
Help look after animals rescued from illegal traffickers by becoming a wildlife volunteer in Bolivia!
Nestled in a verdant riverine valley near the town of Coroico, the Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a beacon of hope for much of the country’s vulnerable wildlife. As illegal trafficking is still rife throughout South America, many animals find themselves in desperate need for care – and this is where the Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary comes in. In partnership with Bolivia’s Environmental Ministry, the sanctuary has succeeded in rescuing countless animals over the past 10 years, working hard to remedy their ailments against all odds and providing many with a permanent home.
While laws in Bolivia prohibit certain species of animal from being released back into the wild, the sanctuary believes in providing defenceless animals with a good quality of life, making this their mission over the past decade. After years of mistreatment in the illegal pet trade, many monkeys, exotic birds, wild cats and more have all found a safe home within the sanctuary and have been provided with the veterinary care they so desperately needed.
As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in the care and recovery of monkeys, exotic birds, wild cats, bears and more, many of which have had a traumatic and tough start to life. By caring for the animals day-to-day, you’ll undertake observational, enrichment and construction tasks, all which work towards providing these once mistreated animals with new hope and a better quality of life. So join us on this worthwhile and rewarding project and help leave a lasting impact on the wildlife of Bolivia!
Nestled in a verdant riverine valley near the town of Coroico, the Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a beacon of hope for much of the country’s vulnerable wildlife. As illegal trafficking is still rife throughout South America, many animals find themselves in desperate need for care – and this is where the Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary comes in. In partnership with Bolivia’s Environmental Ministry, the sanctuary has succeeded in rescuing countless animals over the past 10 years, working hard to remedy their ailments against all odds and providing many with a permanent home.
While laws in Bolivia prohibit certain species of animal from being released back into the wild, the sanctuary believes in providing defenceless animals with a good quality of life, making this their mission over the past decade. After years of mistreatment in the illegal pet trade, many monkeys, exotic birds, wild cats and more have all found a safe home within the sanctuary and have been provided with the veterinary care they so desperately needed.
As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in the care and recovery of monkeys, exotic birds, wild cats, bears and more, many of which have had a traumatic and tough start to life. By caring for the animals day-to-day, you’ll undertake observational, enrichment and construction tasks, all which work towards providing these once mistreated animals with new hope and a better quality of life. So join us on this worthwhile and rewarding project and help leave a lasting impact on the wildlife of Bolivia!
Whilst at the sanctuary, you will engage in a wide variety of activities on a rotational basis. Below are some of the activities you can expect to be involved with.
Please note, itineraries are subject to change depending on the needs of the sanctuary and what follows is only a rough guideline.
To secure a place on this project a deposit of $245 is required at the time of booking, with the remaining balance due any time up to 60 days prior to your start date.
Select a duration below to see the available start dates. All dates shown are currently available for you to join this project!
During your time on the project you’ll be accommodated in the volunteer house, located just across the river from the wildlife sanctuary. There is one six-bed dormitory and one three-bed dormitory, as well as a bathroom with western-style toilets and warm showers.
If you are travelling as a couple or would prefer some more privacy, separate accommodation in one of the on-site Eco-Huts is available, however, there is an additional cost for this and is dependent on availability.
All volunteers are provided with three meals per day which are all prepared by the sanctuary staff. Tea and coffee is readily available throughout the day and you will have complimentary juice with breakfast and lemonade with lunch each day. Water, however, is not included in the cost of the project but bottles are available for purchase for a small fee.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements can be catered for but please do let us know of any before you travel.
As this project is based at a wildlife sanctuary, there are animals here year-round, so there is no best time to volunteer regarding wildlife. The weather can, however, have an impact on when you may choose to take part.
Throughout the year, the average day-time temperature is between 20-25°C (68-77°F) and the night-time temperature averages between 5-10°C (41-50°F). Rainfall, however, does vary with May to September being the driest months and December to February being the wettest.
You will need to fly into La Paz El Alto International Airport, where you will be met before taking a private transfer to the sanctuary. This transfer is included in the cost of the project and will take approximately 2 hours.
Citizens of most countries can get a tourist visa on arrival for stays of up to 90 days. Please make sure you check with your local embassy regarding visa requirements, as this can be subject to change. There are often numerous passport checks, so your passport must be carried at all times. Your passport will also need to be valid for at least six months in order to gain entry.
Included within the price of the project is a voucher which allows you to either go ziplining or canyoning. Both are exciting activities which allow you to explore the stunning scenery of the Yungas province - with an extra pinch of adrenaline! Either activity can add a whole new aspect of adventure when volunteering in Bolivia and if you would like any more information about these activities, please enquire with us directly.
Due to the hilly nature of the area, we recommend that all volunteers have at least a moderate level of fitness and the ability to walk on steep terrain. La Paz has one of the highest altitudes in the world, and subsequently, you may find yourself out of breath from time to time - making it important to prepare for the effects of altitude sickness. No specific skills are needed to take part but we do ask that you arrive with a strong work ethic, a passion for animals and a willingness to get your hands dirty!
There are no specific vaccination or medical requirements needed to join this project and so the vaccinations you require will depend on your medical history. We therefore recommend that you consult with your GP/Doctor regarding your own vaccination requirements.
See what it's like to volunteer at the Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary with The Great Projects.
Take a look at Tristan's incredible video of his time at the Bolivia Wildlife Sanctuary and check out the project through a volunteers eyes.