Find out more about us
It all began with one project: The Great Orangutan Project, located in Malaysian Borneo. This marked our first foray into sustainable travel and paved the way for more ethical and exciting volunteer experiences in the years to come. After having worked with local authorities, passionate project facilitators and hardworking volunteers, The Great Orangutan Project proved that there is ‘a better way to holiday’ and encouraged us to use our expertise to expand into Africa, the Americas, Europe, and other areas in Asia.
Today, we offer more than 35 projects to those wishing to work alongside some of the world’s most incredible wildlife species. In addition to helping our volunteers make a difference to conservation efforts, we proudly offer these same experiences in completely breathtaking environments: from volunteering with orangutans in the Bornean rainforest to swimming with whale sharks in the Indian Ocean, you’re sure to find a project that’s perfect for you. What’s more, we ensure that our volunteers are fully immersed in their chosen experience, allowing you to have a taste of life as an animal keeper, game ranger, or wildlife conservationist during your time on our projects.
So, if you’ve always dreamed of working with animals abroad, then why not consider joining one of our projects today? Our experiences promise to be memorable, rewarding, and meaningful – so get in touch to see how you can get involved.
Where We Work
We send our volunteers to exciting destinations around the world on a range of unique and thoroughly worthwhile projects, helping travellers to make a real, sustainable difference to their chosen cause. What’s more, we provide our volunteers with a dedicated UK-based team who ensure that they are supported through all stages of their experience: from the initial enquiry all the way through to your return home, you can rest assured that our team will be ready to provide you with all the informative, friendly assistance you could possibly need.
Our Mission
We work with organisations worldwide to establish high standards in animal welfare and conservation within the responsible tourism sector. The Great Projects believes in using sustainable tourism as a tool to positively impact local communities and at-risk environments to aid the conservation of endangered animals and fragile ecosystems. You won’t find any of our projects or tours exploiting animals, the local area or the community, and we refuse to work with any organisation which fails to adhere to responsible tourism standards. Take a look at our responsible travel policy to find out more!.
Financial Contributions
In addition to offering incredible wildlife experiences, you’ll make a difference even long after you return home, as a conservation contribution of up to £350 is built into every project fee (depending on the project and duration of stay). These are outside of the costs associated with hosting volunteers and are utilised to directly support the projects’ conservation work, through funding animal rescues, releases, ongoing research, and supporting local communities. Who knew that your yearly holiday could leave a lasting legacy? With The Great Projects, you’ll be able to do just that.
Discover more about where your money goes and view an annual breakdown of the financial support our volunteers have provided projects through the built-in conservation contributions, here.
Total Conservation
Contributions in 2013-2024
Per Project
Per Project
Total Conservation
Contributions in 2013-2024
Financial Protection
Book with Confidence as we provide full financial protection for your project fees. We are members of the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), who provide financial protection under its ATOL Franchise and The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018. This means that in the event of insolvency, our traveller’s fees are fully protected. For more details, please see our terms and conditions.
If you book your flights with us, then your booking is also ATOL protected, meaning you will receive an ATOL Certificate upon booking and in the event of insolvency, your money is fully protected.
Health and Safety
Here at The Great Projects, we are dedicated to providing our volunteers with the utmost protection with regard to health and safety. Adventurous travel always involves some degree of risk, and our top priority is to keep you safe and protect you as much as possible whilst still giving you an authentic experience in your chosen destination.
We conduct extensive health and safety assessments to ensure that all potential hazards have been identified and mitigated, and that you have the necessary information about the destination you are visiting, including how to stay safe and healthy while there. We are also partnered with Howden Insurance and offer our volunteers comprehensive travel insurance for all our projects. Find out more and view the policy here.
