Volunteer Abroad in Africa, Asia, South America & Europe
Abroad Escape places volunteers in structured programs across 21 countries. Every placement includes accommodation, meals, a local coordinator on the ground, and 24/7 support from day one. Programs start every Monday.
Africa is our standout region for summer 2026. Direct flights from London, Brussels, and Amsterdam to Cape Verde, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi are fully unaffected by current Gulf airspace disruptions — making Africa the most reliable and best-value choice right now.
All our programs worldwide are open, including Asia, with good flight options via Helsinki and Istanbul from Europe.
Featured Africa destinations: Cape Verde · Kenya · Tanzania · Zanzibar · Madagascar · Malawi
Explore Africa Programs
Our Popular Programs
Cape Verde
Turtle conservation and community development across the Cape Verdean islands. Turtle monitoring, ocean conservation, and local education projects.
Bali
Environmental conservation and education programs in Balinese communities. Work alongside local people & teachers in structured daily placements.
Thailand
Join our elephant conservation, English teaching, and healthcare programs across Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Koh Samui. Weekly and fortnightly start dates available.
Vietnam
Education, healthcare, and community development in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing countries in Ho Chi Minh City and other locations.
What is Abroad Escape?
Abroad Escape is one of the most experienced volunteer placement agencies in Europe — with roots going back to 2006. Here's the full story.
In 2006, we launched GapXperience — one of the earliest volunteer and gap year placement agencies connecting students and young travellers with structured programs across Asia. For 14 years, thousands of volunteers trusted GapXperience with their placements abroad.
In 2020, Covid forced every travel organisation in the world to close. We were no exception. But we never stopped believing in what we do.
We came back as Beyond Volunteer — rebuilt our programs, our local teams, and our standards from the ground up. Then we rebranded as Abroad Escape: a stronger name for a stronger organisation, with better support, better programs, and a London headquarters that has been part of this industry since the very beginning of volunteer travel.
When you book with Abroad Escape, you are booking with a team that has been placing volunteers abroad since 2006 — across three continents, through a pandemic, and back again.
Nearly 20 years of operational history.
Abroad Escape's roots go back to 2006, when we launched GapXperience — one of Europe's first volunteer placement agencies. We operated for 14 years, placing volunteers across Asia and Africa. Covid forced a closure in 2020.
We rebuilt as Beyond Volunteer, then rebranded as Abroad Escape in 2023 — a stronger organisation, with better programs and a London headquarters that has been part of this industry since the very beginning of volunteer travel. This is not a startup. When you book with us, you are booking with a team that has been doing this for nearly two decades.
Where You Can Volunteer
Choose your destination, then choose your program type. Every location page includes a full breakdown of available projects, weekly schedule, accommodation, and local coordinator details. Also take a look at our internships.
Featured Destination: Cape Verde
Cape Verde is our standout program for summer 2026 — and one of the most unique volunteer destinations in the world. These volcanic Atlantic islands sit off the coast of West Africa, reachable by direct flight from London, Amsterdam, and Brussels in around six hours. No Gulf airspace. No stopovers. No disruption.
The program centres on loggerhead sea turtle conservation — one of the most important nesting sites in the Atlantic. Volunteers monitor nesting beaches at night, record clutch data, protect hatchlings from predators, and contribute to a decades-long conservation dataset that directly influences international marine policy. Alongside the turtle program, there are community development, childcare, and ocean conservation projects running in parallel.
Programs run year-round and start every Monday. The peak turtle nesting season runs from June through October — making this the ideal summer 2026 placement.
How Does Abroad Escape Work? From Application to First Day
From your first search to your first day on-site, the process is designed to be clear and low-stress. Here is what happens between now and your first Monday morning.
Choose your program
Browse destinations and program types. Filter by region, duration, or focus area — teaching, conservation, healthcare, or community work. Every program page tells you exactly what your daily schedule looks like and what the local team expects from you.
Apply and get placed
Complete our application form. We review your background, skills, and availability to confirm the right placement for you. Healthcare and childcare roles require verified qualifications. All roles involving children require a background check before your place is confirmed.
Prepare for departure
Once placed, you receive your volunteer handbook, visa guidance, pre-departure checklist, and direct contact details for your local coordinator. We handle the logistical groundwork so you arrive prepared, not scrambling.
Arrive and begin
Your coordinator meets you at the airport on arrival day. Sunday is for settling in. Monday morning is your first day — orientation, introductions, and the start of your placement. From day one, you have a role, a schedule, and a team around you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering Abroad
Q1: What is included in the program fee?
The fee covers your airport pickup on arrival day, shared accommodation for the duration of your program, two to three meals per day, a local coordinator and 24/7 emergency support, and a direct contribution to the project site. Flights and travel insurance are not included and must be arranged independently.
Q2: Do I need specific skills or qualifications?
For teaching support, construction, and general community programs, no formal qualifications are required. For healthcare and medical programs, you must provide proof of relevant qualifications or confirmed enrollment in a medical or nursing degree. For any role working directly with children, a background check is mandatory.
Q3: How do you make sure the projects are genuinely ethical?
We only work with projects that employ local staff, have defined community outcomes, and are designed to reduce dependency rather than create it.
Q4: How long are the programs and when can I start?
Programs run from one week to 24 weeks. A new intake begins every Monday, year-round — there is no fixed annual intake. You choose your start date, choose your duration, and we confirm your placement around that.
Q5: How much does it cost to volunteer abroad?
Programs start from €525 for one week. This includes all accommodation, meals, airport pickup, local coordination, 24/7 emergency support, and a project contribution. Longer programs are priced proportionally — full pricing is listed on each destination page.
Q7: Is Abroad Escape a legitimate and safe organisation?
Yes. Abroad Escape Ltd is registered in England and Wales, Company No. 14937484, with a registered address at 3 Hornton Place, London W8 4LZ.
"The coordinator provided excellent information about the local culture and the people we were working with. I felt prepared from day one."
— Victoria
"Thank you for making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will never forget."
— Duygu
"I can honestly say this was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. The volunteering was so much more than I expected."
— Shilpa