In the lush greenery of Bali's last remaining large forest area, you will support the protection of endangered animal species and the restoration of unique habitats. Between rice fields, rainforest and ancient temples, you will work with a dedicated team to preserve the delicate balance between humans and nature. You will help with planting native tree species, bird watching and supporting local villagers on their way to a more sustainable life. In addition to working in nature, you will also teach English to the children and residents of the local community.
Become part of this unique project and immerse yourself in a world in which you not only protect the rainforest and biodiversity, but also get to know authentic Balinese village life up close. You will make a real contribution to the preservation of nature, in harmony with culture and community - an unforgettable adventure.
Our partner organization runs a sanctuary in central Bali, which is a refuge for endangered birds and animals that live in the forest and on the slopes of Mount Batukaru. It is home to long-tailed monkeys, macaques and many different bird species. The organization has established various projects and activities there to protect nature and restore habitats while integrating local communities and promoting their development. Five surrounding villages and nine farmer groups have already joined the project and introduced traditional regulations to ensure the safety of the wildlife in this protected area.
Throughout Indonesia, birds and other animals are threatened by poachers and the illegal wildlife trade. The country unfortunately has the second highest number of endangered bird species in the world. For many years, the organization has been working with locals to create a nature reserve in the area. The community has enacted a number of traditional laws that prohibit hunting and poaching within the sanctuary. The Wildlife Sanctuary is the first privately established wildlife sanctuary in Bali, since 2011, and includes part of the largest remaining forest on the island. It covers a five-kilometer radius around the famous Besikalung Temple, one of the most important and oldest temples in Bali. The organization has reintroduced dozens of birds to the reserve, including white-winged myna and peaceful pigeons. The organization also plants trees and monitors the condition of the forest, which borders the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Jatiluwih rice terraces. It is also working with UNESCO on a project to protect the Subak (irrigation community). A 1,000-year-old traditional agricultural and irrigation system that forms the basis of these picturesque rice terraces.
Part of the organization's strategy is to reintroduce animals that have been cared for in its own Wildlife Rescue Center in Bali into suitable habitats. If the conditions are suitable, the animals are also released at the Wildlife Sanctuary.
The project team also educates the local population about conservation issues, organizes visits to the protected area for schoolchildren and sets up an information center for the public. All with the aim of attracting more attention and support for the project and ultimately expanding the protected area.
As a volunteer, you will directly support the organization in its overarching nature and species conservation work, environmental education and community development. You will be involved in project activities and participate in biological monitoring, habitat maintenance and conservation projects. You will also provide support in areas such as permaculture, English lessons and training for volunteer tourism management. Your tasks will include gardening or farming with locals, cleaning the area around the temple, wildlife monitoring and teaching English to staff, local children and villagers.
In fact, there is currently the greatest need among locals for English lessons. The aim of English lessons is to give the locals more confidence in dealing with foreigners and thus enable them to interact with visitors. In the longer term, this should enable the inhabitants to benefit more from the long-standing tourism activities in their region. It has already been decided by the village administration that the surrounding village should become a community-based ecotourism site. This idea is supported by the majority population of the region. The organization supports the local community with the aim of raising awareness of environmental protection and involving local people in sustainable practices.
Your working hours will be from Monday to Saturday and will comprise 5-6 hours per day. Sunday will be your day off. You will mainly work with the employees in the mornings, from 7:30 to 11:00, and in the afternoons, from 14:00 to 16:00. In between, you can enjoy the beauty of the villages and the surrounding area, which are easily accessible on foot from the center. The local population is very friendly and it is highly recommended to visit the locals at home. You can join in with their activities or help and participate in ceremonies or special events in the village. This is a unique opportunity to get to know the culture and traditions of the people and immerse yourself in the life of the local communities. The schedule of the project activities is generally adapted to the schedule of the locals, especially when traditional events take place in the village.
In the reforestation projects, you actively help to regenerate, maintain and secure the natural habitat around the protected area in the long term. You take care of the seedlings in the tree nursery, plant native tree species in the rainforest, remove invasive species and maintain reforestation areas by watering, mulching and fertilizing. You will also support the establishment of sustainable agroforestry systems with local farmers. In addition, seedlings from the tree nursery are distributed to locals who can plant them in their own areas.
As a volunteer, you will take part in observing and documenting wildlife with the aim of measuring the impact of conservation measures. This includes observing animals, e.g. counting birds or recording species diversity, recording data on flora and fauna. It also includes support for reintroduction projects, such as the release of birds into the wild.
The volunteers' tasks also include practical work in the sanctuary, such as maintaining paths, fences and huts or repairing facilities and infrastructure.
The setting of the Wildlife Sanctuary, in the heart of Bali, is rural and close to nature, but beautifully situated, with views of rice terraces, a small forest and Mount Batukaru. The sanctuary provides a haven for a diverse range of wildlife. It includes parts of the largest remaining forest area in Bali. The dense forests of Batukaru make it one of the last remaining natural areas in Bali and serve as an important water source for the region.
The infrastructure around the center is rather basic, but you can find basic things in the surrounding area. In the villages around the project site, you will find small village stores where you can buy basic food, snacks, drinks, toiletries, etc. There are also warungs, small local food stalls offering simple Indonesian meals and drinks, in the immediate vicinity. Between the villages, you'll travel on roads, sometimes paved, sometimes unpaved, connected with local paths, through the rural area between fields and forest areas.
The next largest town, Tabanan, is about 30 minutes away by car. There you will find hospitals, more specialized and western products. Denpasar, the largest city in Bali, is just over an hour away by car.
Interesting places around the village that you can visit during your stay at the Wildlife Sanctuary include natural hot springs, waterfalls, crystal clear rivers for swimming, the ancient temples of Besikalung and of course the beautiful rice terraces everywhere, such as the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. Other nearby highlights include the Tanah Lot Temple, the Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest and Yeh Gangga Beach.
Arrival:
To get to Bali, a domestic flight is the fastest and most common method in Indonesia. If you are closer to Bali, you can also take a ferry from Java or Lombok.
From I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, you can take a normal cab or a Grab or Gojek cab (bookable via app). The journey from the airport to our center takes 1.5 hours by car. Alternatively, the project also offers a pick-up service for an extra charge.
No special knowledge is required for the program. What you should bring with you is an interest in nature and species conservation and a willingness to get involved in protecting the rainforest. The project combines nature conservation, cultural exchange and sustainable development. It is therefore ideal for you if you want to experience the unique natural environment up close and take on responsibility at the same time. It is good if you are flexible and open-minded and can also adapt to working and making do with what is available locally.
Most of the employees speak Indonesian and English. You should have a good enough command of English to be able to give English lessons to employees and people from the local community. Basically, it also helps you to communicate well, ask questions, understand tasks and content in order to ultimately make the most of your stay.
The Wildlife Sanctuary has its own volunteer center. It is a simple traditional wooden building, but offers comfortable, clean rooms. There are two twin rooms, a triple room with a single bed and bunk bed upstairs and a dormitory with six single beds. All beds are equipped with clean sheets, pillows and comforters as well as a mosquito net. The rooms have an electric fan. There are shared bathrooms, a communal kitchen and a dining room around a beautiful natural garden. In addition to the rooms in the volunteer center, volunteers can also stay in the local house on the family compound next to the facility. There is a double room and a traditional building with two double beds. You can do your laundry by hand on site or at the nearby laundromat.
In principle, the project will not provide any meals during your stay. However, local food and drinks are provided at the volunteer center itself. There is a simple communal kitchen where you can prepare your own food and spend sociable cooking evenings with your fellow volunteers. Many of the volunteers enjoy going to the local market and preparing meals together. This is a great way to get to know the local culture and at the same time to flexibly cater to everyone's preferences. Alternatively, you can go out to eat in one of the small local restaurants in the surrounding villages.
W-LAN is available in the volunteer center, but the connection is not particularly fast.
Founder of Wanderworld Travel
Advice and travel preparation
On-site advice and support
Sign up for a non-binding wanderlust consultation with us and we'll talk about all your questions, wishes and concerns.
Let us plan your trip to Costa Rica together. Without obligation and free of charge.
MO - FR 09:00-18:00
Or apply here for a consultation appointment by phone or video call.
