M.A.D Encounters

Make A Difference While Volunteering Abroad

What is a M.A.D Encounter?

Incredible wildlife opportunities while making a difference at the heart. We are dedicated to the conservation and community development across Southern and Eastern Africa, Egypt and Latin America if not. We now want you to share those goals and passions with us! With locations and destinations all over Africa, from Cairo to Cape Town and now Latin America, the choice is yours, where you’d like your ‘difference’ to really count, and that’s not all. From wildlife, marine and environmental conservation, to teaching and medical support, we have a project for anyone who is looking to make a difference, whilst having an experience of a lifetime.

All of our projects have aims and objectives that are monitored regularly to ensure we are achieving what we set out to do and the causes we stand for are benefiting. Whether its conducting vital research on the world-renowned ‘Big 5’ in South Africa, participating in a snare sweep to remove any dangerous traps for wildlife in Zimbabwe, or providing individualised teaching support to local kids in Cairo; you will have a lasting impact on the causes you support but more importantly, they will have a long-lasting effect on you!

But wait, there’s more! Our M.A.D encounters are about more than the incredible work that is happening on the ground. We believe that it is just as important for you as an individual to benefit and grow just as a much, and these projects will help you achieve that. You will meet like-minded people from all over the world and make friends for life. It all starts right here.

With a variety of different locations, each project offers something incredible and unique. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to experience the best in whichever country you are in! The pyramids in Egypt, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Maasai Mara in Kenya, the Amazon Jungle in Peru, the list is endless!

Where can you get involved in a MAD encounter?

Get more out of your time abroad. Develop your own skills and gain experience.

Rural Community Teaching & Development Project

This project strives to enrich the lives of the underprivileged locals, living in small villages and farms, through many programs focused on improving the community with efforts ranging from educating and protecting street children, to providing a safe haven for stigmatised special needs members of the community.

Location: Cairo

Duration: 2-12 weeks

Cultural Exchange

Make a difference to the lives of rural communities through education, youth empowerment and caring for vulnerable elders in Victoria Falls.

Location: Victoria Falls

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Conservation and Reforestation

Get ready to make a difference towards conservation in a unique ecosystem known as the “Lungs of the Planet”, the Amazon Rainforest to ensure the survival of species constantly under threat

Location: Amazon Jungle

Duration: 2 – 12 weeks

Urban Sustainable Community Development Project

This project is aimed at creating sustainable development to empower the people of one of the largest and most densely populated informal communities in Egypt, through initiatives like teaching, performing arts, vocational training and street improvements.

Location: Cairo

Duration: 2-12 weeks

Education & Early Childhood Development

Make a difference to the children of Cape Town with this education & early development project. 

Location: Cape Town

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Education & Community Development

Many schools in rural areas of Zambia are currently suffering from a serious shortage of classrooms, educational resources and formally trained teachers.

Location: Livingstone

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Medical Support Project

A hands-on medical project where you will be supporting the rural communities in Kenya by working in hospitals & clinics.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Marine Conservation

Discover the hype of Africa’s most exquisite destinations, the topical paradise of Zanzibar, as you work towards increasing tourism to support the country & carry out vital research on the dolphin population. .

Location: Zanzibar

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Gender Equality

Get ready to live in a rural community on the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro working primarily with women and girls, who we help to educate, inspire and nurture, promoting positive female role models.

Location: Kilimanjaro

Duration: 2 – 12 weeks

Environmental Conservation

Get ready to live and work in Costa Rica’s first official National Park and protected natural reserve and make an impact on the conservation of this 3 million hectare of  ‘absolute reserve,’ ensuring the complete protection and preservation of its native flora and fauna.

Location: Nicoya Peninsula, Pacific Coast

Duration: 1 – 12 weeks

Mayan Indigenous Communities Immersion

Get ready to live and work in a farming community outside of Antigua, assisting with activities that provide a modest income to local Mayan families, such as the creation of woven handicrafts, while having unique cultural exchange and experience of their daily life. 

Location: Outskirts of Antigua

Duration: 1 – 12 weeks

Sea Turtle Conservation

Get ready to make a difference in one of the most bio-diverse countries, which is home to 5 of 7 sea turtle species in the world, by helping to reverse their risk of extinction by taking an active role in protecting both adult and baby sea turtles

Location: Pacific Coast or Carribean side on specific occasions (depending on seasonal needs)

Duration: 2 – 12 weeks

Teaching & Community Empowerment

Get ready to discover the fascinating Maasai Culture of Tanzania while spending time in a rural village on the foothills of the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro, while helping empower the community as a whole and combat poverty in the region through education, support, mentoring and assistance

Location: Kilimanjaro

Duration: 2 – 12 weeks

Gender Equality

This is your opportunity to go M.A.D. (make a difference) in rural communities who are really struggling on a daily basis and would highly benefit from your support and assistance! What are you waiting for?

Location: Livingstone

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Sports Coaching

Sports is one of the best tools to develop fundamental life skills in children, such as teamwork, commitment, determination, self-belief, understanding and communication!

Location: Livingstone

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Andean Indigenous Community Immersion

Get ready for an authentic immersion experience while living and working with an authentic Quechua Speaking community and gaining a unique insight into traditional social and organization structures. You´ll help by caring for animals and livestock, agricultural work, weaving, creating textiles, preparing traditional foods, construction projects, and working with children at the local school. 

Location: Andes Mountains (30 – 60 min from Cusco)

Duration: 1 – 12 weeks

Sea Turtle Conservation

Get ready to make a difference in a truly bio-diverse country, by helping to reverse the risk of extinction of sea turtles by taking an active role in protecting both adult and baby sea turtles.

Location: Pacific Coast 

Duration: 2 – 12 weeks

Construction and Community Development

Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.

Location: San Jose

Duration: 1 – 12 weeks

Construction & Rehabilitation Project

Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.

Location: Antigua

Duration: 1 – 12 weeks

Building and Construction

Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.

Location: Cusco

Duration: 1 – 12 weeks

Marine Conservation

Get ready to make a difference and conserve one of the world’s largest reef barriers by protecting the marine ecosystem and collect valuable data while learning how to dive and snorkel in Mexico ́s most beautiful spot!

Location: Puerto Morelos, Caribbean Coast 

Duration: 4 – 12 weeks

Construction & Rehabilitation Project

Get ready to make a difference in community development by helping to create infrastructures such as housing, schools, churches, and community centres.

Location: Antigua

Duration: 1 – 12 weeks

Gender Equality

Empower the females of Cape Town with this Gender Equality volunteer project. 

Location: Cape Town

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Sports Development

Inspire the people of Cape Town through sports. Bring your passion and make a difference to the local communities. 

Location: Cape Town

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Impact WOD

Get fit while making a difference to the local communities of Zimbabwe. A combination of Crossfit and community development.

Location: Antelope Park

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks

Sandra Jones Centre

Play your part in this busy and vibrant home, as you become a role model, a big sister and so much more for these underprivileged children.

Location: Bulawayo

Duration: 2 – 12 Weeks