesque landscapes, famous ancient templates, and stunning beaches. For visitors looking to experience the island’s natural beauty while engaging in hands-on volunteer activities, Further Travel’s Camp Bali is the perfect choice. 

Our mission is to connect young adventurers with life-changing travel experiences, and what could be better than a holiday spent volunteering to support turtle conservation in Bali? 

Volunteer with Turtles

The various species of sea turtles that inhabit Bali’s coastal waters are an integral part of the local marine ecosystem. 

Bali hosts three distinct species of sea turtles:

1. The Green Turtle 
2. The Hawksbill Turtle
3. The Loggerhead Turtle 

The health and survival of these turtles are the focus of several wildlife conservation organizations in Bali. These nonprofits fight to protect local sea turtle populations from threats like habitat destruction, pollution, and illegal poaching. 

At Further Travel, we connect travelers with volunteer opportunities at the Serangan Turtle Conservation Centre. As one of the largest and most well-known turtle sanctuaries in Bali, this amazing organization offers volunteers the chance to feed and care for rescued turtles. 

Our Camp Bali participants also have the chance to participate in local beach clean-ups and education initiatives designed to increase awareness of biodiversity and the importance of conservation. 

How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation in South Africa 

If you’re looking for stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage, you can’t do much better than a trip to South Africa. From iconic attractions like Table Mountain and Kruger National Park to world-class wineries in Stellenbosch, this country has it all. 

Many travelers opt for a Safari experience when visiting South Africa, but did you know it’s possible to play a more active role in protecting biodiversity? With Further Travel’s two-week Animal Conservation trip, you’ll have the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in wildlife conservation efforts.      

Volunteer on a Game Reserve

Our Camp South Africa Wildlife and Conservation Trip takes place on the award-winning Kwantu Game Reserve, a 6,000-hectare private reserve staffed by expert guides and rangers. Kwantu is home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife, including the Big Five: 

• Lion
• African Elephant 
• Buffalo
• Leopard
• Rhino

On the first day, you’ll enjoy a game drive through the reserve. During the drive, your expert ranger will share a wealth of knowledge about the land, its wildlife, and the reserve’s ongoing conservation initiatives. 

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the reserve, it’s time to get to work! Our trip volunteers perform various conservation tasks ranging from physical work to education and advocacy. 

Here are a few examples of volunteer activities you might perform on our trip: 

• Game counting
• Planting
• Tree chopping
• Reserve maintenance
• Animal monitoring 

The Kwantu Game Reserve also hosts an on-site welfare foundation and animal rehabilitation center where you can get involved with wildlife conservation by feeding animals and helping prepare for their re-introduction to the wild. 

This is the trip of a lifetime, period. Don’t sleep on it–apply now to join Further Travel’s Camp South Africa! 

How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation as a Career Through Volunteering 

A career in wildlife conservation offers the chance to meaningfully impact the health of the planet’s biodiversity. Around the world, conservation professionals make important contributions to preserving ecosystems, protecting endangered species, and fostering environmental sustainability. 

With some volunteer experience on your resume, you could be eligible for several great careers in wildlife conservation. 

In this section, we’ll cover three entry-level careers to consider: 

1. Environmental educator
2. Park ranger
3. Field technician

Voluntourism is a great way to launch your career in wildlife conservation. Let’s take a closer look at the how and why! 

Environmental Educator

The job of an environmental educator is to teach the general public about the importance of wildlife conservation, ecosystems, and sustainable practices. 

Environmental educators design and deliver educational programs, workshops, and presentations to raise awareness, foster a connection to nature, and encourage people to make informed decisions for the well-being of the planet. 

Park Ranger

A park ranger is responsible for managing and maintaining natural reserves, parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. They also conduct educational programs, lead tours, and engage in conservation efforts that contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and wildlife in protected areas. 

If you’d like to spend your days ensuring the safety of park visitors, enforcing park regulations, and providing information on the natural environment, then park ranger is a great career to consider. 

Field Technician 

A field technician is another great entry-level position for those wondering how to get into wildlife conservation as a career. In this job, you’ll conduct hands-on fieldwork and assist in research projects. 

Field technicians collect data on wildlife populations, behavior, and habitats. They may also track animals, set up camera traps, and monitor environmental conditions. 

If a career spent contributing to the understanding and preservation of biodiversity sounds like a dream come true, a job as a field technician is a great place to start.  

How to Get Into Wildlife Conservation with Further Travel 

If you’re wondering how to get into wildlife conservation and looking for a volunteer opportunity to make it happen, a sustainable trip with Further Travel is a great option to consider. 

Our trips combine adventure with tangible impact, connecting volunteers with meaningful conservation experiences in beautiful locations. 

Whether volunteering at a turtle sanctuary or on a game reserve, our trips have something for everyone. We’re proud to connect ethical travelers with responsible, conservation-focused NGOs that promote sustainable tourism for long-term positive impacts on global wildlife conservation. 

How to Apply

Ready to get into wildlife conservation with a Further Travel voluntourism trip? Here’s how to apply in three easy steps: 

1. Fill out our application form: Tell us about yourself and why you’d like to join our trip. The form is 3 questions and only takes around 5 minutes to complete. 
2. Application review: Our team will review your application. We’ll get in touch within 12 hours to let you know if you’ve been approved to join one of our trips. 
3. Pay your deposit: Secure your place with a deposit, which will let you access our portal where you’ll find pre-departure information and more.  

Once you’ve completed our three-step application process, all that’s left to do is pack your bags and prepare for life-changing experiences with new friends in beautiful places! 

Contact us today to learn more about our tour packages and incredible destinations.