Enjoying your summer so far? We hope so! But it’s never too early to start planning for your next adventure! Luckily for you, we’ve put together a list of the best projects to visit in 2018 – so consider taking a holiday with a difference, and see which of our conservation projects you could be joining next year!
Lilongwe Wildlife Centre
Consistently voted as one of the friendliest nations in the world, Malawi is a destination which is always worth your time. However, if you’re looking to take a volunteering trip, there is one time of the year where your assistance will be massively appreciated.
The Lilongwe Wildlife Centre is home to an ever-increasing number of residents, and the team are constantly working hard to care for and rehabilitate as many animals as possible. During ‘orphan season’ (November-March), the extra help given by volunteers is incredibly valuable: every year, the centre sees an influx of orphaned young animals (such as baboons and big cats), meaning the staff here are rushed off their feet.
Summertime, or the wet season in Malawi, marks the beginning of new life being born in the nation. With so many animals having babies, the centre’s capacity is already being stretched – add to that the amount of little ones left without families due to the pet trade (some adults are even killed for bush meat), and the struggles faced during this key time of the year become almost insurmountable.
If you’re a fan of wildlife, orphan season really is the perfect time to visit Malawi. From the end of the year through until March, you can make a difference to the lives of these desperate little animals in need.
Mozambican Marine Conservation Project
Another great place to see newborn wildlife is Mozambique! This African country really is a year-round destination, with an plethora of various marine species to be seen at any time, but if it’s the little ones you’re hoping to see, then we’ve got you covered.
Head to the coast around the beginning of the year, and you’ll be likely to see young manta rays swimming around. Alternatively, you can pay a visit to the island in late 2017/early 2018 in the hopes of spotting some adorable turtles – it is breeding season, after all!
Ultimately, the very end and beginning of the year are ideal times to visit Mozambique. Rays, whale sharks, dolphins, and even sharks can all be found in the waters around October-March – just choose your dates carefully if you want to see your favourite animal, and check out the details tab of the project page to find out more!
Panda Volunteer Experience in China
As one of the most beloved species on earth, pandas are also synonymous with the very idea of conservation. An icon of Chinese culture and wildly adored for their harmless, bumbling nature, it’s difficult to not want to help these lovable bears forge a meaningful future. But if you want to volunteer with pandas, be quick – the peak season at this project is sure to sell out fast!
You can visit the Panda Volunteer Experience In China almost year-round, however, one season stands above the rest as the best time to go. June-August is high season at the panda base, with volunteer capacity often being stretched to the limit. The reason for this is not only because of the beautiful weather in the area (though it certainly is nice in summer!); vitally, there is a chance that little panda cubs will be rolling around! If we could recommend any time to volunteer, this would be it – so be quick in booking your place!
The Great Elephant Project
This Sri Lankan experience does run year round, with elephants and leopards visible at all time, but if you’re looking to make the very most of your holiday, we can certainly advise the best time to join The Great Elephant Project!
Sri Lanka has fascinating culture, with a number of interesting events and holidays taking place between April and September. The Sinhala New Year, the Wesak festival, and the Poson festival all take place between April and May, with the Esala Perahera (better known as the Kandy Temple of the Tooth celebration) happening in August. Each of these events are a sight to behold; once coupled with the opportunity to see volunteer with such incredible animal species, how better could you spend your next summer holiday?
Want to join any of the projects above? Just click on each of their titles to be taken through to their project pages! If you’re still unsure of where to head next year, why not try our handy project finder – just enter your preferred dates, your preferred duration, and any other filters you’d like!
