WorkingAbroad Projects

Meet Max from Andover, UK 🐘 19, on his gap year, just spent a week with us at our Ethical Elephant programme in Northern Thailand - and the team have been raving about him ever since.

He’s been right in the thick of it - building sand beds for elephants Jasmine and Mae Dok, collecting soil and filling planter bags to grow trees for planting, and heading out on observation walks in the Ruzi grass fields with our guide Ty. He’s even had a go at fishing for crabs and small fish in the stream, local-style.

Max said that until this week, Vietnam was his favourite place - now it’s Northern Thailand. Staff say he’s been a joy to have around, mucking in with everything and genuinely happy to lend a hand wherever needed.

If only there were more Max’s! 🙏🌿

Meet Max from Andover, UK 🐘 19, on his gap year, just spent a week with us at our Ethical Elephant programme in Northern Thailand - and the team have been raving about him ever since.

He's been right in the thick of it - building sand beds for elephants Jasmine and Mae Dok, collecting soil and filling planter bags to grow trees for planting, and heading out on observation walks in the Ruzi grass fields with our guide Ty. He's even had a go at fishing for crabs and small fish in the stream, local-style.

Max said that until this week, Vietnam was his favourite place - now it's Northern Thailand. Staff say he's been a joy to have around, mucking in with everything and genuinely happy to lend a hand wherever needed.

If only there were more Max's! 🙏🌿

10% discount for anyone booking our Blue Lagoon Coral Reef programme in Mauritius between now and mid-September 🌊 🪸

As one volunteer put it - Mauritius's reefs are a jewel in the world's ocean.

Coral reef monitoring, turtle research and lagoon surveys in one of the most pristine reef systems in the world - Mauritius's Blue Bay Marine Park. Paddle out on SUPs, snorkel the turquoise lagoon, help restore coral through farming, and one day a week get your hands in the soil on a working organic farm - supporting local communities through agroecology, composting and food resilience.

Fridays are free for eco-activities and could include: kayaking mangroves, giant tortoises on Île Aux Aigrettes, hiking up to stunning waterfalls, or the famous Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth.

Places still available from June onwards. More info here - https://www.workingabroad.com/projects/blue-lagoon-coral-reef-volunteer-internship-mauritius/ 🐢🐠

At our Watamu Sea Turtle Volunteer Project, Kenya, our beach monitor volunteers are out every night during nesting season. When a nest hatches, they’re there to see it. And the morning after, the team returns to carry out an excavation. 💙

We carefully dig down to assess what happened: how many eggs hatched successfully, how many didn’t, and why. It’s painstaking work, but the data matters. Every excavation helps us understand hatching success rates, identify threats, and build a clearer picture of how our turtle population is doing over time.🐢

And sometimes, just when you think the nest is done, you find a little surprise at the bottom.

Here one tiny straggler was still waiting. Disorientated, exhausted, but alive. ✨️

Our team carefully helped it to the surface and watched it make its way down the beach and into the ocean.🌊

🐢"Being privileged enough to be part of the release of baby turtles in to the sea to start their life’s journey was truly amazing and one of the best things I’ve ever experienced" - Michelle Jeffries & family who joined our Deep Ecology & Sea turtle programme in Costa Rica. 🐢 💚

‼️ New spots have become available for 23-30 August 2026 - this summer in our Jungle Studio, Jungle Cabin & Jungle Bungalow - for any families looking to join this fabulous turtle & ecology programme in the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica! ‼️

"Well what can I say about this truly wonderful place… amazing, engaging, relaxing, educational, invigorating, beautiful, warmly hospitable. These are just some of the words that come to mind.

We visited as a family and I have to say I really feel that they have the balance spot on when it comes to volunteer work, education and free time. We learned so much about the local ecology and environment, as well as contributing to the amazing work they are doing there. Also, with so many wonderful things to do and see in the close proximity to the finca, they were instrumental in helping us with on the ground information and facilitating a trouble free roster of activities that really helped us to make the most of our time there.

Being privileged enough to be part of the release of baby turtles in to the sea to start their life’s journey was truly amazing and one of the best things I’ve ever experienced and was one of the many, many highlights of our time with Rob and Rebe! It was made even more special as it happened the same day we got to swim with turtles, fish and a reef shark in the wild at Cano Island during a snorkelling tour they arranged for us.

I’ve travelled to many places in the world but never experienced something as truly wonderful. The location, the engagement with the locality and environment, the immersion in nature, the warmth and hospitality of the hosts. All of these elements combined to make our stay here such a life affirming experience. The only single bad point to staying with Rob and Rebe was that we had to leave 🥲. We left with a tear in our eyes but warmth in our hearts from a truly magical and magnificent experience. Until next time 🙏

If you and your family are still looking to do something meaningful this summer, please DM us, message below or visit

Deep Ecology & Sea Turtle Family Volunteering in Costa Rica | WorkingAbroad

Places still available from 5 July at our Wildlife Rescue Internship, Costa Rica 🦜🐒

Hands-on experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Cabuya, Costa Rica. Work alongside experienced animal care staff with monkeys, raccoons, opossums, squirrels, birds and other native species - and become part of a small international team doing real conservation work. 2-12 weeks in duration and Research internships also available.

Perfect for pre-vet students, biology students, gap-year travellers, or anyone looking for something genuinely meaningful this summer. Yoga deck and infinity pool on site and right next to the stunning Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve 🌳

DM us for more info ☺️

World Oceans Day! 🌊

This year's theme is "REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean." This theme urges humanity to adopt a new, shared responsibility for the ocean, moving beyond traditional boundaries and unsustainable habits. 💙

Our ocean conservation projects embody this theme perfectly! We partner with ethical and ambitious organisations around the world looking to make proactive change and promote sustainable practices. ✨️

Volunteering in marine conservation offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the protection and restoration of our oceans. 🪸

Projects range from data collection for scientific research to direct conservation actions, such as protecting endangered marine species and restoring degraded coral reefs. As a volunteer, you can make a significant impact, helping to counteract negative trends and restore marine biodiversity. 🐟

A single elephant searching for water can accidentally destroy infrastructure that entire communities rely on 🐘

That’s why volunteers at our Desert Elephants Volunteer Project help build protective walls around water points, reservoirs and pipelines across Namibia’s northwest. 🇳🇦

These structures help reduce damage and protect vital water access for the people living alongside free-roaming elephants.
It’s dusty, physical work, but the impact lasts far beyond the build itself.💙

Want to join us in the field? Let us know!

https://www.workingabroad.com/projects/desert-elephants-volunteer-project-namibia/