If you think your family might benefit from travelling overseas to experience life in another country and perhaps get involved with some volunteering, you might be wondering exactly what to expect from this sort of getaway.

You can choose between all sorts of fascinating destinations in Asia, Africa, Australasia and Latin America – among others – and enrich your life experience, giving your children an insight into how people live in other countries.

Book a break for nine days or longer and you'll discover you can both explore and help out in your host nation. If you choose Africa, for example, you'll be able to explore the diverse environment of Swaziland, which is made up of rainforest, savannah and mountains.

Enjoy a safari through South Africa's Kruger National Park – where you can camp and search for lions for half of your trip – and spend of your time looking after and teaching children in small care centres throughout the area. Duties often include organising games and activities, teaching basic lessons and general care-giving.

Other opportunities for family volunteering in Africa include heading to Tanzania to work alongside an elephant collaring team in the Saadani National Park. Get close to these majestic animals as you collect important data and spend your spare time on safari.

Alternatively, you might decide to head to Namibia to learn more about big cats and experience the unique way of life of the tribes here.

Meanwhile, if you choose Asia for your destination, you can explore India or Sri Lanka, both of which provide opportunities for feeding or riding elephants – sure to be a fond memory among youngsters for many years!

On a journey to India you can expect to call in at Delhi for a tour, witness the magnificent sight of the Taj Mahal and explore Ranthambore National Park – which is full of wild animals. You'll also visit a local school in Jaipur – known as the Pink City – and visit the City Palace and the Palace of the Winds. During your time here you can have your fortune read and watch some snake-charming before heading to the fort-palace of Amber.

Meanwhile, if you've chosen Latin America as your location of choice, you can visit Costa Rica or Peru. A trip to the former will afford you an insight into the area's volcanic landscape, where you can admire the colourful bird population, stop at a biological reserve and wander through rainforest, or perhaps get active rafting or windsurfing.

Visit Peru instead and you can traverse mountains and lakes, seeing wild animals in their natural habitats and visiting fortresses such as Sacsayhuaman. Spend some time in the Sacred Valley – the former heartland of the Inca Empire – and explore the lost city of Machu Picchu – a white granite citadel.

Another option for families looking for fun volunteer projects could be taking a break aboard a tall ship in Australasia, where you can pitch in and learn the basics of sailing while travelling around the Whitsunday Islands on a boat that is more than 100 years old!

The crew on your ship will tell you all you need to know about the area and its marine life, and you'll have the chance to snorkel or swim in the sea, visit the white sand beaches and take guided island walks to the best vantage points.

Spend quality time with your loved ones getting to know a new destination with a volunteering holiday abroad.