Choosing what time of year to volunteer abroad

If you decide to volunteer abroad, you will need to think about when to go. Climate and animal migrations could have an effect on when you to volunteer abroad.

If you volunteer abroad with an animal conservation project, you may need to research the creatures' migration patterns. It's no good studying wildebeest in the Serengeti in Tanzania if they've migrated to the Masai Mara in Kenya. Volunteer abroad at the right time of year and you are sure to be rewarded. Timing on conservation projects could be particularly crucial if you are only planning to volunteer for a couple of weeks.

Consider the climate when you volunteer abroad. A project that involves working outside planting trees or building schools will be extra gruelling in hot weather. If you know that you won't be able to work efficiently in hot weather, travel during a cooler month. Otherwise you might not be any use to anybody.

Equally, a country's wet season can also make working conditions very difficult, if not impossible. Torrential rain can stop work all together and flash floods can are a potential hazard.

Public holidays could affect your volunteering plans. Volunteer abroad when you know there are no public holidays to ensure the project will be fully operational and local workers will be on hand to help.

Travel off-season when you volunteer abroad to ensure that there will be fewer tourists around and hostel beds and food could be cheaper, helping you save money for your travels.

Other things to consider when you volunteer abroad are travel vaccinations and travel insurance that covers you for any specific activities you will be taking part in while you are away.

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