Environmental and Wildlife Conservation in Africa, Asia and Latin America

with Kaya Responsible Travel


  Languages Communitites Land Conservation Internship Expedition
project location
start dateStart date:
Rolling start dates
salarySalary:
Volunteer Project
accommodation includedAccommodation included
food and mealsDepending on the project and location, a full meal programme may be included; speak to an advisor to discuss your needs and the options available
training providedTraining provided



Kaya's mission means that we consider ethical, environmental and cultural concerns in order to ensure that all of our projects are sustainable, and ultimately, beneficial for local community-members. The projects we support are small, grassroots, community-led, and genuinely appreciate the help of our volunteers and interns. Kaya participants benefit as well, growing in global knowledge and gaining real-world experience. Book with us to immerse yourself in your country, region and field of choice, and to make a difference whilst doing so!


Environmental and Wildlife Conservation in Africa, Asia and Latin America
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Environmental and Wildlife Conservation in Africa, Asia and Latin America
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project highlights Highlights

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Expert Advising and Support - Sleep well knowing our advisors have helped you choose the right gap year for you & that we’ll have your back while you’re abroad
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So Much Choice - With 250+ projects to choose from, we have ethical gap years for everyone
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Non-Traditional - Travel off the beaten path in Asia-Pacific, Africa or Latin America & get to know the locals on a deeper level
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Responsible, Ethical, Sustainable - All of Kaya's gap years, no matter the location or field, feature community-led, grassroots initiatives
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Culturally Immersive - Part of a responsible approach involves proper preparation and education; we’ll provide you with the cultural context you need to get the most out of your trip abroad
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Make a Difference - See and help the planet, get your hands dirty & make friends along the way




typical day
The course description
a typical day on this gap project

At Kaya Responsible Travel, we offer gap year experiences that combine travel and volunteering, helping you see the world and make an impact while doing so.

If you’re interested in environmental conservation, you may spend your time tackling issues such as climate change, habitat degradation, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, and the destruction of national land due to invasive species and human activity. You’ll see forests, rivers and oceansides in a new light!

If you’re interested in working with wildlife - think everything from capybaras to elephants - we have a number of placements for you to choose from. Volunteers are much needed, and can help overworked sanctuary staff, help maintain reserves, assist veterinarians and even bring awareness to issues facing wildlife!

We support a variety of conservation projects, and each project varies in its goals and needs. Therefore, the activities differ, depending on the placement you choose. As a volunteer, you’ll provide an essential extra pair of hands. There will always be plenty to do, whether you choose to work on a reserve, at a rescue center or in a research facility, to name just a few options. Volunteers may work together independently or in groups, depending on the project. You will have the guidance and training you need to complete daily tasks effectively. Just to give you a taste for the range of projects available to you, daily tasks may include socializing gibbons at a sanctuary in Thailand, climbing trees to monitor macaw nesting sites in Ecuador or tracking lions in South Africa, to name just a few! The sky really is the limit! In a general sense, some of the main volunteer activities across the range of our environmental/wildlife conservation projects include:

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Research; fieldwork including species monitoring, tracking, vegetation mapping; permaculture, fair trade agriculture, green energy, reforestation; community outreach; wilderness trail walks and patrols; fence patrols; project proposals and strategy

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION/ANIMAL RESCUE WORK

Wildlife recovery, reintroduction and release; food preparation and delivery; enclosure maintenance; veterinary staff assistance; wildlife conservation workshops and community outreach

VETERINARY CARE*

(With qualifications; depending on the placement)

Veterinary care for captive and wild animals; wildlife identification, immobilisation, transport, release; preventative treatments; small animal care in low-income communities; wound care, follow-ups and community education; surgical observations

EXPANDING YOUR KNOWLEDGE/MAKING AN IMPACT

*Learn about local environments and wildlife from knowledgeable and passionate community-members

*If applicable to your placement, contribute by working with schools, conducting research, and aiding in conservation as needed

*If applicable, learn about anti-poaching and security, or human-wildlife interactions

*Have an adventure and experience the country for all it has to offer, whilst making strides in the field of conservation

Check out our website to find out more about specific gap placements, or talk to a placement advisor. They’ll have all the details!




ideal candidate
Who are we looking for?
the requirements for this course




our offer
What can we offer you?
why choose us for your gap year

*Placement advising and project-matching
*Detailed pre-departure information and 24/hour support on the ground
*Airport pickups and drop-offs (except on 6-month placements)
*On-site orientation
*Accommodations (some placements may include meals as well)
*Depending on the type of placement and your needs, you may have a supervisor with structured learning goals (this is specific to internship placements and study and service)

DETAILS
We’re here to support you the whole way, from programme start to finish (and beyond!). The accommodations we provide are safe and vetted. Programme lengths and start dates vary, so talk to a placement advisor for details.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have decided to re-open limited locations as "Pod Programs" that meet our strict safety standards. Depending on what you want to do, you can travel with a small group of tested students and volunteers to select locations!

 


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