Volunteer Experiences - The Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary!

Volunteer Experiences - The Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary!

Posted by Connor Whelan on 1st Jun 2016

Tristan, a veteran of three of our volunteering trips, returned from a three week stay at the Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary last month and he has been kind enough to tell us all about the project. This is the perfect chance to hear about this amazing sanctuary from a volunteer who has been there and done it!

Bolivia Monkeys

What was the highlight of your trip?

My highlight would be working with the monkeys and just the general feeling of being in South America! There was one monkey called "Bosko" who stood out for me. All of the animals at the sanctuary are there for a reason, and unfortunately that reason is normally a sad one. However, Bosko was the monkey that fell in love with me at first sight. Bosko and I connected straight away, and every morning when I can into the sanctuary he was always very happy to see me. We really became friends!

The refuge is about connecting with nature again, away from technology. Bosko really opened my eyes and showed me the beauty of nature; we didn't speak the same language, but I feel we really understood each other. It was fascinating to see how similar we are to animals.

Are you planning to add to the collection of trips you have been on already?

I would love to do another trip, but as I am a student I will have to see how things play out in the future!

South America Bird

What are your top tips for our future volunteers?

Wow, this is a difficult one because I have so many!

Tips that can be applied to all projects are:

  • Be open minded! This is very important. This is a once in a life time chance so make the best of it!
  • Enjoy your time there; forget home for now as your project is your home for the time being!
  • Be creative! You’re there to help improve the world. I’ve learned a lot about life just by connecting to nature and listening to people who have so much experience with animals. One rule I always live by when travelling is, when travelling, volunteer! I’ve travelled the world at the age of 18. I am lucky that I have had the possibility to do this, as every continent I’ve visited I have seen boys just like me, who will never be able to do this in their entire life. So because I have the chance to do this, I want to give back to the continents I visit. Make sure you make the best out of it!
  • Never be afraid! Travelling can be scary at some points, but don’t be afraid. It will take away the joy of the trip.
  • Travel in groups outside of the project, I did the opposite.
  • Learn the language as the local people really appreciate it and will always help you as a result. Before I visited South America, I did not speak a word of Spanish, and at first it was a real struggle doing seemingly simple things like taking taxi's, ordering food, and going to local communion. Then I started to pick up the language and I began to learn Spanish in my free time at my project and things became a lot easier!
  • Don't take unlicensed taxis! Very important as I lost some cash this way!
  • Take a first aid kit! I always do, take plenty of extra medication, when visiting remote places! I got sick in the jungle and I had to get a taxi driver to bring antibiotics from La Paz to my project which took him 3 hours due to the remoteness of the project.
  • Pack light is my number one rule. When travelling around, you don't want to be carrying a big backpack, and especially not in South America where lots of places are at extremely high altitude!
  • When travelling, take clothing that dries easily.
  • Always carry a wallet below your clothing with essentials in it.
  • Don't forget to be happy. You are about to go discover a new place after all!
  • Love the animals; and always be open to new experiences and challenges.

What was your favourite non-animal activity you did on the project and why was it so good?

Most projects, give you some free time, a few days off from work, and I decided to collected all my free days so that I could go on a week’s leave in Bolivia. I visited; Lake Titicaca in Peru with people I met at the project, took a tour over the salt flats and landscapes, and visited the borders of Chile and the city of La Paz. The Great Projects offers you an amazing canyoning tour or zipline experience, I chose the canyoning which was amazing, as you’re going down waterfalls in the jungle and you may never get to do that anywhere else!

What inspires you to continue to travel to the projects?

When travelling, I don't mind spending some extra on an amazing experience that you never will forget! The Great Projects offers an experience that most agencies don't! A good experience will give you a good feeling about places all around the world, and this is why I continue to travel.

It is clear that Tristan had an amazing time out at the project in Bolivia, and if you would like to see what he experienced first-hand then click here to find out more.


Share this Article...

Share this article with your friends and followers by using the social media buttons below.


Leave a Comment...

Wanting to add something to this story or just let us know your thoughts? Just leave your comments below. Please be aware that all comments will be moderated: abusive behaviour or self-promotion will not be allowed.

500 characters remaining

Has this blog inspired you to volunteer? If so, why not enquire today? Simply fill out an enquiry form, and allow a member of our travel team to assist with your query! Please note that blog comments are not monitored by the travel team, so any questions related to bookings may be missed.


Featured Blog Arcticles


Featured Videos


Experience The Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary

See what you could get up to as a volunteer at the Namibia Wildlife Sanctuary! This volunteer project offers you the chance to get up close and personal with some of the country's most iconic species.

Discover The Great White Shark Project

Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation. As a volunteer, not only will you get the incredible opportunity to dive with sharks, but you will also assist the team in raising awareness of the great white as you work alongside tourists and local school children to provide them with knowledge of the local environment and the importance of living in harmony with South Africa’s marine life.

Volunteers Review Their Experience at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Volunteers talk about their recent experience at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary in Borneo.

Latest Blog Arcticles


The Team Returns - James & Lauren's South Africa Experience

The Team Returns - James & Lauren's South Africa Experience

Lauren and James have returned and are ready to relay tales...

The Great Projects On Tour: Upcoming Staff Trips

The Great Projects On Tour: Upcoming Staff Trips

Team members Lauren and James, joined colleague Georgia to...

Lynne's Top Tips For Volunteering at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Lynne's Top Tips For Volunteering at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Volunteer Lynne Coe shares her valuable tips on what to...

10 More Orangutans Released Back Into The Wild From Nyaru Menteng!

10 More Orangutans Released Back Into The Wild From Nyaru Menteng!

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Borneo...

Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary May Update

Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary May Update

The Great Projects volunteer coordinators, Matt and Niamh,...

Latest At The Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Latest At The Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

The Great Projects' volunteer coordinators Matt and Niamh...

Volunteer Update From Samboja In April 2023

Volunteer Update From Samboja In April 2023

As the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Project begins once again...

Inge’s Experience at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary

Inge’s Experience at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary

Inge volunteered at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary in...


Where you can go
Contact Info
UK Office
The Great Traveller Ltd,
3 Dairy Yard
Star Street
Ware, Hertfordshire
SG12 7DX
United Kingdom

Opening hours:
   Mon-Fri 8:30am–5:30pm
   Sat 10am-4pm

T: +44(0) 208 885 4987