I'm taking a gap year now and I'm planning on taking part in a animal/conservation related project with two friends. One friend is also spending most of the gap year travelling so we're only going to be doing this project for about 4 weeks in total. I'm trying to think of some places that we could visit that'll be amazing but also under the budget of approx. £2000 per person (inc everything).
Friend no1 is already going toganda, LA, Guatemala and Australia (working with children, turtles, other small animals and paid work).
Freind no2 has suggested Peru, Bolivia and definitely NOT Australia.
We're also not really keen on China or Thailand. I'm interested in any advice/ideas that people may have, like which companies/locations/projects would you recommend based on past experiences? What do people think of the Galapagops Islands or Madagascar? And is it better to go with the more expensive companies for peace of mind, or the cheaper companies such as Original Volunteers/Ecoteers?
I volunteered with elephants in Thailand which was amazing, I paid a small fortune but found out you can make a donation when you arive and do it for a small fee. Thinks its now about 140 euros per week which includes accommodation food etc. Would this interest you? A lot of places you hear from other people about projects where you can just turn up.
There really are millions of companies offering animal projects, depends how much you want to spend, hmmmmm... A lot of the massive volunteer companies use the same placements as small organisations - so sometimes it doesnt matter who you are going with.
I volunteered with elephants in Thailand which was amazing, I paid a small fortune but found out you can make a donation when you arive and do it for a small fee. Thinks its now about 140 euros per week which includes accommodation food etc. Would this interest you? A lot of places you hear from other people about projects where you can just turn up.
There really are millions of companies offering animal projects, depends how much you want to spend, hmmmmm... A lot of the massive volunteer companies use the same placements as small organisations - so sometimes it doesnt matter who you are going with.
On your budget there are lots of websites I can recommend but you are best browsing and see what takes your eye...
Wow thanks! Yeah I'll have a look at them. I'm still not sure about Thailand, none of our parents are keen on us going there. What's Thailand like in terms of safety? xxx
Most people speak English, there is Western food, there are thousands of tourists and seriously only really rarely do you hear of bad things happening! Probably safer there than it is in the UK. If you do the elephant placement it is a really safe environment as its a long way from anywhere and lots of internationals!
Im looking for the same thing as you probably in South America or Thailand.
Ive heard good things about this company http://www.thepodsite.co.uk/, not just about the project but the company too. Im probably going to go with them, although there isnt a great range of projects. Id also suggest Volunteer south america as someone already said. And avoid Frontier like the plague.
Im looking for the same thing as you probably in South America or Thailand.
Ive heard good things about this company http://www.thepodsite.co.uk/, not just about the project but the company too. Im probably going to go with them, although there isnt a great range of projects. Id also suggest Volunteer south america as someone already said. And avoid Frontier like the plague.
I say Peru, and I'll tell you why. There was a huge earthquake last year and the Paracas Nature reserve was just about destroyed, meaning a lot of the rare animals and birds lost their habitats. They are gradually returning to the park, but many are ill and need treatment, and they all need their habitats rebuilding. The majority are birds and dolphins. So they are in desperate need for animal loving volunteers to protect the stranded animals. This nature reserve was the worst hit, but Manu National Park in the amazon rainforest also suffered, so you could help there- they have more mammals if that's your thing. Plus Peru is a lovely place to visit.
I also had a lovely time helping monkeys in Bolivia, but the political climate makes it unwise to travel there any time soon, especially to the remote jungle areas (they are plotting an uprising). The most common animal trip in SA is to help the tortoises in the Galapagos islands. But don't expect to get much hands-on experience as there will be many other volunteers too.
The company I first went to Peru with does some conservation trips- www.i-to-i.com and I can't recommend them enough. It was a thoroughly good trip (I did archaeology that time)
There is nothing dangerous at the moment in Bolivia. Your more likely to encounter problems in places like Thailand and Peru - places where tourists and tourism have taken hold, and the problems- petty thieves, muggers, prostitution, date raping etc. have appeared. Bolivia doesn't have those sort of problems.
I'd highly advise AGAINST going to Peru right not, the country is in a state of emergency for security reasons, after violent protests. The situation there is very turbulent, and muggings, rape, theft and express kidnappings are all a significant problem. The poor population (I.E the majority) are unhappy with the government, and rising prices. They have held several protests, a few turning violent.
Inti Wara Yassi is an extremely rewarding organisation in Bolivia, where you can volunteer with animals ranging from jaguars and pumas, to monkeys and birds. There is also a bear... www.intiwarayassi.org
There is nothing dangerous at the moment in Bolivia. Your more likely to encounter problems in places like Thailand and Peru - places where tourists and tourism have taken hold, and the problems- petty thieves, muggers, prostitution, date raping etc. have appeared. Bolivia doesn't have those sort of problems.
I'd highly advise AGAINST going to Peru right not, the country is in a state of emergency for security reasons, after violent protests. The situation there is very turbulent, and muggings, rape, theft and express kidnappings are all a significant problem. The poor population (I.E the majority) are unhappy with the government, and rising prices. They have held several protests, a few turning violent.
Inti Wara Yassi is an extremely rewarding organisation in Bolivia, where you can volunteer with animals ranging from jaguars and pumas, to monkeys and birds. There is also a bear... www.intiwarayassi.org
I live in Peru and can assure you that is not the case. There was a state of emergency, but that was two years ago during the general elections and is no longer the case now. Bolivia on the other hand has a state of emergency in three provinces and nationals of south america have been advised not to travel there and trade and business from neighbouring countries has ceased due to the risks. This I know because I was due to travel from Peru to Bolivia with my company but it was canceled because of the violent protests and uprising. This was in late June, and I have been informed that the situation hasn't changed. Bolivia isn't the most dangerous of countries in the world, but because of it's current situation it is much safer to visit Peru or any other South American country. I would however advise that, if you were to visit South America, it is wise to avoid night-time buses as there is a risk of highwaymen pouncing on the bus. This is true for all of South America.
I live in Peru and can assure you that is not the case. There was a state of emergency, but that was two years ago during the general elections and is no longer the case now.
General strike. 9th july 2008. State of emergency declared. FACT.
Bolivia on the other hand has a state of emergency in three provinces and nationals of south america have been advised not to travel there and trade and business from neighbouring countries has ceased due to the risks.
Provide evidence as such? I was in Bolivia just 2 weeks ago. The last state of emergency I knew about was because of flooding.
This I know because I was due to travel from Peru to Bolivia with my company but it was canceled because of the violent protests and uprising.
I doubt that. Transport is often delayed in bolivia, because of roadblocks. Non violent events, where the roadblockers say for how long they will be blocking, why they are blocking, and their children and wives make some money by selling coca leaves, empanadas and tea to the drivers.
There is NO uprising. They are having what is called a general election. You know, where people vote one way or the other?
This was in late June, and I have been informed that the situation hasn't changed. Bolivia isn't the most dangerous of countries in the world, but because of it's current situation it is much safer to visit Peru or any other South American country. I would however advise that, if you were to visit South America, it is wise to avoid night-time buses as there is a risk of highwaymen pouncing on the bus. This is true for all of South America.
Yes it is, though Peru has more accidents than any other country in South America. 84 deaths in 11 days?
Like I said before, with Peru being such a tourist trap, there is a lot more risks in going there.
Peruvian president Alan Garcia on his left wing opponents:
"They want to attack the democratic system ... and take power by force"
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Animal Gap year Ideas
ganda, LA, Guatemala and Australia (working with children, turtles, other small animals and paid work).
