• Join Kaya and become a wildlife volunteer on your gap year! The world is full of amazing creatures. Unfortunately, across the globe a large number species are under threat due to the destruction of their habitats and the illegal wildlife trade. From the depths of the Amazon Rainforest to the plains of Africa the species and the landscape are worlds apart but the problem remains the same – the threat of extinction to many of our beautiful species. Kaya’s round the world package gives you the opportunity to protect endangered species in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Our package starts by taking you to the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador where you will care for and rehabilitate a wide variety of animals and birds including parrots, monkeys, turtles and wild cats in a wildlife rescue centre. Following this, it’s off to Africa to the stunning Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Here you will get up close and personal with African lions and take part in an award winning rescue, rahabilitation and release program. Finally, your journey will end beneath the ocean on the beautiful island of Koh Tao where you will take part in our Marine Conservation project with PADI certification and will spend much of your day diving to conduct underwater surveys and to clean-ups to help conserve the marine population. Animals have no way of protecting themselves from the threats caused by largely by humans with your help and support we can work together to protect our planets species.
  
  If you would prefer not to take part in the diving project in Thailand, this can be swapped for the "Elephant Welfare Project in Eastern Mahout Communities".

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  Island Marine Conservation with PADI Certification

  Thailand

  Based on the Thai island of Koh Tao, this marine conservation project is perfect for divers or those wishing to learn to dive. The local community of Koh Tao, in association with the best dive scho...

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  Victoria Falls Lion Rehabilitation Project

  Zimbabwe

  See the real Africa by volunteering in Zimbabwe on our lion rehabilitation project in Victoria Falls. You will have the chance to walk alongside lions, work on the worlds leading program for the re...

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  Amazon Rainforest Wildlife Rescue in Ecuador

  Ecuador

  Founded in 2006 in partnership with a local indigenous family that lives in the Amazon rainforest, this centre works with the Ministry of the Environment and the Environmental Police to rescue and ...

Project Facts

• Duration: 12 weeks (4 weeks in each country)
• Cost: £4050
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Colonia Bolivar, Ecuador / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe / Koh Tao, Thailand
• Project activities: Feed animals, clean enclosures, general maintenance, lion rehabilitation, diving and marine conservation
• Working hours: 08:30 - 15:00, Monday - Friday, Schedule will vary

What is included

• Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house in Ecuador and Zimbabwe and shared room in a guesthouse in Thailand
• Food: 3 meals per day in Ecuador and Zimbabwe and 0 meals in Thailand
• Airport pick up and drop off*
• Training: Predeparture information and onsite orientation
• Support: 24 hour support
• Activities: Staff can help organise weekend activities (activity price may be extra)

*return journey from Koh Tao to Bangkok and airport dropoff in Bangkok not included in the price

What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas

Role of the volunteer

The project in Ecuador is seriously understaffed and always needs assistance with the daily chores: cleaning the cages, feeding and playing with the animals, repairing the animals’ homes, constructing new edifices for incoming animals and nurturing traumatized species back to a more stable state of mental health as well.

In Zimbabwe the involvement of volunteers on the project is paramount to achieving our aims on all fronts. You can expect days to be long, but you will also be able to end each day knowing that you have given something back to Africa; having made a difference to the animals and people that you have come into contact with. Your primary task whilst on your placement will be to assist management and their team of guides, handlers and scouts in all aspects of care for the animals in their charge; giving them the opportunities to develop their natural instincts in preparation for their release into the next stage of the program. Research is a significant part of your role; collecting data not only on the development of the lions, but also joining our research team in the Zambezi & Victoria Falls National Parks.You will also help us with our various community programs that may include conservation or health education as well as a number of other projects that you will told about on arrival.

As a volunteer in Thailand you will start every day by attending a lecture on your course of action for the day. Following this you will proceed to your diving duties; whilst diving you will be responsible for identifying species, monitoring the reefs, underwater clean-ups, and reef restoration.

Skills Required

In Ecuador no specific qualifications are required. A background in veterinary science or biology is very useful however, and a love of animals is essential as well. Experience working in environmental policy (administrative and legal level) would also be a plus!

There are no specific skills required for this program in Zimbabwe. You will need to be of good health and have a decent level of fitness. Aside from that enthusiasm and willingness to do what is required during daily tasks is the attitude required for the project.

In Thailand PADI Open water, advanced and SSI Ecological diver certification are provided as part of the project. Those with existing certification can receive a discounted rate. For those unqualified, the ability to swim (minimum 2 lengths of a 25m pool) is essential, as is a love of water and an interest in sea-life. Volunteers are expected to carry tanks and equipment during the project and so a moderate level of fitness is required.

Your life outside the project

The project in Ecuador is based in a remote location so during the week evenings generally consist of hanging out, enjoying the natural surroundings and watching DVDs. At weekends volunteers tend to go away for overnight trips. The town of Puyo is only 35kms away and has plenty of amenities and there's also plenty of adventure activities within a 2/3 hour radius of the project including canyoning in the town of Banos and white water rafting in Tena.

At weekends, staff can help you plan activities during the month. These activities may include excursions to nearby towns for cultural events and/or festivals, but most commonly visitors like to plan adventure activities and trips into the national parks.

You will need to ensure you bring enough cash to pay for these activities, so to give you an idea of what you might get involved with, here are a few activities with approximate prices;
•Boma restaurant (almost all volunteers choose to
do this – and love it!) US$35.00-
•Sunset cruise (another popular trip) US$45.00
•Half day White water rafting - US$105
•Gorge swing US$70
•Helicopter Ride for 15 minutes - US$115
•Entry to Victoria Falls National Park - US$20
•Elephant ride - US$30
•Elephant swim - US$25
•Horse Ride - US$25
•Lunar horse game viewing – available 6 days over full moon period - US$30
•Boat cruise - US$20
•Night encounter - US$100

Koh Tao Island in Thailand is located near the islands of Koh Pangan and Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao itself offers beautiful beaches and secluded coves to explore on your weekends off. There is also incredible Scuba Diving around the island, so you can while away the hours observing underwater life on your free days.

Although it is a small island, there are a number of different beaches to check out while you’re there. Mae Haad Beach and Sairee Beach are both on the west side of the island and enjoy beautiful sunset views. Sairee Beach is also one of the best for snorkelling. Alternative beaches are Chalok Baan Kao which is slightly less developed then the others, so a little quieter and more laid back.

Highlights

Paragliding in the Andes

View the spectacular views of the Ecuadorian Andes through the thrilling experience of paragliding. Carry out a tandem flight and no experience is required. The best places to paraglide are Crucita Beach, Pichincha Mountains and the cliffs above Canoa.

Bungee jump at Victoria Falls

With Victoria Falls as a backdrop, this is arguably the best bungee jump in the world, with a 111 metre plummet towards the Zambezi River. The Victoria Falls Bungee jump has a 100% safety record - and is available 365 days per year. Challenge the limits of the mind and test the edge of fear by leaping off the impressive bridge, with the Falls behind and the mighty Zambezi below.

Elephant trekking in the jungle

Explore the dense highland jungles of the north on the back of a magnificent Asian elephant, stay overnight with a hilltribe family and fall asleep to the sounds of the wild. Will you be lucky enough to spot a Burmese python?

Itinerary