Make a Difference Without Breaking the Bank: 5 Wildlife Budget Vacations Under $2,000

It almost sounds too good to be true: completing a fulfilling trip and having a positive impact on international wildlife conservation, all at a reasonable price. But trust me, it can be done. SEEtheWILD offers a wide range of conservation tours specifically geared toward those who want to help wildlife on a budget—and rest assured, you get more than your money’s worth.

Not only do you get to enjoy a unique wildlife vacation, but local conservation efforts also benefit! Many of the trips also offer the opportunity to explore local villages and towns, and even to learn some of the language. Free time is spent learning more about local ecology, exploring one’s surroundings, and other optional activities.

See the full list of wildlife budget vacations here. 

Baja Camping and Turtle Research: Explore Baja’s Magdalena Bay by kayak as you assist Grupo Tortuguero with a green sea turtle research project. You will delve into mangrove forests along the coast, stargaze by night, and even get a few opportunities to experience local culture—all for a mere $1,250 per person. Trip duration: 7 days.

Belize Dolphin Research: Swim with dolphins and the occasional manatee as you contribute to a long-term behavioral study of Belize’s bottlenose dolphins. In your free time, you can enjoy walks on the beach, snorkeling, bird watching, or just kick back in the beautiful beachfront cabanas you will be staying in. This rejuvenating experience comes in just under $2,000—at $1,975 per person. Trip duration: 8 days.

Costa Rica Jaguar Research: Venture deep into the rainforest of renowned Tortuguero National Park as you help to track jaguars in their natural habitat. Volunteers will set camera traps to capture images of the elusive cats, walk turtle nesting beaches, and more while they camp in a verdant tropical setting. The cost? $1,785 per person. Trip duration: 14 days.

California Whale Watching: You can make a difference closer to home—and even just over a long weekend! On this 3-day expedition, you will contribute to gray whale research off the coast of California, near Los Angeles. You will visit three different sites, including Rancho Palos Verdes—one of the foremost whale watching sites in the world. This incredible experience comes in under $1,000 at $925 per person. Trip duration: 3 days.

Swim With Whale Sharks: Snorkel with the world's largest fish, the gentle whale shark near Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Also explore the clear crystal Caribbean waters around this beautiful island. Only $825 per person for 5 days.

As this diverse list of trips demonstrates, opportunities abound for the active traveler—even when on a budget. These trips all offer an incredible travel experience paired with a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in wildlife conservation.

5 Wildlife Conservation Trips that Combine Volunteering & Adventure

Ready to explore, but also eager to give back? Feeling a little conflicted? These goals can be one and the same with these Volunteer & Adventure tours. These active trips provide plenty of opportunity to get your hands dirty helping field biologists with long-term research projects. 

The rest of your time is spent actively exploring your destination, with a variety of tours, outdoor sports, and cultural experiences in the mix. It’s the best of both worlds: An opportunity to contribute to wildlife conservation while indulging your need for adventure.

These are the five most popular Volunteer & Adventure tours offered on SEEtheWILD; you can also browse the full listing of Volunteer+Adventure Tours here.

Cocos Island Research Trip: Join the Sea Turtle Restoration Project for a voyage to a species-rich Costa Rican national park renowned for its diving opportunities. You will assist researchers in their long-term studies of marine wildlife by helping to tag sharks, deploy receivers and record data – all while SCUBA diving the stunning undersea environment off uninhabited Cocos Island. This 10-12 day trip starts at $5,720 per person.

El Salvador Sea Turtles & Community Development: Dive into community development and sea turtle conservation projects in a nation making a remarkable recovery. You will learn about the innovative ways in which sustainability is being integrated into various aspects of life in Ciudad Romero, and explore Jilisco Bay, a key mangrove habitat that supports sea turtles and other wildlife. Led by EcoViva, this 9-day trip starts at $1,295 per person.

Tracking Wild Pandas: This trip provides a thrilling combination of outdoor adventure, panda tracking and conservation, and cultural experiences. Hike the lush high-altitude rhododendron forests that pandas roam, learn about panda conservation at a research station, and enjoy traditional meals and performances. This trip is offered by WildChina; it lasts 9 days and starts at $3,930 per person.

Untamed Borneo: Join Wildland Adventures for a multifaceted trip to the island paradise of Borneo. You will explore lush rainforest in search of elephants, birds, and other wildlife; visit centers for the rehabilitation of orangutans and sun bears; and snorkel the warm, sunny shoreline. This 11-day trip starts at $5,150 per person.

Baja Camping and Turtle Research: Explore beautiful Magdalena Bay in Baja as you assist field biologists with Grupo Tortugero on a long-term sea turtle research project. Your time will be split between kayaking mangrove-lined estuaries, cruising the bay in search of turtles, and walking sea turtle nesting beaches. Opportunities to experience local culture and explore on your own round out this unforgettable experience. Offered by RED Sustainable Travel, this 7-day trip starts at $1,250 per person.

Each of these trips offers energetic travelers like you a plethora of ways to explore your destination. By combining volunteer work with world-class adventure tourism, these vacations allow you to soak in a variety of enriching experiences while making a difference.