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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
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Once your dates are confirmed, pay your program fee—choose to pay in full or in easy installments.
Secure Your Spot
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Looking to use your medical skills—or gain hands-on experience—while making a real impact in remote communities? Our Travel Roots Medical Assistance Program in Madagascar allows you to contribute directly to public health initiatives, medical outreach, and education in areas with limited access to healthcare.
Improve access to basic healthcare
Rural communities on Nosy Komba and surrounding islands often face barriers to medical care, from long distances to limited staffing and supplies. As a volunteer, you’ll support local clinics and health workers by helping with basic healthcare services, triage, health data collection, and community wellness checks.Support local clinics and field outreach
Depending on your skills and background, your tasks may include assisting with patient intake, taking vital signs, helping in maternal and child health programs, or organizing medical supplies. You’ll also participate in mobile medical outreach initiatives—travelling by boat or foot to bring health support directly to remote villages.Health education is just as vital
Beyond assisting in treatment, you’ll also help deliver important public health education. This might involve creating visual learning materials or assisting in workshops on hygiene, nutrition, wound care, or disease prevention in schools and village centres.Medical background helpful, but not required
This program welcomes qualified medical professionals, medical students, or aspiring health workers. However, even volunteers without formal training can support through non-clinical roles, administrative tasks, and health-focused education programs.Key Activities:
Assisting local healthcare providers with patient support and documentation
Taking vitals and preparing basic health assessments (under supervision)
Organizing and restocking medical supplies in village clinics
Supporting mobile medical outreach to surrounding island communities
Assisting in hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention workshops
Creating health education posters and visual resources for schools and clinics
Supporting maternal and child health programs where applicable
From checking blood pressure in a village clinic to helping children learn about proper handwashing, your contribution will play a valuable part in improving health outcomes across these remote communities.
By volunteering on our Medical Assistance Program in Madagascar, you will:
• Support rural clinics and mobile medical outreach in remote communities
• Assist local healthcare workers with basic patient care and documentation
• Help deliver public health education to schools and villages
• Gain hands-on medical experience in a low-resource environment
• Make a tangible difference in maternal, child, and community health
• Work with local professionals while learning about tropical and island medicine
• Be part of a compassionate team committed to health equity and impact
What to Expect: A Day in the Life of a Medical Assistance Volunteer
As a medical assistance volunteer, your days are shaped by the unique healthcare needs of remote island communities. From working in local clinics to participating in mobile health outreach, every day brings new challenges, learning opportunities, and meaningful connections.
Here’s what a typical weekday might look like:
7:00 AM – Morning Routine & Breakfast
Wake to the sounds of village life and prepare for the day with a healthy breakfast at the volunteer house. Review your schedule and gather materials for the morning assignment.8:00 AM – Clinic Work or Health Outreach Briefing
Depending on the day, you may walk to a nearby village clinic or gather with your team for a mobile health mission briefing. Tasks and destinations vary, but all are coordinated with local healthcare workers.9:00 AM – Morning Activities Begin
You might assist with patient intake, record-keeping, or basic triage (under supervision). On outreach days, you’ll travel by boat or foot to support hygiene checks, blood pressure monitoring, or public health surveys in more remote villages.12:00 PM – Lunch & Rest Break
Return to the volunteer house for a nourishing lunch. Use the break to cool down, hydrate, and reflect on your morning’s experiences.1:30 PM – Health Education or Supply Support
Afternoons often involve preparing or delivering health education activities—such as school workshops on hygiene or creating posters for clinics. You may also help sort and restock supplies or shadow staff in ongoing care.4:00 PM – Free Time
After a rewarding day, you’ll have time to relax. Swim in the sea, read under the trees, visit the local village, or connect with fellow volunteers over a cup of tea.6:00 PM – Dinner & Team Reflection
Share a communal meal and discuss the day’s outcomes with your team. Some evenings may feature guest talks on public health or optional Malagasy language lessons.Days Off
You’ll enjoy two days off each week to explore Madagascar’s stunning coastline, nearby islands, local markets, or simply unwind in nature. Optional weekend trips can include snorkelling excursions or forest treks.From small acts of care to big community impact, each day as a medical volunteer brings purpose, perspective, and unforgettable connections.
Your Impact as a Volunteer
By volunteering in our Medical Assistance Program, you’re stepping into a critical role within communities where basic healthcare access is often limited or inconsistent. Your support helps fill vital gaps—offering extra hands, encouragement, and knowledge in settings that deeply appreciate both time and compassion.
Every patient you assist, every bandage you help apply, and every workshop you contribute to plays a part in improving health outcomes across the island. You’ll be helping relieve pressure on overburdened local clinics and extending outreach to communities that otherwise might go unseen.
But your impact goes far beyond clinical assistance.
You’ll also help foster preventive care through education—empowering local children, parents, and elders to make informed decisions about hygiene, nutrition, and wellness. These lessons often stick for life and ripple outward as families pass them on.
Whether you're pursuing a career in healthcare or simply passionate about helping others, this experience offers not only professional growth but personal transformation. You’ll leave knowing that your presence helped improve lives—and that you did so in solidarity with a community working hard to care for its own.
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 (€)
2 weeks €9023 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 medical assistance and health outreach activities
✅ Training and supervision by local and international health staff
✅ 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 Health Equity & Global Experience
Whether you're supporting routine wellness checks or helping deliver essential health education, your work directly supports a healthier future for remote island communities. You'll also gain valuable insights into grassroots healthcare, tropical medicine, and global health challenges.
Your program fees directly support:
• Health outreach and community medical services
• Training and employment for Malagasy healthcare staff
• Local health education campaigns
• Medical equipment, supplies, and transport to rural areas
• Continued development of ethical, sustainable healthcare volunteeringYour impact is measured not just in moments—but in improved lives, stronger communities, and the deep personal growth you’ll carry home.
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 busy keeping the community healthy, 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.
