Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary - Weekly Volunteer

Location: Siem Reap - 100 km North of City – Cambodia

Nearest Airport: - Siem Reap (REP)

Duration: 1 - 8 weeks

Please see the Availability Calendar Tab - Select your preferred date to Book Now!

Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary is a conservation project developed in cooperation with Save Elephant Foundation to protect and conserve an important jungle habitat. The project spans 32,000 acres on the edge of the Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, located an hour and half north of the famous Angkor Wat temple complex. This sanctuary is one of the largest protected areas in Cambodia and is home to several endangered species, including the giant ibis, banteng, Eld’s deer, sarus crane, monkeys, gibbon, and several turtle species. Once covered in dense forest and rich in biodiversity, this area has been extensively impacted by illegal logging and poaching. The project is focused on protecting and restoring the local flora and fauna, as well as combating illegal logging. Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary also cares for injured and orphaned native animals that have been rescued so that they can be rehabilitated and returned to their jungle home.

Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary provides a safe home in nature to rescued elephants, including two females, Di-Ploh and Sarai Mia, who have lived at the sanctuary for several years and are free to wander in the jungle, foraging on natural vegetation during the day. In November 2020, they were joined by the now famous bull elephant, Kaavan, who was rescued from deplorable conditions in a zoo in Pakistan. He was flown to CWS thanks to the support of singer, Cher, Free the Wild, Four Paws, together with many other people and organizations who campaigned for Kaavan’s freedom. Kaavan is now enjoying a bright new chapter in his life where he is free to rediscover his natural instincts in the safety of a caring environment. It is inspiring to see this majestic bull elephant set out each day to explore his new jungle home, foraging freely on native vegetation and having the chance to interact with other elephants.

Volunteer Program

Volunteers are essential to the success of Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. As a volunteer, you will have the chance to walk with the elephants in the jungle and observe them foraging on natural vegetation and swimming in the damns and natural ponds. Volunteers help to care for the elephants by cutting and preparing food for them and cleaning their night shelters.

As a volunteer, you will be helping to reforest the area by planting saplings, collecting seeds, keeping records of identified species, making trails, gardening, and helping with minor construction projects. Volunteers may also be called on to assist with the care of injured and orphaned animals who have been rescued so that they can be rehabilitated and returned to their jungle home. Volunteers also help to care for the domestic animals at the sanctuary, including dogs, cats, and cows. Other volunteer activities include teaching English at a local school and working with the local community to establish educational outreach programs for children. The ongoing support of volunteers is vital to the project’s continued success so that the sanctuary can sustain a diverse range of wildlife for generations to come.

Getting there

You are responsible for getting yourself to Cambodia. Pick up is on Monday mornings at 08:00 from Siem Reap Accommodation

What will I be doing?

By volunteering at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, you will be helping to regenerate the jungle habitat of the area. Tree planting, seed collecting, and trail-making are just some of the responsibilities you´ll have. It´s not often you can participate in a project that is literally at the grass-roots level. There is no bathing with elephants here – only observation. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt. Round-trip transportation is included from your accommodation in Siem Reap.

Volunteer Activities

• Walk with the elephants and observe them foraging in the jungle
• Wash and prepare food for the elephants
• Cut grass and banana trees for the elephants
• Prepare food and feed the monkeys
• Clean the elephant´s shelters
• Help with reforestation by planting trees & tying blessed sashes around trees
• Care for injured & orphaned animals until their release back into the wild
• Help care for the domestic animals at the sanctuary
• Teach English to local children and develop educational programs
• Help with sustainable farming, making trails & minor construction projects
• Enjoy delicious vegetarian dishes freshly prepared daily

Accommodation and food

You will be staying in clean on-site accommodation in wooden bungalows with beds and mosquito nets, and en-suite bathrooms (cold water). Mains power and wi-fi are available in the bungalows and there is a washing machine at the sanctuary. You may possibly need to share your bungalow with one other volunteer of the same gender. At CWS you will fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle. All meals are vegetarian/vegan, with unlimited drinking water available.

What is Provided?

• Transportation from hotel in Siem Reap to project and back
• Clean on-site accommodation in wooden bungalows with wi-fi
• Three freshly prepared vegetarian buffet style meals per day
• Bottled drinking water, tea & coffee
• Qualified English speaking guide
• Free t-shirt

What do I need?

• A passport valid for the duration of your stay.
• Insurance (covering your placement time and any planned independent travel).
• Transport to Siem Reap 
• Independent travel costs and return to the airport.
• Any additional costs such as trips, snacks, entertainment (allow some US dollars or a few thousand Riel per day depending on lifestyle).
• Depending on the length of your stay in Cambodia, a 30 day tourist visa is required.
• No compulsory inoculations are necessary, although we recommend that you check with your doctor to make sure your rabies, polio, typhoid and Hepatitis A&B jabs are up to date

Extensions

Volunteers can apply for an initial maximum stay of 8 weeks. Positions start on Monday.

To start on another day you still need to select Monday as the starting day and inform us in the booking form´s remarks box. Whatever day you start, the position will finish on the subsequent Sunday. The rates quoted are per week.

Leaving the Project

You will leave Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary around lunch time on your last Sunday with us. Arrangements will be made to take you back to Siem Reap

All About Your Volunteer Position:

Starting From: 08:00-09:00 Siem Reap Accommodation

Return after finishing at the project: after lunch on Sunday to Siem Reap Accommodation

What to Bring: Overnight bag with change of clothes for 7 days, long sleeve pants and shirt, gloves, hat, sunscreen, sandals/flip flops, long pants and shirt for cutting sugar cane and banana trees, shoes for walking, bug repellent, flashlight, personal medications.

Baggage / Luggage allowance: One Standard check-in sized rucksack/suit case/bag and one small day pack per person.

Volunteer Operational Months: All year round

Age Suitability: Adult (18 years plus)

What is Included: Transport from Siem Reap Accommodation and back, clean, convenient accommodation on site, three delicious meals per day, served in buffet style with great amount of choice

Bookings close: Five Days before you are due to visit. A deposit is required to secure your place(s).

Volunteer Contribution: Adult USD$ 400

Deposit and Paying Your Balance: Please pay in USD cash when you arrive at the project.

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