Home Programs Abroad Wildlife and Nature BOLIVIA - Work with animals in a National Park in the Amazon Jungle

Programs Abroad

BOLIVIA - Work with animals in a National Park in the Amazon Jungle  Bolivia

Project: Wildlife and Nature
Booking Nº: BO103
Country: Bolivia +
Location: Amazon Rainforest, Villa Tunari
Minimum Stay: 4 weeks
Start dates: All year round
Price: from 4 weeks, 1,050 USD

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Task

  • Take care of and feed the animals
  • Help build houses and cages
  • Maintain and create new trails
  • Assist in the construction of cottages
  • Inform and teach visitors

 

During your volunteer program you will work in a National Park in Amazon jungle of Bolivia where you will assist in caring for sick or wounded animals, preparing them to be reintroduced into their natural habitat in the wild. You will help to build houses and offices for the staff and volunteers, establish new trails and build cottages.
In addition, you will be in contact with many tourists giving them information about the park's projects and plans. During the peak season, the park can receive up to 1,500 visitors each month! It will be one of your many responsibilities to facilitate the communication between the tourists that come to explore the park and the workers, applying your multilingual knowledge of English and Spanish.
There are people of many different nationalities who work for the animal protection program as well as volunteers that come from all over the world. Learning about other cultures and local traditions will offer you a unique and wonderful experience at this diverse and amazing National Park.

Accommodation

There are two guest houses, each with dormitories and a shared bathroom, for the volunteers. Only cold water is available in the houses since hot water is not necessary due to the year-round warm and humid climate.

 

Many volunteers prefer to take their showers below the waterfalls or bathe in the nearby river!
Life in the National Park is simple, so luxury should not be expected. This is a completely different experience that is not available to average tourists! You will be one of few people that will be able to tell tales of living in extreme conditions in order to protect the Bolivian wildlife.
Volunteers have to supply their own food for the duration of their stay. You can choose to eat your meals in the home or in a small restaurant that is famous for its fresh fish! You can also find shops to buy fruits, vegetables, water and other tempting sweets.

Requirements

Language:
English and/or Spanish skills required (you can book your Spanish course in Bolivia with us!)

Skills:
No professional skills or experiences required.

Age:
18+ years

Vaccination:
Not required. Please consult us and your doctor for specific recommendations.

Insurance:
Full travel and medical insurance is required. You can purchase a full coverage, no deductible health and travel insurance at a special rate for our participants by contacting your South America Inside representative.

Visa:
Tourist visa valid for 90 days. For further information regarding visa requirements please contact us and the corresponding embassy or consulate in your home country.

Details

The National Park is located about 4 hours from Cochabamba. It extends over an area of 36 hectares that was donated by the Bolivian government. Villa Tunari, the nearest town, is about one mile away from the park and has a population of approximately 4,000 inhabitants. There you can find restaurants and shops, as well as internet and bank machines. The area was designated a National Park more than 15 years ago in order to create a place of refuge for wild animals that have been abused in captivity. Most of the animals were pets or lived at the zoo before they came to the protected park.
In many cases they arrive sick, undernourished or wounded and need to be rehabilitated back to health before being released into the wild. There are lots of different types of wild animals including monkeys, bears, parrots and large felines like pumas and jaguars.
The park shelters a total of 700 animals of 30 different species. Volunteers from Bolivia along with many volunteers from all over the world prepare these wild animals to be reintroduced into the wild.

As a member of a multinational team you will help rehabilitate as many wild animals as possible so that they can one day live independently in the jungle. Unfortunately, the final goal of reintroducing them is not always possible; however, they will have a better life in the center than in their previous unacceptable living arrangements.

bo103_villa_tunari

Source: Google Maps

Prices


Duration       in USD    
             4 weeks
       1,050.-
            5 weeks        1,260.-
            6 weeks        1,470.-
       Additional week         140.-

One time registration fee 75 USD.



What’s included:
  • Accommodation
  • Orientation kit
  • Local support
  • 24h-Emergency Number
  • Volunteer Work Placement
  • Certificate of participation

What’s not included:
  • Flight
  • Medical Insurance
  • Visa (if necesary)
  • Local Travels

Country

Country Information Bolivia

BoliviaSandwiched between Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Chile while straddling the Andes Mountains, stands Bolivia, the “Tibet of the Americas”. Bolivia earns this title by being the highest and most isolated of all the Andean nations. About twice the size of Spain, Bolivia holds over 42,000 square miles and is home to over 9 million people. The capital city of La Paz embraces over 800,000 Bolivians and rests at an elevation of 11,800 feet.

This unique country possesses nearly every possible climate and terrain from the snow capped peaks of over 21,000 ft., semi-tropical lowlands and steaming jungles of the Bolivian Amazon Basin. The famous Lake Titicaca, which shares a Peruvian border, is the highest navigable inland sea in the world. Furthermore, the boasting crystal blue waters, reed boats and islands known for pre-Columbian ruins make Bolivia a must-see destination!

Though Bolivia stands as the poorest land in South America, the cultural landscape of this country is one of a kind. The religious and native practices of both Indigenous people and ¨hybrid¨ Christians, an influence from the Spanish conquistador Simon Bolivar, categorize Bolivia as truly prosperous in culture. As Bolivar claimed independence for Bolivia from Spain in 1825, the absence of clergy in rural areas led to the development of a hybrid Christian/Indigenous way of life. Today, overlapping cultures exist where 95% Bolivians profess faith to Roman Catholicism, however over 50% of the population maintains traditional indigenous values and beliefs as well. Visitors are exposed to these wonderful people and their lifestyle full of intriguing doctrines, rites and superstitions.

In addition to rich culture, the breathtaking terrain and wildlife of Bolivia will surely stand as the clincher to discover this country. One has the opportunity to see various exotic birds, plants, insects and animals due to Bolivia's relatively sparse population, lack of development and diverse geography. In fact, Bolivia is one of the best places to see South American wildlife, including the jaguar, llama, anteater, chinchilla, condor, and the rare spectacled bear!

Climatic consideration should be taken when planning your visit to the ¨Tibet of the America’s.¨ Remembering the high altitude of Bolivia, the weather here deserves respect. Though unpredictable, the weather more or less follows certain trends. Summer months of November to April entail heavy rains with washed-out roads making a buzzing river community of boats and vibrant colors. The winter months of May to October typically offer a more gentle travel experience with dry temperate weather during the day, breathtaking alpine glow and freezing nighttime temperatures. The most popular months, due to festivals and mostly temperate weather, range between June and September. During these months, you’ll find lots of activity and smiling faces. Remember the impact altitude has on irregular weather so investing in a hardy raincoat, sunscreen, and an insulated jacket are highly recommended!

Vast amounts of Bolivia continue to remain undiscovered and unknown. The country’s phenomenal landscapes, colonial architecture, indigenous cultures and the legacy of its ancient mysterious civilizations combined with a quiet political climate offer an extraordinary travel experience!

 

  • Check out all projects and Spanish courses in Bolivia! Read more...

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