a year, and are for a couple of weeks each,
with time to explore the particular destination.
destinations: Cambodia.
Costs: addventure Vsa costs around
nZ$3500, which covers all tour costs except
international airfares. Costs include local and
nZ guides to accompany the group, local
transport, accommodation and some meals.
eligibility: Vsa volunteer applicants have to be
new Zealand citizens, permanent residents,
or have right of re-entry to new Zealand.
groups or Individuals: groups and individuals
welcome. up to 12 people per group.
annual no. of Volunteers: 24-36
annual projects: 2-3
partner programmes: 3
selection & Interview process: applicants fill
in a booking form on the pacific discovery
website http://www.pacificdiscovery.org/
small-group-tours/addventure-vsa.aspx.
In-country support: groups are accompanied
by a new Zealand and local tour guide and
link with staff at the local Vsa office and Vsa
volunteers working in Cambodia.
world expeditions
Australian Office: lvl 5, 71 York st, sydney,
nsw 2000, australia
%+61 (0)2 8270 8400
fax +61 (0)2 9279 0566
New Zealand Office: lvl 2, 35 high st,
auckland, new Zealand
%+64 (0)9 368 4161
[email protected]
http://www.worldexpeditions.com
world expeditions is an australian adventure-
travel outfit which offers community project
trips to developing countries while enabling
travellers to enjoy a cultural experience in
stunning terrain. part of the trip payment
helps pay for the materials on projects,
which include installing piping for sewerage
and renovating a school in nepal. world
expeditions promises an ‘interactive,
philanthropic, educational and uplifting’
experience. Certainly working alongside
villagers on the ‘roof of the world’ could lend
a new meaning to the term ‘workplace high’.
status: limited company.
timing & length of assignments:
departure dates are advertised on
http://www.worldexpeditions.com. trips range
from seven to 18 days; there are departures
year-round for selected projects.
destinations: arnhem land (australia), nepal,
peru, tanzania and laos.
Costs: a$1890 to a$3390.
eligibility: participants must be over 16 and
fit and healthy, as some trips entail two-day
treks to remote communities.
groups or Individuals: Individuals are placed
on group trips; private group arrangements
are possible.
annual no. of Volunteers: 100
annual projects: Varies.
partner programmes: world expeditions
works alongside on-the-ground operators
and remote communities.
selection & Interview process: a normal trip-
booking process applies, with no selection
prerequisites or interview necessary. a
medical clearance is required.
In-country support: experienced on-the-
ground operational staff and crew.Overseas Organisations
buffalo tours
94 ma may street, hoan Kiem district,
hanoi, Vietnam
%+84 4 828 0702
fax +84 4 826 9370
[email protected]
http://www.buffalotours.com
http://www.educationaltravelasia.com
buffalo tours is one of the leading tour
operators in Vietnam and has established a
very good reputation for inclusive tours since- to its credit, it has pioneered many
adventure travel opportunities, such as trekking
in mai Chau and kayaking in halong bay, and it
also advocates responsible tourism, supporting
worthy projects such as binh luc orphanage,
medical treks in mai Chau and ‘friendship
village’ visits for victims of agent orange.
status: limited company.
timing & length of placements: project length
can vary, however, a minimum of one week
is normally recommended, but ideally 10 to
14 days. projects are also offered for longer
periods of time.
destinations: locations throughout Vietnam,
Cambodia, thailand and laos.
Costs: Costs are subject to length of stay and
programme.
eligibility: this is dependent on the nature of
the project or experience, but generally the
age minimum is 13 years.
groups or Individuals: buffalo tours
specialises in groups and caters to many
schools, clubs and universities.
annual no. of Volunteers: 453
annual projects: 53
selection & Interview process: selection is
dependent on group interest, size, age and
dates of travel.
In-country support: a full time, experienced
Volunteer and educational travel team is
available in-country to operate group projects
and experiences from start to finish.Voluntourists without borders
22/8 moo 4, tambon nong hoy, amphur
muang, Chiang mai 50000 thailand
%66 (0)53 801257 ext 0
fax 66 (0)53 801257 ext 1
[email protected]
http://www.track-of-the-tiger.com
Vwb is a non-profit initiative established in
1986 in Chiang mai, thailand. the initiative
sends volunteers to rural thai villages, where
they participate in sustainable agricultural and
agroforestry programmes, attempting to save
existing forest cover, augment degraded forest
areas and retain biodiversity. local communities
must agree on project plans, the project must
be accessible for all participants and must have
potential for replication by other communities.
projects include the ban pang daeng nai and
pang soong nature trails – both comprised
of several ecotourism components including
nature trail development, forest augmentation
and interaction with local people. Vwb’s long-
term goal is to build a sustainable ecotourism
company in the region that will be owned and
operated by the local villagers.
status: ltd company/not-for-profit arm.
timing & length of placements: programmes
for individuals and families range in length
from one day to one year. other ‘gap’
programmes run significantly longer, ranging
from four predetermined timelines to two
weeks or two months.
destinations: thailand.
Costs: Costs vary greatly depending on length
of stay, but are in the vicinity of us$50 per
day. this covers all meals, wages for local
workers and accommodation, but does not
include airfares.
eligibility: the minimum age is over 18 years.
Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by
parents or be with a school or youth group.groups or Individuals: both.
annual no. of Volunteers: 200
annual projects: 4-5
selection & Interview process: the selection
process is conducted via email.
In-country support: all programmes are
suported by our commercial arm and are
based at the pang soong lodge, outdoor &
environmental education Centre.Volunteering as a
staff member
If you enjoy working in a leadership
capacity, or are looking to get into the
expedition business, you might consider
volunteering as a staff member for an
expedition-based gap-year organisation
to gain experience. Raleigh International
(p126), for example, takes on about 300
volunteer staff every year to help run
its expeditions, including team leaders,
drivers and project managers. However,
you need relevant skills for these positions- for example, six months’ experience in
youth work or team-leading to apply for a
project manager role – and you must pay
for your own flights.
Greenforce (see below) regularly recruits
staff to assist with its programmes, and
others, like Trekforce Worldwide (p115),
take volunteer medical personnel on
expeditions. If you’re interested in par-
ticipating in an expedition as a doctor or
nurse, it wouldn’t hurt to contact whatever
organisation catches your eye, as there may
be openings.
greenforce
11-15 betterton st, london wC2h 9 bp , uK
%uK +44 (0)870 770 2646
%us +1 800 710 6065
fax +44 (0)870 770 2647
[email protected]
http://www.greenforce.org
greenforce rewards its field staff by providing
international flights, food, accommodation,
medical insurance and a stipend. also, staff
who complete the programme may receive
annual awards that can be used to help
fund additional training. those interested
in applying for staff positions need to be05: Organised Volunteer Programmes:Volunteering as a Staff Member