Step 1
Step 3
Step 2
You’ll be matched with your personal volunteer travel expert who’ll guide you every step of the way.
Meet Your Travel Expert
Receive your welcome pack with everything you need: arrival info, contacts, visa and insurance help, packing tips, vaccines, language basics, and so much more.
Get Ready to Go!
Choose your dream project and apply for free—no commitment, just excitement!
Pick Your Destination & Apply
Step 2
Step 3
Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
Step 4
Want to roll up your sleeves and make a tangible difference in a local community? Our Travel Roots Community Development Program in Madagascar gives you the chance to directly support sustainable infrastructure, education, and public health projects alongside local Malagasy families and leaders. This is real, hands-on volunteering—where your energy and compassion meet immediate need.
Build with purpose, not just bricks
Many communities on Nosy Komba and surrounding islands face challenges in accessing safe learning environments, sanitation systems, and public facilities. As a volunteer, you’ll contribute to ongoing construction and improvement projects that aim to provide long-lasting impact—from building schools and community centres to installing water catchment systems and eco-toilets.Support village-led development
All projects are driven by local requests and built in partnership with community members. Your work is not just welcomed—it’s genuinely valued. Whether you’re mixing cement, painting walls, or helping with simple carpentry, you'll be part of something meaningful, practical, and empowering for those who call the island home.Gain hands-on skills & cultural insight
No prior building experience is necessary—just a willingness to learn and contribute. Local staff and skilled tradespeople will guide you through tasks and techniques, giving you new practical skills while ensuring work is done to standard. You’ll also gain an intimate look into daily island life and the values that shape Malagasy communities.Beyond construction—supporting social impact
In addition to physical projects, volunteers may also help with non-construction initiatives such as distributing hygiene supplies, painting educational murals, or supporting small-scale gardening and nutrition programs in collaboration with the education and health teams.Key Activities:
Assisting with building and renovation of schools, toilets, and community structures
Mixing cement, laying bricks, painting walls, or basic carpentry
Participating in sustainability projects (rainwater catchment, permaculture, composting)
Helping develop public gardens or food security initiatives
Creating murals and visual learning aids for public spaces
Supporting local workshops on sanitation and hygiene
Working side-by-side with local families and leaders
This is a program for those who want to leave a lasting mark—not just in memory, but in something others can use, enter, and grow with for years to come.
By volunteering on our Community Development Program in Madagascar, you will:
• Contribute directly to the construction and improvement of vital infrastructure
• Support sustainable solutions like rainwater systems and eco-toilets
• Gain hands-on experience in basic building, painting, and repairs
• Work alongside local families and community leaders on projects they’ve requested
• Learn practical skills while immersed in Malagasy village life
• Help promote sanitation, education, and long-term community health
• Leave behind visible, lasting results that benefit future generations
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Community Development Volunteer
Each day in the community development program offers a blend of hands-on work, cultural exchange, and island exploration. You’ll be part of a team helping to improve daily life for local residents—whether building a classroom wall, painting a health centre, or planting a sustainable garden.
Here’s what a typical weekday might look like:
6:30 AM – Wake-Up & Breakfast
Start your day with a scenic sunrise and a simple, nutritious breakfast at the volunteer house. You’ll enjoy tropical fruits, local bread, and coffee before getting ready to work.7:30 AM – Project Site Briefing & Supplies Prep
Head to your work site (often on foot or by boat). The day starts with a briefing on that morning’s tasks—gathering tools, safety gear, and construction materials alongside the local team.8:00 AM – Community Project Work Begins
Tasks vary based on the active project. You might be mixing cement, laying bricks, painting, planting crops, or installing a rainwater system. Work is practical, physical, and often collaborative with local workers and fellow volunteers.11:30 AM – Return to Base & Clean-Up
Finish the morning’s work and return to the volunteer camp. Clean your gear, cool off, and prepare for a well-earned break.12:30 PM – Communal Lunch & Midday Rest
Gather for a shared vegetarian lunch prepared by local cooks. Afterward, relax in a hammock, take a swim, or enjoy downtime before the afternoon session.2:00 PM – Community Engagement or Maintenance Tasks
Afternoons are often lighter—ideal for smaller tasks such as mural painting, garden weeding, repairing tools, or joining in a hygiene awareness workshop at the local school.4:00 PM – Free Time
After project work wraps up, you’ll have time to explore or relax. You might visit the nearby village, play football with local kids, snorkel in the shallows, or help prepare evening activities.6:00 PM – Dinner & Reflection
Share a healthy evening meal and chat with your team about the day’s progress. Some evenings feature local music, Malagasy language lessons, or volunteer-led workshops.Days Off
You’ll have two days off each week to explore the area, relax on the beach, take a boat to nearby islands, or join optional activities like hiking or snorkelling. The pace is balanced—allowing time to both give back and fully experience the culture and environment.This program is all about meaningful contribution through real, needed work. You’ll go to sleep each night knowing that something you helped build will stand long after you’ve left.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By joining our Community Development Program in Madagascar, you’ll become part of something deeply tangible—building real solutions for communities that need them most. From sturdy school walls to functioning rainwater catchment systems, every task you take on becomes part of a bigger picture: safer, healthier, more empowered village life.
Your impact begins with your hands—mixing cement, painting walls, digging gardens—but it extends far beyond the physical. You’re creating safe learning spaces for children. You're contributing to basic sanitation where none existed. You’re giving families a sense of dignity, opportunity, and hope.
And just as importantly, you’re standing alongside local leaders, not above them. All projects are community-led, meaning you’re supporting goals identified by the people who live there. Your work amplifies their efforts, respects their vision, and strengthens their capacity for long-term growth.
You don’t need special skills to make a special impact. Your time, presence, and effort are enough to help create lasting change—and you’ll leave knowing you were part of something real.
Your Home on Nosy Komba
Set into the lush hillside of Nosy Komba with sweeping views across the Indian Ocean, your accommodation at Turtle Cove is rustic, communal, and designed for immersive island living. Built across multiple levels to blend naturally with the terrain, the camp sits above a coral reef and faces the breathtaking Lokobe Forest Reserve on nearby Nosy Be.
Sleeping Arrangements
Volunteers stay in traditional, locally built same-sex bungalows nestled among tropical gardens. Each bungalow houses 4–6 people in double bunks, with enough space to store your backpack and belongings. Lockable storage boxes are provided in each hut for small valuables, and volunteers are encouraged to bring a personal padlock.
Private rooms may be available upon request, at an additional cost of $210 per week, and are subject to availability.
What to Bring
You’ll need to bring:A mosquito net
Lightweight bedding or sleeping bag
Towel(s)
Solar charging kit or battery pack for small electronics
Facilities & Amenities
• 10 shared bathroom units with flush toilets and cold-water showers
• Separate kitchen and spacious dining area surrounded by gardens
• Solar-powered lighting throughout the camp
• No Wi-Fi or in-room electricity—perfect for a digital detox
• Charging stations for small devices available occasionally via generator
• Additional charging available in the local village of Ampang (30-min walk)The main house also serves as the daytime hangout and social area. Relax on the decks in a hammock or bean bag, meet with fellow volunteers, and soak in the uninterrupted ocean view—ideal for unwinding after a dive or marine workshop.
Meals & Dining
Three traditional Malagasy meals are served daily in the open-air dining area. Meals are predominantly vegetarian, with rice, beans, fresh vegetables, and occasional fish or meat dishes prepared by local staff. Fresh fruit, filtered water, and tea are always available, and the volunteer team eats together in a communal setting that fosters connection and shared experience.
Sustainable Living
Turtle Cove is fully solar-powered and water-reliant, meaning conscious living is essential. Volunteers are asked to:
Limit showers to once per day
Turn off lights and taps when not in use
Avoid charging high-wattage items (laptops, hairdryers, etc.)
Living off-grid on Nosy Komba is part of what makes this program so special. You’ll experience a peaceful, low-impact lifestyle close to nature—and discover how simplicity can be deeply fulfilling.
History
Established in 2013, our trusted local partner has become a vital hub for conservation, education, and community development along Madagascar’s northwestern coastline. With a fully government-approved research centre known as Turtle Cove, the organization has developed a strong foundation for hosting long-term environmental initiatives across both marine and terrestrial ecosystems.
Strategically located on Nosy Komba—an island known for its tranquillity, biodiversity, and roadless natural setting—the centre lies just across from the iconic Lokobe Forest Reserve and collaborates closely with the Centre National de Recherchés Océanographiques (CNRO). This partnership has enabled them to support some of the region’s most impactful marine biodiversity programs, contributing to international data networks and local knowledge-sharing.
Over the years, the team has welcomed volunteers from all over the world to join efforts in marine conservation, forest monitoring, sea turtle protection, and educational outreach. From reef health assessments to sustainable village projects, their grassroots impact is woven deeply into the communities and natural systems they serve.
Mission & Vision
The mission is simple but ambitious: to safeguard Madagascar’s unparalleled biodiversity through collaborative research, environmental stewardship, and local empowerment. By combining scientific monitoring with community-based education and sustainable development, the organization works to protect the fragile balance between people and nature.
Their vision is to create a future where Madagascar’s unique ecosystems—both underwater and on land—are preserved for generations to come. Through consistent long-term data collection, international partnerships, and hands-on local engagement, they aim to inspire global responsibility and local pride in protecting one of the world’s most ecologically important island nations.
Program Fees & What’s Included
Program Fee
Duration Fee (€)
1 week €6562 weeks €902
3 weeks €1,148
4 weeks €1,395
5 weeks €1,641
6 weeks €1,889
7 weeks €2,135
8 weeks €2,381
9 weeks €2,628
10 weeks €2,967
11 weeks €3,212
12 weeks €3,460
Payment Terms
• Program fees are due 30 days before your start date
• If applying within 30 days of arrival, full payment is due within 48 hours of confirmationWhat’s Included
Your program fees cover everything you need for a rewarding and supported teaching experience:
✅ Shared accommodation in a local volunteer house on Nosy Komba
✅ Three traditional Malagasy meals per day
✅ Airport pickup and boat transfer from Nosy Be
✅ Welcome pack full of necessary and useful info
✅ All tools, materials, and safety equipment for your projects
✅ Flexible start dates and free date changes
✅ Full support before, during, and after your program
✅ Guidance and training from local education staff
✅ 100% Cancellation Money-Back Guarantee
✅ So much moreYour Investment in Sustainable Development & Personal Growth
Every brick you lay, every wall you paint, every water tank you install helps lay the foundation for a stronger, healthier future. But this is also an investment in you. You’ll learn new skills, discover new cultures, and come away with the rare satisfaction of knowing your contribution made a visible, lasting difference.
Your program fees directly support:
• Long-term development of public spaces and learning environments
• Access to clean water, sanitation, and essential facilities
• Employment and training for local Malagasy workers
• Materials, tools, and transport for community-requested projects
• Growth of inclusive, sustainable infrastructure across Nosy KombaThis is what real impact looks like—measured in cement, colour, connection, and care.
Where You’ll Be – Nosy Komba, Madagascar
Your volunteering base is Turtle Cove, nestled into the steep, forested slopes of Nosy Komba—also known as “Lemur Island.” Just six miles from Nosy Be (where the international airport is located), this peaceful volcanic island is a paradise of biodiversity and tranquillity. With no roads or vehicles, life on Nosy Komba flows at a slower pace, deeply connected to nature and traditional Malagasy rhythms.
From your multi-level eco-camp, you’ll overlook turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs, with views stretching all the way to the Lokobe Forest Reserve on neighbouring Nosy Be. You’ll be surrounded by dense tropical forest, ocean breezes, and the distant sound of waves breaking on coral reefs.
Despite its off-grid charm, Nosy Komba offers the essentials for a comfortable stay—including nearby villages, hiking trails, and access to traditional markets just a short boat ride or hike away. It’s the perfect blend of seclusion, safety, and cultural immersion.
Madagascar – An Island Like No Other
Madagascar is one of the most unique and biologically rich countries on Earth. Over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else, including iconic lemurs, chameleons, baobab trees—and in the ocean, an equally impressive array of coral, fish, turtles, and reef invertebrates.
This East African island nation boasts an astonishing range of landscapes: from highland rice terraces and dry spiny forests to lush rainforests and vibrant coastal reefs. The marine environment in particular—especially around Nosy Komba and Nosy Be—is renowned for its crystal-clear waters, thriving coral ecosystems, and rare marine species.
The culture of Madagascar is equally captivating. Influenced by African, Asian, and French heritage, the Malagasy people are known for their warmth, hospitality, and deep connection to the land and sea. Traditional fishing villages, handmade crafts, and sacred customs all form part of the daily life you’ll experience.
The climate in this region is tropical—expect hot, sunny days, cooler evenings, and the occasional refreshing rainfall. With its balance of biodiversity, beauty, and peaceful island living, Madagascar offers the ideal environment for volunteers seeking purpose, learning, and unforgettable adventure.
When you're not helping to develop the local community, the area offers endless ways to explore, unwind, and connect with nature and culture. From hiking volcanic peaks to swimming with sea turtles, your time off is just as rewarding as your volunteer work.
Island Adventures & Nature Experiences
• Snorkelling in Nosy Tanikely Marine Park – Just a short boat ride away, this protected reserve is home to vibrant coral gardens, sea turtles, and dazzling reef fish.
• Hiking on Nosy Komba – Explore volcanic trails through lush tropical forest, spot wild lemurs, and reach breathtaking viewpoints above the sea.
• Boat Tours to Nosy Iranja or Nosy Sakatia – Visit white sandbar islands, swim in turquoise lagoons, and enjoy a day of island-hopping bliss.
• Whale Watching (seasonal) – From June to September, you might spot migrating humpback whales as they pass through local waters.
Cultural Activities & Village Life
• Visit the local village of Ampang – A scenic 30-minute hike brings you to this charming community where you can shop for handmade crafts, charge electronics, and engage with local life.
• Traditional Malagasy Cooking Classes – Learn to make dishes like coconut rice, smoked fish, or banana fritters with the local team.
• Market Trips to Nosy Be – Head across the water for vibrant markets, delicious street food, and a taste of Madagascar’s urban island culture.
• Craft Workshops – Try your hand at weaving, wood carving, or dyeing fabrics with natural plant-based colours.
Relaxation & Downtime at Camp
• Lounge in a hammock with a book and ocean view
• Swim or snorkel just steps from your bungalow
• Join a yoga session on the deck
• Stargaze from the beach after dinner
• Watch bioluminescence in the water at night
Whether you're chasing adventure or simply soaking in the peaceful pace of island life, your free time in Madagascar will leave you with unforgettable memories and a deeper connection to the land, sea, and culture that surrounds you.
.jpg)