Nurture and protect hundreds of extraordinary animals with your family at this wildlife paradise. The animals range from sun bears to monkeys, macaques to birds and orangutans to otters – with elephants closeby at the neighbouring elephant sanctuary! Your new wilderness home is close to one of Thailand’s largest National Parks and some beautiful golden beaches, making it a perfect base for exploring off the beaten track.
Duration: 1 – 2 weeks
Dates: Arrivals throughout the year
Arrival day: Sunday
Return day: Sunday
Eligibility: General level of fitness required. You will walk some steep inclines.
Age: Children must be aged 14+
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Highlights
- Live surrounded by amazing wildlife, seeing exotic and fascinating creatures at every turn
- Wake up to the sound of birds calling and the the monkeys chattering
- See the gibbons swing through the trees – in their past lives, they were caged and captive
- Hit the beach and explore the night markets to soak up some of the best that Thailand has to offer
- Create unforgettable family memories working together for a good cause
- Add a conservation career course to support and apply for jobs after your trip
Take your family on an adventure to a Thailand wildlife sanctuary situated in the heart of the jungle. Home to over 700 animals rescued from neglect, abuse and the cruel tourist trade, this is an inspirational place to do some family volunteering. You and your family will work as part of a team to create a safe haven for the bears, birds, monkeys, gibbons and macaques and other rescued animals.
The aim of the sanctuary to reintroduce as many of the rescued animals as possible to their natural habitat. Sadly, many of them are too vulnerable for this to be possible, in which case the sanctuary offers a permanent home in an environment as close to the wild as possible.
No two days will be the same as tasks will be tailored to the animals’ needs, but your family can expect to be getting involved in a variety of the following activities:
- Food preparation for the primates, bears and nocturnal creatures
- Cleaning enclosures, eating stations and pools
- Routine enrichments for the primates and other animals
- Observation of the animals
- Building and maintenance of enclosures
- The ‘water run’ – making sure that the animals are well watered
- Conservation projects around the sanctuary
As you carry out your various tasks, you will hear the sounds of the monkeys chattering, the bears growling and the birds calling – and to see the animals enjoying their new lives here is a real privilege.
This is a hands-on project and, because of the nature of the work, it can be physically demanding. Because of this, we ask that children are a minimum of 12 at the point of taking part.
You are welcome to take one full day off a week as the volunteering does involves long hours and manual labour. If you want to volunteer on your day off, this is also fine!
The sanctuary is on the Malay Peninsula, approximately 3 hours south of Bangkok. The location is fantastic as not only are you close the sprawling Kaeng Krachang National Park, you are also only 30 minutes from the beach towns of Hua Hin and Cha Am. The sanctuary is located on the outskirts of a small village, and your life alongside the locals means you will feel like part of the community very quickly. There is plenty to keep you all busy when you want to be!
Are you looking for paid work in the conservation sector after volunteering or interning? Oyster have teamed up with our friends at Conservation Careers who support people to find paid work in conservation following study or a career change. You can add their fantastic and flexible course to your volunteering trip with Oyster. Your Oyster experience will help add interest to your conservation resume as an eye catching addition to your job applications in future!
- Family accommodation in the heart of the sanctuary
- Western toilets and showers with water heated by the sunshine
- The accommodation is comfortable yet basic
- Communal areas are located at the centre of the sanctuary
- Three meals per day provided
- DIY breakfast of cereals, toast, eggs and fresh fruits
- Lunch and dinner are cooked and provided by local cooks
- Food is traditional Thai food with occasional Western options
- Most dietary requirements can be catered for including vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerance and gluten free. Please note, the options will be more limited and you may need to supplement / enhance the meal options, particularly if you are gluten free
- This project is not recommend for those with severe nut allergies
Travel arrangements
Airport: Bangkok (BKK)
Arrival day: Sunday before 14:00. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to the sanctuary
Departure day: Sunday after 12:00
Supporting You
Edwin was born in the Netherlands, and spent the earlier part of his life in the army. Following his army career he worked in Thailand and became increasingly involved in animal welfare. Concerned by some of the practices he saw, he founded the wildlife sanctuary Thailand to provide a home for displaced and abused animals. Edwin has lived in Thailand for almost 30 years, speaks fluent Thai (amongst other languages) and is fully embedded into the Thai culture.
Included
- Access to your own personal ‘My Oyster’ account – our online portal where you can find out much more about the program and manage your booking
- Dedicated contact time with an experienced destination manager to discuss the project, answer any of your questions and for us to find out more about you
- Help and advice from our UK office before arrival and whilst you are away
- Pre-departure information covering medical, safety and project advice
- Gold level, 24/7 Pharos crisis management and incident support cover
- Financial protection: ATOL (if we book your flights).
- Thorough orientation on arrival
- In-country support
- Accommodation (see the ‘accommodation’ section above for details)
- Advice on visa requirements
- Oyster plants a tree in Africa with TreeAid to help reduce the impact of global carbon emissions
- Food
- Met personally at Bangkok airport and taken to the project
On your return:
- Welcome home pack
- Certificate of Recognition (on request)
- References (on request)
Not Included
- Flights – as an ATOL bonded company, Oyster can book flights for you
- You need a valid passport that meets the requirements of the country you will be travelling to
- Insurance (covering your time with Oyster and any planned independent travel)
- Any costs associated with changing your return flight date if you need to
- Independent travel costs
- Home country travel costs
- Spending money for additional trips, food and entertainment
- Cost of a hotel in Bangkok if arriving too late for the transfer (before 14:00)
- You must have your diphtheria, tetanus and polio up to date – without these you will not be allowed to work on the project
- Return transfer to the airport
More Information
Without enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers, the rescue centre would not be able to run. Families enjoy knowing that they really are making a major contribution to animal welfare in Thailand, and get to see the results of their hard work. Thailand volunteering is a great way to explore a little-explored part of the country and spend time together as a family.
Whilst late-availability is possible, we would advise booking as soon as you can to guarantee your ideal dates. Our projects are very popular and spaces can fill up several months in advance, especially for the months of June to September.
There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ day at the wildlife rescue centre, but the structure will be broadly as follows.
Morning tasks: 6:30 – 12:00 with a breakfast break and comfort breaks
Lunch: 12:00 – 13:00
Afternoon tasks: 13:00 – 17:00 with comfort breaks
Many of the animals at the sanctuary have been rescued from exploitation, captivity and cruelty. The sanctuary aims to provide them a home where they can live a life as close to the wild as possible. As such, there is a ‘no hands’ policy here. Whilst you can spend lots of time watching, monitoring and enriching the animals in care here, none of them are to be petted.
Oyster assesses projects carefully to ensure that they offer high standards of animal welfare and environmental practice. We also check that volunteers understand key points of good practice before working with animals. To find out more, see our animal welfare policy.
This project is open to people from all walks of life, and as such you should expect to be with a group of volunteers of all ages. We cannot guarantee that there will be other families there at the same time as you.
Yes, absolutely. This can be arranged by the project staff once you are at the sanctuary.
We do not include the return transfer to the airport for environmental and financial reasons. As there are departures every Sunday, there are often people wanting to go back to Bangkok / the airport at a similar time. This means that volunteers can share a car and divide the cost of the transfer between them. We prefer to encourage shared transfers as it means that the environmental impact is reduced – and ultimately it might save you money too.
Thailand has a tropical climate and as such you can always expect rain and sunshine – and sometimes within minutes of each other! Typically the wettest season is September and October, so you should make sure to have wet weather gear at this time of year. This being said, the rain is often in short sharp bursts and doesn’t stop you from doing anything on the project. As a guideline, you can expect:
Cold season: November – February. Temperatures approx 15 – 30 celsius.
Hot season: March – June. Temperatures approx30 45 celsius.
Rainy season: July – August. Temperatures approx25 – 35 celsius.
Wet season: September – October. Temperatures approx 25 – 35 celsius.
We would recommend budgeting approximately £20 per person per week for food and free time activities.
There is really easy access to cash machines from the centre so you do not need to take all your cash with you.
If you are going for over 4 weeks, you might like to consider getting a cash card. Cash cards are a safe and convenient way to take your money travelling with you – they act just like debit cards but do not have the same fees as you might have to pay on your bank cards from home. Check out our blog for details on how the card works here.
No visa is necessary for under 30 days from UK and most western European countries. We will give advice on longer stays.
You will need to make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months after you arrive in Thailand.
You must have your vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Without these you will not be able to work on the project. You should visit your doctor or travel nurse to find out what other vaccinations you may need.
It is strongly recommended that you are vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, rabies and tuberculosis. These are entirely optional (at your own risk) as these diseases do occur in Thailand but have not occurred at the centre. Please follow your doctor’s advice.
For any more information, including entry requirements related to Covid-19, please see the Fit for Travel website or the UK government’s travel advice page for Thailand.
There are medical facilities approximately 30 minutes from the project sites. Larger hospitals can be found within 3 hours drive in Bangkok.
The centre is in a very secure and safe area and a full safety briefing will be given upon arrival. There is a safe on site for storing valuables. You will be sharing on-site accommodation with other volunteers and the coordinators live on site too. This is a hands off project, except with the elephants, and you will be fully trained for all aspects of the role.
The sanctuary is about 20 minutes from the tourist towns of Cha Am and Hua Hin. They are beautiful and used to having tourists frequent them. Please be aware this is a Buddhist country and you should not have too much flesh on show!
You will be living right in the heart of a small rural village in the sanctuary grounds. Walk five minutes into the small town in order to check the internet, get some laundry done and get to know the locals.
There is intermittent access to wifi at the sanctuary, however this is neither reliable nor fast. Many volunteers buy a local SIM card to access data on the move.
There is mobile phone signal at the centre and you can receive incoming emergency calls at the centre too
Thailand is 7 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+7)
In Thailand, a mixture of European plugs and American plugs are used.
- The local village is just a short walk away and has a night market and shops.
- There is an on-site bar which is open until the early evening every day.
- Trips are often organised to Petchaburi, Hua Hin and Cha Am in the evening to see the night markets and explore.
- There is a weekly trip to a local shopping mall, particularly useful for those with specific dietary requirements
- For a night out volunteers can take a taxi to Hua Hin, which has lots of great bars and restaurants and also a night market which sells lots of cheap clothes and souvenirs.
- The Thailand animal sanctuary is located on temple grounds, so it is very easy to visit the temple and experience Thai culture on your days off.
- There are also amazing beaches just 15 miles away and fantastic hiking in the national park.
You will have evenings free and one day per week off.
You are welcome to take one full day off a week as the volunteering does involves long hours and manual labour. If you want to volunteer on your day off, this is also fine!
Supervision will be fairly intensive during the first few days, when you will receive a thorough induction and work-related training. Once you are comfortable with things, you might not always have a supervisor working alongside you, but there will always be staff and other volunteers around to help, and you will always be accompanied for any high risk activities.
Staff at Oyster’s head office and in-country will be responsible for your safety and welfare while you are at the project. This will start from the moment you are picked up from the airport / your hotel until you are due to leave the project on your last day. Before and after these times, you will be outside Oyster’s responsibility and should make sure that you act safely and avoid risk. This is also true if you choose to leave the project during your time off. We will give you plenty of guidance and advice about this.
Project Reviews
Find out what others have said about wildlife sanctuary volunteering in Thailand:
"Sorry for the delay. I’m so exhausted by the end of each day here that I can barely keep my eyes open, let alone check emails! ; ) It’s been SO incredible - hard but heart warming work, and the animals are gorgeous as are the teams. I don’t want to leave!!!"
Isabelle 3 weeks November 2024
Find out what others have said about wildlife sanctuary volunteering in Thailand:
"Sorry for the delay. I’m so exhausted by the end of each day here that I can barely keep my eyes open, let alone check emails! ; ) It’s been SO incredible - hard but heart warming work, and the animals are gorgeous as are the teams. I don’t want to leave!!!"
Isabelle 3 weeks November 2024
"Everything went very well, the staff were great and of course the elephant experience was second to none! Daily work was hard, especially "harvest" but very worthwhile. Transfer from Bangkok was faultless and driver v. friendly. Accommodation was fine: we were expecting basic, but had own bathroom which was great. Lots of v. useful info on My Oyster system, this helped us prepare properly. Katie was very welcoming and the tour on day 1 was fascinating, as was hearing from the founder (Edwin). Project staff were great and v approachable. Highlight has to be feeding/showing elephants! Preparing their "enrichments" was fun too. Waking up to the sound of birds and monkeys was unreal. Dogs that live on site were v sweet. Many of the volunteers are young, don't worry about age gap...just throw yourselves into it...feeding elephants before breakfast is great, even if it is an early start! Take lots of mosquito repellent! Treat even small scratches with antiseptic cream to prevent infection ...pharmacies can sell antibiotics over the counter if needed. The village has a couple of places selling nice coffee! Go on the trip to the bat cave + market: The bats are extraordinary. Take lots of photos! It's given our daughter some gap year ideas...many of the volunteers are on a gap year travelling around SE Asia. And interesting to talk to about their experiences. Made us think about going back to that part of the world next year!"
James, 2 weeks August 2023
"My first week was really eventful, there is a lot to learn and everyday it’s something new. I am very happy here, the project is fun, the people are nice and it’s all very well organised. We are in hot season, which makes it hard for humans and animals, but fortunately we work a lot in the shade and make sure we stay hydrated. Waking up to the sounds of the animals and getting to know them is amazing. All in all exactly the type of thing I was looking for. Kind regards from Thailand! "
Franzi, 4 weeks March 2023
"I'm enjoying my time here at the sanctuary. The first week I worked in the wildlife area. The mornings are full on with the food prep etc but it's great once you get to know the routines. It's a treat to see all the different animals. The overall leaders are very passionate & enthusiastic about all their animals & they run a tight ship. The rooms, facilities & food are basic but it's all good! "
Patrick, 2 weeks March 2023
"It's amazing here and thoroughly enjoying every minute of my experience! All the coordinators are welcoming and friendly and I get on well with them. Great getting to meet people from all over the world as there is so many people here to chat too. Can't wait to see what the next weeks bring."
Rhianne, 12 weeks January 2020
"It’s been amazing here, wildlife was really hard work in all honesty, very rewarding seeing an outrageous array of animals. Have fallen in love with the otters, the cassowary Bernie and the not so micro pigs! Just started the Elephant side and it’s truly amazing. Truly amazing trip."
Tom, 2 weeks August 2019
"I’m very well, quite tired but really enjoying my time here! Had a great first week, I love working with the animals, especially the bears and I also like quarantine. Looking forward to working with the elephants as well but I am very glad I’m doing 2 weeks of wildlife."
Amelie, 3 weeks July 2019
"Thanks so much for all your help. You have been amazing with the supportive emails and phone calls"
Will, 4 weeks April 2019
"I’m having a great time. The first 2 weeks I was at wildlife which was hard work but fun. This week I started at elephants which has a slower pace. I love how close we can get to some of the elephants. The mahouts just open the door of the enclosure and the elephant walks out and comes to you for food. Everyone is very nice and there is a great ambiance. The first week I thought 6 weeks here might be long but as soon as you get used to the rhythm time flies. "
Rosalie, 6 weeks April 2019
"Oh my goodness. I had the time of my life... I miss the animals sooo much right now. I’m not mad to be home, it’s kind of nice to be back in my own bed and to see my dog again but I definitely could’ve stayed way longer! I loved Thailand so so much. I’m so happy with the trip. I will definitely go back to both the country and the sanctuary!"
Miranda, 3 weeks February 2019
"They were extremely helpful with any questions that I had. They also managed to find a very last minute place for my friend on elephants, even when they said they were full which was very kind of them. I had the time of my life and would highly recommend it to anyone."
Megan, 2 weeks June 2018
"Wow! That is all I can say. This place is a true animal sanctuary and I will definitely go back and continue to do similar trips related to animal welfare in other places too. The work here is no joke: it was all hard work, long days and not much free time but in the end all the work that is done is strictly for the animals. I have bumps, bruises, cuts and scrapes but it has all been worth it! I must say that I have never had such a fulfilling vacation."
Tabitha, 4 weeks December 2017
"Never would of expected to of done anything like the project we did being able walk,feed and clean elephants was a fantastic experience it felt like we were actually doing something good instead of watching them from behind a fence and taking a few photos. Keep up the good work couldn't recommend Oyster enough"
Adam, 1 week November 2017
"Volunteering in Thailand was one of my favorite things I've done in my whole life! The people I met were wonderful and getting the chance to work with all of the different animals was amazing. I am very happy with the experience - 10 out of 10!"
Erica, 2 weeks September 2017
"Everyone at Oyster that I spoke to were friendly and helpful in answering all my questions no matter how big or small they seemed. All the information I received in your welcome back was accurate and informative; there's nothing I can think of that I needed but didn't bring. I was very pleased with the communication aspect of booking through Oyster and I would not hesitate to book through them again!"
Holly, 3 weeks August 2017
"I quickly got into a good routine and the people there are just awesome. From the staff to the other volunteers I feel very lucky to have shared my time there with some great people whom I had a lot of fun spending time with. I think next year I will probably do another volunteer trip so might be back in touch over another project!"
Stuart, 2 weeks June 2017
"My experience to Thailand and the sanctuary was more than I have expected it to be and all the people was friendly and very helpful. I would recommend oyster for friends and family"
Lexi, 3 weeks April 2017
"I am so grateful for this experience!! It was the best thing I have done yet and has opened my eyes to great opportunities - I would love to go back someday. I am missing Thailand very much, and am even considering going back next year if I could. I just wanted to say thank you for helping me out with the process, you and the Oyster team were extremely helpful!"
Karla, 3 weeks April 2017
"I had a wonderful time! I'm not going to lie, it was VERY hard work and, in 30+ degree heat, I may not have totally appreciated just how challenging the time there would be, but it was such a humbling and grounding experience. I had no idea how much I could achieve in a day!! Being around animals and submerged in nature was absolutely incredible. Although there was a strict hands-off policy for the majority of the animals (which is absolutely right) it was just an incredible experience! Thank you Oyster for a life changing trip!"
Sarah, 4 weeks Feb 2017
"It was amazing! I am missing the project already and will definitely be going back :) Thanks for helping me to have an amazing trip! Oyster were very helpful and it is good to know you have that support with you when travelling by yourself. In March and April, it is the hot season, so be prepared for very hot days! Enjoy every moment of it, and get stuck into everything, you will not regret it! It can be hard work, but it is very rewarding to see the elephants and other wildlife so happy."
Emma, 6 weeks March 2017
"I really enjoyed my stay and work! Even though it was pretty exhausting sometimes, I really liked all the different tasks, working in nature the whole day, and being so close to such interesting animals. The people, especially the staff, were really nice and open to every question :) Thank you very much for organising and supporting me before and during my trip! I had a great time."
Maria, 4 weeks October 2016
"The experience has been fantastic so far. A lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun, and I've met some great people. Working with elephants is just amazing, I love them to pieces. They are such an intelligent animals. I am very happy that I decided to volunteer and am taking part in this project."
Ania, 2 weeks September 2016
"My trip was actually amazing! It was probably one of the best experiences of my life. I definitely want to go back next year or some other time."
Nicholas, 5 weeks March 2016
"It was great to meet so many interesting volunteers from many countries, and there was a good social atmosphere around the centre. The meals provided by the centre were very tasty and plentiful.Volunteers are divided up daily into many small groups and assigned their specific animals to look after. Although the working days start early and are quite long, there are plenty of breaks during the day. Volunteers get one free day each week, and the staff organise various trips to beaches, spas and parks in the region."
Colin, 2 weeks February 2016
"Everything about the project was amazing. Everybody has a keen and genuine interest in animal welfare, and they want to make a difference as well. Meeting others from all over the world, of various ages, with a real passion for animals and helping, is such an eyeopener, and a great change from the attitudes at home."
Shelley, 2 weeks February 2016
"The five weeks at the wildlife sanctuary in Thailand were one of the highlights of my trip! It's such a fantastic place. I absolutely enjoyed my stay there. Working with other people from all over the world with the same passion, and taking care of all the animals was just an unbelievable experience and I learned so much."
Marcel, 5 weeks August 2015
"My time was amazing - it was both what I expected and not, at the same time. It was such a good experience - the work was hard and tiring, but it was nice to meet so many people you can relate to in terms of having a passion for travelling and animals. I loved doing the work with the animals - I learned a lot whilst being there. I can't wait to do something like it again."
Cara, 2 weeks August 2015
"Thank you
so much to you and the Oyster team. I never would have done something like this so soon (or so smoothly I imagine!) without your help. I've actually been looking into your other programmes with excitement as well - I will most definitely be using you guys again."
Ellie, 3 weeks June 2015
"The time we had on the sanctuary was brilliant. All the staff were really friendly and helped out wherever they could. It was so good how interactive you were with the elephants, and you really got to know their personalities. Everything went so well and smoothly, and I'm definitely planning on coming back whenever I can."
Sarah, 2 weeks June 2015
"The trip was absolutely fantastic and I had the best time. The staff and volunteers really made it for me, and working with the animals was amazing. It really was a great experience and I'll treasure the memories for my lifetime. Thank you so much for your help and support in organising this. I'd definitely consider doing it again!!"
Karen, 3 weeks April 2015
"Working with the animals was amazing. Meeting all the other travellers was really great, too. Don't expect to know everything from the start. You slowly get into all the routines and tasks that you have to do during the day. The coordinators are very helpful if you go to them and ask for help. And have fun! Enjoy every moment of it. Thanks for everything. It has truly been amazing."
Emma, 2 weeks January 2015
"I have had an amazing trip. Thank you so much for helping me organise it. I absolutely loved it! I would have extended my trip if I was able to. It was rewarding work in an amazing place. Extremely rewarding and eye-opening. I loved every second."
Zoe, 8 weeks September 2014
"My time at the
centre was fantastic! The animals were incredible, time really flew by... "
Ollie, 4 weeks May 2014
"I'm definitely going through adventure withdrawal. It's so quiet back home with no gibbons or dogs, but I actually kind of miss it. My time in Thailand was wonderful. Getting to wash an elephant was a real highlight. It's so much more exciting and fulfilling than just going on holiday."
Brooke, 4 weeks January 2014
"3 months is going to be tough but worth it! So far I've cared for (lots of) langur monkeys, cassowary bird, tortoises, dogs, cats, and multiple types of monkeys in quarantine (^_^) I'm looking forward to working with the sun bears and leopard cats!"
Phil, 12 weeks September 2013
"It was difficult to adjust at first as I had to think on my feet, but this forced me to develop quick thinking skills which are absolutely invaluable in life. Highlights included meeting people from all over the world and learning about different cultures. Also being able to work in such close proximity to exotic animals. Thank you for giving me this awesome opportunity - you've been so reliable and consistent."
Tessa, 3 weeks July 2013
“My first days here have been really good. On Monday and Tuesday I worked with the bears, and yesterday with the monkeys - but I prefer bears!! Today I’m the leader of the team of the bears - I am so happy here.”
Stellio, 3 weeks June 2013
“I wanted to let you know that my first week in Thailand is almost over, and I really wanted to take the time to thank you for helping organize this amazing trip! It is such an incredible experience and opportunity. I am very grateful! Thank you!”
Maxine, 4 weeks June 2013
“Today I am working with the bears and cleaning out the turtles. Sarah is working with the primates and cleaning out the awesome otter! The people here are all legends and made us both feel so welcome! It's awesome here!”
Joe and Sarah, 3 weeks April 2013
“It was an amazing experience working with the animals and meeting great people from around the world. I loved working with the gibbons the most. Other people should do this to learn about these creatures and help them rehabilitate.”
Melanie, 2 weeks January 2013
For more information on volunteering with wildlife in Thailand, have a look at our wildlife sanctuary volunteering page.
Got a question or want to chat to Project Manager Kate who has first-hand experience of the project? Call +44 (0) 1892 771 973or email: – [email protected].
