Top 5 DofE Gold Residential projects around the world in 2026
Volunteer Experiences / 16 February 2026
At Pod Volunteer we specialise in Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Gold residential projects abroad. We offer ethical, trusted and affordable volunteering opportunities around the world. Pod Volunteer has a strong long term partnership with the DofE award as we have been an Approved Activity provider for Gold DofE Residential placements for over 10 years.
You can join these trips as a solo traveller or with friends. The Residential level of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) award requires participants to be away from home for 4 nights and 5 days so we have selected ideal trip to join in exciting destinations across the globe!
For all our trips we offer full support and guidance from choosing your trip, flight advice to your specific project packing tips! We can always arrange someone to meet you at the airport and take you directly to the project. Your parents can be reassured that you are organising a safe, supported and award-winning trip overseas with Pod Volunteer. We have visited all our projects ourselves so can personally answer any question you have – however big or small!
Here are the Top 5 DofE Gold Residential trips around the world with Pod Volunteer:
Big 5 Conservation in South Africa – age 17+
What will I be doing? You will be working to help conserve the breathtaking wildlife reserve in South Africa. Your time will be mixed between wildlife conservation and community volunteering, so you may get involved in tracking elephants, monitoring cheetahs, helping at a soup kitchen and children’s sports sessions. This is an amazing opportunity to experience living on a African safari setting whilst learning about the local culture too.
Where will I be staying? You will be staying in comfortable shared rooms in a beautiful conservation centre which is on the edge of the stunning wildlife reserve – there is even a plunge pool in the garden! There is a large living area and dining room, where all main meals are provided.
For more details head to the project page here: www.podvolunteer.org/projects/big-5-conservation
Hear all about Mia’s experience who joined our Big 5 Conservation project for her Gold DofE: “Volunteering at the Big 5 Animal project was truly fantastic and life-changing.
Our activities included animal observation, nature conservation and community activities. We had a great camp life with other volunteers hanging out, cooking and dining together every day. Every weekday we were either out at the reservation/safari or helping out in the nearby village school or soup kitchen.
The weekends are free for other activities such as sand boarding, surfing, pottery or horse riding on the beach, or simply just chilling – your choice! Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and we all felt very safe and supported.
We saw all the safari animals very close by; the elephants, hippos, giraffe families, rhinos, and lions which was just out of this world!
The Big 5 Camp workers and organisers were the most amazing people and very knowledgeable about the Big 5 Reservation, all the animals, nature conversation and local community activities. They made my stay really special My experience was absolutely amazing and cannot recommend it more!”
Turtle Conservation in Greece – Age 18+
What will I be doing? You will be working to help protect the sea turtles and their habitat on the stunning Greek island of Kefalonia. You could be monitoring adult turtles in the harbour, completing beach surveys for new nests or helping hatchling make it safely to the sea, depending on which month you join the team.
Where will I be staying? You will sharing a room with volunteers in an apartment. There is shared kitchen where you can make your meals and areas to relax in the evening.
For more details head to the project page here: www.podvolunteer.org/projects/turtle-conservation-greece
Here is Abby’s 5 star review of her time on the trip to support the Turtle Conservation team in Greece: “I had a great time volunteering, it was a great insight into the work that is involved to help the turtle population survive. Not only did I carry out surveys, beach clean, harbour control etc, I was lucky enough to complete the course during hatching season.
I was amazed at how many baby turtles hatched during my two weeks and I hope I made a difference. From booking on this project, the staff were very informative and supportive and helped in any way they could. The Volunteer leaders in Greece were amazing, helpful and respectful.
I would definitely recommend this project and of course would highly recommend Pod Volunteer as a company for volunteering abroad”
Turtle and Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica - Age 17+
What will I be doing? When you join in turtle season (July-January) you will help to turtle nests on the tropical beaches, monitor the hatchery and from September, release the hatchlings back to the sea. Throughout the year volunteers help with the conservation research and butterfly garden. You could be heading out into the tropical reserve on your doorstep to monitor the monkey troops, birds, bats or crocodiles!
Where will I be staying? You will stay in your own room with a shared bathroom. You might wake in the morning to calls from the monkeys or parrots! There is a large dining area where you eat your lunch and you can prepare your own breakfast and dinner from the plentiful kitchen stores!
For more details head to the project page here: www.podvolunteer.org/projects/turtle-conservation-costa-rica
Hear from Sophie who joined the team in Costa Rica for her DofE Gold- “Volunteering with the turtle conservation was honestly one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The project gave me the chance to be surrounded by nature and contribute to protecting endangered sea turtles. One of the most enjoyable moments for me was releasing some of the baby turtles into the ocean for the first time. Watching these tiny baby’s make their way to the sea was both emotional and rewarding. Night patrols along the beach to protect nesting mothers and helped relocate their eggs to the safety of the hatchery, was one of the best experiences as it was so satisfactory The work was physical and sometimes tiring, but it felt incredibly meaningful. Aside from turtle work, I helped with wildlife monitoring, including birds, butterflies, and crocodilians. I also got to explore the nearby beaches, whale watching and waterfalls on my day off, which made the experience even more special.
The team at Pod was super supportive from the start, both before and during the trip. The accommodation was simple but comfortable, and I really enjoyed the sense of community with other volunteers — we cooked, ate, and worked together, and I made some great friends.
If you’re looking for something a little different and want to make a real impact while being surrounded by nature, I can’t recommend this experience enough. It challenged me, inspired me, and gave me memories I’ll have forever.”
Turtle and Conservation in Greece – 16-17 year olds
What will I be doing? Pod Volunteer run a special 1 week trip run by UK Pod leaders on the stunning Greek island of Kefalonia in the summer and October each year. You will learn about the protection of sea turtles, conservation and natural ecosystems. You will get hand-on experience with data collection and conservation as well as time off on trips to explore the island.
Where will I be staying? In the summer the team stay in shared tents in a shaded olive grove next to the sea. In October the team stay in shared rooms a hotel resort. All your main meals are provided.
For more details head to the project page here -
July & August - www.podvolunteer.org/projects/turtle-and-marine-conservation-u18-trip
October - www.podvolunteer.org/projects/conservation-u18-trip
Aaliyah joined our summer Turtle and Marine Conservation trip for 16 and 17 year olds and left us this lovely 5 star review: “Wow, Wow, Wow! What an amazing trip! Life changing and affirming. I have met some of the most incredible people who will be friends for life. The whole experience was phenomenal. The organisation of Alex, Gemma and the Pod volunteer team was second to none. Everything was taken care of, collection from the airport, educational presentations, food, trips out to the capital, the caves, a music festival, olive oil tasting. Early morning beach surveys, snorkelling surveys and the opportunity to observe turtles in their natural habitat and provide a positive environmental impact was just wonderful.
I would recommend this trip - Turtle Conservation in Kefalonia to anyone. I participated in the 16-18 year old trip and completed it as part of my Gold DofE, however, Alex and the team offer the same trip for families and other age groups. If you can go, please do as you will have the experience of a lifetime. I am looking forward to trying another trip with Pod Volunteer.”
Elephant Care and Wildlife Rescue in Thailand - Age 18+
What will I be doing? You will help to care for rescued elephants, tigers, bears and other animals at a large rescue centre in Tropical Thailand. You will prepare foods and enrichment’s for the animals, as well as help maintain their enclosures.
Where will I be staying? You will share a room in a volunteer house within the rescue centre. All meals are provided and you will eat in the big communal dining room – which has views right into a rescued elephant enclosure!
For more details head to the project page here:
Elephant Care – www.podvolunteer.org/projects/elephant-care-thailand
Wildlife Rescue - www.podvolunteer.org/projects/wildlife-rescue-thailand
Cassia took a trip to help the animal teams in Thailand as part of her Gold DofE Award - “Pod Volunteer were so helpful and definitely made my family feel content with my solo travels as a young person. Volunteering at the Elephant care and wildlife projects in Thailand was the best thing I've ever done and I could not recommend more! I cannot wait to return.”
