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Wild Elephant Conservation & Research Program
Wild Elephant Conservation & Research Program

Wasgamuwa National Park, Sri Lanka

Wild Elephant Conservation & Research Program

Trip Highlights

  • Be a volunteer and help to monitor/record the behavior of the elephants at the Wasgamuwa National Park in Sri Lanka
  • Spend your days amidst the wilderness, soaking in the freshness of nature
  • Plenty of opportunities to view the elephants on a daily basis from up close in the jeeps when they are grazing in the grass, and also from viewing spots like specially designed treehouses
  • Work with a team of researchers and local staff in the natural habitat of these endangered wild elephants
  • Meet some amazing travelers from different parts of the world

Overview

Overview

Be a volunteer for the Elephant Conservation Program in Sri Lanka with Volunteering Solutions and live a life amidst nature's lap! Volunteers will get the rare opportunity to work alongside local conservationists, educators, community partners and local villagers deep in the heart of the Sri Lankan wilderness. This is a true conservation project where wild elephants are not touched or interfered with at all as they are in their natural habitat.

Wild elephants (and other wildlife) are under threat in this part of the country particularly because of heightened levels of human-elephant conflict created in recent times due to a range of issues. It is a genuine research-based project involving elephant tracking, monitoring, observations, and education to the local communities, including running campaigns and awareness programs.

No matter whether you are a high school student who's an animal lover, or a gap year traveler looking for meaningful work experience - this project will be perfect for all. Even for those who are looking for an interesting family volunteering opportunity - what can be better than exploring this Southeast Asian island, soaking in the authentic vibes while working for these gentle giants!


Program Requirements

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. 16 & 17-year olds can participate with parental consent. Children below 16 years must be accompanied by an adult or parents. All participants need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference and have a keen interest in wildlife conservation. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check.


Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

As a volunteer, your main tasks would be to :-

  • Gather information on elephants and other wildlife and tropical ecosystems, often watching them from strategically placed treehouses
  • Collect essential environmental and socio-economic data and maintain logbooks to help develop community-based conservation programs
  • Participate in discussions with local villagers to help identify practical solutions to human-elephant conflicts
  • Observe, assess and document human-elephant conflicts
  • Teach environmental education to local school children from time to time
  • Build and mend fencing to protect agricultural crops and homes from damage by wild elephants

Note: The majority of the work is conducted in the field, hence casual comfortable clothing (t-shirts, shorts, loose pants, sneakers, sandals, flipflops, hats, etc.) is recommended as participants are out in the open for significant periods of time. Sunscreen highly recommended as the sun can be strong during the day, and mosquito/insect repellents are advisable to bring as well.


Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteer Work Schedule

All volunteers working in this project would have the following schedule -

Sunday: Arrival in Sri Lanka. A member from the local team will pick you up from the Colombo Airport and drive you straight to Wasgamuwa in a car/van. The journey takes approximately 6-7 hrs by road.Volunteers should plan to arrive before 12 noon on Sunday as it's advisable not to drive in the forest after dark. In Wasgamuwa, the local project team greets the participants and take them to the field house (where the volunteers live). Training and orientation are conducted that evening (or the next morning) and project activities begin the next morning.

Monday - Friday: Working on the project along with the local team and other volunteers.

Local transportation to and from the project is provided each day. Participants are supported throughout the duration of their stay by the local conservation and support team, who live and work in the field house with them.

Participants work for 4-6 hours during the weekdays. 2 shifts of 2-3 hours each, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon.
Weekends are free for the volunteer.After completing the program duration, participants are provided with Private transfers back to the airprort.Private transfers will also be provided between Wasgamuwa and Galle and vice versa for any combination projects and tours done in our Galle project location.


Living

Living

Airport Transfers

On arrival, participants are picked up from Colombo airport by our driver and taken straight to Wasgamuwa (i.e., project site) in a car/van, which is roughly a 6-hour journey. Participants should plan to arrive before 12 noon on Sunday as it's advisable not to drive in the forest after dark. Private return transfer from Wasgamuwa to Colombo airport is also included on completion of the project. In some cases, participants may choose to volunteer at another project at our Galle location in which case private transfer for that too is provided by us.

Orientation

Before the program begins, you’ll be provided with a brief orientation by the local team in Sri Lanka. You’ll be told about the project, your work and everything else, that you need to know while you’re there.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay in a field house, located amidst the lush forests of Sri Lanka. You are surrounded by a ring of striking mountains where you will look out onto a large reservoir where elephants love to bath!

The house is just 15 minutes from the Wasgamuwa National Park. The accommodation is basic with dorm-style beds (with mosquito netting) and shared bathrooms. Rooms will be allotted on the same-gender sharing basis. It’s big enough to accommodate up to 40 people at the same time, where you will stay is very spacious with a high roof, which helps to cool the property as gentle breezes blow along from the neighboring lake.

All of the essentials are provided for you, such as mosquito nets, electric fans, pillows, and clean bedsheets. However, towels & toiletries are not included - make sure to carry your own.

Meals

Volunteers will be provided with all the meals - Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can expect some of the following meals:

  • Breakfast – Cereals, toast, fresh fruits
  • Lunch – Salads, fresh fruits
  • Dinner – Chicken, fish, vegetables, rice

Meals are usually a mix of local Sri Lankan dishes. Vegetarians can be catered for.

Free Time

You’ll mostly be free on the weekends, to explore and soak in the beauty of this tropical island. There are several day trips that you can do in the vicinity, but most of the volunteers simply like to explore the beautiful area around the park, and relax in the jungle along with other fellow mates.


Dates

Dates

2024

2025

January

06

13

20

27

February

03

10

17

24

March

02

09

16

23

30

April

06

13

20

27

May

04

11

18

25

June

01

08

15

22

29

July

06

13

20

27

August

03

10

17

24

31

September

07

14

21

28

October

05

12

19

26

November

02

09

16

23

30

December

07

14

21

28

January

04

11

18

25

February

01

08

15

22

March

01

08

15

22

29

April

05

12

19

26

May

03

10

17

24

31

June

07

14

21

28

July

05

12

19

26

August

02

09

16

23

30

September

06

13

20

27

October

04

11

18

25

November

01

08

15

22

29

December

06

13

20

27

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

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Costs

Costs

1 Week £931
2 Weeks £1127
3 Weeks £1314
4 Weeks £1501
5 Weeks £1688
6 Weeks £1875
7 Weeks £2066
8 Weeks £2253
Extra Week £204

Please Note: -An application fee of £179 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying for?

  • 24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
  • Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  • Airport Pickup on Scheduled Days
  • Accommodation in a Field House near the Project
  • Orientation on arrival
  • Meals
  • Guaranteed project placement
  • Private vehicle transfers from airport to project and back
  • Dedicated staff support at the Project
  • 24/7 local emergency support
  • Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
  • Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

  • Visa Fee
  • International Airfare
  • Vaccinations
  • Any personal expenses
  • Additional Local Excursions and Trips

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